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Best Arlo Cameras

Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Arlo Pro 4
Arlo
Pro 4
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Expert-recommended

The Arlo Pro 4’s detail-rich video and wealth of premium monitoring features make this model a top pick.

Expert-recommended
Bottom Line

The Arlo Pro 4’s detail-rich video and wealth of premium monitoring features make this model a top pick.

Pros

Crystal-clear 4K HDR footage. Built-in spotlight. Ultra-wide viewing angle. Up to 6 months of battery life. Features two-way audio. Color night vision. Weather-resistant. Available in white and black.

Cons

Its automotive sensor is on the sensitive side.

Best Bang for the Buck
Arlo Essential
Arlo
Essential
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Bargain Pick

The inexpensive Arlo Essential incorporates many useful features, making it a top choice for assembling a smart security system on a budget.

Bargain Pick
Bottom Line

The inexpensive Arlo Essential incorporates many useful features, making it a top choice for assembling a smart security system on a budget.

Pros

Affordable. Full HD resolution. Colorful night vision. Weather-resistant. Convenient six-month battery life. Easy to install. Integrated siren and two-way audio. Sends motion alerts to your smartphone.

Cons

Other Arlo cameras have a wider viewing angle than 130 degrees.

Arlo Ultra 2
Arlo
Ultra 2
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Feature-packed

This reliable and straightforward wireless camera system offers plenty of excellent features and was easy to use in our testing.

Feature-packed
Bottom Line

This reliable and straightforward wireless camera system offers plenty of excellent features and was easy to use in our testing.

Pros

It holds up in inclement weather, and there's a siren on the camera rather than on other systems on the central unit. It offers black-and-white night vision mode, and alerts can be received through supported systems such as Alexa and Apple Watch.

Cons

The battery life is poor, and since it's a two-camera system, you'll have to recharge both often.

Arlo Essential Indoor Camera
Arlo
Essential Indoor Camera
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For Large Households

This inexpensive yet reliable indoor security camera is worth it for watching over your home while you are away.

For Large Households
Bottom Line

This inexpensive yet reliable indoor security camera is worth it for watching over your home while you are away.

Pros

Especially affordable. Crisp FHD video. Features two-way audio. Simple installation. Motion detector. Sharp night vision. An automatic privacy shield prevents unwanted recording. Available in white and black.

Cons

For indoor use only.

Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera
Arlo
Pro 3 Floodlight Camera
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Most Comprehensive

This ultra-bright security camera has a wide-viewing lens that's perfect for surveilling large spaces.

Most Comprehensive
Bottom Line

This ultra-bright security camera has a wide-viewing lens that's perfect for surveilling large spaces.

Pros

It offers 2,000-3,000 lumens of light for illuminating dark areas and records video in 2K with HDR. The setup is wire-free and quick, and the weather-resistant build makes it suitable for outdoor and indoor use.

Cons

There are reports of video recording being delayed for a few seconds when starting.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

After going through an intensive research process to narrow down our short list of top products in this space, we tested the Arlo Ultra 2 to be sure that it’s worthy of our recommendation. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter and test to verify manufacturer claims.

First Reviewed
April 17, 2023
36
Models
considered
10
Hours
researched
Category cover

Buying guide for best Arlo cameras

Kevin Luna
Written by Kevin Luna

Updated April 2023

A security camera is a must-have for business owners, as it can help deter intruders and record video in case of a suspicious activity or a break-in. Even if you’re not a business owner, a security camera can provide you with peace of mind as it monitors your home and vehicles.

Arlo is a revered name in the security camera market with a reputation for making high-quality security cameras anyone can use. Consumers have come to trust security cameras with the Arlo Technologies name because Netgear — a top manufacturer of internet routers and other computer electronics — supports these cameras.

Arlo cameras are also popular because they are easy to install and set up. With Arlo, it’s simple to create your own security system. Some cameras are weather-resistant, meaning you could place them anywhere on your property without worrying about water damage. Others are designed for indoor use as pet or nanny cams.

When setting up your system, you can use a single camera or connect multiple cameras to cover a larger area. You can wirelessly link multiple cameras to an Arlo base station connected to the internet, enabling you to see a live feed.

Before purchasing an Arlo camera, it’s prudent to ask what you need and what features would give you the most for your money. Our top pick, the Arlo Pro 4, is the best all-around Arlo camera suitable for almost any location. It records in high-quality 2K and has a wide-viewing lens that covers medium to large areas.

Another of our top picks, the Arlo Ultra 2, was tested by our team of experts. They analyzed image and sound quality, signal range, battery life, night vision mode and connectivity with smart home systems. Our team found that the Arlo Ultra 2 was easy to set up and worked as advertised.

Best Arlo cameras

Arlo Pro 4

The Arlo Pro 4 records outstanding video quality and offers plenty of useful features. The 160-degree diagonal viewing angle lens makes it suitable for medium and large spaces. It records 2K HDR footage so you can zoom in and see everything with exceptional clarity. The built-in spotlight is handy for deterring unwelcome guests, and the night vision feature illuminates facial details and license plate numbers in full color.

One of the best things about this camera is that it requires no wiring. All you need to do is connect it to your Wi-Fi system, and it’s ready to go. If you subscribe to an Arlo Secure plan, you can get notifications on your phone if the camera detects a person, vehicle, package or animal nearby. Plus, it’s weather-resistant and works with most smart home setups.

Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera

The Essential Spotlight Camera is one of the more affordable devices in Arlo’s current lineup. If you want to keep an eye on a small or medium space, this just may be your camera.

It has a 130-degree viewing angle and records in high-definition 1080p quality. As with the Arlo Pro 4, it has a night vision feature that lets you read license plates and scrutinize faces in the dark. Two-way audio allows you to talk to visitors at your door. You can even use this camera as a monitor to keep an eye on a sleeping baby.

The wireless design is easy to set up, and the camera can sit on a shelf or mount to a wall within minutes. It’s durable enough to withstand ordinary weather conditions including high heat, cold, rain and sun.

Arlo Ultra 2

The Arlo Ultra 2 is like the Arlo Pro 4 in that it offers everything necessary for high-quality security. The Ultra 2 goes beyond the Pro 4 by recording in 4K with HDR for excellent picture quality. Night or day, you can zoom in on details, and the 180-degree viewing lens allows you to watch over large spaces.

The Arlo Ultra 2 works with several smart home systems including Alexa, SmartThings and Google Assistant. The primary features of this camera are 4K recording, two-way talk and audio, motion-detected alerts and app control.

Notably, if you want additional features such as battery backup, package detection and smart interactive notifications, you’d need an Arlo Secure plan.

Arlo Essential Indoor Camera

If you’re looking for a straightforward camera to keep an eye on things indoors, the Arlo Essential Indoor Camera is an apt choice. It’s the most affordable Arlo camera, yet it offers many of the features found in the brand’s pricier models.

With the Arlo Essential Indoor Camera, you get a 130-degree viewing angle, night vision for reading license plates and recognizing faces at night and 1080p HD recording. Two-way audio lets you hear who’s standing near the camera, and you can also speak to them.

This Arlo camera connects to any indoor outlet; all you need to do is connect it to your Wi-Fi system. With an Arlo Secure plan, you can use premium features such as smart notifications and emergency dial. A built-in siren can be triggered via your phone to deter intruders and unwanted visitors.

Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera

This camera is larger than the other Arlo cameras we recommend, but there’s a significant reason for that. It’s a floodlight camera that illuminates any space with 2,000 lumens of brightness — or 3,000 lumens, if you use the outdoor magnetic charging cable. We think the Pro 3 Floodlight’s suitability for dark spaces such as alleyways, garages, basements and parking lots is the primary benefit of this camera.

You can record in 2K with HDR and zoom in to get a clearer image. The wide 160-degree diagonal viewing angle lens has no auto image correction and provides a broader scope for added security. As with many Arlo cameras, this one has a two-way talk and audio function. It can double as a monitor, and the motion sensor activates from 3 to 5 feet away.

With this purchase, you get a free trial for an Arlo Secure plan to receive smart notifications and access other premium features.

Arlo Pro 3

The Pro 3 is the predecessor to the Pro 4, but it’s still available from many retailers. It’s a suitable alternative if you’re on a budget and don’t mind an older model. This device gets the job done and has a similar design to the Pro 4, so you can rest assured you’re getting a quality security camera.

This camera records in 2K with HDR for outstanding clarity. Just zoom into what you want, and you get a clear image. Like the Pro 4, it’s equipped with a night mode that displays faces and license plates at night in color. Plus, you can store videos on the included Arlo SmartHub and view them anywhere.

This camera works with most smart home systems and includes an Arlo Secure free trial. Through the trial, you’ll get 30-day cloud recording, advanced object detection, rich notifications and cloud activity zones.

How we tested

After researching what each Arlo camera offers, we tested the Arlo Ultra 2 to see how it performed in the following areas.

Ease of setup

  • Setup: We tested the entire setup process, from opening the package to plugging in the base station to syncing the camera.

Quality

  • Picture quality: We tested the resolution of the recorded video and clarity under various lighting conditions and environments.
  • Signal range: We analyzed how far the cameras could stray from the base station before experiencing a drop in signal strength and connectivity.
  • Weather resistance: The camera was tested in rainy conditions and hot and cold temperatures to determine if the weather compromised its construction or affected its battery life or performance.

Advanced features

  • Smart home connectivity: We tested the camera’s capabilities when connected to Amazon Alexa and an Apple Watch.
  • Night mode: We tested how clearly license plates and faces could be distinguished in a dark environment.
  • Arlo Secure: We tried the Arlo Secure subscription service to test 4K recording and other features, such as smart notifications.

What to know before buying an Arlo camera

Live View

An Arlo camera with a live view feature is a must if you want to keep an eye on pets or children when you’re not around. It lets you tune into whatever’s happening from your smartphone or tablet.

Recording quality

The better the recording quality, the easier it is to identify things such as license plates and faces with your security camera. High recording quality lets you zoom in on any still image without much distortion. Cameras that record video in 4K or 2K resolution are the best, but they’re also the priciest. For most consumers, a camera that records video in 1080p Full HD is adequate for their home and basic security needs.

Two-way audio

This convenient feature allows you to use your camera as a communication system. For example, you can speak with visitors at your door from your phone or tablet. You can use the camera as an intercom system for communicating with others at home. If needed, you can use it to let visitors know if they can enter, where to enter or where to leave an item such as a package at the door.

Storage

A live feed is excellent for seeing what’s happening in real time. However, you won’t always be able to keep an eye on things that way. If something happens outside your home that catches you off-guard, you’ll want video footage to make out faces, license plates and other details. For this reason, it’s crucial to have a camera with plenty of storage space. It keeps recorded video safe in case you ever need to examine it.

Viewing angle

The wider the viewing angle, the more area a camera can cover. Cameras with wide-viewing camera lenses of 160 to 180 degrees are expensive and suitable for large areas such as parking lots, warehouses and garages. A standard Arlo camera has a viewing angle of 130 to 150 degrees. This is suitable for keeping an eye on a bedroom or driveway.

Wireless vs. cordless operation

Arlo has multiple camera models that don’t require wires. These cameras transmit data over your local Wi-Fi network to a base station that connects to the internet. This method of connection conserves battery power in the cameras.

A few Arlo cameras draw power from a battery or solar panel. Since you don’t need a power cord for these cameras, you can install them anywhere.

FAQ

Q. How much do Arlo cameras cost?

A. Arlo cameras with wide-viewing lenses that record in 2K or 4K quality cost $150 to $200. Those with standard lenses that record in full HD cost $80 to $150, depending on whether they come with a base station.

Q. What is power over Ethernet?

A. Power over Ethernet allows a single cord to carry power and internet, making any security setup more streamlined.

Q. Is an Arlo Secure Plan worth it?

A. For basic surveillance, most people are satisfied without an Arlo Secure Plan. However, there’s no point in debating between getting one model over another if you’re not planning on getting an Arlo Secure Plan because you can only access premium features if you have one. For example, although some cameras can record in 2K or 4K, you’ll only get Full HD quality video if you have an Arlo Secure Plan.

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