Arlo Security Cameras Review

Arlo was one of the first companies to release battery-powered security cameras way back in 2014, and its years of experience show in its latest products. After weeks of hands-on testing, we think that Arlo's wireless security cameras are a great choice, whether you want to keep an eye on package deliveries, check in with your pet, or welcome the kids home after school.

Arlo has some of the best video quality among all of the security cameras we've tested, and some have batteries that last up to one year on a single charge. We think the best Arlo camera is the Ultra 2 thanks to its crisp 4k picture, but the Pro 5S is our top pick overall because it balances video quality, battery life, and affordability. 

Below, we'll highlight our top five favorite Arlo cameras, help you understand the different subscription options, and compare Arlo to other brands so you can buy with confidence.

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For potentially limitless battery life, you can buy a solar panel accessory so you don't have to take it down for recharging as often. It also lacks the automatic tracking of the Pro 4 and Ultra 2, so it's harder to follow the action in a video.

Another flaw of the Arlo Ultra 2 is that you need to pay 50%–60% more to store 4K video in the cloud using the Arlo Secure Plan Plus. But you can subscribe to the cheaper Arlo Secure Plan if you don't need 4K video with this camera.

While there are slight variations in the execution of Arlo's core features, every Arlo camera can do these things:

• The Arlo app allows you to access and control your cameras using your smartphone.
• Night vision uses infrared light so your Arlo cameras can see and record in the dark. Models like the Arlo Essential Spotlight, Arlo Pro 4, and Arlo Ultra 2 also have a bright LED light for color video at night.
• Motion detection allows Arlo cameras to save battery power by recording only when there's motion in front of the camera.
• Two-way audio allows you to speak with people near the camera, which is perfect for checking on the kids during your lunch break.

Battery-powered cameras are the rule at Arlo, not the exception. This means that the majority of Arlo wireless cameras have a battery that lasts up to six months between charges—the Arlo Essential XL lasts up to 12 months. Only the Arlo Essential Indoor and Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wired require a power cable.

By using a battery, there are practically endless places you can install an Arlo security camera outside your home, like fences, trees, and sheds. We also like that the mounting hardware for Arlo cameras is easy to install, so you don't need to spend more than a few minutes positioning your security camera.

You can view live video in the Arlo app anytime without a subscription, but Arlo gives you extra features and higher-quality video storage with its paid Arlo Secure plans. Here's a quick overview:

A fascinating feature in Arlo Secure Premium is the emergency response service. This clears a path for a quick police response to your home instead of your smartphone location during an emergency. It's not a substitute for professional security monitoring but can streamline 911 calls.

Fortunately, Arlo Secure Premium also gives you access to 24/7 professional monitoring.

Learn more in our guide to Arlo subscription plans.

Arlo boasts top-tier smart home compatibility with the best smart home platforms:

• Amazon Alexa
• Google Assistant^†
• If This Then That (IFTTT)

Some Arlo cameras also work with Samsung SmartThings and Apple HomeKit.

As Arlo cameras increase in price, they gain higher video resolution—while the core features such as wire-free installation and color night vision remain mostly the same. This is different from competitors like Ring and Google Nest, which tend to standardize resolution across cameras, regardless of cost.

By offering plenty of video resolutions, Arlo can cater to specific customer tastes. For example, a techie might buy an Arlo Ultra 2 for access to stunning 4K video. But a new parent can save a little cash by opting for the lower resolution of an Arlo Essential in nurseries and playrooms.

We have a love/hate relationship with Arlo's hubs. We absolutely love that they improve battery life compared to security cameras that use only Wi-Fi. They also enable local video storage by connecting a storage device to the hub.

But base stations have a major drawback: cost. An Arlo Smart Hub accounts for around $100 of Arlo's starter kits' price—the same amount as the Ring Stick Up Cam Battery. This extra expense makes most brands a better value than Arlo since you can buy more cameras for less.

The number of cameras a base station supports depends on the camera type and subscription plan you have. Learn more about how many security cameras you need.

We recommend choosing a stand-alone camera if you want to save some cash. But the base station is the best way to record local video without a cloud subscription, which saves more money over the long run. Depending on the local storage capacity you have, you can start saving money in 2–4 months (compared to cloud storage).

While most Arlo cameras use a battery for wire-free operation, some models also use an optional solar panel or power cable to supplement the battery. Two Arlo cameras don't use batteries at all: Arlo Essential Wired Video Doorbell and Arlo Essential Indoor.

• Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight: This stand-alone camera is much less discreet than the Arlo Pro 4 because it sports a super bright LED floodlight that's perfect for outdoor locations.
• Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell: We like the battery on this unit because it gives you more installation flexibility without ant wiring. The $50 price premium is a bit much considering Ring's cheapest battery-powered option costs just $100.

We researched every Arlo security camera we could find before writing this review. This was a tall order because Arlo currently makes 10 camera models. And Arlo's website often lists older, sometimes unavailable models alongside new models.

Arlo's camera selection is diverse, and each model brings a lot to the table. It doesn't have free video storage, but thankfully Arlo's plans are very competitive with Ring and Nest on price.

Still, we recommend other Arlo cameras if you have the budget or simply want better video quality. Feel free to browse our FAQ below or visit our wireless security camera review to learn more about Arlo and how it compares to other brands.

Arlo Pro 5S: provides 2K video quality, a wide field of view, and Arlo's best features without a base station

Arlo Essential Wired Video Doorbell: gives you a handy way to watch over your porch without recharging a battery

Arlo Essential XL: is the best value for most folks with a long-lasting battery

Arlo Ultra 2: offers stunning 4K video when most wireless cameras still focus on 1080p

Arlo Essential Indoor: offers a privacy shield and continuous power for unmatched indoor performance