Arlo is one of the most popular choices in home security cameras. It is simple to install and easy to use device. Arlo home security doesn’t come with complicated contracts and has a design that can be mounted anywhere. After doing a through research and testing on different Arlo security cameras we have come up with the review. If you don’t know which one to choose continue reading for a better idea and a satisfactory shopping experience.
Why Should You Consider Arlo?
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Arlo is true to its tagline “Every Angle Covered”. It is a 100% weatherproof secuirty camera and wire-free camera for home security. You can mount this camera anywhere as it is suitable for both indoor and outdoor installations.This tiny device can keep you update what is happening around your home.
Not only this, it also offers a video baby monitor. So, you can always use it in two ways inside or outside as per the need. As it is wireless and have the DIY installation feature so its less time consuming when it comes to the setup and opertions. You can connect 15 of the Arlo camera to one system for livestream, record videos, and set motion sensor.
However, its simplicity is also one of its biggest disadvantages. It might become difficult to select the right model. One downside is lack of audio recording (commonly found in home security systems).
Lastly, it comes free basic plan and subscription plans come with added video recording feature. The full security camera system is free of any complicated contracts. So, it is hands up a better choice for home security anytime.
Its monthly subscription plan can support up to 60 cameras.
High-quality infrared night Vision.
Motion alert detectable on the mobile.
The management app is accessible through iOS, Android, Apple TV and web browsers.
100 per cent wireless.
Arlo has good compatibility with third-party solutions. Alexa and Google assistant give the voice control feature and that platform provides you with a feature to connect your cameras to multiple devices. Other technologies that you can use along with this include Apple home kit, SmartThings, Telguard, Stringify and wink.
The feature of audio recording is absent. However, you do have a two-way talk system available.
It is easy to set up and has a simple design.
Customer Service Experience- Neargear has reputed customer service. There are a few ways to get the desired assistance or have your questions regarding the equipment solved. An active community is present to answer basic questions. These work great during the early and pre-installation period. The FAQ is a good base and will help you explore your options. A well-versed support centre that has videos and articles is available. Live chat is present for one on one support. You need to pay for the phone support after the 90 days free support period.
These cameras come at a reasonable price. They come with one year warranty as well. However, the upfront needs to be paid while purchasing the equipment. After that, you can choose the subscription plan that suits you well.
Things We Like
Well Designed Hardware
No complicated contracts
Variety of options available
Video baby monitor
Customizable security lights
A base for a large number of cameras
Third-party integration
Things We Don't Like
Limited home automation
Certain features are absent when compared to other security systems
Large upfront payment
What Are The Complaints That People Have About Arlo??
1. Lag time
The one complaint which we have is the lag time. Now Arlo takes around 3-5 seconds before it detects the motion. This may not give the burglar sufficient time to break in but it is enough for him to spot the camera, hide his face and snatch up your stuff.
2. Compatibility
This is a quirk that has been spotted. Your older Arlo models will work well with the SmartHub that accompanies Arlo Ultra, however, your Arlo Ultra will not work well with the old base station. So basically the newer models are not compatible with the old base stations.
What Are The Various Subscription Plans You Can Choose From??
As you know, there are various plans that you can subscribe to. However, which one will be suitable for you? Take a look at this
Plan
Use
No. of devices supported
Features available
Basic Plan
Residential
5
7 days of stored recordings, 90 days phone based support
Premier Plan
Residential
10
30 days of video recordings, 24/7 recording, unlimited phone-based support
Elite plan
Residential
15
60 days of video recordings, 24/7 video recording, unlimited phone support
This consists of one camera and a base station. It is wireless and can be used indoor as well as outdoor. It is weather resistant and comes with a rechargeable battery, motion detector, night vision, two-way audio and video streaming.
Design And Features
We have seen that this design is functional and quite friendly. It is 100 per cent weatherproof and it has survived torrential rains without fault.
This camera is a 720p sensor and has a 130- degree lens. There is a micro-USB port present for charging along with a 2440mAH battery. The camera will only switch on when motion is detected. Arlo Pro works only with the base station. This comes with the kit but can buy it separately.
You might feel disappointed to find that an SD card can’t be inserted into the device, but don’t worry. Locally storing the recordings with the help of the USB port or using the cloud will keep the process hassle-free. Besides, you will not feel the need to have another Arlo Subscription and this will help in saving some money in the long run.
Initially, we did face some problems while setting up the system since the router was far away from the camera. However, using a Wi-Fi extender along with an Ethernet port solved the problem. The base station comes with a loud alarm and you can choose the circumstances in which it will be triggered. So the required motion is sensed and you are notified about the movement.
The technical setup is easy. Within the span of 10 minutes, you can complete the setup through the Netgear’s app. Once you are done with the setup you can have your camera armed when you are at home and disarmed when you are away. It has one of the best scheduling systems in the market, however, it does take some time to get used to it.
Video Quality
Arlo’s video quality was to be good. The wide angle lens helps in viewing pretty much everything. The night vision is quite good and helps in ensuring that the subjects are recognisable. However here is what you are going to be missing out on-
You won’t be able to stream the videos in 1080p HD. It records in 720p HD only.
It isn’t compatible with smart home devices in comparison to pRO 2.
You will miss out on 24/7 recording of the activity zones.
So here is what we think. If you are not very concerned about activity notifications or precision, then you may be saving some money by buying this. But if you are spending so much on a security kit, might as well just get some extra features by paying a cute subscription fee.
Some Red Flags That We Noticed
It has a lag time. There is a certain amount of delay before the movement gets detected and the recording starts. However, this is common in all the home secuirty cameras.
The app becomes slightly frustrating since the fingerprint login doesn’t function properly.
It is one of the best cameras of Arlo. It is reliable, long-lasting has an appreciable battery life and is simple to use. It is without a doubt worth its price.
This comes with 1 camera and a base station. The streaming is of 1080p HD. It focuses on certain activity zones that detect motion and sound at the places. It is wireless, comes with a rechargeable battery and a 100-decibel smart siren.
Here is a tip that works. If you have puppies or small kids constantly moving around in the activity zones, our advice is, keep a check on the height. Set the view of your camera such that it detects anyone entering the house who is taller than your puppies and kids. Besides, this is one of the best standard security cameras. Apart from the listed features, it has been found that it works well with Amazon Alexa, Stringify etc.
When it comes to security features, it is very compelling. It can be placed indoors as well as outdoors. It has night vision that can help you mark specific parts of the footage for accurate motion detection. The battery life is appreciable. In our experience, after using it for about 13-14 days, it still had 65% battery. So you may have to charge it every 4-6 weeks. For this, you can buy the solar panel kit, however, it can be slightly pricey.
Choosing The Right Plan
Now the footage gets stored in the cloud for 7 days and 5 cameras are supported in this. But if you want an upgrade, you have to start paying up.
In case you run a business, the Premier plan will be the best fit. The Elite plan that is in a higher range can also be your go to. If you feel all that is too expensive, you can always plug in your USB and opt for local storage.
Our Verdict
It is pricey, yes, however, it has excellent features. The footage quality, motion detection and audio detection are remarkable. Due to its quality and flexibility, Arlo Pro 2 is worth the price.
Arlo Ultra comes with one camera and a base station. This is the latest model available until now. It provides 4K UHD resolution and is equipped with several smart home features. Our advice is, spend on this device if you are looking for Higher video and audio quality and extra security features.
This includes a single light and a base station. There are several complementary features available with the camera. Automatic recording with motion detectors is one of such features. A feature named Dusk to Dawn turns off the power saving mode when it is bright outside.
These lights can be used indoors as well as outdoors. The flash, colours and width of the beam are customisable. It is also compatible with Alexa.
Arlo has a base in having a good baby monitor. It uses video streaming with a quality of 1080p. It has advanced night vision, air sensors, two-way talk feature and motion as well as sound alert.
The Q camera series are self-sufficient and do not require a base. This camera is AC powered. It is basically for people who require 24/7 recording. It streams in 1080p HD and has two-way audio.
The biggest problem Arlo Ultra has is its price. For a single camera and base station, that seems a lot. The other cameras aren’t as cheap either. Also, the fact that 4K streaming is unavailable, can make it seem pricey. However, you can always add Pro or Pro 2 to the lot to provide overall coverage.
This camera gives one of the best footage. The Arlo app gives excellent control over the camera. Besides, the Smart Cloud Activity Zones can be managed to cut down on of alerts that may seem unnecessary.
This is primarily for meeting business needs. It has power over Ethernet connections. It comes with a high storage capacity, a wide angle lens, 2-way audio and 1080p HD video.
Arlo Q has excellent noise and motion detection features, However in our view, if you require an outdoor security system, this may not be your go-to choice. It is better suited for indoor purposes.
This model is used both indoors as well as outdoors. It comes with night vision and video streaming options. This is comparatively cheap at the same time. However, it has a poor resolution as compared to Arlo pro and does not cover a wide field.
This base station helps in connecting the wifi to the cameras. It handles al the location storage needs. It also has a 100-decibel siren.
Arlo Go
No products found.
Design
It is completely wireless and offers 7 days of free cloud storage without any monthly fee. However, it requires charging on a regular basis since the battery life is not its best feature. It takes around 2-3 hours to charge. You can always purchase the station charging unit and some batteries to save time.
Features
Arlo Go is completely weatherproof and can survive rains. It also has night vision along with a 130-degree field view. Arlo Go helps in navigating at those places that lie beyond the wifi setup. It uses your mobile data plan to do so.
What It Lacks?
The time lag is a major concern with most of the Arlo cameras. Arlo Go is no exception to this. Secondly, the video quality is not up to the mark. It can make identifying a random person slightly difficult.
Our Verdict
Arlo Go is versatile. It can be carried anywhere and is the best option for those who travel regularly. Its drawback is battery life. However, that is based on your settings. Overall Arlo Go is a great choice and can be considered as an option.
This goes well with the Arlo security cameras and gives a view of your front door when placed with the camera.
How Do I Decide?
Selecting the right system can be a slightly overwhelming process. But what can help here is segregating each system based on its use and how it can be suitable for you. Consider jotting down your need and comparing it to the different models. The model that matches the most with your need is the right one for you.
Plan
Use
No. of devices supported
Features available
Arlo
Residential
5
§ In case you are looking for a budget-friendly model.
§ You want to keep out the bells and whistles
Arlo Pro
Residential
10
§ When you want basic motion and audio detection
§ The price factor
Arlo Pro 2
Residential
15
§ When you wish to monitor the activity zone
§ You want 24/7 video recording
§ You want a wider field of view
Arlo Go
Business, commercial customers
16
§ In case you plan to take your camera along while travelling
§ When you wish to use your camera in places with no Wifi connection
Arlo Q
Business, Commercial customers
24
§ If you are looking for something more suited in a business environment
Other Available Accessories
Arlo Wall stand
Camera Skins
Outdoor Power Adapter
Indoor power cable and adapter for Pro, Pro2 and Security Lights
Wall mounting 4-Pack
Table and Ceiling Mount
Outdoor Security mount
Solar Panel
Charging station for Pro, Pro2 and Go
Final Talk
Based on rigrous testing, various reviews, comments and product features we have prepared this guide to help you find the right model. Overall Arlo provides good security, storage, customer service and features. However, it all depends on your needs and requirements. There is no speicfic model that can fit everybody, you have to look for your needs to choose the right one for yourself.
Neil is the lead technology reporter and in-house expert for BeOnHome.com.His expertise is in smart home devices, security cameras, and home security systems. In addition to this, he loves experimenting with new gadgets and taking up DIY home improvement projects in his free time.
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