Arlo security camera review 2021

Arlo sells a bunch of wireless cameras that will satisfy almost any need, so we've gathered them all here for you.

Arlo cameras aren’t the most expensive out there, and they work pretty well, making them one of our most popular security camera recommendations.

The biggest downside is that Arlo cameras require a paid subscription to access some of the best features.

Our research highlights the best of Arlo's wireless camera offerings. Keep reading our comprehensive guide to find the best Arlo security camera for your home or apartment.

We wish it were easy to explain how Arlo cameras work!

Arlo has a lot of variety in its offerings—which is terrific in that the company has a lot of different solutions for different preferences. But, because each camera varies in its connectivity, compatibility, and even storage plan features, it makes it hard to give a blanket explanation.

Here’s our stab at a quick-and-dirty summary. We’ll provide more depth as the review goes on.

• All Arlo cameras communicate without wires (so you won’t need an electrician), but some of them need to be plugged in to work.
• Arlo sells both outdoor and indoor cameras.
• Some Arlo cameras need hubs or base stations to connect to your smart home. Some don’t.
• Some Arlo hubs and cameras have local storage. Some don’t.
• Most Arlo cameras work with Alexa, Google, IFTTT, and HomeKit.
• Arlo has three different cloud storage/video streaming plans. You can’t use every plan with every camera due to varying storage needs and video quality capabilities.

The main differentiator between many of the Arlo camera lines is the video quality. The Essential, Pro, and Ultra lines are all very similar in terms of features; their prices are primarily determined by whether they stream in 1080p, 2K, or 4K.

So basically, if you’re just looking for a good camera, you’ll probably like any of the main three lines. But if you want a specific video quality, then Arlo’s still got you covered.

Arlo sells its hub, the Arlo Pro Smart Hub, as a standalone model, or bundled with the Ultra 2 in a 2 camera kit. The Smart Hub is compatible with the Ultra 2, the Arlo Video Doorbell, the Pro 3 and the Pro 3 Floodlight Camera, as well as with outdated Arlo cameras such as the Pro 2.

Arlo Smart features a few different storage plans, including a free option.

For cameras with advanced object detection and other features that make Arlo worth the buy, you must get a paid Premier or Elite plan. Without one, you can’t access most of your camera’s functions.

However, which plan you get will be determined by the camera you have. And, if you have a few different Arlo cameras with different plan needs, you could end up paying for both a Premier and Elite plan each month.

Arlo also offers continuous video recording, also known as CVR or 24/7 recording. That way, you can see everything, not just camera clips triggered by events.

But there’s a catch. Besides paying for a subscription plan, you’ll spend $9.99 each month for 14 days of CVR or $19.99 a month for 30 days.

That works out to as much as $35 a month, which is quite a bit for DIY camera systems.

The Pro is Arlo’s standard camera offering. It offers 2K video quality and Arlo’s signature advanced object detection.

Over the last few years, Arlo has discontinued the Arlo Pro and Arlo Pro 2.

Currently, the company sells the Pro 3, Pro 3 Floodlight, and Pro 4.

All Arlo Pro cameras have the following:

• 2K video
• Motion detection
• Package detection
• Person detection
• Vehicle detection
• Two-way audio
• Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT, and Apple HomeKit compatibility
• Color night vision
• Zoom
• Projected six-month battery life

The main difference between these cameras is that the Pro 3 and Pro 4 have spotlights, while the Pro 3 Floodlight (predictably) has a floodlight. Also, neither the Pro 4 or Pro 3 Floodlight needs an Arlo hub, while the Pro 3 is still reliant on one.

What Arlo refers to as “advanced object detection” encompasses package, person, and vehicle detection.

If you live on a busy street, motion detection push notifications can quickly become annoying. It’s better to get specific notifications, such as “Person detected” or “Package detected.” And that’s where Arlo’s top unique feature comes into play.

However, to use this feature, you’ll need a paid subscription.

Arlo Pro cameras require an Arlo Secure Plan for 2K streaming, 30 days of storage, and full access to all features. That’s $4.49 a month for a single camera or $14.99 a month for unlimited cameras.

You’ll get three months of Arlo Secure free at first, and then it’s time to pay.

You can choose to go without a paid subscription, but as we’ve mentioned, you won’t be able to get the full Arlo Pro experience.

To set up an Arlo Pro camera, you’ll charge it, mount it, and follow the app’s directions to get it connected to your Wi-Fi and the hub (if applicable).

When we tested the Arlo Ultra, we thought it was pretty cool.

But now Arlo no longer sells the Ultra. It’s moved on to the Ultra 2.

Arlo Ultra 2 features:

• 4K HDR video
• Motion detection
• Package detection
• Person detection
• Vehicle detection
• Two-way audio
• Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, and Samsung SmartThings compatibility
• Siren
• Spotlight
• Color night vision
• Zoom
• Local storage
• Projected six-month battery life

The Ultra 2 requires an Arlo SmartHub or base station, so if you don’t have one, you’ll want to get one.

Spotlights are quite useful on outdoor security cameras. Folks who sneak around on other people’s property generally don’t want to be seen, so a light can be a big deterrent.

You’ll get a three-month trial of Arlo Secure with an Ultra 2, but after that, you’ll need to pay to get full use of your camera.

When we used the Arlo Ultra, we charged it before setting it up. It needs to be mounted, which we didn’t try, but connecting it to the app wasn’t very hard.

Like other Arlo cameras, the Ultra is completely wireless, so you don’t need to plug it into the hub or your router to work.

We haven’t tried the Arlo Ultra 2, but our understanding is that it’s pretty similar.

When we say “Arlo Essential,” we (and most reviewers) are referring to the Arlo Essential Spotlight. But there’s also an Arlo Essential Indoors. 

So what makes these cameras so essential? They both have sirens and advanced motion detection, don’t use hubs, and still manage to be two of Arlo’s cheapest camera offerings. Affordable and user-friendly: nice.

You can expect the following from an Essential camera:

• 1080p video
• Motion detection
• Package detection
• Person detection
• Vehicle detection
• Two-way audio
• Siren
• Night vision
• Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT, Apple HomeKit, and Samsung SmartThings compatibility

And, if you get the Essential Spotlight, you’ll also get outdoor weatherproofing, color night vision, and an estimated six months of battery life.

The Arlo Essential cameras work with the Arlo Premier plan. We’re not sure about the indoor camera, but the Spotlight comes with a three-month-long trial. That way, you can test the plan before spending money on it.

If you choose to connect the camera to an Arlo SmartHub, you can get free local storage too. Just remember that if you choose to go that route over a paid Arlo Smart subscription, you can’t use your object-detection features.

We haven’t yet gotten our hands on the Arlo Essential Indoors, but the Arlo Essential Spotlight setup wasn’t difficult at all.

We charged the camera and followed the app instructions to add it to our Arlo account. It only took a few minutes. We didn’t try installing the mount, though, so we can’t speak to that.

While Arlo has some other offerings that you can buy used (such as Arlo Baby), it also has a few currently-available products that didn’t fit in the core review.

Those products include Arlo’s doorbell cameras and Arlo’s solar panels.

It’s hard to go wrong with an Arlo camera. But which one is right for you? Let’s recap.

Arlo Pro: The Arlo Pro line streams in 2K. The older versions require a hub, while the two newest, the Pro 3 Floodlight and Pro 4, don’t. To access the full features, like advanced object detection, you’ll need to pay for a subscription.

Arlo Ultra: Arlo Ultras feature 4K video and advanced object detection when you use the premium paid subscription. Both the older and newer versions require connection with an Arlo hub.

Arlo Essential: This 1080p line includes one indoor-only camera. Hubs are not required to use the Essential cameras, but you'll need a paid plan to take full advantage of the features, including Arlo’s signature advanced object detection.

Arlo cameras can get expensive, but they aren’t the most expensive cameras on the market (hello, Google Nest).

The main thing that makes Arlo cameras expensive is that you typically have to buy them in a multipack or with a base, bringing the cost way up. When you buy them one at a time, they’re much more affordable. Especially if you wait and order them once they’ve been out for a while.

Several Arlo cameras now come in two different colors. Sadly, your choices are black or white. You don’t get anything fun, like turquoise or fuschia.

Arlo sells both indoor and outdoor power adapters that can charge a camera or even provide a constant power supply (if you choose to always leave it plugged in). While the indoor adapter cannot get wet, to our understanding, the outdoor power adapter is fine in inclement weather.

The free non-plan option does not have free camera storage. You won’t be able to refer back to an event recorded by the camera.

However, some cameras, like the Arlo Q and Arlo Go, come with rolling seven-day storage at no cost.