Arlo Pro 4 vs. Arlo Ultra 2 Review

The Arlo Pro 4 costs less than the Arlo Ultra 2 by like ... a lot. You'll pay three hundred dollars less for a single Arlo Pro 4 camera than you would for the standard two-camera kit you get with the Arlo Ultra 2.

You can buy a single Arlo Ultra 2 security camera, but it still costs almost $100 more than the Arlo Pro 4 camera, and you can't use the Ultra 2 without an Arlo SmartHub. (The Arlo Pro 4 doesn't need a hub.)

The Arlo Pro 4 is still kind of a pricey cam at over $130 for a single outdoor security camera. But Arlo packs a lot of features into the Pro 4, and we think the price is fair for what you get.

We also like that the Arlo Pro 4 doesn't require an Arlo SmartHub. Previous models of the Arlo Pro security cameras, including the Arlo Pro 2 and Arlo Pro 3, required the SmartHub to work, but the Arlo Pro 4 lets you skip it.

You can still use the Arlo SmartHub with your Pro 4 camera if you want to. And the SmartHub has some perks, namely local storage. You can store video recordings and footage locally on the SmartHub without relying on Arlo's cloud storage service.

Because most of Arlo's other security cameras require the SmartHub, you usually have to buy them in multi-camera kits. The fact that you can buy a single Arlo Pro 4 camera without a hub saves you some money over previous Arlo Pro editions (and over the Arlo Ultra 2).

Unlike the Arlo Pro 4, the Arlo Ultra 2 requires an Arlo SmartHub to work. If you already have a SmartHub, then you can connect an add-on Ultra 2 camera to your existing hub. But if you don't have a hub, then you'll need to buy the Arlo Ultra 2 as part of a two-camera kit.

We know it's weird that Arlo doesn't sell the Ultra 2 as part of a one-camera kit, but that's how it rolls. If you want only one security camera, you can cheat the system and buy an add-on camera and a SmartHub separately. That method can potentially save you about $100 over buying the two-camera kit. It's just kind of a hassle.

Keep in mind that Arlo makes a few different models of hubs. If you want to buy a hub and Ultra 2 camera separately, double-check that the SmartHub you're looking at is compatible with the Arlo Ultra 2. Arlo releases new versions of its cameras what feels like once a year. And the old stuff doesn't always work with the new models.

Keep in mind that Arlo makes a few different models of hubs. If you want to buy a hub and Ultra 2 camera separately, double-check that the SmartHub you're looking at is compatible with the Arlo Ultra 2. Arlo releases new versions of its cameras what feels like once a year. And the old stuff doesn't always work with the new models.

Whether you get the Arlo Pro 4 or the Arlo Ultra 2, you're going to want to sign up for an Arlo Smart subscription plan. You don't have to, but without an Arlo Smart plan, the cameras aren't worth it.

You need an Arlo Smart Plan to get full 2K resolution (with the Arlo Pro 4) or full 4K resolution (with the Arlo Ultra 2). An Arlo Smart plan also grants you access to Arlo's AI technology, which tells your security cameras the difference between a car driving down the street, a package on your porch, and the neighborhood cat.

We can't emphasize enough how great smart alerts are. Most motion-detector security cameras can't tell the difference between your spouse and a squirrel. But Arlo security cameras can tell you right in the notification whether they see a person, package, vehicle, or animal. It's awesome.

The Arlo Ultra 2 technically has better features than the Arlo Pro 4, but it's not a huge difference. The Ultra 2 records in higher resolution (4K vs. 2K), and has a wider field of view, but honestly, that's about it. The biggest difference is definitely the Ultra 2's fancy 4K resolution, which puts the clear in "crystal clear."

We tested the Arlo Pro 4 and the Arlo Ultra side by side, and while the 4K resolution is fun, it's not necessary.

The Ultra 2 doesn't take amazingly better video than the Arlo Pro 4, and the 4K resolution puts a bigger burden on both your internet connection and the camera's battery. Our Arlo Pro Ultra 2 battery died twice in one month while the Arlo Pro 4 was still going strong.

The user experience with these two cameras is similar. With the Ultra 2, you have to install the Arlo SmartHub first and then sync the cameras with it.

With the Arlo Pro 4, you get to skip the hub installation. But otherwise, these security cameras are about the same. They use the same Arlo app, they have the same setting options, and they send the same types of alerts.

The Arlo Pro 4 and the Arlo Ultra 2 also both have built-in spotlights and built-in sirens. The spotlights are useful because they turn on automatically when the camera detects motion.

The light makes it easier to see when you're walking through your yard, and it helps the camera record better quality footage at night. Both the Pro 4 and the Ultra 2 have standard night vision, but the built-in spotlight lets the cameras record in color instead of the usual black-and-white night vision quality.

Because both of these cameras are from Arlo, they have exactly the same customer support resources. Arlo has an online support and knowledge base that can answer questions, help you troubleshoot issues, and tell you how to adjust your camera settings.

If you need a real person, you can reach out to Arlo over the phone, through live chat, or by posting in Arlo's community forums. You can also submit a case if you have an issue that's covered by Arlo's one-year warranty.

Arlo customer service phone number: 1-408-638-3750

We love that Arlo has so many ways to access support resources, but some customers still don't seem to have great experiences with the company. Arlo has a measly 1.2 stars on Trustpilot, with over 700 customer reviews.¹ Most of the negative reviews seem to focus on Arlo cameras' build quality and battery life.

The Arlo Ultra 2 technically has better features than the Pro 4, but we don't think they're worth paying the Ultra 2's higher price. The Arlo Pro 4 works almost exactly the same as the Ultra 2, and it doesn't require a SmartHub.

• Price: Arlo Pro 4. The Arlo Pro 4 costs a lot less than the Arlo Ultra 2, and you get almost the same features.
• Features and installation: Tie. The Arlo Ultra 2 has slightly better features, but the 4K resolution takes up more internet bandwidth and strains the battery.
• User experience: Arlo Pro 4. These security cameras work almost exactly the same, but the Arlo Pro 4 doesn't need a hub and its battery lasts longer.
• Customer service: Tie. These are both Arlo cameras, so they're backed up by the exact same support resources.

Want to check out an even cheaper Arlo security camera? Read our Arlo Essential Review.

We assess five different criteria to judge home security cameras:

• Price
• Equipment
• Home automation
• Cameras
• Customer service

We tested the Arlo Ultra 2 and the Arlo Pro 4 cameras side by side for over a month before writing this review. We assessed features, video quality, battery life, and internet speeds while using these cameras to find out if the Ultra 2 is ultimately worth the higher cost or not.

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• Arlo Security Cameras Review
• Best Home Security Cameras
• Best Wireless Security Cameras
• Blink vs. Arlo

Sources

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