Arlo showed me their new Essentials range of smart home security cameras, which the company is releasing fully aware they're in a crowded and competitive market and told me they need to answer the question "What security camera features does your mum need?"

In other words, the company is drilling into the 'Essential' features which they highlighted as video recording, 2-way audio, motion detection, and deterrence (an alarm). Those features were all already covered by the outgoing essential range, but the new one also heralds a major improvement in terms of ease of set up and a complete re-design of the housings.

If you've set up a smart home security camera – and not just those from Arlo – you'll likely have experienced the need to line the device up with a QR code which isn't always as straightforward as you'd hope. The new Arlo Essential cameras ditch this approach in favour of a Bluetooth setup system.

Feature-wise, Arlo is also keen to highlight improved noise-reduction (now including echo cancellation) on all the cameras, the 130-degree field of view on all (except the doorbell), and the 12x digital zoom. The new Arlo Indoor camera also features a privacy door which can hide the lens.

Arlo's new cameras are compatible with Google, Alexa, SmartThings, IFTTT, and (with an additional hub) Apple's HomeKit – comfortably surpassing most of the leading competition. This means they'll work with existing products like the Arlo Hub (which we reviewed alongside the Arlo Ultra 2 Spotlight cameras).

The new Arlo Essential 2nd gen cameras are also offering customers a choice between higher resolution, at 2K, or lower price, at 1080P, as well as a significant number of bundles (some of which are only available from Arlo's store), resulting in a surprising number of deals (this part may be a bit much for my mum!) There are also some cameras which seem inexpensive on a per-camera basis, but need to be purchased in pairs.

A pair of Arlo Essential cameras cost $94.99/£159.99 for 1080P and $189.99/£199.99 for the 2K versions. The XL cameras (with longer battery life) come in pairs at $189.99/£219.99 (1080P) or $279.98/£259.99 for (2K). The Arlo indoor 2-pack is $159.99/£159.99 (only the 2K is new, the Arlo indoor existed already). The doorbell is $79.99/£89.99 (1080P) / $129.99/£139.99 (2K). These prices are competitive, and the 1080P ones are lower.

The new Arlo Essentials 2nd Gen and 2nd generation doorbell will be available in UK and Europe from the first of April, but are already on sale in the USA.

Previous Arlo essential cameras have appeared on our best outdoor security camera and best indoor security camera guides. Will these?

I've reviewed a number of Arlo's smart home cameras in the past, and have found them to be one of the best security camera brands. We also know from experience at Digital Camera World that, around Black Friday, a lot of attention is put on smart security cameras – especially from Ring and Blink that, dare we suggest it, have the advantage of being Amazon-owned brands.

We don't know if that's why Arlo discounts have started even before Black Friday Week, but I am happy to say that these Black Friday security camera deals are very attractive, and even better at other retailers, especially on the Arlo Essential Spotlight camera, which has dropped by a good amount half on its own and in a 3-pack. 

We gave this camera a 5-star review, combining as it does a battery (so you don't need to drill through walls to install it) and a spotlight so it can provide color images of visitors – welcome or otherwise – even at night.

For those looking for a serious high-res alternative, then the bundles extend there too, with savings of over $300 for a full-site pack which still doesn't need any wiring. Again the Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight did well in my own review – 4 and a half stars – and I use it to protect my own home. 

We also keep a guide to the best indoor security cameras which is well worth looking at, and Arlo do have spots on our best HomeKit cameras guide too.

I recently rediscovered my 10-year-old Canon Powershot A2300 from back when I was a teenager. For years I have relied heavily on my camera phone for taking photos when at gigs and festivals (when I wasn’t attending as an official photographer) and although it might not deliver the same high-quality images as my workhorse camera, a Sony A7 III I have fallen in love with the images it produced - especially with a little bit of color grading in Lightroom. 

Earlier this year we posted about how crappy cameras from the past are back all thanks to Gen-Zers after that low-res, Y2K aesthetic. I admit, when I first found out about this new trend, I wasn’t quick to jump on it, I was too concerned with taking the best possible images I could even if that meant carrying around a heavier mirrorless camera. But this summer I had a complete change of heart, I didn’t want to rely on my phone to take pictures because the battery life on it is terrible and I didn’t want it running out of charge to be the reason I missed out on photo opportunities. 

• Check out the best compact cameras - fixed lens cameras packed with desirable, advanced features

This summer I attended Forwards Festival in Bristol and was lucky enough to catch one of my artists-of-the-moment Arlo Parks who is best known for her tracks Eugene, Caroline and Coca-Cola. Position just a few meters from the stage, I was in a prime position for capturing the artist on stage but rather than use my iPhone 11 which massively reduced the quality when zoomed in, I reached for my Canon Powershot A2300 which was released in February 2012.

Considering it’s now over a decade old, has a 16MP 1/23-inch CCD sensor and a 5x digital zoom (equivalent to 28-140mm in full frame terms), I was able to take some photos of Arlo Parks that I felt were worthy of sharing on my professional photography page (@hannahlisaphotography). I’m under no illusion the photos would have been cleaner, sharper, and better quality had I used a better camera but since “professional cameras” were on the list of banned items, I had to use what was available to me. 

Straight out of the camera, the pictures were nothing all that special, but after importing them into Lightroom, and laying around with the exposure settings, tone curves and color grading I was able to create a set of images that I deemed good enough to share. In some ways, the photos almost have a film-like aesthetic to them, partly down to how I edited them but also because they were slightly more grainy, not perfectly in focus (although still quite sharp), and had an imperfect, magical quality to them. 

Of course, I’m not about to completely toss my Sony A7 III to one side, when I have the option to shoot on that over my Canon Powershot I obviously will, but I have changed my tune when it comes to older digital cameras. I was dismissive and couldn’t understand why people would want to use a point-and-shoot camera when phone cameras are so good now - but since I don’t own the latest iPhone 15 Pro Max with its advanced 48MP sensor and insane zoom capabilities, my humble Canon Powershot certainly beats my iPhone 11. 

You might not have the flexibility of being able to shoot in RAW meaning you can't do much to change the exposure in post-processing (unless you want to crush the highlights and shadows) but you can apply simple color grades to add your own artistic imprint on them. The saying really is true - the best camera you have is the one you have on you. 

Also check out the best photo editing software and browse a range of subsciption and one-off payment options

Arlo is a leader in smart wireless security devices, covering everything from smart doorbells to floodlight cameras and a range of the best security cameras to suit almost every budget, from the entry-level Arlo Essential up to the top-of-the-line Arlo Ultra 2.

Arlo is now on the fifth iteration of its popular Arlo Pro line of cameras, these cameras serve as Arlo's cameras for homeowners who want simple to set-up security cameras that also come packed with the latest powerful and easy-to-use features.

For reasons only known to the Arlo marketing team, the latest camera is named the Arlo Pro 5 in the UK and Europe and the Pro 5S 2K in the US, but both are the same camera, evidenced by the Arlo Pro 5S 2K being printed behind the battery in Europe-bound models.

Specifications

Resolution: 2K
HDR: Yes
Field of View: 160°
Features: Spotlight, Built-in Siren, Two-Way Audio, Colour Night Vision
Battery: Up to 8 months
Connectivity: WiFi 2.4 & 5 GHz
Cloud Storage: Yes (Subscription)
Local Storage: No (optional base station)

Key Features

The new camera packs in some amazing new features including advanced 2K color video 24/7. That is color recording 24 hours a day, even at night. Arlo claims the Pro 5 can record 68 billion colors, which is over 100 times more than the human eye.

The Pro 5 can record six times the amount of color than its predecessor, the Arlo Pro 4. The camera also has advanced night vision features, combined with the 12x digital zoom and 2K quality, the Arlo Pro 5 can produce 'mugshots' with much higher clarity, identifying and clearly capturing the faces of anyone caught by the camera for easier identification later by law enforcement. 

The Pro 5 has added deterrents including a spotlight and sound to ward off potential burglars. The Arlo Pro 5's spotlight can illuminate faces from up to 7m away and the camera's built-in siren can help to scare away intruders.

The Arlo Pro 5 offers up to 30% more battery life than the Pro 4, which is a huge win for security cameras that are often put up in hard-to-reach places. A brand new low-power mode will debut on the Pro 5, which can give up an to 50% battery life by streamlining notifications and video previews. The Pro 5 will also offer for the first time both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz WiFi frequencies for wider router compatibility.

The Pro 5 will also debut alongside the new Arlo Secure app, which offers a new streamlined app for monitoring and securing your home, with more options for personalization. With the additional Arlo Secure Subscription, you can unlock even more advanced features like people and car recognition, and video recording can be synced and saved to the cloud for every instance for up to 60 days.

Build & Handling

The Arlo Pro 5 is not a big departure from the rest of the Arlo range, especially the styling of its predecessor the Pro 4. The Arlo Pro 5 is a small and minimalist white box, while the black oval front houses the camera lens, microphones, speakers, and spotlight. The design is almost reminiscent of the case for the Apple AirPods. The Arlo Pro 5 is sleek and sophisticated looking and is a camera that you mind seeing mounted above your front door when you come home.

The camera is very light, weighing roughly 50g less than the rival Google Nest Cam. The camera comes with a mount that can be screwed into a wall using the included screws and rawl plugs, with a total of three drill holes required. This requires some confidence in knowing exactly where you want the camera to be before you start taking a drill to your brickwork.

The battery compartment is cleverly tucked away inside the case, and although is not immediately obvious how to access it, pressing the little white button on the base offers a satisfying click as the front of the camera comes away. Although you won't need to remove the battery often, with an estimated 6 months of battery life and a magnetic charger on the base of the camera, charging is quick and easy. Although try not to lose the included charging cable, as it is specific to Arlo cameras.

Set-up is all completed via the Arlo Secure app, which has just undergone a bit of a facelift. However, initially connecting the Arlo Pro 5 to a WiFi network was a bit of a nightmare. The Pro 5 requires a 2.4gHz connection on your phone to connect, although the camera is capable of connecting to 5gHz after setup. Sounds simple enough, but I attempted to set the Arlo Pro 5 up using a mesh network with a combined band router, which proved to be too much for the Pro 5.

In the end, to connect the camera I was forced to shut down all my mesh WiFi points, while also walking far enough away from the main router hub with my phone and the camera to be kicked into 2.4gHz bandwidth. After setting up hundreds of devices on my network with no issues or additional steps, this is very strange and dated behavior from Arlo. Once set up, however, the WiFi connection remained stable. 

Performance

The headline feature of the Arlo Pro 5 is its new ability to shoot full-color video at night in 2K resolution, and I can happily say that it is very very good. The spotlight provides a good amount of light to illuminate subjects, not quite the 7m that Arlo claims, when tested outside of my 2-3m test area, my face was not clearly visible, but naturally, even this was much better than with no illumination at all. The 2K resolution is excellent and would be immediately helpful to authorities in identifying suspects.

The Pro 5 did exceptionally well at recognizing any significant movement both from humans and animals, with it picking up a few adventurous foxes and squirrels that made their way onto my roof. The Arlo app will ping you with a notification when it detects motion and is even smart enough to recognize the source if you pay for the Arlo Secure subscription.

The newly revamped Arlo Secure app, available from the App Store and Google Play is easy enough to use, with the live view from the camera front and center on the app, and the feed of previous recordings is easy to access and sort through. Notifications are also instantaneous when tested on an Android phone, with a useful little GIF of the activity displayed right in the notification bubble, and a quick action to sound the inbuilt siren or call the emergency services.

Recordings (if you have an active paid Arlo Secure subscription) load from the cloud very quickly, and a little swipe in from the right gives options to share and download. The app also holds numerous options for the video, spotlight, and audio settings, so you can fine-tune the Pro 5 to your specifications. 

There is a very useful zoom and track feature, which simulates moving the camera around to follow suspected intruders, all very CSI and more fun to watch back, but you do lose the ability to shoot in 2K as the digital zoom will cut into that pixel count. You can also set 'activity zones', so the Pro 5 will only alert you when it detects motion in particular areas, which is very useful if the field of view meets a busy street.

The only negative I have to the Arlo Pro 5's performance is that almost all its best features are locked behind a paywall, with any cloud recordings and AI smarts requiring a continued subscription to Arlo secure. I am not opposed to optional subscriptions, but when there is not an easy way to do local recordings (without buying a separate Arlo Hub), it does severely limit the camera for anyone not wanting to spend an additional $3.99 / £2.99 a month.

Verdict

The Arlo Pro 5 enters as one of the best security cameras available right now, and one of the best looking too. The 2K night vision recordings offer a really high-quality way to monitor and secure your home. With a longer-than-ever battery life that means less battery anxiety and less charging time. 

The Pro 5 is compatible with all the major smart home platforms, including the notoriously fussy Apple HomeKit. The revamped Arlo app is very easy to use, with instant security notifications, as well as fine-tuned controls.

The only downside is no board memory forces you into buying an additional costly local hub or cough up every month for Arlo's subscription service.

The Arlo Floodlight is built around the Pro 3 camera design, a 2K camera, which is echoed in the newer Pro 4 (2K) and Ultra 2 (4K) series from the security firm. Their reputation for quality devices and neat design is well earned, not least by including a bright white LED light in many of their cameras which serve like a mini floodlight, illuminating subjects near the camera and offering color night video.

With other firms in the space offering a variety of real floodlighting options, to be among the best outdoor security cameras, Arlo’s floodlight needed to offer a lot more light, while fitting with their established style. There was also the option of using an Arlo hub for connectivity and local clip storage. In this case, the hub isn’t compulsory (except for HomeKit users), so it isn’t included. Arlo is also known for their glossy design and Magsafe-like power connectors which simplify installation or charging top-ups, but we’ll get to that.

Specifications

Camera resolution: 2K (2560 x 1440px)
Image sensor: 1/3-inch CMOS
Field of View: 160˚
Night vision: Yes, Color
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 2.4 & 5 GHz
Local storage: Only with optional base station
Camera dimensions: 219 x 78 x 191 mm

Key Features

The possibility of a simple installation is the key advantage of a wireless, battery-powered device like this. It offers live view, two-way chat, and motion alerts to your phone straight out of the box and if you can operate a drill and a screwdriver can be on your wall in minutes.

There isn’t onboard storage, but it can connect to an Arlo hub or use the $2.99/£2.79 per month per camera cloud plan. This also releases AI options like the ability to distinguish between people/animals/cars/package distinction and activity zones which all help control false alerts.

Build and handling

Opening the elegant packaging reveals the face of an Arlo camera (like their Ultra 2) embedded in a diffused light panel. Lifting it out reveals it is already attached to a mount – a more serious one than seen on other Arlo cameras, presumably to handle the weight (and potential for wind vibration). 

Like others, though, you can still pop a catch on the underside and the whole camera – light and all – will slide out of the glossy white (or black) case and mount. That’s likely to be especially necessary here as the supplied charging cable is Micro-USB, not Arlo’s usual magnetic type. There is a connector for this on the base, which can also be used for fixed power, but you’ll need to fork out for the cable ($49.99/£39.99 for a weatherproof 7.6m / 25ft).

Performance

Video is unarguably sharp, the 2K HDR being noticeably better than 1080P devices, though there is a degree of barrel distortion to pay for the 160˚ field of view (though you can opt to narrow this).

The floodlight’s 3,000 lumens are also very much up to expectations, and it even does well set down to a lower level. The design’s diffuser-like panel makes for a better light than the exposed bulb type, which in turn makes the video easier to view. There are also infrared LEDs for traditional mono night vision, which will last much longer.

Above: Sample video show with the Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera

One feature we didn’t love was the digital ‘Auto Zoom & Tracking’ which could be a bit slow in following the movement of subjects – far better, we felt, to leave this off and pinch-zoom the 2K video.

It is good you can use your own wi-fi network (especially handy if you’ve got a big home with a mesh network), though we used an Arlo hub at 30m and through a few brick walls, perhaps explaining the dubious battery life (we’re looking at under a month). 

The app’s pages mean settings for anyone Arlo camera can be in three places, but you soon realize their placement makes total sense, especially if you have more than one Arlo device. The crucial motion alerts are also reasonably prompt and include a still image if the platform supports it (i.e. Apple watch alerts).

Verdict

Overall this is a great choice. It is bright, with a good quality of light resulting in sharp video. Installation is swift and painless. The app also offers a good range of options, and Arlo’s design is appealing (though we’d like to see a variant with the 4K Ultra 2 camera). 

The amount of light from the battery is striking, but this is a great choice with a power supply cable or solar panel (both optional extras). Admittedly we don’t really understand why there is no power cable with Arlo’s magnetic connector in the box: Arlo’s magnetic connector is a great feature, and it’s a shame you need to pay more to access it, but at least you can. (With it you can charge a camera in situ with a power bank or extension cord.)

We also love Arlo’s app and its commitment to compatibility with not just Alexa and Google Assistant, but IFTTT and – if you’re using a hub – the oft-ignored Apple HomeKit. Overall this comes highly recommended.

Find more of the best cameras for your home and garden with the best outdoor security cameras, the best floodlight cameras, the best indoor security cameras, the best IP cameras, and the best cheap security cameras.

Wi-Fi and always-on internet has heralded a marked change in the best outdoor security devices. There is no need for cables to the cameras if they can hold their own power, and no need for a recording device if suitable cloud alternatives can be provided. For a subscription fee, of course.

Significant players in the market are owned by major players in the smart assistant world: Ring (Amazon/Alexa), Blink (Amazon), and Nest (Google). These firms have the additional incentive to guide people toward their platform.

Arlo is also a significant brand in the market and has navigated their own path. With this set, they support not only Alexa, and Google Assistant but even the oft-ignored Apple Homekit platform. At the same time, they push the resolution higher than usual. This doesn’t come cheap, so the question is whether you’re still getting a better deal, either used alone or with any of the assistants mentioned.

Specifications

Camera Resolution: 4K
Image Sensor: 8MP
Field of View: 180˚
Night Vision: Yes, Color
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 2.4 & 5 GHz
Local storage: Yes, SD card in base station
Camera dimensions: 89 x 52 x 78mm
Hub dimensions: 135 x 50 x 151mm 

Key Features

While the stand-out feature of these cameras might be the 4K resolution, they also boast HDR and 400-lumen white LED lights (the ‘Spotlight’) to provide color night vision. There is magnetic charging, and wireless communication with a hub and the cameras are weather resistant so can safely be mounted outdoors. The Arlo app offers extensive control, especially with the optional cloud service which unlocks AI to distinguish between animals, people, vehicles, and packages and limit your alerts as you choose.

Build and handling

The chic-but obvious styling will come as no surprise to Arlo devotees – nor will it displease Apple fans (especially of the gloss-white era). A risk with creating good-looking cameras is that they don’t end up looking like a deterrent, but the Ultra 2 Outdoor cameras are still clearly bullet-shaped cameras, albeit better looking than most.

Where the design really impresses is the battery concealment. Press a button on the base, next to some mag-safe like contacts, and the camera simply falls out of its white case, allowing access to the battery compartment. Charging, however, can be achieved using Arlo’s own magnetic mount (the other end of the single included cable is USB-A and a transformer is included). 

The kit also includes a hub that needs to be connected via Ethernet cable (included) to your router. It’s elegant enough, but apparently shouldn’t be too near the router for the sake of the wi-fi. (For a much larger home you’d need additional hubs.)

Setup requires the gentle guidance of the Arlo app, though subsequent basic operations (viewing feeds as well as arming or disarming the system) can also be achieved using your preferred smart home assistant.

Performance

The video quality of the cameras is excellent; it’s easy to see the advantage of 4K. We tested in the least battery-efficient high-quality mode, and it was enough to make us think we wouldn’t mind charging more often. Admittedly we might have appreciated the bigger batteries seen in Arlo’s floodlight, but that makes for a bigger camera.

Latency between detection and beginning to capture was OK at a couple of seconds, though the app takes longer – about 5 seconds – to begin a live feed, which might make initiating two-way chats with visitors (welcome or otherwise) tiresome.

Sound quality is good though, and it is also impressive how much light the small LED can provide if you opt for color night vision (it’ll often save fumbling for your phone’s torch if you pop into the garden).

Especially useful in the app is the per-camera sensitivity option, as well as scheduling and geofencing to switch on automatically as you leave home. We’d disable the Auto Zoom & Tracking though – it’s digital zoom and risks losing important data as the subject moves.

Verdict

We’ve tested Arlo’s cameras in the past, so the gorgeous industrial design didn’t come as a surprise. We like it because it’s even possible to charge wirelessly, without moving the camera at all – all you need is a relatively meaty power-brick that can be held near to the camera for the duration.

We like the hub having a MicroSD socket for local storage (though no USB as on previous Arlo hubs), the range seems good, and it’s nice not to flood your own wi-fi network. 

Something which was a bit of a surprise was the mounts; we’ve seen both before but it is strange to get just one of each in the box. We reasoned the tougher screw one would be used out front on our test site, but some might want all tough or all easily re-positioned magnetic. One of each seems tight-fisted given the cost of entry.

As a system, though, this is a great set – easy to install and use, with quality well beyond expectations and spotlights serving adequately for deterrent.

Find more of the best cameras for your home and garden with the best outdoor security cameras, the best indoor security cameras, the best IP cameras, and the best cheap security cameras.

The Arlo Essential Spotlight is an ideal entry point into the world of outdoor security cameras. This battery-powered model does without the need for weatherproof wires, or a cable you have to thread through a wall of brick; the Spotlight allows for easy installation, great viewing angle control, and the built-in capabilities to ensure your home stays protected.

Specs and features

The Arlo Essential Spotlight features a 1080p / Full HD camera, with a 130-degree viewing angle and an integrated spotlight. The light will come on when sensing motion in its immediate area, ensuring moving objects stay in view at all times – even in the middle of the night. An optional siren can also help to alert you to intruders, though we wouldn’t activate this setting if the front of your home gets heavy footfall – as it will be going off rather frequently.

This is, helpfully, a weatherproof model, so that “rain, snow, cold and sun” shouldn’t impact its ability to keep an eye out. We’d recommend angling the camera lens slightly downwards, though, to reduce the impact that falling rain or snow has on the image.

The Spotlight is also compatible with Apple HomeKit, Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, Google Assistant, and IFTTT, meaning it’s simple to connect it with various other smart home systems.

Build and handling

The Arlo Essential Spotlight has something of a classic look – a sleek white camera with an adjustable axis that is best placed above a front door or overlooking a yard.

This is a battery-powered model, so you don’t need to trail a cable to a mains power socket – and it’s relatively easy to remove the camera for charging every now and again.

You attach the Spotlight via three provided screws – you may need quite a heavy-duty drill to get into firm brick, but a regular cordless drill should be fine if you’re screwing into a wooden door frame or similar.

Once installed, it’s easy to tweak the direction of the Spotlight’s camera, though you’ll have to do this manually, rather than remotely.

Performance

The Arlo Essential Spotlight offers a crisp, colorful image, and is adept at picking up the small darting movements of squirrels as it is the heavy footfalls of neighbors walking past your house.

We found that the motion sensitivity was quite high, and it’s best not to angle this camera towards a road, as you’ll get a notification every time a car passes by. Either way you can feel confident you’re keeping on top of things when away from home – and the Spotlight’s ability to record 3-second clips for every sound/motion detecting means you’ll have a sense of what’s gone down.

Battery life will vary depending on how active it is – i.e. if the spotlight is running all night from passersby. Arlo says that it should last 3-6 months between charges, though we found that a week of use drained about 20% of the battery, so you may only get a couple of months out of it before it needs another charge. You can also choose different power management settings to prioritize battery life over video quality, if you so wish.

As ever, you’ll need to pay a monthly subscription fee to get 24/7 video recording, though the short clips embedded in your phone notifications mean it’s not as much a necessity as with other smart security camera models. The Arlo Secure subscription also includes theft protection, though, on the off chance your wireless Spotlight camera is stolen – and the monthly fees are far less than what Google Nest will charge you.

Verdict

The Arlo Essential Spotlight is a brilliant choice for an outdoor security camera, especially at this very reasonable price. With a sleek design, great motion detection, and built-in spotlights for 24/7 visibility, it’s a camera that should give you confidence and security. As a battery-powered model, it’s much easier to install too – even if you’ll need to take it down for a charge every few months.

Other Arlo reviews

Arlo Go 2 review
Arlo Pro 4 review
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera review
Arlo Essential Wire-free Doorbell review

UPDATE: Monday 13 March

The Arlo Pro 5 security camera is now available across the UK and Europe, and can be ordered right now direct from Arlo, or starting from 1 April from all Arlo partner retailers. Pricing starts at £219.99 / 249,99€ for a single camera or £429.99 / 499,99€ for the 2-camera kit. 

The Arlo Pro 5 will continue to be sold as the Arlo 5S 2K in the US, however, both cameras appear to differ in name only, and offer the same features. Arlo is one of the leaders in smart security cameras, and it is great to see this top model getting a wider rollout.

Original Story:

Arlo, a leading brand in smart home security, has just announced its most innovative product yet - the Pro 5S 2K Security Camera. With tri-band connectivity, Arlo Secure Link technology, and compatibility with the Arlo Secure App, this is without a doubt Arlo’s most advanced product yet. 

The Arlo Pro 5S 2K is the company's latest product to launch and has a lot of benefits over other home security cameras. When in sleep mode, the battery life significantly improves, it has a much longer Wi-Fi range thanks to tri-band connectivity, and reduces the chance of radio frequency interference and jamming attempts. 

• These are the best spy cameras for when you need discrete surveillance

The battery on the Arlo Pro 5S lasts up to 30% longer than the Arlo Pro 4, it records in 2K video with HDR which results in a crystal-clear picture and an integrated spotlight warns off unwanted visitors. In the case of an event such as a break-in, a smart siren will automatically sound and using the Arlo Secure App, users can request emergency personnel assistance and receive real-time updates via SMS or phone while emergency personnel is en route. 

Videos display in color rather than black and white even at night and a two-way audio system allows users to listen and speak to visitors. The camera can be installed indoors or outdoors thanks to a wire-free design and weather-resistant casing plus accessories such as a solar power charger or a waterproof charging cable can be attached with magnetic connections. 

“Pro 5S is hands down the most secure and reliable camera Arlo has engineered to date,” said Tim Johnston, SVP of Product at Arlo. “Integrating three wireless technologies into one extremely compact form factor ensures users are better equipped to protect their everything.

The Pro 5S is now available to pre-order for an RRP of $249.99 directly from Arlo or Best Buy but it’s expected to be on sale at other retailers very soon.

Also check out our guides on the best nanny camera, best webcam for home working and best doorbell camera.

There is a large and growing market for smart security cameras, but most require a wired or Wi-Fi internet connection. Arlo addressed this with the original Arlo Go, a cellular camera which you could place near your barn, boathouse or caravan or garage and still expect connectivity. Perhaps you can cover your side hustle and home with a unified Arlo system?

Even though most of their competitors have yet to catch up, the Arlo Go 2 refines that camera’s promise with dual wi-fi and cellular connectivity - plus a higher resolution and a sleek look to match Arlo’s current XL range. 

In the USA, the Go 2 is sold in bundles by Verizon. The Arlo Go 2 from BT, with or without an accompanying SIM card.

Arlo Go 2:  specifications 

Video resolution: 1080P

Video format: H.264

Cellular: LTE / 3G / 4G

Night Vision: Mono or Color (lit by built in LED light)

Field of view: 130˚

Motion sensor: 110˚ / up to 7m (23ft)

Temperature limits: -20 to 45˚C (-4 to 113˚ F)

Dimensions: 120 x 64 x 86 mm

Weight: 490g

Key features

The stand out feature is cellular (LTE/4G) connectivity, but the Arlo Go 2 also brings the option of Wi-Fi. The video is captured at 1080p and the viewing angle is wide, but not so much so you can’t make out detail. It also has a built in LED spotlight for color night vision, or ‘traditional’ IR (monochrome) night vision; you can choose neither, one, the other or both in the settings.

The Go 2 has a microphone and speaker for two-way talk, so you can chat to your pets or scare off unwanted visitors from your phone. There’s also a siren if you don’t feel like chatting with intruders! 

Atop all this, the camera features GPS which is able to locate the device, assuming a suitable view of the sky above. This is ideal for management of a number of devices.

Build and handling

Arlo’s design can only be described as sumptuous, perhaps drawing the best from Apple’s gloss-white era look. Indeed that’s not all which is Apple-esque; there is also one of Arlo’s magnetic charging connections so it’s possible to charge in-situ if you can get power to the remote spot (a laptop powerbank works). The only real weakspot is the screw-mount, which wasn’t as easy to direct as the ball-joint seems to suggest, though we got there.

Navigating settings is clear enough, but the initial set-up process is happy to leave you up to 15 minutes (and it’s not an underestimate) for a firmware update with no progress bar, which – despite the elegant app design – feels a bit old-school. The camera can only recognize one Wi-Fi network, which means an elegant but grindingly slow set-up process involving waving your phone’s screen at the camera whenever you change your choice of Wi-Fi network (or password). 

Performance

Camera-wise, the image quality is impressive; in mixed lighting it seems to expose for the darker areas which seems like the right choice. As with all smart cameras, there is a degree of latency which means the two-way-talk is better suited to discouraging unwanted visitors than engaging in a soul-searching discussion. Some might call for higher resolution, but good 1080P seems a better choice to us.

Battery performance might not be what you expect though; our animal test – watching the foxes play in the garden – caused the camera to make a large number of recordings. That was what we were after, and we opted for quality over battery life, but on the down-side the charge dropped 9% in 24 hours. That said, when we chose battery optimizing settings the drop was under 1% for the same period. For those unable to make regular enough visits to charge or battery swap, we suggest taking a look at Arlo’s VMA3600 solar panel.

Sample video clips

The sample clips (above) show that the quality exceeds that needed to identify individuals within the motion detection range, of 7m/23ft and a bit beyond, and the frame rate of 17.59fps is great for watching the wildlife. The lower quality mode drops the frame rate to a still adequate 13.8, but the pixelation in low light (if you disable the floodlight) is high. 

Interestingly you’ll see clips on the MicroSD card which don’t appear in the Arlo Library; perhaps the AI decides against them.

Arlo Go 2:  Verdict

It’s hard not to be impressed with the Arlo Go 2’s look and versatility; sure it’s not the cheapest security camera out there, but given its features, especially cellular, it feels reasonable. The video quality is also very strong when you favor it over battery life.

There are some oddities; it’s easy to get the SIM card in the wrong way and – if you do – virtually impossible to get it out. More significantly the promises of going months without charging is also not without qualification; we tested in a busy location, almost always ‘armed,’ and usually in cellular mode and higher quality video and the result was a few weeks charge only. This compromise is clearly set out in the menus though, and a more remote location would no doubt have fewer alerts.

Regardless of the realities of battery life, even if there were more cellular cameras out there, we still imagine this would top the list. 

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The Arlo Go 2 is a versatile battery-powered security camera which can be placed anywhere and stream video via both cellular or wi-fi. Its arrival brings the UK up to speed with the US market, where the camera is already available in LTE form, and adds features like industry standard 1080P with the much rarer cellular connectivity.

Specifically the Arlo Go 2 offers 1080P, color night vision (via a built-in spotlight), local storage via microSD, and up to 6 months battery on cellular connection (or 12 on wi-fi). Users can remotely trigger a built-in siren of 80db to deter possible intruders (or surprise wildlife). The camera is also conscious of its location via GPS, so able to indicate its location on a map – a feature intended for businesses with multiple installations but potentially useful for nature enthusiasts (or the forgetful!)

Arlo tells DCW that the camera is designed to reduce user “pain points,” and because it is entirely wireless and can be installed beyond the reach of wi-fi it can be set up in under five minutes. It can be near the home, simply using cellular as a backup, or miles away, protecting another location – like a caravan.

Unlike the previous Arlo Go which sat apart, the new Go 2 establishes design continuity with the main Arlo camera range, meaning it is compatible with the company’s accessories – an obvious choice being the solar panel for remote installs. Black camera housings are also available. 

Like the other Arlo cameras – Arlo Ultra 2 or Arlo Pro 4  – the camera itself can be removed from the housing, in this case allowing access to the SIM card, MicroSD card slot (accepting cards up to 256Gb), and the 3660mAh rechargeable battery replaced. The battery can also be charged using the included charging cable which magnetically attached to the bottom of the camera.

Arlo supports the camera though free apps for iOS, Android, FireOS and web browsers – secured using 2-step authentication and 256-bit AES encryption. These allow you to stream live video and trigger actions – like the siren or spotlight. The Arlo Go 2 also has Alexa, Google Assistant and IFTTT integrations but does not connect to the Arlo Hub.

Arlo also offer Arlo Secure, a cloud-based service with monthly subscription which makes it possible to review video of events for 30 or 60 days without visiting the camera, depending on your choice of plan. It is only with the cloud service enabled that smart detection is enabled; that is the ability to distinguish between people, animals and vehicles before alerting you via your phone or email (which, of course, avoids false alarms). 

Arlo Secure subscription plans are charged at $2.99/£2.79 (one device) / $9.99/£8.99 (unlimited devices) with 30 days storage. There is a higher $14.99/£12.99 tier with 60 days video storage and an extended warranty which includes theft replacement. 

For the UK launch on 01 June, Arlo will be selling the camera with an RRP of £309.99 (with a free two-year subscription to Arlo Secure). BT is also selling the Go 2 with an included EE pay-as-you-go SIM with 120GB of cellular data, plus a solar panel charger for a combo price of £329.98 (see deal at BT Shop).

In the US, the Arlo Go 2 LTE is available for $249.99 for use on the Verizon or US Cellular phone networks.

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Carlos is somewhat of an expert when it comes to cosplay photography, with almost a decade of experience shooting with cosplayers from all over the UK. Based in London, Carlos has had fantastic opportunities to collaborate with cosplayers from all areas and franchises, shooting anime to gaming characters and superheroes!

Like many of us, Carlos has a day job aside from working as a cosplay photographer, though his work has granted him exciting opportunities to work at international conventions and cosplay photoshoots abroad in Sydney and New York. 

• Capture cosplay with the best lenses for portraits

We managed to catch a moment with Carlos at this Year's CosXPo, a weekend event designed solely around the basis of sharing Cosplay knowledge and Photography skill, through a series of panels, tutorials and workshops. One of these panels was held by Carlos himself, 'Photography for Beginners' where he gave an hour long talk through the basics of the exposure triangle to framing your subject and getting that perfect outdoor lighting. 

"I started taking pictures of cosplayers around late 2012-2013 after having had a taste for it while working as a volunteer at a short-lived small comic convention called Kapow...I've been very lucky to participate in some cosplay photoshoots in places like Sydney and New York, which is a completely different experience than what I am used to back home."

Carlos' kit bag includes an assortment of Sony lenses, we asked what his go-to lens is for taking cosplay portraits, and he believes:

"If we're talking location shoots and some conventions, I think you can't go wrong with a simple 50mm lens. When I want to focus on the subject more, I'll switch to the 85mm if I have enough space.

"My current camera is a Sony A7 III. I have been upgrading to different alphas every few years and I've had the Mark 3 since early 2020 after my Mark 2 was stolen. It was worth the upgrade even if for increased battery life alone.

"My current E-mount lenses I carry with me are pretty simple, two Sony lenses, FE 50mm f1.8 and FE 85mm f/1.8, and a Samyang 35mm f/2.8 lens. Pretty much all very basic and affordable kit. I supplement these with a Moment Cinebloom diffusion filter for the 35mm and 50mm on occasion.

"For lights I am currently using two Godox AD200 and a Godox V860II, all fired by the Godox X1 trigger. I am a huge fan of the AD200 and I've had it for a while now, HSS was a game changer for me. For conventions I usually have the key light on a Pixapro  65cm 16-Sided Easy-Open Ricebowl and then use smaller modifiers for rim light and gels on the other lights. 

"I try to adapt my set up for portability and mobility in conventions. For other location shoots I can go bigger with lights like the AD600 but it can be fairly clunky and exhausting to carry long hours at a convention. Moving forward I will be using the Godox AD B2 to combine the two 200s if I want more output.

"Aside from that I carry some gels, tools to clean lenses and the sensor, a power bank to charge the camera or phone if necessary, spare batteries for the trigger and even a broken cd and a ruler I sometimes use for prism style effects.

"The bag I use is also a Neewer 2-in-1 Convertible Wheeled Camera Backpack."

01. Sony A7 III

"I've been shooting Sony from the beginning but it's definitely when I started using a translucid mirror one with EVF that I truly upped my game, as the live view function helped me understand manual shooting much much better and I definitely learned faster."

02. Sony FE 50mm F1.8

"You get the right amount of bokeh to not fully lose the location, you can shoot with smaller groups, and for my taste, the 50mm feels natural and cinematic."

03. Sony FE 85mm f/1.8

This lens helps Carlos to get a closer focus on his subjects and creamy bokeh backgrounds. 

04. Samyang AF 35mm f/2.8 FE

This Samyang lens is part of Carlos' essentials that he carries in his kit bag.

05.  Moment CineBloom diffusion filter

Carlos supplements his 35mm and 50mm lenses with this diffuser on occasion.

As many photographers, Carlos uses Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop CC software to add the final touches to his images, before sending to the model and sharing them on his social media channels. Using post-process to add additional creative elements to cosplay photos can be one of the most exciting parts of the process.

We asked Carlos if he had any final words of advice for those looking to pursue cosplay photography: 

"I'd say find collaborators that are passionate about the same subjects as you and try to tell a story with your pictures. Also bear in mind that it's a massively collaborative field."

Check out Carlos' fantastic work at his Facebook page and Instagram pages.

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Known for his popular Channel 4 show George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces, the acclaimed British TV presenter, architect and home expert has entered his second partnership, now as an ambassador, with leading smart home security specialist Arlo Europe.

Highlighting the importance of home security and sharing advice on how to feel safe at home, this collaboration will focus on how modern camera technology can be used to help prevent break-ins, with insight suggesting that cameras are the number one burglar deterrent.

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Clarke’s known passion for helping to develop homes in unusual and amazing spaces aligns perfectly with Arlo’s  company belief that a “watched over space is a safer space”. As part of his role as ambassador, George will be starring in a campaign, appearing in video content and presence at retail events across the UK, designed to highlight Arlo’s advanced AI technology.

George Clarke joins a selection of other trusted figures supporting the campaign,  including French public figure and journalist Stéphane Thebaut,  and German actor Klaus Behrendt, who will each offer useful tips and tricks for consumers plus curated product bundles. 

Video content will be hosted across Arlo and its partner retailer's channels that will see George revealing crucial advice for homeowners to feel more safe and secure, informed by his two decades of experience in the field. 

Alongside digital content, George is expected to host a range of events with key retailers and consumers across the UK, details for which are to be announced at a later date. 

“When it comes to home security, Arlo is a brand I really trust," said the presenter. "I talk a lot about designing the perfect home but when it comes to keeping your perfect home safe, many don’t know where to start. Feeling safe and secure at home is every homeowner’s number one priority and achieving it is incredibly important for our wellbeing.”

“We are delighted to kick off this long-term partnership with George Clarke this year," adds Adrienne Sharkey-Perves, Arlo's senior marketing director. "We know that security is incredibly personal and we want our consumers to feel complete trust with us. 

With our cameras not only winning awards but now being recommended by recognisable and trusted home experts, we aim to build consumer confidence in modern security camera solutions as the best way for them to protect their homes”.

The campaign is expected to launch officially from 01 April 2022. Further information about the partnership can be found on Arlo's website, as well as limited-time offers of up to 29% off its extensive range of HD security products including the Arlo Wireless Video Doorbell, ending 03 April. 

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Arlo has been making smart security cameras since 2014 and introduced its lower-priced Essential range in 2020. Here we are looking at the indoor member of that Essential family, which carries a retail price of $100/£120 and records in 1080p Full HD resolution. There’s also night vision, two-way audio and, importantly, a privacy shield to block the lens when you don’t want the camera to be recording.

Other useful features include person, animal, vehicle and package detection, activity zones and more customisation over how the camera works, plus 30 days of cloud video storage. However, these are all a part of Arlo Secure, the subscription service that costs £2.99/£2.79 a month per camera, or $10.99/£8.99 for unlimited cameras. The Essentials Indoor Camera comes with a three-month free trial of Arlo Secure.

Without Arlo Secure, the camera can only be used to alert you to movement, then show you a live video stream of what’s going on. Footage is not recorded and movement detection is not configurable.

• See also Best indoor security cameras

Arlo Essential Indoor Camera: specifications

Resolution: 1080p Full HD

Field-of-view: 130 degrees

Two-way audio: Yes

Battery: No, mains powered

Night vision: Yes, infrared

Configurable motion sensing: Yes

Key features

Many of the camera’s key features are only available when paying for Arlo Secure. However, one useful feature baked into the camera is its powered privacy shield. This can be controlled manually through the Arlo app, blocking the lens and stopping recording of video and audio with a tap. Or, geofencing can be used where the shield closes when you are at home (based on the location of your smartphone), then opens when you go out. We like this feature, as it helps prevent owners (and especially household guests) from feeling uncomfortable at the sight of a security camera pointing at them.

Other standard features include Full HD video streaming, infrared night vision that we found to work very well, and two-way audio for interacting with whoever the camera is looking at through the Arlo phone app. This can be useful for checking in on children or pets, and even warding off burglars. 

Build and handling

The camera sits on its plastic stand with a ball-and-socket joint allowing for a good range of movement in every direction. This ensures you can position the camera however you like, with the large foot helping to keep it stable.

We would describe the design as interior-friendly, in that the curved, organic shape helps the Arlo to blend into a home setting, instead of standing out any more than it needs to. The glossy black front houses the lens and features an Arlo logo, while the rear is where you will find the speaker, and a microUSB port for the included power cable.

Being white and set against the black front of the camera, the lens shield is very visible, making it easy to tell when the camera is active or obscured. A status light helps here too, but that can be disabled in the app if you prefer.

Also included on the box are plug adaptors for the UK and Europe, and a base plate designed for fixing the camera base to a wall. Helping here are an included pair of screws and wall plugs.

The camera feels well made and sturdy, but being an indoor camera it isn’t water resistant and so shouldn’t be installed outdoors.

Performance

Setting up the Arlo Essential Indoor Camera is a fairly simple process. Create an Arlo account with the smartphone app, or log in if you already have one, switch on the camera, press a button to begin the sync process, and that’s about it. Our camera spent a few minutes installing a new firmware update, then it was good to go.

From here, you can use the app to adjust how the camera’s motion sensing works – if you want it to respond to the sight of vehicles and animals, for example, or only alert you when people are seen. Activity zones can be created, where the camera will only alert you and start recording if motion is spotted in a certain location.

We have been impressed with the Arlo’s video quality, which is sharp, bright and shows great detail. The brightness can be adjusted up or down by a few notches, but for us we found the default setting to be just fine. Audio quality is also good, with the speaker and microphone capable of delivering a conversation if needed.

Notifications come through quickly, almost as soon as movement is detected, but the app can sometimes be a little sluggish when connecting to the camera manually.

Additional features include integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, where the camera’s view can be streamed to Amazon Echo and Google Nest smart displays. IFTTT support is also included, plus the camera works with SmartThings, and can send live video to the Apple Watch too. The only feature missing here is not working as an Apple HomeKit camera.

Arlo Essential Indoor Camera: Verdict

This camera from Arlo is fairly expensive, at $100/£120 plus monthly subscription to unlock all features. But it’s a well-made indoor camera that is nicely designed, easy to set up, records high-quality HD video and works well. We like how it connects to Alexa and Google Assistant smart displays, and seeing footage on an Apple Watch is useful too.

There are plenty of cheaper indoor security cameras out there, but setting up an Arlo camera feels like a premium experience. It all works well, telling the camera to only record when it sees certain types of movement is very useful, and Arlo offers a range of other cameras, for outdoors use, that can be added to your system.

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San Jose-based smart home security company Arlo has announced its new cloud subscription service will include insurance of the cameras, making for a more competitive choice against competitors like Google’s Nest, Amazon’s Blink and Canary.

Arlo is already a major force in the home security space, having grown from a sub-brand of Netgear to a separate firm in 2018. They have over 3 million users and growing at over 100,000 a quarter have (at times) been seen in a good light by Wall Street because of their ability to get the subscription aspect right. 

• See Best indoor security camera

Like competitors, the Arlo hardware typically provides live video streaming and alerts to a phone app, with most other promoted features available only to customers who choose a subscription. Until now, that monthly fee – $2.99 / £2.79 per camera in Arlo’s case – covered cloud storage of events caught on video, notifications, A.I. distinction between people, animals and vehicles, package detection, and activity zones. These features are not going anywhere.

The standard new cloud package, branded ‘Secure,’ sets the event clips storage to 2K for up to 30 days – as before – but adds a free theft replacement of the camera. Given how the camera is mounted this insurance must be thoroughly welcome – after all a concern which comes when you install a wireless outdoor security camera must be: “How secure is the camera?” (You can get a sense for how secure the camera is physically in our review of the Arlo Pro 4.)

As before, users of multiple cameras can get the same terms for unlimited cameras package for US$9.99 / £8.99 a month, so after your fourth Arlo camera this makes more sense. 

The new higher-tier, ‘Secure Plus,’ is only available as an unlimited camera package at $14.99 / £12.99 a month. It increases the stored resolution to 4K maximum, the storage for up to 60 days and – on condition that you’ve been a paid-up subscriber for at least six months before claiming – adds an additional year to your cameras’ warranties.

Arlo customers using the prior service, named ‘Smart,’ will be offered the switch or retain their original features, while new customers will have to choose between the new cloud bundles or the basic live view mode, making the theft insurance is pretty much mandatory (though the small print for the camera insurance isn’t yet easy to find on the Arlo site).

In terms of pricing, it’s competitive. Blink charges $3 / £2.50 for one camera with 30 days storage (the range tops out at 1080P) or $10 / £8 for unlimited cameras; the later comes with an extended warranty but no camera insurance. Nest charges $6 / £5 a month for unlimited cameras, but no extension to the warranty.

In Arlo’s words, they’re “giving homeowners whole-home protection for less than the price of a cup of coffee.”

With shots being fired in terms of specifications, ease of installation, usability, and now the broader consumer package, the surveillance camera space is changing fast. Customer reviews across the niche often indicate disappointment about features being tied to subscriptions. The Arlo Secure addition of features which could only be intangible might prove a solution.

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The Arlo Pro 4 is a high-end wireless smart home outdoor security camera which fits into a large and growing range from Arlo which includes hubs and doorbell cameras and competes comfortably with the likes of Google’s Nest and Amazon’s Ring cameras. With 2K HDR this camera sits in the middle of Arlo’s outdoor range – beneath a 4K option and above the ‘Essential.’ It’s predecessor (still available) offered the same strong image quality, but the Pro 4 brings a built-in siren and full duplex speaker – making it handy for frightening off unwelcome visitors rather than mere forensics. Perhaps more significantly, it has dispensed with the requirement of a base station.

If you’re looking at your first security camera, it’s worth noting that the Arlo is part of an elegantly designed and consistent-looking range of devices including Hubs, Doorbells, Floodlight Cameras and even the LTE Arlo Go. They have been around long enough to build up a range of accessories, from camera camouflage to solar panels, and the fact there is now no need for a hub – but the option exists – gives you more feature and budget flexibility.

See also: Ring Indoor Cam review

Arlo Pro 4: Specifications

HDR: Yes

Video: 2560 x 1440 “2K”

Viewing Angle: 160˚ diagonal

Battery: 3-6 Months

Recharge: Remove or Magnetic Cable

Connection: Wi-Fi

Dimensions: 89 x 52 x 78 mm

Weight: 316g (with battery)

Operating Temp: -20 – 45˚C

Arlo Pro 4: Key features

The Arlo Pro 4 is an HDR wi-fi security camera which can be installed indoors or out without the inconvenience of wires; the color night vision will be visible from the Arlo app and the optional Arlo Smart AI will identify people, packages or cars on your property, store video on the cloud, and provide you with rich notifications – or not – depending on your choice. Smart subscription or not, you have an integrated spotlight, full duplex audio if you want to talk back to visitor, and the confidence in water and UV resistance (I’m writing this from the UK, where I need both even in summer!)

In terms of major smart home systems, the Arlo Pro 4 is compatible with the big two – Alexa and Google Assistant. That includes the video devices so you can use these to keep an eye on the kids in the yard (it even works with Chromecast). For those who prefer to connect smart devices Samsung SmartThings and IFTTT are an option too. The only failure is with Apple HomeKit, which the Pro 4 will only connect with via one of Arlo’s hubs. 

Arlo Pro 4: Build & Handling

For me, installing the Arlo Pro 4 involved drilling a single hole in the wall outside my home, pushing in the supplied plug, then slipping a tiny white clip on the end of a screw and screwing it in. Onto this you clip the magnetic mount which has more than enough strength to pull the camera against the wall and is slightly rubberized to prevent the camera slipping. All this comes in the box, but instinctively I’d love a spare to have a second mount, or just in case I dropped a part while installing. These are available from Arlo, of course, and the camera also sports a universal security camera mount (tripod thread) at the back which is useful.

Every step of the process is enthusiastically guided by the app, or if you prefer a YouTube video which is considerably less annoying than some so long as you’re quick on the pause button when you need to catch up. Brickwork isn’t very wi-fi friendly, but it didn’t stop me (there’s a range extended in the room behind the camera, but it’s an insulating wall so it’ll be a good test of the battery). 

I mention all this here because installing the battery (push the button beneath and the case pops open) is part of the guided installation, initiating a hunger for the QR code in the app which completes the guided set up. The process was not only simple but persuasive enough to get me outdoors with a drill on a rainy London morning (good software design in my book); all this came as a bit of a surprise since the case feels so solid, and the build quality flawless. 

Arlo Pro 4: Performance

The camera’s option of 160˚ field of view can cover my entire London garden (back yard) and could easily cope with more; the adjustable motion sensor is great too – it begins at 80% which has been ideal for identify which of the neighbour’s cats has been leaving its creations in our flower beds, but can now be adjusted down to a point that only people will trigger an alert.

The camera has a great range of options which make it very appealing, and once set up these are accessible via the web portal or your phone app. I already have an Arlo Wire-less doorbell (review), so I’ve already familiarized myself with the software, but once you’ve done this is it is easy to use; the only worry is what you’ll do when your three-month free subscription to Arlo Smart expires since a good portion of the quality of the experience is built on the system’s ability to distinguish what it is alerting you about and store a neat and organized catalogue of ‘events.’ 

Your viewing will either be out of choice – you just decide to log into the live feed – or when you choose to review videos stored when one of the motion sensors triggers a recording ‘event’. This means much of the time a standard IR motion sensor is doing the monitoring, which saves on batteries. When you want to start watching live (which you must be to chat or initiate the speaker), there is always a pause while you wait for the stream to begin, around 5 seconds. This latency is more to do with the tech than an Arlo-specific issue, but it is a nuisance all the same, especially if you’ve just had an alert to your phone or watch saying there is a person in your garden.

Video: A fox attracting the attention of the Arlo Pro 4's color night vision – the system listed it as ‘Animal’ and zoomed in while it could see it.

On the plus side, the cloud service is reasonable, and the automatic features like zooming in on the action – while not perhaps Hollywood elegant – would make it easy to identify the guilty party in the event of a missing package or home invasion. Sharing or saving a clip is straightforward and 30 days should be sufficient time to act on your suspicions. If you’re acting in the moment, the volume of the siren – while more than enough to surprise and discourage anyone (or any cats) nearby – isn’t quite as striking as I was anticipating (the app really over-sells it with a swipe-to-activate button). The speaker, too, can only really attract the attention of someone within about 10ft (3m) – perhaps a bit more in a quiet suburb.

Arlo Pro 4: Verdict

The Arlo Pro 4 hits a real sweet spot between the effort of installing and the practical value of having a camera like this. The design feels very Apple-like in its quality and beauty (not to mention the magnets), though I can’t help but wonder if the traditional screw mount might be more secure.

While it might be asking a lot, it’d be nice if the system could one day distinguish a few individual family members, though being able to turn off alerts for animals is useful enough; I would also prefer HomeKit not to require a hub. In any case, for a home (with decent broadband), I found Arlo Smart a virtually ideal solution in terms of recording and storage, however I can see the appeal of the hub and it’s good to know that’s an option with Arlo, as is tweaking image quality to save bandwidth.

Overall this is a thoughtfully executed product which successfully makes my home feel more secure and my children a little more (monitored) freedom.

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Though they weren’t the first into the smart doorbell camera market, this is already Arlo’s third; their first was a traditional button device which made it relatively low on features for a lot of the smart home community, while their second brought with it a square-framed camera offering perhaps the greatest viewing angle in the market. By adding battery-only operation as an option, the Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wire-free makes it possible to install the doorbell without running cables, then just topping up the rechargeable battery every 3-6 months (according to Arlo). If they’re available to you (or you choose to fit them) you can also fit standard 8-24V power and the bell will keep itself charged from the mains and ring your pre-existing chimes.

For many who share the more modern solution – a battery powered button and chime box plugged into a spare power socket – Arlo also offer a similar solution (or at least will by the end of July); a wireless chime which can be plugged into a convenient socket. Some will note that the chime, a separate upgrade, costs more than most wireless doorbells but that’s not so much Arlo’s issue as the price gulf between smart doorbells and their traditional counterparts. If you’ve already decided you want the power of a smart doorbell which possesses a camera, then the question is more what features you’ll be getting with your investment, and that’s where Arlo seem to have considered the user very well.

Arlo Essential Doorbell: Specifications

HDR: Yes

Video: 1536 x 1536

Viewing Angle: 180˚ diagonal

Battery: 3-6 Months

Recharge: Remove and USB

Connection: Wi-Fi

Dimensions: 47 x 143 x 37 mm

Weight: 249g (with battery)

Operating Temp: -20 – 45˚C

Arlo Essential Doorbell: Key features

The Arlo doorbell is designed to be connected to an existing system, or installed as a new doorbell, and can provide full calls with 2-way audio (and one way video) or take messages like an answer phone. Visitors are detected by the motion sensor, which illuminates a ring of LEDs around the button so there’s no chance of them overlooking it. Once they press your phone rings and you can answer them like any other call (voice) or as an Arlo video call.

The doorbell is supplied with three months of AI, beyond which it becomes a subscription service. This can detect packages left on the ground by the door as well as ignoring non-humans in your defined areas and people beyond your land altogether, meaning testing in my small pathway was no problem. 

Arlo Essential Doorbell: Build & Handling

The Arlo looks a lot like its earlier cousin (which insists on direct current), a very pleasing shape for a doorbell. It certainly seems to be a perception Nest share; the Hello Smart Wi-Fi doorbell looks very, very similar (white rim, black face, circular button at the bottom, camera lens at the top). Ring, the Amazon brand, have adopted assorted looks, all rather more like bloated traditional doorbells. Of the three, the Arlo and Nest are both comfortable winners for me, but you can form your own views from the manufacturer’s photography. 

Looking at your new doorbell is one thing – installation is also a vital stage. In this area Arlo have done well, providing a thorough description of the steps in the app and an optional angle bracket. My only disappointment was the need to wait overnight to charge the battery before first use, after which it dropped in and setup was little harder wafting a QR code on the phone screen in front of the doorbell. Connecting to an existing circuit might prove more rational in the long run – you get a traditional chime and reliable power – but I had neither.

Once installed, things passed into the software’s realm. You do not need an Arlo base unit; the Essential doorbell connects directly to your Wi-Fi. Assuming that’s all good, this connection becomes the means you find out if you have visitors, and tweak doorbell settings. The Arlo has a generous range of settings, plus compatibility with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, IFTTT and Samsung SmartThings – a noticeable gap here is Apple HomeKit, which will only work when wired and with the base station for reasons not fully explained. 

Arlo Essential Doorbell: Performance

The Arlo’s video quality is noticeably better than many other security cameras and the 1:1 image frame makes more difference than I’d anticipated; it really is possible to see the doormat (the package-leaving space, if you like). Set at maximum 1536 x 1536 the resolution is so sharp I can see the bricks in my path and HDR so good the details in the clouds too. Even 1080 and 720 modes are OK.

The automatic person detection and alerts are reasonably prompt in its response and appear on my Apple Watch as well as my phone. The menu includes sensitivity adjustment if the leaves are blowing too strongly or people are being missed (it was at 80% by default).

If you see misbehaviour through the camera, you have the option of switching on (and off again) a surprisingly loud siren to discourage vandals. I was a little disappointed that I didn’t seem to be able to trigger this by trying to vandalise the device, but perhaps I’m not aggressive enough. 

Depending on how you set up your detection, it’s possible you’ll get alerts (iOS or Android) before the button is pressed, but when it is activated it acts like a speakerphone making a voice call to your chosen (and any added) handsets. If you’ve installed the Arlo app, you can choose to switch to the video call but I did find that once or twice a call seemed to be misplaced at this point. At the visitors end the speaker is loud and effective; in the app it is important to check it is muted or not – auto mute isn’t a bad idea, but is only subtly labelled.

My first visitor to try the Arlo unprompted was a courier who was already engaged in a hunt for alternative means of attracting my attention by the end of the five seconds that it took for the bell’s call to get through to my phone. Sure, he wasn’t the most patient of people, but the latency isn’t ideal; it feels noticeably slower than the alerts from my Nest Indoor, for example. On the other hand, in general I am going to feel more freedom leaving the home alone on days I can safely tell couriers to leave the thing or where to try, and it’ll be nice having a clip nearly immediately available to show if they did as requested.

After some messing around, and despite highly discouraging comments on the support forums, I found I was able to set up an old Alexa Echo to act as a chime. There is a little latency there too, but the delay, around 3 seconds, is only from button press to chime, so if you’re home there is no delay with your phone. An alternative approach is to part with roughly the price of a small smart speaker for an Arlo Chime 2 when it comes out in July. In either case, the Arlo is well equipped with options for flexibility but the less complicated the access to power or a chime, the better! 

Arlo Essential Doorbell: Verdict

The Arlo doorbell looks great and can be installed with or without wiring; of the smart video doorbells on offer – assuming you’re happy with the terms of the subscription – then it’s an appealing choice. For many these devices as a category are still slightly surreal; it’s very hard, as a visitor, to wait an extra few moments after pressing before even your potential host knows you’re there. To combat this, in the long run, you’ll likely find yourself looking to install wiring and a chime which will, at a stroke, give you all the sound and instantaneousness of a traditional bell plus the extra features. A good half-way house is to fork out for a spare battery and charge alternately, meaning at least you’ll have no ‘off days’. In any case, the Arlo gives you the option of experimenting with all these possibilities, as well as handling the job itself.

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Arlo has introduced what it claims to be the first wirefree surveillance camera and floodlight combo on the market. Without the need for mains power cabling, the Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera will be much simpler to install than other contenders for the best outdoor security camera.

Introduced at CES 2020, the camera offers 2K video with HDR and incorporates a zoom for homing in on objects and details. It also offers night vision, recording in color or black and white. The camera offers a 160-degree wide-angle view.

The LED light offers wide floodlight coverage, and is activated by motion of manually. The unit is powered by a long-lasting rechargeable battery. Integrating with the Arlo smart home security system, the unit offers two-way audio and a built-in siren.

The new camera seems to have much the same specification as the existing Arlo Pro 3, but with the addition of a brighter floodlight.

Pricing for the Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera has yet to be confirmed, but the unit will go on sale this spring with a three-month free trial to the Arlo Smart cloud-based backup service.

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