Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight wire-free security camera review

The Arlo Pro 4 monitors your home in 2K HDR, and letes speak to visitors directly– without a pricey hub or any cables

Arlo Pro 4 review
(Image: © Adam Juniper/Digital Camera World)

Digital Camera World Verdict

The Arlo Pro 4 is great for those prone to worrying when away from home, letting you see lets you see what’s happening on your property and even know you have the power to intervene. It’s good looking, well built, and has been created in such a way which – once the investment is made – the owner will have few complaints.

Pros

  • +

    HDR and 2K Picture

  • +

    Color or infra-red night vision

  • +

    Can be used without base station

  • +

    Excellent range of settings

  • +

    Magnetic charging means you can charge in place

  • +

    Full-duplex chat

  • +

    Siren or light can be initiated from app

Cons

  • -

    Built-in speaker could be louder

  • -

    Apple HomeKit only supported via expensive Arlo Hub

  • -

    Not a low-cost option

  • -

    Alternative mount needed in some situations

  • -

    Battery will need charging more than every 6 months

Why you can trust Digital Camera World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out how we test.

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.

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Adam Juniper
Managing Editor

With over 20 years of expertise as a tech journalist, Adam brings a wealth of knowledge across a vast number of product categories, including timelapse cameras, home security cameras, NVR cameras, photography books, webcams, 3D printers and 3D scanners, borescopes, radar detectors… and, above all, drones. 

Adam is our resident expert on all aspects of camera drones and drone photography, from buying guides on the best choices for aerial photographers of all ability levels to the latest rules and regulations on piloting drones. 

He is the author of a number of books including The Complete Guide to Drones, The Smart Smart Home Handbook, 101 Tips for DSLR Video and The Drone Pilot's Handbook