Best Arlo cameras

Chicago Tribune

30-05-2025

While security monitoring services are often expensive and intrusive, leaving your home unprotected is not worth the risk. An excellent way to save money, regain your peace of mind, and have full control over your surveillance system is by setting up one or more Arlo cameras in your home.
Discerning security-system buyers have many aspects to consider before investing in a new system, including video recording quality, data storage options, and weatherproofed components. Our buying guide will walk you through these considerations and offer a few recommendations at the end, including our favorite model, the Arlo Ultra 2, which features stunning 4K quality.
Power source
Since some Arlo cameras rely on a power cord and others use a rechargeable battery, it is important to research how each model is powered to find the best fit for your installation situation.
Weather-resistant
If you plan on placing an Arlo camera outside, make sure that you buy a model that is weather-resistant against rain, sun damage, and a range of temperatures.
Two-way audio
Two-way audio allows Arlo system owners to communicate directly with whoever is on the other side of the camera via their smartphone. Whether it's to confirm delivery, tell a solicitor to go away or to let an early guest know that you're on the way to open the door, two-way audio is a handy feature to have on standby.
Video quality
The video quality of an Arlo camera ranges from 720p to a crisp 4 K, and while you will save money by purchasing a lesser model, you will likely appreciate the vibrant and picture-perfect video of a higher-end camera when looking for small details in your footage. We recommend buying an Arlo camera that supports a video quality of at least 1080p.
Recording storage
All Arlo cameras send recordings to the cloud by communicating with the companion base station via Wi-Fi, but some models have the option to store video and audio content directly on the device itself. Note that some Arlo cameras use a microSD card for local storage, while others need a USB drive.
Bundles
If a single camera isn't enough to cover your security needs, Arlo sells a range of cameras and SmartHub bundles. Keep in mind that purchasing a set of two to six Arlo cameras ensures you have the coverage you need from the moment you open the box.
You can expect an Arlo camera bundle to include Arlo Basic service. However, if you need to store 30-60 days of footage in the cloud or have vehicle detection alerts sent to your smartphone, you may want to upgrade your default system to a Smart Plan.
A single Arlo camera and SmartHub cost anywhere from $149 to $400. If you plan to create a security system with multiple cameras, we highly recommend purchasing a bundle for maximum savings.
Q. Which smart home systems will Arlo cameras connect to?
A. Arlo security cameras work with Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
Q. How long will the battery of a wireless Arlo camera last before I need to recharge them?
A. Quite a while. Under normal circumstances, Arlo wireless camera batteries will last between three and six months without needing to be recharged. Of course, temperatures below 32 degrees or a poor connection to the Arlo base station will run down the battery much more quickly.
Top Arlo camera
Arlo Ultra 2 – Two-Camera Kit
What you need to know: Although outfitting your property with many Arlo Pro 4 cameras may be costly, those who do will feel secure when they see just how impressive the audio and video quality of this camera truly is.
What you'll love: With this camera, you get crystal-clear 4K HDR video quality. Nothing escapes its wide 180-degree field of view. The bundle includes a pair of Arlo Ultra 2 cameras and a base station. Each camera has a color night vision mode, and real-time alerts can be sent to your phone, Apple Watch or Alexa-enabled device. It also features distortion-free, two-way audio.
What you should consider: The battery life is poor, so you'll have to recharge both cameras often.
Top Arlo camera for the money
Arlo Q
What you need to know: Simple yet effective, the Arlo Q is an inexpensive way to set up a single high-end security camera to watch over an indoor space via its 50-foot motion detector and instant notification system.
What you'll love: This affordable camera features 1080p HD quality video and night vision. The wide 130-degree lens and two-way audio ensure that you don't miss a thing. It has seven-day cloud video storage and is extremely easy to configure.
What you should consider: It doesn't have batteries, so you have to plug it in for it to work.
Worth checking out
Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera – 2 Pack
What you need to know: Considering the price and features, this pair of Arlo Pro 4 cameras is a great deal for a solid smart home security system.
What you'll love: It's wire-free and easy to set up. While it's not the fanciest Arlo camera, you can still get up to 2K resolution video, which is pretty great for the price. It also features a 160-degree viewing angle, and the package includes two cameras.
What you should consider: Some people had issues keeping the cameras connected to their Wi-Fi consistently.
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