Best Arlo Cameras

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There are so many different smart security cameras that your head could be left spinning while trying to find the best option. However, Arlo has been a player in the game for quite some time and has the following to back it up. With consistent updates and some of the best features, you would be hard-pressed to find a better option. With that being said, the Arlo Pro 3 is our favorite camera thanks to having all the bells and whistles one could want, without having to sacrifice anything to keep your home secure.

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Arlo Pro 3

Reasons to buy

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Best Overall
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2K Video with HDR
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Color night vision
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160-degree Field of View
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Integrated spotlight
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Works with Alexa, Assistant, and Apple HomeKit 

Reasons to avoid

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Subscription needed to unlock full potential
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No 4K video recording

The Arlo Pro 3 has officially been unveiled with quite a few improvements over its predecessor, the Pro 2. The Pro 3 sports 2K video recording with HDR which allows users to zoom-in on objects and take clearer pictures whenever the need arises. Plus, there is Color Night Vision so that you will be able to view night recordings in color, without relying on the traditional black and white video.

With the Pro 3, you can set the camera up either inside or outside, providing extra versatility to keep your home protected from potential burglaries. Additionally, you get a 12X digital zoom, multiple resolutions for recording, and a battery that is touted to last between 3 to 6 months on a single charge.

Quite a few features are included with the Pro 3, such as personalized notifications, advanced motion detection, and customized activity zones, with one caveat. You will need to sign up for Arlo Smart after the 3-month trial has concluded, and this can be a bit pricey over the life of your ownership.

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Arlo Pro 2

Reasons to buy

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Best for Starters
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Multiple power sources
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Indoor or outdoor usage
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Works with Alexa, Assistant, and more
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Can record 24/7 when plugged in

Reasons to avoid

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Subscription needed to unlock full potential
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No 4K video recording

Arlo has quickly and quietly been expanding its arsenal of smart security cameras over the past few years, but the Arlo Pro 2 continues to turn heads. The Pro 2 is capable of being used either indoors or outdoors, and can either be plugged in or run on battery power without too much hassle. You can even take advantage of Arlo's Solar Panel, so you won't have to worry about changing the batteries or unexpectedly running out of power. 

As with the case with most of Arlo's cameras, the Pro 2 is a smart camera, meaning that it can work with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, IFTTT, and other smart assistants. This makes life easy if you need to check on what's going on, and with the two-way microphone system, you can find out why that random person is knocking at your door, or let your mom know you're coming to let her in. 

The biggest downside to the Arlo Pro 2 is the fact that if you want to unlock everything and get the best experience possible, you'll need an Arlo Subscription Plan. These start at a low price for the Premier plan, which includes 30-days of cloud recordings and support for up to 10 cameras. Meanwhile, the Elite subscription comes in a little higher and includes 60-days of cloud recordings and support for up to 15 cameras. 

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Arlo Ultra

Reasons to buy

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Most feature-rich
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4K HDR camera
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Night vision
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180-degree field of view
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Two-way audio with noise cancellation
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Built-in spotlight

Reasons to avoid

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Arlo subscription needed to unlock all features
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Will only work with the Ultra SmartHub
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Rather expensive

The Arlo Ultra is the new kid on the block from Arlo and has been upgraded in many different ways over its predecessor. First and foremost, Arlo has finally included a 4K HDR camera with the Ultra cameras, which not only provides better picture and video quality, but makes it easier to zoom in and see what's going on in those odd situations. 

On top of being capable of recording in 4K, the Ultra has a field of view of 180-degrees combined with auto-image correction, so that there are fewer effects from the fish-eye lens. Arlo has improved the night vision capabilities so that you can view your night recordings in color, versus dealing with black and white playback. One other benefit the Ultra has over its brethren is the integrated spotlight, so you don't have to make an additional purchase and find the perfect spotlight to pair with your Arlo camera. 

If you are a proud owner of any of the previous Arlo cameras, you will be disappointed to learn that you will not be able to purchase the Ultra camera by itself and use the older SmartHub. Instead, you'll have to purchase the Ultra SmartHub to get this new and updated camera to work. This is definitely one of those pain points that can leave people sticking with their previous generation Arlo cameras, instead of upgrading. 

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Arlo Go

Reasons to buy

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Best for portability 
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Works with 3G and 4G LTE wireless connections
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Built-in SD card slot allows for local backup
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Weather-resistant
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Advanced Motion Detection

Reasons to avoid

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Must purchase Arlo Mobile Service Plan or carrier plan
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Limited to 720p video
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Only available through AT&T, Arlo, or Verizon

If you want to find a unique security camera, then look no further than the Arlo Go. This security camera gives you all of the benefits of Arlo's features while offering "Un-tethered Mobile Security," thanks to the support for LTE wireless connections. This means that you can pop in a SIM card and keep an eye on what's going on anywhere there is an LTE connection available. 

As one would expect, the Go is IP65 weather-resistant, so you can set it up in the woods, in the driveway, or outside of the campsite during your road trip. The Go includes a wide-angle motion sensor that will make it easy for you to know what is going on outside of your tent and if it's time to run for the hills or shoo away a trash panda. 

Since this is such a portable security camera, there are bound to be a few downsides, and one of the biggest is the fact that you need a service plan to make the most out of the Go. There are three different options available - AT&T, Verizon, or Arlo Mobile, which leaves out those who want to add this to their T-Mobile or Sprint accounts. So if you have either of those carriers, the Arlo Mobile option is your best bet. 

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Arlo Q Plus

Reasons to buy

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Best indoor camera
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1080p video resolution
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Connect with WiFi, Ethernet, or PoE
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SD card slot built-in
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2-way audio
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Smart Alerts

Reasons to avoid

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Can only be used indoors
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Must use a cable to keep the camera powered

The Ultra and Pro series of cameras from Arlo is all fine and dandy, but what if you want to find a great camera to mount inside? That's where the Arlo Q Plus comes into play, as this camera has been designed to keep a watchful eye on the inside of your home. 

The camera includes a 1080p HD camera sensor, with a wide-angle 130-degree lens which, combined with Smart Alerts, will let you know when something either moves or makes a noise. There is even Night Vision functionality baked in so that you can see what made that loud racket downstairs before you grab the baseball bat in the closet. 

If you are worried about the Q Plus being susceptible to slowed playback quality, you can throw those concerns out the window with the included Ethernet cable. This cable not only keeps the Q Plus connected to your home network but also will power your camera, removing the need for just another cable to be routed and plugged in. Unfortunately, those looking to use this camera without being plugged into the wall will be left looking elsewhere, as there is no support for an external battery. 

(Image credit: Amazon)

Arlo Baby Monitor

Reasons to buy

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Best for parents 
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 2-way wireless talk
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Advanced night vision
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Smart nursery features
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Versatile mounting and placement
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Customizable accessories

Reasons to avoid

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Subscription needed for cloud storage
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Potential latency issues between the app and video feed

Finding the best baby monitor can be quite a hassle, but if you are already connected to the Arlo ecosystem, then the Arlo Baby camera is perfect. The camera includes two-way talk so your baby can hear your voice whenever they start crying or need your attention. Speaking of crying, Arlo has thought of everything with a dedicated Baby Crying Alert, which triggers your phone in the case that your baby does actually starts crying. 

There is also an included smart music player, allowing you to play either lullabies or white noise to help your baby get some sleep so that you can too. If you need to venture into the baby's room in the middle of the night, Arlo included a multi-colored night light so that you won't have to worry about accidentally stubbing your toes on the crib or bed. 

The biggest downside is that you will need to sign up for Arlo's subscription services if you want to take advantage of cloud storage. That's the case with any of Arlo's cameras, and can be an easy pill to swallow if you already entrenched in the ecosystem. 

Bottom line

If you are looking for the best Arlo Camera in 2019, look no further than the Arlo Pro 3. While the camera sensor is not at the new 4K limit of clarity, its 2K playback is solid, and it has all of the right features one could want in an effort to keep their home safe from the outside world. 

These features for the Pro 3 include compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for smart functionalities, along with the ability to use multiple types of power sources. Arlo makes it possible to use either a solar panel, removable battery, or the traditional power plug, providing a security camera that is as versatile as one would need for it to be.

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