17 Apr
Blog

Arlo Essential Indoor Camera Review: Privacy Is a Priority

Arlo Essential Indoor Security Camera on the table

Arlo Essential indoor surveillance camera

"Thanks to the Arlo Essential Indoor Security Camera’s helpful privacy lock, you never have to wonder if Big Brother is watching."

  • Privacy shutter offers security

  • Clear and clear night vision

  • Smart discovery with Arlo Smart

  • Video quality artifact elements

Arlo has long distinguished itself as a high-end surveillance camera manufacturer and has expanded its growth in this segment thanks to the introduction of its Essential line of surveillance cameras. With a balance between price and performance, the Essential line extends the company's reach. However, a certain type of camera was missing – a real type of indoor camera.

With the Arlo Essential Indoor Security Camera, all of that changes. On paper, it won't amaze anyone with its specs, but what is really amazing here is the focus on privacy. Equipped with a visual shutter that opens and closes, it is one of the few cameras that addresses the ongoing privacy concerns at home.

A barrier that protects your privacy

It is difficult for security camera companies to have a privacy lock, but Arlo, like some other companies, shows us that it is possible. The Arlo Essential indoor security camera has a simple privacy screen that covers the camera's lens when you don't want it to be recorded – like when you are at home. Unlike other implementations that require users to flip a switch, it is mechanically operated across the entire Arlo app. This is great because you can be away and still control the privacy lock.

Arlo Essential Indoor Security Camera privacy screenJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

It blocks the camera's view, protecting your privacy at home. This is important because you know with greater peace of mind that someone is not watching you. When someone actually accesses the camera, the action of the data protection lock is accompanied by an audible sound – so you know that it is being accessed. This is useful because it is so distinctive that you know it is being operated without actually seeing it.

I'm a proponent of mechanically operated privacy shutters like this one, so bravo to Arlo for designing the camera with that in mind.

All the intelligence, mediocre quality

The design of the Arlo Essential Indoor Security Camera allows it to stand freely on shelves and desks and to be mounted on the wall using the brackets provided. In terms of design, the all-plastic construction feels a bit hollow and looks pretty generic, but the articulated base allows for quick and easy adjustment for the ideal view with the camera.

It is safer to know that someone is not watching you

For an indoor camera, the 130-degree field of view is sufficient – I've seen other models with larger views – but strategic placement in corners gives the best coverage. It records at 1080p resolution and offers night vision and two-way audio – all the standard features you would expect from a modern security camera.

However, many of the advanced features are hidden behind the Arlo Smart subscription. By default, the Arlo Essential Indoor Security Camera sends notifications when motion is detected. However, you won't get item detection, package delivery detection, or activity zones without subscribing to Arlo Smart, which starts at $ 3 a month for a single camera. Fortunately, there is a three month trial that is included with the purchase.

As for the performance of the camera, it's nice that Arlo Smart can distinguish motion from pets or people, so you can filter what you want to get through the app rather than get bombarded by false positives. The quality of the video is average at best. It suffers from artifacts early on, but that seems to go away after a while. There is enough detail to see most of the things in the scene while colors have a slightly unsaturated hue. I have no complaints about night vision performance. It's crisp and clear and illuminates the area up to 20 feet.

One thing that could make it perfect

While I applaud Arlo for its mechanical privacy screen, there is only one thing missing from the Essential Indoor Security Camera that makes it perfect – a geofence feature that can automatically arm the camera when I'm not home.

Arlo Essential Indoor Security Camera on the tableJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

Currently, activating the camera is a manual process performed through the app. Sometimes I'm just in a hurry and don't have time to activate the camera. A feature that she can automatically activate based on my phone's location would sweeten the package.

Our opinion

If privacy is a primary concern for you, this is Arlo Essential indoor surveillance camera ensures that you don't have to worry thanks to the data protection lock. The $ 100 cost is worth it just because it's a camera you can trust.

How long it will take?

Although the all-plastic construction feels a bit flimsy, it comes with a one-year limited warranty that covers the camera for defects. Given that it is supposed to be stationary in one place, it should last a long time.

Is there a better alternative?

The SimpliSafe SimpliCam is worth considering just because, like this one, it has a mechanically operated privacy screen that you can see and hear. The main benefit is that it works with SimpliSafe's home surveillance system, so not only is it activated and deactivated every time the system is activated, but in an emergency, emergency responders can even access the camera's feed to assess the event.

The Eufy Indoor Cam 2K Pan & Tilt is worth considering for its lower cost and ability to articulate almost 360 degrees. It can even stow its camera when not in use. This is a slightly different way of protecting home privacy.

Should you buy it?

Yes. It's one of the few models that respects your home privacy and ensures you are informed when the camera is being accessed.

Editor's recommendations




27 Feb
Blog

Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell Review: Huge Decision

Arlo Essential Wireless doorbell mounted on brick

Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wireless

"A great software experience is compromised by cheap looking hardware that doesn't match the price."

  • Great software with lots of options

  • Good video quality, day and night

  • easy installation

  • Inexpensive looking hardware

  • Prominent fisheye effect

Package deliveries are becoming more and more common these days. I received two separate deliveries to my door on the day this was written. Arlo recognizes this and wants to help. The newest doorbell, the Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell, has a 180 degree field of view and packet detection, and doesn't need any cables at all if you don't want them or you already have them. Arlo's successes are deeply rooted in its line of surveillance cameras like the mighty Arlo Pro 4. Does the new video doorbell have a chance of staying a relevant gamer in space?

This doorbell is all about choice

You can install the Essential Wireless doorbell with or without a cable. If you have a wired doorbell, the Essential button in your interior will ring. Otherwise, you can wirelessly mount this battery operated doorbell anywhere. Arlo claims this doorbell will last for six months on a single charge. My tests show a little closer to two or three, but in fairness it was crazy cold outside so battery efficiency can be affected. That said, it's nice to have a doorbell that you can easily place anywhere you need it.

Arlo Essential Wireless doorbell mounted on brick

When you set up the app, the doorbell needs to scan a QR code to get the Wi-Fi credentials. I only mention this because the process worked very well which is unusual in my experience. Well played, Arlo. During the set up process, you will be asked what type of subscription you would like to sign up for, which was a bit off-putting.

There's no other way to put it: it's huge

The Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell is a large piece of a doorbell. It's the biggest doorbell I've tested so far. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but if your door invites you to a leaner offering, it's important to keep that in mind. The doorbell is 47mm x 143mm x 37mm which is pretty massive. For comparison: The Netatmo doorbell that I tested a few weeks ago is also huge, but smaller than this doorbell (45mm x 135mm x 29mm) in every dimension.

Size comparison between the Arlo Video doorbell and an iPhone 12 Pro

The doorbell hardware is a combination of matte and glossy polycarbonate that feels solid and sturdy, but exudes a cheap aesthetic. The camera protrudes a little from the top of the bell and gives it a diagonal field of view of 180 degrees. At the bottom is a round button with a ring of LEDs that light up when you approach. The LEDs are not bright enough to illuminate the area. They're only there to indicate where to push. The 6,500 mAh battery is located in the plastic housing. With the pen supplied, you can, similar to most telephones, detach the doorbell from the mounting plate, remove the battery and connect it to a micro-USB cable for charging.

The video feed (resolution 1536 x 1536) is pretty good during the day and night, although a very noticeable fisheye effect can be seen on the periphery of the feed. There is also a noticeable delay when the camera is transmitting audio and video, often up to three seconds. This can make conversations difficult, but not impossible.

The software lights up

On the software side, the app is very comprehensive. You get the usual options like activity zones, notification configurations and the like. What impresses me about Arlo software is the wealth of options it gives you. The doorbell can recognize people, animals, vehicles, movements and even the parcel delivery. This last option is limited to only one Arlo camera at a time for some reason. You can't let your front door camera and doorbell detect a package, which is an odd limitation.

You can also set up an E911 notification and phone friend option. If an intruder appears at your door, the doorbell can contact emergency services. If a package is displayed while you are on vacation, the app can choose a designated contact for you. You can also activate a built-in siren. The siren isn't particularly loud, but it's deafening. Passers-by on the sidewalk in front of your house will hear it. Your neighbors may or may not.

The Arlo Essential video doorbell also works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and even Samsung SmartThings and IFTTT. Silent mode bypasses app notifications and / or the physical chimes. This is valuable when young children are sleeping. There are call settings, video settings, motion detection sensitivity settings, and more. Overall, I am impressed with the software experience as it has a ton of features.

While the software is one of my favorite software to date, the hardware leaves a lot to be desired.

This can also be a weakness as the app contains two settings areas. There is one for device-specific settings and one for general settings for Arlo. It takes a while to wrap your head around everyone, but that also ensures that you can really make this doorbell your own.

Our opinion

Overall, this doorbell offers a great software experience with great video capabilities, but with less than impressive hardware. In the software, this doorbell really stands out. The audio and video lag, while not great, isn't terrible either. But the abundance of settings and functions that this bell has to offer makes it very convincing. It's also $ 200. The last two doorbells I checked were $ 30 and $ 60, respectively, and this doorbell seems to go against the grain in that regard.

Is there a better alternative?

The 180-degree diagonal field of view is great, but the Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro has a 180-degree vertical and horizontal field of view, making it bigger and wider. Also, the Arlo Essential Wireless doorbell is just huge and difficult to place next to some doors. While the software is one of my favorite software to date, the hardware leaves a lot to be desired.

Will it take?

The Arlo Essential Video doorbell has a 30-day return policy and a one-year limited warranty. The construction is durable and solid. The operating temperature range is -4 to 113 degrees Fahrenheit, which is good. You can even swap out the battery (for an additional $ 50) if the original battery runs out over time.

Should I buy it?

No. Video doorbell prices are falling. Considering that this doorbell costs $ 199 and requires a subscription, that's too high. For this price, I want a premium look and feel and software experience. In this case, I only get one of those three. The upcoming Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 offers radar sensors and a bird's eye view for a little more. The more economical Ring video doorbell with cable also offers you a first-class software experience and costs less than half the price. The software experience here is great, but the hardware really pulls it down.

Editor's recommendations




04 Dec
Blog

Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera Review: Security at a Lower Cost

Arlo Pro 4 headlight camera

"The Arlo Pro 4 dispenses with the hub and delivers the same great performance as its predecessor at a lower startup cost."

  • Sharp looking footage

  • Additional details with colored night vision

  • No hub is required for setup

  • Smart security with Arlo Smart Service

  • The technical data are similar to those of the predecessor

  • Headlights required for color night vision

Security camera maker Arlo may have been quiet in the first six months of 2020, but the company was certainly busy in the second half of the year. After the introduction of the new Essential series of cameras, the Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight camera saved the best for last. This model replaces the more expensive Arlo Pro 3, which is noteworthy for realizing what it means to be the best camera out there.

Whenever a device makes a numerical leap, there is an expectation that it will propel things forward in a dramatic way. Let's find out if this is the case with the Arlo Pro 4 spotlight camera.

Drop the hub

There's no denying the fact that the Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera spec sheet is drooling, but what is often overlooked is how the system works. What's special about this camera compared to its predecessor is that it digs up the hub – so it's now a truly wireless proposition.

Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight camera bodyJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

Arlo Pro 3 required users to set up the Arlo SmartHub base station in order for it to work. Nothing is more annoying than having to connect another hub or bridge to your network. In most cases, they will need to be connected directly to your home WiFi router. This gets worse when the ethernet connections are scarce. It also means something that has to be plugged into a socket – also in short supply in my apartment.

That's why I'm thrilled that the Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight camera is now connected directly to my router. Therefore, it is easier to set up. For smaller rooms like my apartment, this direct Wi-Fi implementation works because everything is in close proximity to the router. I would imagine, however, that the SmartHub would be a benefit for larger households, as it manages the connection much better – while also extending battery life.

The camera performance of the Arlo Pro 4 is just as good as before.

Speaking of the battery, the Arlo Pro 4 has a removable battery that is designed to last for six months of juice. Since placing it in a high-traffic area, the battery life has dropped an average of 3% every day. That won't get me anywhere near that six month range, of course, but it will be enough to take a full month before a top-up is required. It comes with a magnetic charging cable that can be used to charge it at the same time.

Predictably sharp looking video

When we transitioned from Arlo Pro 2 to Pro 3, the camera's resolution increased dramatically from 1080p to 2K (2560 x 1440). Instead of doing another upgrade, the Arlo Pro 4's camera stays at 2K resolution. It's not bad, but it would have been nice to maybe jump to 4K – much like the ultra security cameras. On the other hand, this distinguishes the two camera lines.

The rest of the technical data shows that it is essentially the same hardware as before: a 4-megapixel sensor-inch camera sensor with a wide field of view of 160 degrees. This is impressive coverage, but most effective when strategically placed in corners. The functions are rounded off by HDR, automatic track and zoom, powerful infrared LEDs with blocking filters and a 12x digital zoom. This is no different from the Arlo Pro 3, which is surprising.

Despite the lack of changes, the Arlo Pro 4's camera performance is just as great as it was before – it creates crisp clips with lots of detail, sharpness, and accurate-looking colors. When there is ample light, the dynamic range is handled well throughout the scene to achieve even exposure. Highlights don't look exaggerated, which preserves details that might otherwise be lost. In poor lighting conditions, however, artifact elements tend to appear in shadow. It's not terrible, but it does soften the quality a little.

Arlo Pro 4 headlight cameraJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

When it's night I guess the night vision kicks in color. In order for this to happen the spotlight is turned on to bring some light into the scene, which makes the colors stand out better. Now I should point out that the headlight will turn on whenever motion is detected, but I wish there was some way to force the camera to shoot in color in night vision without it being on. While there is an option to turn off the spotlight through the settings in the app, the default night vision in black and white is used by default.

Smarter security behind a subscription

You will immediately receive a free three-month trial of Arlo Smart – the company's leading security company. Without it, the Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight camera is limited to seven days of cloud recording at 1080p, versus 30 days of 2K footage. Another benefit of Arlo Smart is that it gives you advanced features such as parcel, people, animal, vehicle and smoke / CO2 alarm detection. Arlo Smart offers a smart security solution that can help prevent false positives, but all of which are behind a subscription.

But, you know what? The $ 3 monthly plan for a single camera is well worth the cost for those who simply want more security. It's hard enough to juggle all the notifications on your phone. So it's handy that the Arlo Pro 4 can intelligently tell the difference between a stranger walking into the frame and the passing cat from the neighborhood.

I also appreciate that you can set up a geofence to tell the camera when to turn on or off. This is especially useful if you are using the Arlo Pro 4 spotlight camera indoors as you can set it to turn off at home. So you don't feel like you're being watched all the time.

Our opinion

In all fairness, I expected the Arlo Pro 4 spotlight camera to raise the bar. In reality, however, it shares many similarities with its predecessor. Still, I'm glad it didn't cost an arm or a leg to pick it up, which has made the Arlo Pro 3 a tougher consideration for those on a tighter budget. At $ 200 for just a single Arlo Pro 4 spotlight camera, this is a much smaller investment than the $ 500 startup cost of the Arlo Pro 3's base 2-kit system. The lower cost when combined with its direct Wi-Fi connectivity still makes it an attractive option for anyone who craves smarter security.

How long it will take?

Thanks to its weatherproof construction, it can withstand a temperature range of 4 ° F to 113 ° F. It is unlikely to fail. When this occurs, there is a one year limited warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.

Is there a better alternative?

The Arlo Essential XL is an ideal alternative if you want to save more, but still need a smart security camera to monitor your home. All you have to do is spend more than $ 150 on it, which will save you $ 50. The only downside is that it is limited to 1080p recording and doesn't offer HDR video.

Another comparable camera is the Ring Spotlight Camera, which benefits from Ring's extensive smart home ecosystem. If you're really looking for a bargain, check out the Wyze Cam Outdoor, which has local storage, sharp footage, and offline mode for $ 60.

Should you buy it?

Yes, despite the strong similarities with its predecessor.

Editor's recommendations




26 Nov
Blog

Arlo Essential XL Spotlight Camera Review: Plenty of Smarts

Arlo Essential XL headlight camera

Arlo Essential Spotlight XL

"It's ideal when you don't have to constantly micromanage home security."

  • Intelligent recognition functions

  • Colored night vision adds more detail

  • Direct Wi-Fi connection digs the hub

  • Robust weatherproof construction

  • 3 second live feed delay

  • No replaceable battery

Arlo continues to be a leader in security cameras, offering exceptional cameras with premium features that produce great results. They rightly get a premium price tag, but with the launch of the new Essential series of cameras, the company aims to appeal to a wider audience without sacrificing its core philosophies.

Related Black Friday sales

The Arlo Essential XL headlight camera is one of the cameras coming out of this new line. It has a year of battery life, colored night vision and the outstanding quality of the Essential line – a direct Wi-Fi connection that does not require a bridge. Can it live up to expectations?

Annual battery? Not as much

Let's talk about the camera's most intriguing spec, its battery life. Arlo claims it can offer a year of battery life, but a battery-powered camera with a grain of salt is such an exorbitant claim. Although it's an outdoor camera with a weatherproof, sturdy plastic housing, I used the Arlo Essential XL indoors in a high-traffic area – right outside the front door – to capture everything that came and went.

Arlo Essential XL headlight cameraJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

Note that the annual rating is based on 4,000 seconds of recording per month, which equates to a little over two minutes per day. Previously, an average of seven minutes per day was recorded. This is way above the expected usage, but it is the realistic number for my particular situation. After charging, the battery life has dropped to 70% after 14 days – a power loss of approx. 2.1% per day. If this trend continues, the battery will be empty after 47 days, which is nowhere near the range of its rating. On the other hand, I admit it is better than average compared to the outdoor cameras I used. In that regard, it's nice that it doesn't need to be charged as often.

I really enjoy how color night vision adds color to the footage.

Unlike Arlo's Pro line, the Essential XL doesn't have removable batteries. This means that it has to be removed from its holder so that you are without any security for a period of time.

Color night vision clarity

The Arlo Essential XL spotlight camera has everything you need to deliver usable footage. There is a 130-degree field of view that captures clips at 1080p resolution which are then stored in the cloud. A trial for Arlo Smart is included, but you'd like to subscribe to the $ 3 monthly plan for continued cloud storage and advanced discovery. The quality is good enough to see some detail, but there are some artifact elements that appear during the shot that affect the quality. These are most evident when there is a lot of movement in the scene. The dynamic range is weak, which can be seen from the fact that the highlights are faded in contrast to the neutral exposure of the scene.

Arlo Essential XL headlight cameraJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

With a pair of dual 850nm LEDs, the night vision range easily covers about 25 feet. Performance is good, but I really enjoy how color night vision adds color to the footage. It's obviously extremely useful for distinguishing colors from traditional black and white photography, but the spotlight is required for this feature to work. The more ambient light there is in the shot, the more colors are shown accurately – and that's why the spotlight is necessary. It would be great if the camera could bypass this, especially if there is some kind of ambient light source already in place, but it's a useful deterrent nonetheless.

Intelligent security without the second guess

One of the most overlooked aspects of Arlo security is the intelligence of Arlo Smart. It helps reduce some of the excessive notifications other cameras are sending due to triggers. With the app you can see what triggered the recordings. You can also choose what to detect. I set it up to recognize people, which will help clear my cats' triggers.

Two-way audio is available when you need to talk to someone in the frame. The speaker is loud enough for people to hear, while the sound on my end is audible enough to detect and send a response. However, there is about a three second delay between what happens and what you see in the app. Therefore, conversations are usually one-sided affairs that require a brief pause.

However, the extended security functions available here cannot be overlooked. It even offers parcel detection for the valuable deliveries left on your doorstep, an e911 feature that lets you get help right through the Arlo app, and a siren good enough to get attention.

Our opinion

The Arlo Essential XL headlight camera is a good camera that offers excellent security for the home and is combined with above-average battery life. While it has some unique features like advanced detection and color night vision, the $ 150 cost might still be a little on the high side given some of the recent options in this space. If you can cough up that amount, you won't regret the smarter security coverage.

How long it will take?

With its weatherproof construction, it is able to withstand a temperature range of 4 to 113 degrees Celsius. It is unlikely that there will be any problems. In this case, however, there is a one-year limited warranty that covers defects in material and workmanship.

Is there a better alternative?

You can keep the same performance while saving money with the $ 130 Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera. It has the same features and performance, but with a shorter battery life of 6 months.

For those looking to make significant savings, the Wyze Cam Outdoor is a phenomenal $ 60 value with its local storage option, sharp footage, and offline mode.

Should you buy it?

Yes, especially if you don't want to be bothered by constant false notifications.

Editor's recommendations




19 Aug
Blog

Arlo Essential Review: Affordable, but Not so Essential

Arlo Essential full shot

"Arlo's first camera without a hub is cheaper, but is it worth it?"

  • Color night vision

  • Inexpensive monthly subscription

  • Glitchy app

  • Blurry faces in the video

  • Bad battery performance

The Arlo Essential was designed to be the answer to crappy surveillance cameras that can't "see" clearly in the dark. To achieve this, Arlo added a headlight and colored night vision to the Essential. With night time being the main time for security filming, this was a good idea and we are surprised that more outdoor video surveillance cameras are not focusing on it. It's also the company's first hub-free camera, which is especially handy for those who don't have additional Ethernet ports on their routers. Did Arlo's hub-free, night vision-oriented camera come out on top? I found the following:

installation

Because the Arlo Essential is a wireless camera, installation is quick and can be done by even the least mechanically gifted person. The app guides you through the setup step by step. You simply attach the base with three screws in the place where you want to place the camera. Flip the camera onto the base and you're done. It didn't take more than 10 minutes. Since there's no hub to connect to, you can skip this step altogether, which streamlines things a bit.

Video

The camera records with a resolution of 1080p and has a field of view of 130 degrees. This is a step back from the Arlo Pro 3, one of our most popular outdoor surveillance cameras that records 2K video (with a maximum resolution of 2560 × 1440). and the field of view (how much the lens can "see") is slightly wider at 160 degrees.

Arlo Essential night vision video screenshots

Essentials has a nice clear video during the day. The colors are vivid and there is very little distortion. The edges of the image are slightly curved but not enough to affect the clarity. However, the camera struggles to focus on faces. I noticed that they looked a bit grainy, especially further away. The camera has a 12x digital zoom so you can see unfamiliar faces better at a greater distance. However, zooming in will degrade the quality of the image even further, so it doesn't help much. The sweet spot seems to be just a foot or two from the camera for the sharpest picture. This isn't particularly helpful when you need the essential to do more than just monitor your porch.

The faces were so blurry that it is difficult to pick out features.

The biggest innovation in Arlo Essential is the built-in spotlight that allows you to watch color video at night. Is this innovative leap making waves? Not really. I found that the video quality was still not great. Just like when shooting daily footage, faces were a problem, but even more extreme. The faces were so blurry that it is difficult to pick out features. The colors and contrast looked fine, but the camera didn't seem to focus on people.

properties

What is essential is a bit of a boneless, which probably explains the name. However, there is a siren and two-way conversation. The 80dB siren can be set to go off when motion is detected, or you can set it to go off only when you manually press the alarm button. Unfortunately, 80dB isn't very loud and it's one of the quietest sirens we've seen on outdoor surveillance cameras.

Arlo Essential front shotAlina Bradford / Digital Trends

The two-way audio allows you to speak to people who are near your security camera. They can hear them and they can hear you – at least that's how the camera should work. I found that the Essential's two-way talk was quite loud when you're the listener outside. I could only hear mutilated sound through the app. The app stopped and buffered when I tried to use it too, which made the process even more frustrating.

An important missing feature on other Arlo cameras is the privacy setting: this feature allows you to control which areas of your garden the camera can record. For example, with the Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight camera, if you don't want to capture part of your garden, the camera will zoom in to avoid it. This feature is useful when, for example, you don't want to record your hot tub area or when your kids are playing.

Battery life

One of my biggest complaints about the Arlo Essential was the battery. In less than a week the load was full. One of the main reasons for this is that there are two very limited ways to regulate the sensitivity of the motion detector. The constantly triggered sensors mean the camera is recording all the time – and wasting the battery.

In less than a week the load was full.

One way is to set up an activity area through the app, a point that the motion sensors focus on so that the camera doesn't detect activity on a busy sidewalk, for example. Another way to reduce the number of triggered sensors is to focus them only on detecting people or boxes and not animals or vehicles. Other cameras may reduce the sensitivity and / or the area in which the sensors can detect movement.

On a slow day, the battery used around 11% of its charge. If the sensors only trigger occasionally, you will still need to charge the camera every nine or ten days. This is not very long and would be a pain in the end.

Down from Arlo EssentialAlina Bradford / Digital Trends

Worse still, the camera doesn't have a removable battery like the Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight does. This means you have to take the camera off its mount (you have to unscrew it, which takes a minute) and then put it in to charge. You can buy a solar panel attachment for the camera to solve the problem of it constantly charging. However, I am concerned that the Essential is using more energy than the solar panel could produce.

App

Although the Arlo app is easy to navigate, I've found it to be quite buggy. For example, it froze when trying to set up the activity zone function. If this was a one-off fritz, no problem, but I kept having these moments trying to use the app. If you tap on the full screen view from the mini screen in the dashboard, the app is also buffered for a few seconds. This can be frustrating when trying to use the two way feature to communicate with a person at your door, or just want to take a closer look at one person. At times, I found that the app was even buffering just trying to display live video on the miniscreen.

The app isn't all bad, however. One useful feature that you won't find in most cameras is lock screen notifications, which you can get here. So you can see who is at your door without opening the app. That can save you time! Just look at your phone and you will know exactly how to do it.

Arlo Essential app

There are two security features that I also like. By connecting your carbon monoxide detector or fire alarm to Arlo Essential, you can be notified when these alarms go off. Tapping the 911 button on the app will call 911 (as long as you live in the US) and automatically show the location of your home.

While you don't need a subscription to use Arlo Essential and its app, the camera is almost unusable without one. The A.I. The subscription-based service Arlo Smart gives you access to activity zones, e911 services, 30 days of cloud storage and advanced object recognition that allow you to tell the difference between a person, a vehicle, an animal and a package. You get a three month trial which then costs $ 3 per month, which is really affordable. This price is for one camera. However, if you have more, there's a package that covers up to five cameras for $ 10.

Our opinion

The Arlo Essential just doesn't hit the mark in terms of video clarity, features, or the app. There are outdoor surveillance cameras with much better video quality for less than $ 130 and apps that work far better. I expected more from Arlo because the company's other cameras are rated highly here at Digital Trends. It's possible that Arlo hasn't fully perfected the camera without a hub and needs to resolve the issues.

Is there a better alternative?

Yes. Our list of the best security cameras has some really good options, models that are cheaper and work better – although they may not have a built-in light. If you want a good floodlight camera, go for the Arlo Pro 3 floodlight: the light is brighter, the siren is louder, and it has a lot more features for around $ 120 more. On the other end of the spectrum, the Wyze outdoor camera offers a whole host of features for much less – this camera is only $ 50!

Will it take?

The camera seems sturdy and well made, but I have serious concerns. Since you have to unscrew it from the mount every time you need to charge the Essential, I'm concerned that the threads will come off quickly and you will no longer be able to mount the camera. The hardware has a limited one-year warranty and operates in temperatures from minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit to 113 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 20 degrees Celsius to 45 degrees Celsius). However, these are real concerns.

Should you buy it?

No. There are just too many other inexpensive outdoor surveillance cameras on the market that work better and have more features.

Editor's recommendations




06 Jul
Blog

Arlo Pro 3 Review: A Great Choice For Smart Home Security

Netgear Arlo Pro 3

"The Alro Pro 3 is a premium choice for smart home security."

  • Weatherproof, wireless cameras

  • High quality 2K video

  • Smart A.I. properties

  • Easy to install and use

  • Easy upgrade for existing Arlo owners

  • Minor performance issues with multiple 2K streams

  • A subscription is required for advanced features

Since its beginnings as a peculiar offshoot of Netgear, Arlo has found its rhythm with an excellent selection of wireless and weatherproof smart cams. The high-resolution Arlo Pro 2 tops our list of the best outdoor surveillance cameras in 2019 – and it is also a good choice for indoor surveillance.

In April Arlos became Ultra 4K came and marked the first shot in a next generation battle for the supremacy of the UHD Smart Cam. It offers superior sharpness and impressively large views, but a price tag of $ 300 per camera and a restrictive upgrade path for existing Arlo owners meant it wasn't a big hit.

The Arlo Pro 3 ($ 499 for a 2-camera kit with additional cameras at $ 199 each) sits exactly between the two. While Arlo Ultra 4K's headline-breaking UHD resolution is lacking, it does offer a wider range of enhancements that make it a better choice than Arlo's most expensive kit.

There has been fierce competition in this area, but Arlo's excellent track record has given consumers confidence that this should succeed.

Netgear Arlo Pro 3Terry Walsh / Digital Trends

This new model improves the Arlo Pro 2's 1080p image resolution to sharper, more vivid 2K (2560 x 1440 pixels) and supports a high dynamic range (HDR), which promises better video quality in very dark or bright areas. A 160 degree field of view may be narrower than the Arlo Ultra 4K's generous 180 degree field of view, but it's a significant advance over the 130 degrees offered by the outgoing model.

Additional functions are performed directly by the Arlo Ultra 4K. An integrated headlamp allows Arlo to take advantage of color night vision support, while noise-canceling two-way audio and a siren in front of the camera further strengthen the Arlo Pro 3's security requirements. It also benefits from the clean magnetic charging system that we got to know in April that promises a battery life of up to six months between charges.

A better choice for Arlo upgrades

Visually, the cameras and the SmartHub of the Arlo Pro 3 look identical to those we saw when we tested the Arlo 4K Ultra. That's not a bad thing, as Arlo's much-copied design is one of the more compact and attractive systems. The curvy all-plastic case is sturdy enough to withstand the elements, while installation is simplified by a strong magnetic mounting system (a screw-mounting option is also available). A partially flattened base also allows the camera to be placed indoors on a shelf or desktop. In short, you can install the Arlo Pro 3 anywhere.

The often copied design by Arlo is one of the more compact and attractive systems.

It also includes Arlo's latest SmartHub (VMB4540), which enables the network connection between the cameras and your router. Again, it looks identical to the slimmer device introduced with the Arlo Ultra 4K, but a closer look reveals important differences. External video storage for camera shots is available, but this model enables it via a single USB 2.0 port instead of the microSD slot equipped with the Arlo Ultra.

This is good news for surveillance video horters who benefit from storage capacities of up to 2 TB. The With Arlo Pro 3's lower resolution video, the system can also operate with reduced bandwidth requirements. This SmartHub works with 802.11 b / g / n Wi-Fi and not with the faster "AC" standard supported by the Arlo Ultra 4K.

Netgear Arlo Pro 3Terry Walsh / Digital Trends

Perhaps the best news is that owners of some older Arlo systems You can add Arlo Pro 3 cameras to your existing network and take advantage of enhanced 2K video streams without having to replace the SmartHubs. This makes the Arlo Pro 3 a better upgrade option than Arlo's top tier kit. Arlo Pro 3 owners can even add Ultra 4K cameras to their systems at a later date without losing functionality.

Setup is a breeze

As with every Arlo system we tested, commissioning Arlo Pro 3 is very easy. Arlo recently launched a new version of its smartphone app that guides you through the installation. While cheaper smart camera systems can switch between direct Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections during setup, Arlo's wired SmartHub does the installation smoothly.

Hardware installation is just as easy. The scope of delivery includes options for screw and magnetic fastening. Arlo's newer concave magnetic mount is fabulous and combines strength and versatility. Cameras snap into place on the bracket on the back and can be precisely angled despite the fixed connection. For more ambitious assembly, the included adjustable safety bracket can be screwed into walls, fences, ceilings, trees, etc. It supports 360 degree rotation and 90 degree tilt.

A step in video quality

In use, the Arlo Pro 3's 2K image quality is a noticeable improvement over the previous generation camera (and a big leap over the 720p that is supported by the original Arlo system). While it's not quite as clear as Arlo Ultra 4K or wired Nest Cam IQ models, it's still very good indeed.

The improved resolution allows you to use the camera's 12x digital zoom without instantly breaking images into blurry chaos. If you exceed the 3x zoom, the quality will be noticeably affected. Arlo Pro 3 is equipped with an intelligent automatic zoom and tracking function, which is practical for security monitoring. As we found with the Arlo Ultra 4K, the resolution of the camera is unfortunately reduced to 1080p when the function is activated.

Night vision offers greater sharpness and clarity than many competitors.

We found that the image quality is balanced during the day, with precise colors and good contrast. Arlo's Auto HDR feature makes it one of the few smart cameras we've tested indoors that avoid overexposure near bright windows. This means taking pictures of people looking through your windows to see if you are at home. The 160-degree field of view is wide enough to cover all but the most spacious rooms or huge gardens, and the distortion of the fisheye is negligible.

At night, Arlo Pro 3's color night vision feature requires the camera's built-in headlight to be illuminated. The resulting images are certainly more natural than the creepy standard monochrome images produced by competitors. Although the range is good, color night vision suffers from the blurring and noise that normally occurs in high ISO photography. If the headlight is deactivated, the camera returns to a standard night vision setting. The lighting area is good here too, and while monochrome images are a bit noisy, the night vision of Arlo Pro 3 offers greater clarity and clarity than many of its competitors.

Piercing alarm, integrated headlight

While the Arlo Pro 3 doesn't necessarily compete with those Easy or nest safe As a full-fledged smart home security system, it comes with a number of overlapping features that are worth considering until we wait for the next one to arrive Arlo security system.

The Arlo Pro 2 SmartHub piercing alarm was transmitted to the cameras themselves. The option can be triggered when motion is detected. The resulting racket is certainly enough to scare an intruder and, together with the camera's bright, integrated LED spotlight, forms an effective first line of protection for your home.

The Arlo app supports a number of configurable modes for activating the system. In addition to manually switching, you can enable monitoring using a timed schedule or geolocation setting. Each mode can be customized with simple IFTTT rules for motion detection, video recording and built-in alarm, or you can quickly create a custom mode that suits your preferences. Everything is very simple.

Easy to use, but it's super smart under the hood.

Elsewhere, we found the updated Arlo app easy to understand. There are few ways to tweak camera settings, but they do include useful options such as brightness, low-light settings, and video quality controls. Navigating, reviewing, and sharing video clips from the library is easy. A standard daily timeline view is supported by filters that allow users to zoom in on certain cameras or check clips based on the type of alert triggered or the object detected. Our only criticism of the app is that connecting to a camera's livestream can take a while, even on the local network. In some cases, we watched live videos within 5 seconds. In other cases, there is a delay of up to 30 seconds.

Terry Walsh / Digital Trends

Since both cameras broadcast 2K video live at the same time, we noticed some temporary performance problems during stress tests. About every 20 seconds, both streams were replaced by a black screen for one second before the livestream was restored. When 2K local streaming was disabled, the performance improved, although there was occasional flickering. Since both cameras report a good signal, we can only assume that this was a problem with the network bandwidth or a processing bottleneck. Maybe it would have been better to maintain Arlo Ultra's 802.11ac connectivity?

Intelligent functions behind Paywall

While Nest often praises Smart Cam A.I. Received, the Arlo Pro 3 is equipped with an admirable set of improvements that offer real comfort and benefit. Unfortunately, most are locked up behind you Arlo Smart Subscription service for $ 3 per month. A 3-month free trial version is available during setup so that you can try out the functions and check whether the upgrade makes sense.

This includes extended object recognition, which the camera can use to differentiate between people, vehicles, animals and packages (the latter is currently in the beta phase). Smoke and carbon dioxide alarm detection sends you a smartphone notification when a camera detects an audible alarm. US subscribers also benefit from an e911 feature that allows you to call emergency services with a single touch of a button on your smartphone.

We loved Arlo's extensive notification feature, which adds a thumbnail to the smart notifications sent to your phone. When a person is recognized, an image captured by your camera is displayed. Many smart cams do the same thing, but Arlo also darkens the image and clearly highlights the person in the frame. A quick look and you can check if the friend or foe of the camera has been recognized. Arlo is easy to use, but super smart under the hood. With everyday features like custom activity zones and a 30-day video recording cloud, Arlo Smart functions well. Only you can decide whether they are worth the extra effort.

Our opinion

While the Arlo Ultra 4K made headlines with its eye-catching UHD video resolution, we think the Arlo Pro 3 is a more worthy and economical successor to our favorite Smartcam of the past two years, the Arlo Pro 2. It is certainly not cheap, but the improved one Image quality, the integrated security functions and the simple app control of the Arlo Pro 3 make it an excellent choice for home surveillance. If you enjoy investing in a monthly subscription, you can take advantage of an expanded suite of useful A.I. Features that make the Arlo Pro 3 one of the smartest systems around. In the meantime, owners of Arlo systems of the first and second generation have a reasonable way to update their cameras and / or SmartHubs. We were waiting for a competitive Arlo Pro 2 smart cam to hit the bar – maybe it was inevitable that the Arlo Pro 3 would do the job.

Is there a better alternative?

Few intelligent cameras offer Arlo's convincing mix of lightness, quality and versatility. With a limited budget, however, there are numerous cheaper systems available. The Swann Smart Security Camera ($ 129) is a solid budget device with similar wireless connectivity and weatherproof protection to Arlo and 1080p HD imaging.

At the premium end of the market, the Arlo 4K Ultra ($ 599 for a 2-camera bundle) definitely beats the Arlo Pro 3 in terms of video quality, but you should be aware that you are into new cameras and a replacement SmartHub must invest Use UHD video. It's also worth noting that Arlo recently expanded its line and introduced new models like the Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight and the Arlo Essential.

The Cam Cam Outdoor ($ 329) and Nest Cam IQ Indoor ($ 229) cameras are top-notch performers that lack the versatility and value of the Arlo Pro 3.

How long it will take?

Arlo Pro 3 was developed to withstand the hard temperament of mother nature with operating temperatures between -20 ° C and 45 ° C. So expect the hardware to be robust. In terms of software, Arlo continues to publish improvements and optimizations for all Arlo systems. We therefore expect the owners to live a long and happy life with the Arlo Pro 3.

Should you buy it

Yes. It's an investment, but the Arlo Pro 3 is a great choice for those considering their first smart home camera system.

Editor's recommendations




18 Jun
Blog

Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera Review: 3-in-One Awesomeness

Arlo Pro 3 floodlight camera

“Don't waste your money by buying various security devices for your garden. This one has everything. "

  • 160 degree field of view

  • Bright floodlights

  • Smart A.I. for detection

  • Siren is on the quiet side

  • Some video distortion

The Arlo Pro 3 floodlight camera ($ 250) combines three large security devices: a spotlight, a siren, and a surveillance camera in one elegant package. There are also a number of useful functions in this intelligent camera, which is only a little larger than the rearview mirror in your car.

installation

Installing this camera couldn't be easier. All you have to do is follow the steps in the app to connect the Arlo Pro 3 floodlight camera to your WiFi, then attach the base to your house with three screws and then just snap the camera into place. The whole process took about 10 minutes. I don't think I could ask for more from a product when it comes to easy installation.

Install the Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight cameraAlina Bradford / Digital Trends

However, you need an exercise. You probably won't be able to get the screws into what your house is made of without one, and you may need to drill pilot holes if you want to use the screw anchors. If you have no idea what this means, don't worry. The app guides you through everything step by step. Overall, it's very easy if you don't have to drill pilot holes, and a bit more advanced if you do, but almost anyone with a drill could do it.

The camera comes with a rechargeable battery. However, if you want something more permanent, you can purchase a solar charger for the Arlo Pro 3 floodlight camera or a magnetic Arlo charging cable for outdoors. However, the camera cannot be permanently connected to the power supply of your house.

camera

I have very few complaints when it comes to the clarity of this camera. It has an incredible field of view of 160 degrees, which is much better than most of its competitors, including the Ring Floodlight Camera and the Eufy Smart Floodlight. It also has 2K 2560 x 1440 HDR video resolution and color night vision when the lights are on (when the lights are off, the footage is in black and white). You can also zoom in on people's objects and faces up to 12 times for a better view.

The camera is not only clear, but also intelligent. The A.I. allows him to know what he sees and to send you specific notifications depending on what he sees. It can tell the difference between a human, a package, animals and vehicles. I found that the A.I. does a pretty good job and differentiates one thing from the other and it seems to be learning. For a while I always thought that a blowing branch was a person, but after two notifications, I didn't get another notification about the branch, even though the wind was still blowing.

Security video of the Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight cameraAlina Bradford / Digital Trends

Your videos are stored in the cloud at 4K or less for 30 days (videos can be saved in 2K, 1080p and 720p). The resolution in which your images are saved depends on the plan you choose through Arlo Smart Service, which costs between $ 3 and $ 5 a month for a camera. You can also save footage locally using the Arlo Pro Smart Hub ($ 100).

The only disadvantage of this camera is that it is slightly distorted at the edges of the picture. For example, the edge of my house looks like it curves inside in the videos. However, fishbowl lens distortion is quite common in surveillance cameras, and this distortion is nowhere near as severe as some others.

Headlights

The light from the Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight camera is not only bright, but almost blinding. It shines with a whopping 2000 to 3000 lumens. I was a little taken aback when I found out that you need the Arlo Outdoor magnetic charging cable to bring the light up to 3000 lumens. This is a separately available accessory that costs around $ 50. Nevertheless, the 2000 lumens are very bright if you only use the battery as a power source.

I'm pretty sure an intruder will feel exposed when this light is triggered.

For comparison: your typical indoor light bulb shines with about 800 to 1600 lumens. I'm pretty sure an intruder will feel exposed when this light is triggered. I adjusted the light to illuminate my carport and the walkway to my front door. It illuminated this area and a few more. If you find that your light is just too bright, it can be fully adjusted from 5% to 100%.

Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera security video at nightAlina Bradford / Digital Trends

The light stays off during the day, but you can turn it on manually at any time. You can also set it to turn on when the camera detects motion.

siren

The only major disadvantage of the Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight camera is the alarm. Compared to competitors such as the Ring Floodlight Camera or the Netatmo Smart Outdoor Camera, the 80 decibel siren is rather quiet.

Annoying, but it may not wake you up if you have a heavy sleep.

This does not mean that this alarm will not catch anyone's attention. Eighty decibels sound about as loud as a lawn mower. Annoying, but it may not wake you up if you have a heavy sleep. It also might not catch your neighbor's attention if there is a significant gap between the houses in your neighborhood.

As with light, you can choose to turn it on manually in an emergency or turn it on automatically when the camera detects motion.

Additional functions

The 2-way audio is a nice feature that not every other floodlight camera has. I think it's a clever addition that can be useful in many different situations. Suppose your family was outside and you had to ask a question. All you have to do is go to the app and start chatting. The microphone has noise and echo cancellation, so you can clearly hear who is in your garden.

Multi-user access is also a nice feature. You can give family members, roommates or house watchers access to the Arlo Pro 3 floodlight camera via the app via an email address.

Arlo Pro 3 floodlight camera app

As with most outdoor cameras, the Arlo app lets you choose where the camera should focus with activity zones. Once you've set up a zone, you'll only receive notifications when something happens in the zone. This can be especially helpful if you want to avoid warnings about a busy street or sidewalk in your home. You can also choose not to capture certain areas of your garden. To avoid these areas, the camera zooms in on the part of your yard that you want to capture. This makes the image a little bit blurred, since enlarging it affects the image quality.

One of the app features that I really loved is that you don't have to go to the Arlo app to view footage. You can see video clips on your phone's lock screen. When there's an emergency, every second counts, and playing with your phone can waste precious moments. Therefore, this function is really intelligent. You can also tap the E-911 service button to send emergency services to your home even when you're not there.

Unfortunately, most of these features require the aforementioned Arlo Smart Service subscriptions. However, it doesn't cost much, so I would say that the subscription is definitely worth it.

I found that while the battery was using the light to trigger when motion was detected and only at night and when triggered by motion, the battery lasted about a week plus a few days before it needed to be charged. That seems pretty short to me. Charging also takes up to 6.5 hours. So this is a little painful.

Our opinion

I'm not surprised that the Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight camera is a great device. Arlo has a great track record when it comes to smart devices overall. The siren isn't as loud as it could be, but the rest of the features more than make up for it. At $ 250, it costs roughly the same as its competitors, but it performs better than most others.

Is there a better alternative?

Yes and no. It has a better field of vision and a brighter headlight than any other big brand. If you want a louder siren, the Ring Floodlight Camera is yours 110 dB alarm would be a good alternative in this case.

Will it take?

Everything will be needed. The Arlo Pro 3 floodlight camera is designed for dust, rain, sun, direct shots with your water hose and temperatures between -4 and 113 degrees Fahrenheit. It comes with a 1-year limited hardware warranty.

Should you buy it

Yes. It is inexpensive and has better properties than most of its competitors.

Editor's recommendations




08 Mar
Blog

Arlo Video Doorbell Review: Nothing Fishy About this Camera

Arlo video doorbell

"Arlos video doorbell is an elegant choice with solid video quality."

  • No fish instant on video

  • Sleek design

  • Intelligent A.I.

  • Works with Alexa

  • Requires wiring for a doorbell

  • His button doesn't look like a button

The Arlo video doorbell is a sleek, straightforward, intelligent video doorbell that covers all bases. It has a video camera that lets you catch pirates on the porch, motion detection, video calling, night vision, Alexa functions and many other functions that everyone can appreciate.

Arlo video doorbell

Installation: Easy if you have a doorbell

With many of these intelligent security devices, my first concern is simple. How easy is it to install? After all, a great security product is useless if you can't install it.

The Arlo video doorbell passed my installation test. If you already have a doorbell and chime box, the installation process is easy and the Arlo app guides you seamlessly through the process. There's even a step-by-step video if you're still lost.

However, if you don't have a doorbell and chime box yet, you're out of luck. You need to hire a professional to set up the Arlo video doorbell, or you need another doorbell that can be set up without existing hardware such as the August view or the ring video doorbell 2.

Video quality: Forget the fisheye effect

Arlo video doorbell against other doorbells

The biggest problem with video doorbells is that they can deliver a distorted fish-eye-like video. Nobody wants to see that. Arlo was able to solve the problem with an HD camera that has a 180-degree viewing angle and an aspect ratio of 1: 1.

The video looks a bit round, but you can see a lot more of the surroundings of your porch and garden, which gives you peace of mind that nobody is hiding sideways in the bushes. People cannot duck under the doorbell and hope not to be seen either as the Arlo captures the area below and in front of it.

Design: Where's the doorbell button?

Arlo video doorbell without light

Although the Arlo Video Doorbell has many great features and I love how slim and slim it looks, there is one big design problem: the button. If I came home to someone I wouldn't know what to push to ring the doorbell. Other video doorbells like the ring or the SkyBell Trim Plus have obvious buttons.

The doorbell button on the Arlo is literally not even button-shaped. It is concave. I'm pretty sure this is a design feature and not a function button. It's good that the Arlo has motion detection. Even if your visitors do not know that this immersion in the camera is a button, you will still be made aware of their presence.

App & Features: It's easy

Arlo video doorbell app

False notifications can really result in you not wanting to use any security device of any kind. To counter notifications that are less helpful, Alro has developed Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) that can determine whether an item on your front end is a pet, package, or person. You can set up the app to notify you when such things are on your porch. You can also set up activity zones to prevent motion alarms in areas you don't want to monitor, such as: B. on the sidewalk in front of your house.

Watch the footage immediately

While other security apps make you open the app to view footage, Arlo doesn't. You can see footage right on your lock screen. This feature can be very helpful in an emergency because you can instantly see intruders or package theft so you can take immediate action.

Our opinion

Overall, the Arlo video doorbell is a great addition to any security series. It has a great video, Smart A.I. Features that protect your family and a modern, polished look. The price, at $ 149.99, is lower than most other premium video doorbells on the market. The main disadvantage is that you need an existing doorbell system or you need to hire a professional installer to set it up.

Is there a better alternative?

If you want a doorbell that is very easy to set up and doesn't require wiring, I would use Ring Video doorbell 2 instead, although you pay a little more for the ring.

How long it will take?

The Arlo is nice to look at, but is made of thin plastic. I don't think it would stand up well to an intruder with a brick or hammer, but it will send you warnings if tampered with. It also comes with a limited warranty.

Should I buy it?

Yes, it has great features and comes from a reliable company.

Editor's recommendations