Rankings
The Arlo Ultra 4K HDR (3rd Gen) delivers true 4K HDR video with an ultra-wide 180° field of view and AI-powered auto-zoom tracking. Its battery drains quickly and a SmartHub plus subscription are required for full functionality. Ideal for tech-savvy homeowners seeking premium outdoor coverage.
The Arlo Essential Pan Tilt Security Camera 2K is a wired indoor/outdoor camera offering 360° pan and 180° tilt, 2K video, and dual-band Wi-Fi. While it provides comprehensive coverage and robust features, it relies on a subscription for AI detection and lacks local storage. Best suited for users wanting continuous power and smart-home integration.
The Arlo Pro 6th-generation is a wireless outdoor camera with 2K HDR video, a 160° field of view, and an eight-month battery life. Its premium features, including AI threat detection and an integrated spotlight, require a paid Arlo Secure plan and it lacks local storage. It excels for users prioritizing long-term battery operation and advanced AI alerts.
The Arlo Essential 2K battery-powered camera offers crisp 2K video, a 130° view, and a built-in spotlight with two-way audio and siren. It is limited to 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, lacks local storage, and requires a subscription for cloud features. Best for renters or budget-conscious users needing flexible wireless placement.
The Arlo Essential 1080p 3-camera kit provides solid 1080p footage, long-lasting battery life, and color night-vision spotlights across three units. It lacks local storage, has a narrower field of view, and depends on a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi connection with a subscription. Suited for budget-focused homeowners wanting multi-camera coverage.
| Attribute | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
— | 3 MP | 4 MP | 4 MP | 8 MPbest | |
160 degrees | 130 degrees | 130 degrees | 130 degrees | 180 degreesbest | |
— | — | — | — | 7.62 metersbest | |
— | — | — | — | 24 fpsbest | |
— | 360 degreesbest | — | — | — | |
— | 180 degreesbest | — | — | — | |
| ↓ lower better | — | 0.712 kg | 0.45 kg | 0.204 kgbest | — |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Camera(2) | |||||
Resolution (MP) | — | 3 MP | 4 MP | 4 MP | 8 MP |
Field of View (Horizontal) (degrees) | 160 degrees | 130 degrees | 130 degrees | 130 degrees | 180 degrees |
Connectivity(1) | |||||
Wi‑Fi Standard | 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz | 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz | 2.4GHz | 2.4GHz | Dual-band 2.4GHz/5GHz |
Battery & Power(1) | |||||
Power Type | Battery | Wired | Battery | Swappable Battery | Rechargeable Battery |
Build & Design(2) | |||||
Weight (kg) | — | 0.712 kg | 0.45 kg | 0.2041 kg | — |
Dimensions (H×W×D) (mm) | 78.6x52.0x87.1 mm mm | 148.3x80.0x80.0 mm mm | 68.6×50.8×254 mm mm | 93.2×59.4×52.8 mm mm | 153×140×52 mm mm |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers commend the Arlo Pro 6th-gen for retaining sharp 2K HDR video, a wide 160° view and flexible night-vision options, while confirming the advertised eight-month battery life. However, they criticize its high price and the requirement for a paid Arlo Secure plan to access AI features, cloud storage and emergency response, and note the lack of a resolution upgrade over the prior generation.
Professional reviewers commend the Arlo Essential Pan Tilt for its sharp 2K video, fluid pan-and-tilt mechanics, and the peace of mind offered by wired power and Privacy Mode. They also appreciate the color night vision, 12× zoom, and broad smart-home compatibility, while noting that advanced AI features are locked behind a subscription.
“great video quality”
“easy installation”
“impressive video quality”
Everyday users love the camera's reliable wired power, easy installation, smooth motion tracking, and the ability to mute recording with Privacy Mode. The most common complaint centers on the required monthly subscription for cloud storage and AI alerts, and some wish for more flexible placement options.
Professional reviewers commend the Arlo Essential 2nd Gen for its impressive battery endurance, sharp video output, and straightforward app-driven installation, positioning it as a solid value for budget-focused buyers. However, they criticize its relatively narrow field of view, dim color night-vision spotlight, and the necessity of a cloud subscription for full feature access.
Everyday users consistently praise the camera's long battery life, easy setup, and clear day-and-night video, especially for monitoring pets and children. Recurring complaints focus on the subscription requirement for storage, occasional Wi-Fi connectivity hiccups, a limited field of view, and a dim night-vision spotlight.
Professional reviewers commend the Arlo Essential 2K camera for its high-resolution video, color night-vision spotlight and the innovative automated privacy shield, describing it as an impressive, intelligent home-security option. However, they caution that the need for a subscription to unlock full cloud features and the limitation to 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi make it less competitive against dual-band rivals.
Everyday owners repeatedly praise the camera's straightforward setup, sharp 2K footage and the long-lasting battery, noting that motion alerts and the siren work well for deterring unwanted activity. Recurring frustrations center on faster-than-expected battery drain under heavy use, the requirement of a paid plan for cloud storage, and occasional Wi-Fi connectivity hiccups due to the single-band radio.
Professional reviewers commend the Arlo Ultra 3rd-Gen for its ultra-wide 180° view, true 4K HDR quality, and intelligent auto-zoom tracking, noting that dual-band Wi-Fi and SmartHub support provide robust connectivity. However, they caution that the fast-draining battery, reliance on a paid subscription for full-resolution cloud storage, and the need for a separate SmartHub diminish the overall value proposition.
Everyday users praise the crystal-clear 4K footage, expansive field of view, reliable motion alerts, and easy app-based setup, but they repeatedly complain about short battery life, the ongoing cost of an Arlo Secure subscription, and occasional Wi-Fi drops when the SmartHub is omitted.
