Arlo vs Arlo Pro: Pros and Cons – Features Differences

In today’s modern world, we have to face a serious security threat. Due to that, homeowners always want to improve their home security. A security camera is a major step toward that.

But there are thousands of smart products available out there for a smart home. A brand that has earned its reputation on Security Camera over the years is Arlo. Two of their best products are Arlo and Arlo Pro security cameras. They have launched new model Arlo Pro 2.

Now, that leaves you with the question as to which one should you buy. That is where this article comes in.

In it, I will discuss the two products in detail. I will give you their pros and cons and will suggest which product you should buy. Let’s dive right in without wasting much time.

Arlo Vs Arlo Pro – Comparison Chart

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The two security cameras, Arlo and Arlo Pro are exceptional in their features. No other camera out there on the market can beat them as of now. Arlo released earlier than the Arlo Pro, which is basically the upgraded version of the former one. Now, let’s see if it’s really worth upgrading to it.

Arlo Vs Arlo Pro – Features:

Now, arguably the most important factor to consider before buying a product is its features. No matter how smart it looks, or how easy it is to handle, if it does not have good features, it is pretty much worthless at the end of the day.

So, let’s first talk about the similarities. Arlo and Arlo Pro has a lot in common when it comes to features as well. They both operate in a total wire-free way, both have night visions that work splendidly well.

In addition, they both record 720p HD videos. The videos are about just as good as you can get at 720p resolution.

Besides, the cameras are weatherproof. This, in turn, increases their durability as they can withstand the torments of nature and still deliver a top-class performance.

To store the recorded videos, you get free cloud storage for each of the cameras. This is incredibly helpful when you are using them for a fairly long time.

Not only that, they both have motion alerts as well. Anything moves in their field of view and you will know.

Now, let’s move on to the features that are not similar. As you know, Arlo Pro is the upgraded version of the Arlo security camera. It has stood true to its purpose. The security camera has some features that are way better than its predecessor.

The best upgrade according to my view is the two-way audio along with live streaming. With the help of this feature, you can talk with any visitor before letting them inside your house. If you do not want someone to be in your house, you can tell them so from the comfort of your bedroom.

Now, another groundbreaking feature is the rechargeable batteries. This is a huge plus as it increases the convenience of the user by tenfolds. Not only that, not a single other security camera has this feature as of now. So, this is a major win for both the brand and the customers.

 

Design and Build Quality:

The design and build quality is also an important aspect, especially if you are someone who cares about aesthetics. A product that not only does the job well but also increases the visual appeal of the surrounding is priceless. And I can say without any hesitation, that Arlo and Arlo Pro both passes in this aspect too.

Both of the products are almost similar in their looks and build quality, and both do a pretty good job. They beat their competitors such as Nest Cam and Dropcam Pro when it comes to looks. So, bottom line is, you are really getting the best with both of them when you think about design and build quality.

Installation:

The first part that comes in the usage of these products is the installation process. The installation process is so much easy. Anyone could do it even they are just stepping into this field for the very first time. In addition, it is not time-consuming either. You can get it done in mere two to three minutes. The user manual explains the step-by-step procedure in a simple and detailed way. Not only that, there are loads of videos out there on the web if you want further help.

Despite all this, if you still can’t seem to get your brain around it, do not worry. The customer support team of Arlo is always available to help you with each of the steps. So, in a word, installation is no struggle for both of these security cameras.

Performance:

Another very important factor is the performance. Even with great features, if it does not perform well, what would be the point. Now, let’s check out the performances of the Arlo and Arlo Pro.

Arlo:

First of all, the Arlo security camera records 720p HD videos. The unique feature is the free cloud storage. It is not available on any other security camera in the market other than the Arlo Pro. The video quality is amazing, be it day or night.

The night vision feature works very well too. All the images look clear enough. Not only that, the camera notifies you via email when you can download the recorded videos in MP4 format.

The device is weatherproof. Now, you can probably guess from this that it can withstand almost any adverse environments. However, when the temperature is way below minus, the camera shows some significant decrease in its battery life.

Talking about the battery, it does not come with rechargeable batteries like its successor the Arlo Pro. But considering the fact that no other camera does as well, it is a minor one. However, you should keep in mind that you would have to buy new batteries in case the old ones are dead.

In addition, the device also does not have a speaker and a built-in microphone. To make it short, it does not have any audio support. Therefore, you can not have any communication with the visitors from inside the house.

Besides, the field of view is smaller when compared to the Arlo Pro. In addition, the security camera has some difficulties in detecting movements.

Arlo Pro:

Just like its predecessor, the Arlo Pro also records 720p HD videos. Now, before you get upset, let me tell you, the videos are sharper than ever. The recordings are crystal clear and do not miss a single detail. In addition, it offers brilliant live feed and recorded videos too. Not only that, it sends email and SMS notification to you in case of any motion detection in its field of view.

The night vision feature is pretty good as well. The working range for the feature is 25 feet. The images shown in the night are of very good quality too.

One of the best features of the Arlo Pro is the two-way audio. Now you can have 1-on-1 conversations with your visitors. The sound of your voice would be a bit like a robot. However, you would get accustomed to it after a few days.

Another great feature is the rechargeable batteries. You do not need to go out everytime your battery runs out. Now, they will last you for a very long time.

Not only that, Arlo has increased the Wi-Fi range for this product as well. It works even at a distance of 220 feet. This adds a huge advantage to it. However, you should keep in mind that Wi-Fi range depends on the network condition and quality of your internet connection.

On the downside, the live stream takes about a second or two before appearing on the screen. The system takes that time to process the request and show you the footage you requested.

Also, the sensitivity level might seem problematic at first. Many a time you can be alerted to activity that was nothing but a sharp wind. However, once you get the hang of it, and tweak the sensitivity levels a bit, it should not remain a problem.

Mobile App:

As the brand is the same for the two products, you can easily guess that they use the same mobile app. The user interface of the app is simple and easy to use. Even a beginner can handle it without feeling overwhelmed. The home screen is divided into three big categories. These are the mode, devices, and library.

Mode:

The app offers three distinct modes as of now. These are Armed, Disarmed, and Geofencing. Now, to let you know a little more, if the armed mode is active, the security camera will record a five-second video anytime it detects any motion. Then it would let you know via either the email notification or a simple SMS.

Geofencing might be a new term for some readers. So, let me explain what it actually means. The process is dependent on the GPS of your mobile. When it is turned on, the camera will turn on its motion and sound detection when you are out somewhere so that it can record any and every suspicious activity during your absence.

In addition, you can also create custom modes as per your needs. Besides, you can toy with the sensitivity levels of the camera as well.

Devices:

In this section, you can see how many devices you have. Besides, you can also see how many of them are connected and their ongoing statuses too.

LIbrary:

The library all the recorded video clips. You can watch them anytime you wish and obviously, you can delete them as well as per your convenience.

On the downside, the app lags quite a bit. It often crashes completely as well, thanks to the bugs. However, Arlo has released an updated version where most of the problems have been treated. In addition, the Audio option does not always work, most likely because it is relatively new and only came out with the Arlo Pro security camera.

Customer Support:

Whenever you are buying a product, especially a gadget, it is essential to check the customer support of the brand. I have to say, I am very much pleased with the customer support team of Arlo. They have an amazing and helpful support system. There are four ways to get in touch with them, via phone, live chat, email, or community.

Phone:

If you want your answers via phone, a customer support representative will call you within one or two minutes of your request

Live Chat:

Live chat is also another viable option. However, you may have to wait for 5-10 minutes for this one

Email:

In case of emails, they take maximum one business day to get back to you with the necessary information

Community:

In this way, you can contact other customers who own Arl products to see whether they have the answer to your questions

All the ways are extremely helpful. You get the best possible answers for your questions. So, in short, you would not have to worry about the customer support experience.

Pros and Cons – Arlo and Arlo Pro:

Arlo – Pros and Cons:

Arlo Pro – Pros and Cons:

Verdict:

Both the Arlo and the Arlo Pro are amazing security cameras to have. They have some excellent features and performs at a level in which no other product does. However, if you have to choose one between the two, which seems more logical, I would suggest you go with the Arlo Pro.

The product has better features. In addition, you are offered with higher security and comfort level. Not only that, you get more versatility from this product as well. The price is a bit higher, but it is well worth your money.