In this guide, I summarise the key differences between Arlo cameras within Arlo’s current range. In 2014, Arlo was the first to release a wireless battery powered Wi-Fi security camera. I bought a few of the original Arlo cameras and they are still working some 6 years later which is rather impressive.
I am in the market to upgrade my cameras which led me to study the current Arlo product range to determine their latest features & benefits. The main limitations with my current camera setup are the battery life (4x CR123), video quality (720p) and Wi-Fi range as, at IoTDIY HQ, my furthest camera is located approx 40 m (through multiple walls) from the base station.
Whether you are researching Wi-Fi security camera options for the first time or considering an upgrade, I intend to provide all that you need to know about Arlo cameras.
How do Arlo Cameras compare?
Arlo has various cameras within their product range to suit several use cases and environments to position cameras around your home. Arlo’s current camera range is categorised as follows:
- Outdoor
- Indoor
- Mobile
- Baby
Arlo Outdoor Cameras Compared
Arlo’s outdoor camera range consists of 5 cameras; Arlo, Arlo Pro, Arlo Pro 2, Arlo Pro 3 and Arlo Ultra.
Features | Arlo | Arlo Pro | Arlo Pro 2 | Arlo Pro 3 | Arlo Ultra |
Design |  |  |  |  |  |
Model Number | VMC3030 | VMC4030 | VMC4030P | VMC4040P | VMS5140 |
HD Video Quality | 720p | 720p | 1080p | 1440p | 2160p |
Field of View | 110° | 130° | 130° | 160° | 180° |
Night Vision | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes - Colour | Yes - Colour |
Integrated Spotlight | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Zoom | Yes | Yes - 8x | Yes - 8x | Yes - 12x | Yes -12x |
2 Way Audio | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Noise Cancelling Audio | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Camera Type | Wire-Free | Wire-Free or Wired | Wire-Free or Wired | Wire-Free or Wired | Wire-Free or Wired |
Wi-Fi Range | Up to 300 ft | Up to 300 ft | Up to 300 ft | Up to 300 ft | Up to 300 ft |
Built-in Batteries | 4x CR123 | 1x Rechargeable | 1x Rechargeable | 1x Rechargeable | 1x Rechargeable |
Power Cable Support | No | Yes | Yes | Yes - Magnetic | Yes - Magnetic |
Operating Temperature | -10° C to 50° C | -20° C to 45° C | -20° C to 45° C | -20° C to 45° C | -20° C to 60° C |
Size | 7.2 x 4.4 x 6.6 cm | 7.9 x 4.9 x 7.0 cm | 7.9 x 4.9 x 7.0 cm | 7.9 x 4.9 x 7.0 cm | 7.9 x 4.9 x 7.0 cm |
Weight | 113 g | 136 g | 136 g | 331 g | 331 g |
Water Resistant | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Siren Support | No | Yes - Base Station | Yes - Base Station | Yes - Camera | Yes - Camera |
Cloud Storage | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Local Storage | No | USB Drive | USB Drive | USB Drive | microSD Card |
Base Station/SmartHub | Base Station | Base Station | Base Station | SmartHub | Ultra SmartHub |
Launch Date | 2014 | 2016 | 2017 | 2019 | 2019 |
Rating |
Arlo Pro vs Arlo
Arlo Pro was released in 2016, 2 years after the original Arlo cameras so you can expect an enhanced feature list which includes; 20° extra field of view, power adapter cable to continuously power or re-charge the Arlo Pro Lithium-ion battery, 2-way audio, siren support (100+ decibel siren built-in to the base station) and whilst Arlo provide all customers with a rolling 7 days of free cloud recordings, you have the option to connect a USB drive to the Arlo Pro base station to backup video recordings locally.
Unfortunately, both cameras offer the same 720p resolution. Arlo Pro is marginally bigger and heavier (+23 g) than the original Arlo camera.
Interesting Fact
As of Q1 2019, Arlo had shipped over 11.7 million Arlo Pro’s registered to 2.85 million users, which generated an average of 88 million video streams daily.
Arlo Pro 2 vs Arlo Pro
Arlo Pro 2 was released in 2017, a year after Arlo Pro. The biggest upgrade is the resolution from 720p to 1080p. Other than the resolution I cannot identify any hardware differences between Arlo Pro 2 & Arlo Pro cameras.
I believe they are the same camera, except for the 1080p camera chip, as both cameras are the same size, weight and contain a 900MHz ARM Cortex A7 processor, 128MB Flash & 128MB RAM configuration.
Arlo Pro 2 does provide a couple of software improvements such as continuous video recordings (Arlo Pro is limited to 8 minutes of video after motion detection). Please note Arlo Pro 2 continuous recordings require a monthly subscription. Arlo Pro 2 can also record video in specific zones in addition to motion detection whereas Arlo Pro only supports the latter.
How can you tell Arlo Pro & Arlo Pro 2 cameras apart?
If you look very closely at the design of Arlo Pro it has a black front edge whereas Arlo Pro 2 has a white front edge.
Arlo Pro 3 vs Arlo Pro 2
Arlo Pro 3 was released in 2019, 2 years after Arlo Pro 2. Arlo Pro 3 has had a complete design overhaul compared to previous Arlo camera models including the Arlo Pro 2. Arlo 3 is slightly larger but noticeably heavier (+195 g). The weight should not matter given Arlo’s smart “fix & forget” design and introduction of magnetic cable charging.
Other important new Arlo 3 features include; improved resolution of 2K/1440p, 30° extra field of view, colour night vision, integrated spotlight, 4x further zoom, noise & echo cancelling audio and smart siren (built-in to the camera) which can be triggered automatically based on an event.
Arlo Ultra vs Arlo Pro 3
Arlo Ultra was released in 2019 the same year as Arlo Pro 3. Arlo Ultra looks very similar to Arlo Pro 3 on paper i.e. same size & weight but Arlo Ultra has significantly advanced features which include; 4K/2160p resolution, 20° extra field of view, noise cancelling & wind reduction audio and whilst Arlo provide all customers with a rolling 7 days of free cloud recordings, you have the option to connect a microSD card to the Ultra SmartHub to backup video recordings locally.