Arlo Pro Camera Review

Pros

• Offers sound detection and 2-way audio (the original Arlo cam does not)
• Pairs well with other Arlo devices
• Free rolling 7-day video storage

Cons

• Requires the Arlo base station or hub
• Still only has 720p video quality (same as the original Arlo)

Performance

10 SECOND SUMMARY: Overall, the video quality was good, but not great on the Arlo Pro. For the added costs of the Pro over the first generation Arlo camera, I would have really like to have seen 1080p resolution, but it’s just not there yet. Besides that, audio was clear and it was easy to see people move on and off screen.

Video: Day vs. Night

The video quality during the day is pretty good on the Arlo Pro. As you can see in the image below, the resolution is good and the image is clear. Colors are vibrant, yet true to life and there is a decent amount of contrast and saturation.

In the view below, you can see there is a bit of overexposure where natural daylight meets the light from overhead fixtures (or lamps).

These areas had a bit of burnout that made it harder to see details in the light, but the rest of the view was clear and easy to detect motion or other activity.

At night, the camera switches to black and white mode which provides a bit more contrast and highlights lighter colored objects and materials on-scree.

I didn’t notice any relevant differences between the quality of indoor night mode vs. outdoor night mode.

Audio

Audio quality is a nice upgrade on the Arlo Pro over the original Arlo camera. It’s easy to hear activity on-scene, like a barking dog or doorbell. Softer or distant conversations would be more difficult to hear.

As an upgrade over the Arlo, the Arlo Pro also includes an audible siren.

How loud is the Arlo siren?

The siren loudness is determined by the loudness of the siren trigger rule for whichever mode is currently active on the base station. If the active mode does not have any siren trigger rules, the siren defaults to its loudest setting.

-by Arlo

RELATED – See our complete list of security camera reviews here.

The Arlo App

Using the Arlo app, you can perform the following features:

• View live feed
• Set up modes
• Timeline viewer (24-hours for free)
• Add a new device

How user-friendly is the Arlo app?

The Arlo app makes it easy to change modes, add a device, or view the feed. Avaiable settings include:

• Armed: arms the system and alerts you of any motion detection
• Disarmed: turns off the motion detection feature
• Schedule: allows you to make set up schedules, based on how your life works
• Geofencing: uses your location to help determine when motion detection may be most important

Arlo Design

The Arlo Pro looks similar to the first gen Arlo camera. It has a glossy white shell with rounded edges, a flat base, and a black face-plate where the lens and sensors are located.

What is an Arlo SmartHub?

The Arlo SmartHub is essentially a central command center for the Arlo Pro camera to communicate.

Older versions of this device may also be called an Arlo Base Station, but every Arlo camera requires this device to work properly.

For our test, we used the Arlo SmartHub (VMB5000).

FAQ: Have an older model and wondering how it compares? Check out the table below for some head-to-head spec comparisons between “Base Stations” and the “SmartHub”.

Motion & Sound Detection

The Arlo Pro is designed to use motion detection and sound detection technology to determine when there is activity in any give space.

When significant or relevant activity is detected, it will automatically send you a push notification through the Arlo app which will notify you and let you decide how to address it.

• Use 2-way audio to speak through the camera
• Emit an audible siren (over 100 dB)
• Or ignore the alert

What does Arlo Pro look like?

The Arlo Pro camera is small, like the other Arlo camera in the lineup. It is lightweight and easy to move around, making it a good fit for a shelf, table, or mounted on a wall.

How do you control it?

All controls for the Arlo camera are accessed through the smartphone-based Arlo app. The app can provide a live video feed or allow you to review past activity that was documented by the cam.

Top Features

Some of the top features of the Arlo Pro camera include:

• Motion Notifications: sends a push notification to your smartphone when the camera detects motion in the camera’s view
• Local Storage: video footage can be stored locally on a USB drive installed in the base station or hub (storage for up to 7 days)
• 2-Way Audio: lets you hear what’s going on in the video as well as the ability to talk back, using audio output on the camera itself
• 24/7 Live Video: can record footage for 24/7 live video playback
• App Control: view the camera footage from your smartphone or other device using the Arlo app
• Multiple Pairing: pair multiple cameras together (indoor or outdoor) for whole-home security

What’s in the box?

The Arlo Pro is one step above the basic Arlo Cam and come with a few additional items right out of the box.

In the box, you’ll get:

• Arlo Pro wireless camera
• Rechargeable battery pack
• Mounting screw (optional)
• Drywall anchor (optional)
• Magnetic mount
• Battery charger and charging cables (USB to micro USB)

Setup & Usability

Setting up the Arlo Pro is pretty quick and simple. The complete steps are listed below.

1. Unbox the Arlo and remove all original packaging.
2. Unlock the battery compartment and insert rechargeable battery pack.
3. Bring the camera close to the base station or SmartHub.
4. Sync camera to base station.

LED lights on the camera and in-app prompts help to ensure that setup is done correctly.

How to Pair the Arlo Pro to the Smart App?

1. Install the Arlo app to your smartphone.
2. Follow the prompts as the app tries to locate your camera.
3. Once the app locates it, the devices should pair seamlessly.

How easy is Arlo to install?

To install the Arlo Pro follows two routes, depending on where you want to place the camera.

For indoor install, you can opt to simply place it on a shelf, table, or other flat surface. Or you can install it at a higher vantage point by mounting it to the wall.

To install using the magnetic mount:

1. Screw the magnetic mount into the wall. If the wall is drywall (and it is not screwed into a stud), you may need to use the drywall anchors provided.
2. Magnetically attach the camera to the mount and set up designed position.

For outdoor install, it’s recommended to always use a mount for security purposes. You can opt for the magnetic mount, but you can also use a hardware mount like this one.

How easy is it to use?

Overall, the Arlo Pro integrates well with the Arlo SmartHub or Base Station. Combined with the smart app, the Arlo system is easy to use, modify, and upgrade as your needs change.

Which base station is recommended?

Arlo has a few different base stations and smart hubs as I’ve mentioned above. The newer base station you get better features and an overall better experience.

The SmartHub offers more features over the traditional base station and is a little easier to use. For the best experience with the Arlo Pro, I recommend the the SmartHub (Vmb5000).

Does Arlo require a subscription?

You don’t need to pay for a subscription with Arlo, but with a subscription comes additional features which may or may not be important to you.

Without an Arlo paid subscription, you would still have access to the following features:

• Live remote video streaming
• 7 Days of secure cloud DVR storage
• Email motion alerts & push notifications
• Support for up to 5 cameras
• 2-way audio
• Custom activity zones

With a paid Arlo subscription, there are a few different packages to pick from:

NOTE: The prices below are shown as USD.

Arlo Smart Premier

• Cost (single camera): $2.99 /monthly
• Cost (up to 5 cameras): $9.99 / monthly
• Description: offers rolling 30 days of video storage with up to 2K video resolution for 1 or 5 cameras

Arlo Smart Elite

• Cost (single camera): $4.99 / monthly
• Cost (up to 5 cameras): $14.99 / monthly
• Description: offers rolling 30 days of video storage with up to 4K video resolution for 1 or 5 cameras

Arlo Pro Specifications

Arlo vs. Arlo Pro

On the fence between the Arlo and Arlo Pro cameras?

Here’s a quick look at the extra features you’ll get with the Arlo Pro, that you won’t get with the Arlo original.

• 2-Way Audio (Arlo does not offer audio detection)
• Rechargeable batteries (Arlo uses standard CR123 batteries)
• Smart Siren (Arlo can have a siren if you opt for an upgraded SmartHub—basic Base Stations do not have siren feature)
• Compatibility with Apple Homekit

RELATED: Click here to check the price on the Arlo camera.

Should you buy the Arlo Pro Camera?

I would recommend the Arlo Pro if you’re looking for the following in a security camera:

• Wireless indoor cam: For a quick camera setup indoors, the Arlo Pro is an excellent option. It’s wireless, has an easy to use magnetic mount, and a quick setup.
• Already have other Arlo devices: If you’ve already made the investment into an Arlo Base Station or SmartHub, it could make sense to expand your security with the Arlo Pro. Since all Arlo devices require a “command center”, additional Arlo cams can help improve the value of the base stations.
• You don’t need the absolute best clarity: The Arlo Pro is an upgrade over the Arlo Cam, but clarity is not really an area that was improved. Both cameras run at 720p and had issues with video quality in overlit spaces (whether it be lamps or natural light).
• Free cloud storage for up to 7 days: Arlo is unique in that they are one of the only companies that offer free cloud storage for up to 7 days.

Click here to learn more about or to buy the Arlo Pro camera.