The Arlo Pro 4 is the best smart security camera due to its great smart home integration, 2K video, affordable cloud storage, and not needing a base station.
It’s not cheap or perfect but offers a good balance of features and price. Ideal for outdoor use, it’s easy to install, works with many smart devices, and is wire-free, improving upon the Arlo Pro 3 by not requiring a base station.
It’s a top choice for those who want a high-quality camera with less bulky equipment.
The Arlo Pro 4 has great motion zone customization and a wide 160° field of view. This helps reduce unwanted alerts from busy places and lets you cover larger areas with fewer cameras.
PROS
- Great Smart Home Integration: Works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT, and Samsung SmartThings.
- 2K Video Quality: Offers high-resolution 1440p video for clear, detailed footage.
- Affordable Cloud Storage: Various subscription plans, including Arlo Secure, provide flexible storage options.
- No Base Station Needed: Improves upon the Arlo Pro 3 by eliminating the need for a separate base station.
- Easy Installation: Simple setup with a magnetic mount or standard tripod compatibility.
- Wire-Free Design: Offers easy placement without the hassle of wires.
- Wide Field of View: 160° view reduces the number of cameras needed for large areas.
- Advanced Features: Includes color and infrared night vision, built-in spotlight, zoom, and tracking.
- Customizable Motion Zones: Reduces unwanted alerts and allows focusing on specific areas.
- Flexible Recording Options: Different modes for home and away situations.
CONS
- High Cost: More expensive compared to some other options on the market.
- Brightness Adjustment: Does not automatically adjust; manual setting is required.
- Battery Life Variability: While it claims six months of battery life, actual duration may be shorter, especially with Wi-Fi issues.
- Charging Requirements: Does not come with a power adapter; requires a USB power supply.
- Potential Wi-Fi Connection Issues: Some users may experience difficulties, especially with 5 GHz networks.
- Slight Live Streaming Delay: Dependent on internet speed, there may be a delay in the live feed.
- Subscription Dependency: Best features are accessible only with an Arlo Secure subscription plan.
Advanced Features and Recording Modes
The Arlo Pro 4 is a security camera with excellent video quality, featuring 1440p resolution for clear, detailed videos.
It has both color and infrared night vision, with a built-in spotlight for better visibility at night. The camera experiences a slight delay in live streaming, depending on internet speed.
You can adjust the spotlight brightness and behavior, and it has a wide 160º field of view, which can be reduced for indoor use.
The camera also has a zoom and track feature, and you can adjust the video brightness for different lighting conditions.
Recording Options:
- Standby: Turns off all recording but allows manual recording during live view.
- Arm Away: Automatically records video on motion detection when you’re not home.
- Arm Home: Useful for arming outdoor cameras and disarming indoor cameras based on your preferences while at home.
Unfortunately, the brightness doesn’t automatically adjust as needed, so choosing a medium brightness setting is recommended for general use.
This list of recording options highlights the flexibility of the Arlo Pro 4, catering to different security needs whether you’re home or away.
Battery Performance And Charging Requirements
The Arlo Pro 4 wireless camera has good battery life, but it may drain faster than expected, especially with Wi-Fi issues.
It offers three settings: ‘Best Video’ for high-quality video using more power, ‘Optimized’ for a balance, and ‘Best Battery Life’ for lower video quality but longer battery life.
Despite claims of six months battery life, you may need to charge it sooner.
The camera doesn’t come with a power adapter for charging, so you’ll need your own USB power supply. Charging with a laptop might not work due to low power output.
Arlo Pro 4 Subscription Plans: Features and Pricing
The Arlo Pro 4 camera requires an Arlo Secure subscription to access its best features.
Arlo Secure comes in different tiers, each with its unique features and pricing, catering to various user needs. Here’s a breakdown of the available plans:
Arlo Secure
This plan provides cloud storage for video clips for up to 30 days. It recently removed the five-camera limit, allowing unlimited cameras.
Features include organizing clips by date, setting up activity zones to focus on specific areas, and smart notifications for identifying people, animals, or vehicles.
Costs about $5 monthly for one camera or $12 for unlimited cameras.
Arlo Secure Plus
Priced at $17.99 a month, it includes everything from the regular plan plus Emergency Response, giving one-touch access to fire, police, and medical assistance through the Arlo app.
Arlo Safe & Secure Pro
At $24.99 a month, this plan is for those with the Arlo Home Security System.
It offers 24/7 professional monitoring, video verification to reduce false alarms, and access to Arlo Safe, a personal security app for smartphones, useful for outdoor safety.
Exploring the Features and Customization of the Arlo Pro 4 App
The Arlo Pro 4 mobile app offers many customizable options and an intuitive interface, though some settings can be tricky to find initially.
The live video feed is user-friendly, with controls for recording, taking photos, using the spotlight, and two-way audio.
The camera’s motion alerts can be overly sensitive but can be adjusted in the app to reduce notifications.
Audio alerts are also available but are less commonly used.
Additionally, the My Arlo online portal allows for similar control and customization from a computer browser, useful for setting up activity zones.
Maximizing Smart Home Integration with Arlo Pro 4
The Arlo Pro 4 is highly compatible with smart home systems.
It works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT, and Samsung SmartThings, allowing integration with various smart devices. With an optional base station, it also supports Apple HomeKit.
Key features include viewing live feeds on smart displays or TVs via Echo Show, Google Nest Hub, Fire TV, or Chromecast.
Voice commands can arm or disarm the camera, and routines can be set, like recording when leaving the house.
IFTTT and SmartThings offer additional flexibility, like integrating with different brands of security cameras and linking to home sensors for enhanced security.
Ease of Setup and Installation for the Arlo Pro 4 Camera
Setting up and installing the Arlo Pro 4 camera is generally easy:
- Download the Arlo app, and create an account.
- Insert the battery into the camera.
- Connect to Wi-Fi (may need 2.4 GHz network).
- Adjust settings as needed.
There might be Wi-Fi connection issues with 5 GHz networks, but using a 2.4 GHz network can solve this.
The installation involves a simple magnetic mount that requires one screw, preferably in a wood stud for stability.
Alternatively, the camera can attach to a standard tripod or a universal mount.
Conclusion
The Arlo Pro 4 offers a good balance of features and performance for those seeking a high-quality, smart, and versatile outdoor security camera.
Its ease of installation, smart home compatibility, and advanced features make it a top choice, despite its higher price and subscription requirements.
Ideal for users who prioritize quality and smart integration in their security solutions.