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Our review of the Arlo home security system, its services, and different cameras and doorbells.
Arlo’s packages can be integrated within existing smart home set-ups (image credit: Arlo)
Arlo offers some of the best home security systems with a specialisation in outdoor security and video doorbells. While Arlo’s packages aren’t customisable, additional accessories can be purchased if you need to scale up.
Arlo offers 3 different subscription options, ranging from £4.49 to £14.99 per month, although each system can be used without a subscription plan. The most expensive subscription has unlimited camera coverage and 4K camera resolution support.
Our experts have thoroughly examined Arlo’s offerings and compared them with other popular home security systems in terms of price, reliability and performance to help you find the best way to protect your home.
Rating: ★★★★
Arlo offers an excellent range of cameras, video doorbells and additional devices. Each system is comprehensive and can be connected to Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit and IFTTT.
The ability to pick between 3 subscription packages allows customers to prioritise certain features, such as higher video resolution or VIP customer support. Plans can be cancelled at any time.
Arlo is now part of Verisure, which offers a range of home security systems. This means Arlo cameras can be integrated into Verisure alarm systems for further protection.
Arlo’s biggest downfall is its low Trustpilot score, at just 1.1 stars out of 5. This is much lower than SimpliSafe, Verisure and ADT, which all boast scores above 4 stars. Reviews on Amazon are better, with most products receiving between 3 and 4 stars.
We’ve compiled this review by reading hundreds of unsolicited customer reviews and media articles. To accurately rate Arlo against its competition, we created a detailed scoring system considering the following factors:
For more information, read our article on how we review home security systems.
Every component of Alro’s system can be installed quickly DIY (image credit: Arlo)
Arlo offers 4 home security systems. These ready-to-use kits aren’t customisable but can be scaled up with additional devices and accessories.
Here is a breakdown of Arlo’s 4 home security systems:
Unlike other brands, Arlo doesn’t include a hub as standard with its systems. Many devices can connect directly to the internet, but you may need a SmartHub or Base Station depending on which package you choose. We recommend checking the compatibility of each device using this page to gauge if your selected devices require one.
All Arlo SmartHubs and Base Stations create a separate secure network for compatible devices, which is ideal when using a shared wifi network. These devices also allow all recordings to be stored locally and open the door for Apple HomeKit compatibility.
Choosing the best home security system will depend on your living situation and home security needs. The following benefits may help you to decide on Arlo:
You should also consider the disadvantages when judging a home security system. Our cons for the Arlo systems are:
The outdoor cameras can be controlled via a smartphone (image credit: Arlo)
Your Arlo system will work a little differently depending on whether your devices require a SmartHub or Base Station.
If you don’t require further hardware, simply connect your devices to the Arlo Secure app where you’ll receive notifications. Ensure your devices are all set to a Location, such as the Lounge or the Office, for the devices to communicate effectively.
Some devices, such as the Arlo Essential Video Doorbell (Wire-Free), require an Arlo SmartHub. Once your eligible devices are connected to your SmartHub or Base Station, you must also set them to a Location using the Arlo Secure app. Using a SmartHub or Base Station also allows for Apple HomeKit compatibility, a separate secure network, local storage options and local 2K or 4K live streaming.
Outside the US, there’s no professional installation available directly from Arlo. All devices are designed to be DIY-friendly and easy to install without power tools.
With an Arlo subscription, you’ll benefit from more features. The most expensive plan, Arlo Secure Plus, allows eligible cameras to record in 4K, offers unlimited camera coverage and keeps video recordings in the cloud for 60 days.
While Arlo does not offer 24/7 professional monitoring in the UK, you can opt for the Arlo CVR Plan for £10.99 per month. This plan applies to one camera in your setup and allows for 24/7 CCTV-style recordings with access to the timeline. You can use existing Arlo cameras and sign up with Verisure for 24/7 professional monitoring.
Our top pick for the best home security system is SimpliSafe due to its vast range of packages, flexible subscriptions and 24/7 professional monitoring support. SimpliSafe is well suited to any house, and each package can be customised or scaled up.
Arlo specialises in outdoor equipment, making it a great choice for households with a garden or driveway. However, Arlo’s prices may be a roadblock for some, with its cheapest package costing £399.99.
If you require professional installation, ADT and Verisure are very reliable picks. Both companies offer 24/7 professional monitoring and create each package for your needs and property. Keep in mind that neither company has transparent pricing; ADT will offer a quote after visiting your property, and Verisure will call you to discuss your options after you’ve filled in an online form.
If you’re on a budget, you can look towards Ring and Abode. These systems can be scaled up and added to as necessary to keep costs low. Both offer easy subscription cancellation and no lengthy commitment periods.
Arlo is one of the most expensive home security solutions, but it does offer large systems with rare features such as video doorbells and 4K resolution on selected devices.
Below, we’ve compared the cheapest home security packages from Arlo and its competitors.
| Home security system brand | Cheapest package cost* (excluding installation and subscription costs) |
|---|---|
| Arlo | From £399.99 for a 6-piece package |
| SimpliSafe | From £284.96 for a 4-piece package |
| Ring | From £219.99 for a 5-piece package |
| Abode | From £168.99 for a 4-piece package |
| Yale | From £190 for a 5-piece package |
If you’re serious about home security, you should sign up for one of Arlo’s plans. The company offers 3 different plans with various features and price points, and you can cancel your membership at any time.
Remember that Arlo doesn’t offer 24/7 professional monitoring with any of its plans for those living in the UK. If that’s a dealbreaker, look towards brands like SimpliSafe, ADT or Verisure.
You can see how Arlo’s most expensive subscription plan compares with its competitors below.
| Home security system brand | Cost per month* | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Arlo | £14.99 for Arlo Secure Plus | Advanced detection, activity zones, 30-day video storage, theft replacement, 4K video resolution, unlimited camera coverage, 12 months extra hardware warranty, VIP customer support |
| SimpliSafe | £27.99 for SimpliSafe Pro Premium | 24/7 professional monitoring, police response, Securitas guard response, whole home protection, instant alarm alerts, unlimited camera recordings, 30-day cloud storage, premium extended hardware warranty, advanced app features |
| Ring | £8 for Ring Protect Plus | 1-year limited warranty, motion-activated notifications, live view, two-way talk, 180 days of video storage, download up to 50 videos, video saving and sharing, snapshot capture, package alerts, person alerts, rich notifications, 10% off selected Ring products, advanced video features, enhanced notifications, extended warranty for all devices, assisted monitoring for Ring Alarm, cellular backup for Ring Alarm |
| Abode | £13.99 for Abode Pro | 24/7 professional monitoring, insurance policy discounts, live video, cellular backup, AI smart vision video, rich notifications, event timeline, home automation |
| Yale | £36 for Yale Secure Pro Plan | Cellular backup, call alerts, 24/7 professional monitoring, cloud recording for all cameras, advanced AI motion detection |
The Arlo home security system doesn’t require anything more than basic maintenance. Arlo claims that the batteries for wire-free devices should last between 3 and 6 months. The Arlo Go batteries last approximately 2 to 3 months with average use.
Arlo also mentions that factors such as below-freezing temperatures, low-light environments and wifi interference can reduce battery life.
The standard warranty for most products is 1 year, although you should consult your receipt to ensure this applies to all products. Opting for an Arlo Secure Plus subscription extends this period to an additional 12 months.
Arlo also has a vast number of support pages and guides online that you can consult if you’re having issues with your devices.
“The products are difficult [to] set up, unreliable and customer service is highly variable. Also, their online help function leaves much to be desired. I’m decommissioning all my Arlo products and writing off the (considerable) investment as they simply do not live up to expectations or are faulty.”
“I have had four Arlo cameras and the hub, which has worked perfectly for a number of years, however the middle light on the Arlo hub started flashing green. None of the cameras can connect to the hub, I have emailed them over three times over the last month and no reply. It seems I now need a subscription. You cannot contact them using a phone without a subscription. I am now looking for a new system from another company.”
“This is the second Arlo Pro 5 Security Camera I’ve purchased in three months not because the first was broke[n], its because it’s good. Very easy to set up, great picture quality and motion detection! I can’t fault it! Very easy to install and the charge lasts for weeks and weeks. It’s for peace of mind when I’m working or even in the house at night time. Highly recommended.”
The only glaring downside of Arlo is its poor Trustpilot score, but Amazon reviews do reflect more positively on the brand.
Otherwise, Arlo offers an excellent range of cameras, motion detectors and accessories to build a home security system for any size of home. Every one of its devices is high-quality with cutting-edge software that makes monitoring a doddle. Arlo’s packages, while not what we would consider affordable, are thorough and low-maintenance, and its paid-for plans have no contracts for a flexible solution.
Rating: ★★★★