Arlo Camera Home Security System Packages, Cost & Pricing

A Look at Pricing on Arlo Cameras

When you’re looking at Arlo cameras, the first thing to know is that you’re not going to find many for under $100.1 Their most basic model — the Alro Essential Indoor — gets the closest at $99.99, but if you’re planning on outfitting your home with a network of Arlo equipment, you’re going to have to anticipate a pretty premium bill. One thing we will say, though, is that you get what you pay for.

Arlo 3 Cameras

For example, the Arlo Pro 5S 2K — the most current iteration of the brand’s Pro lineup — will run you $249.99. For that price, though, you’re getting a truly powerful wire-free camera with features that include 2K HDR video, color night vision, 12x optical zoom, and a 160-degree field of vision. You know what they say. If you want a Cadillac, you’re going to have to pay for a Cadillac.

Pro Tip: As with most Wi-Fi security cameras, the connection with your network isn’t always going to be smooth. This is something to note, especially when considering 2K or 4K cameras which require fast and reliable Wi-Fi. In some cases, a monitored security system might be a better way to go. If you go this route, check out SimpliSafe’s DIY kits for affordable equipment and monitoring.

Here’s a closer look at a few of Arlo’s cameras we’ve used:

Arlo 5S 2K

The Arlo 5S 2K

One of the most advanced cameras Arlo offers, this state-of-the-art wireless security camera is jam packed with features like color night vision, a 12x zoom, and a 160 degree field of vision. And speaking of vision, you’re going to be recording everything in crystal clear 2K resolution. If you’re looking to capture detai of burglars or package thievesl, there are few cameras on the market that will do it better.

Its dual band Wi-Fi capacity means fewer connectivity issues, and its extended battery life and new low power mode means more up time and fewer charges. The camera comes in both black and white, which means you can have it stand out or a little more subtle depending on what you’re going for.

Pro Tip: We always recommend having security cameras mounted conspicuously — that way they’re more of a deterrent.  

The Arlo 5S 2K retails for $249.99, which isn’t exactly affordable — especially if you’re looking to outfit your property with multiple cameras. That said, right now it’s on sale for a slightly more palatable $199.99 — but act fast if you want to take advantage of that deal. We’re not too sure how long it’ll last.

Arlo Essential Camera

Arlo Essentials Camera

Arlo Essential has the distinction of being the brand’s least expensive camera. This one gets back to basics, with two-way audio, motion detection, and 1080p HD resolution, and leaves out advanced features we found in other Arlo cameras, like 2K resolution and smart motion technology.

For $129.99, this camera makes a fine choice as an add-on to an existing Arlo system. But even as a standalone camera targeting one area of your home, a device like this can go a long way toward deterring crime,2 especially when it comes to sussing out threats that the human eye can’t see. And the integrated spotlight, activated by motion, provides brilliant yet attractive lighting to any area of your property.

Pro Tip: The Arlo Essential is currently on sale. Regularly retailing for $129.99, right now you can pick one up for just $79.99.

It’s also available as a multi-pack, no base station needed. Note that a 3-pack costs $349, which shaves about $40 off the cost of buying the equipment individually.

Arlo Essential Indoor

The Arlo Essential Indoor

If you’re looking to bring the power of Arlo cameras indoors, you’re in luck. The Arlo essential indoor boasts many of the same features of its outdoorsy counterpart in a smaller package meant to shit on your shelf rather than attach to your gate.

What makes this camera unique, though, is its automated privacy shield. We’ll level with you. We think indoor cameras can be a little creepy sometimes. Do you really want to record … you know … everything? With the Arlo Essential Indoor, you won’t have to. Just tap the disarm button in the app and the privacy shield automatically goes up — nothing will be recorded, including sounds.

At just $99.99, it’s definitely one of Arlo’s most affordable cameras, and if you’re looking to stretch your security dollar even further, you’ll be happy to learn it’s currently on sale for just $69.99

Arlo Pro 3

Arlo Pro 3 with Base Station

Pro Tip: While you can still find them from third-party vendors, the Arlo Pro 3 is no longer being sold through the manufacturer.

With several feature upgrades from the second generation, Arlo Pro 3 levels up in both performance and style. In our hands-on review of Arlo, we found great value in Pro 3, especially with the integrated spotlight, color night vision, wider 160-degree viewing angle, and 2K HDR resolution. Barring any outages or slowdowns with your Wi-Fi connection, you should be able to see images up to 2K any time of day or night.

With the choice of black or white equipment, the camera is available as an add-on for $199.99, or as a 2-pack with base station for $499.99.

Cameras that offer this much variety don’t come cheap, so the price might be hard to swallow for folks on a budget. There are certainly lower-priced cameras out there that perform near or at the level of an Arlo Pro 3. Lorex’s lineup of cameras includes several wire-free models starting at $69.99, but do keep in mind that Lorex doesn’t pack quite the same power into their technology as Arlo does.

Arlo Pro 4

Arlo Pro 4

The most recently released Arlo camera pulls all of our favorite features of previous Arlo Pro generations into one stunning, powerful piece of smart home technology. That same premium 2K resolution is back, as well as color night vision, smart object detection, two-way talk, super-easy installation, and seamless smart home automation in every Arlo camera.

Beyond the common smart home ecosystems, Arlo Pro 4 goes a step further with Apple Watch integration. So you can now control your camera from your wrist, wherever you are. We think this is a slick addition to Arlo’s feature set.

FYI: If you’re building a smart home ecosystem, Arlo makes it easy to integrate their cameras with Google, Amazon, Apple HomeKit, IFTTT,3 and Stringify. To learn more about building a smart home, check out our home automation guide.

And with a built-in siren that can be triggered automatically or manually, you’ll feel confident knowing the Arlo Pro 4 uses active deterrence to keep you and your family safe at home.

At $199.99, Arlo Pro 4 costs the same price as the Pro 3, but does not include a base station. Instead, it works solely off your Wi-Fi connection. And to sweeten the deal, Arlo is now offering the camera for just $159.99.

Arlo Go 2

Arlo Go Mobile Camera

Apparently not content to stay home all the time, Arlo decided to break out of those four walls and go mobile with Arlo Go 2. This is the one camera in Arlo’s lineup that requires a contract. Since it runs on an LTE network, it must be purchased with a mobile plan from a major carrier.

Like Arlo Essential, Arlo Go doesn’t pack fancy features, but it handles the basics like a champ. You’re still getting plenty of wire-free flexibility thanks to the camera’s extended-life battery, as well as Arlo’s wide-angle PIR motion sensor that makes sure no movement slips by undetected. Prices vary by carrier, but the base unit is going to cost $249.99. If you need protection where Wi-Fi won’t reach, though, this might be your best option.

Arlo Ultra 2

Arlo Ultra 2

Arlo Ultra was the brand’s first foray into 4K technology.4 The camera’s first generation has since been discontinued, leaving a supercharged sequel in its place in Arlo Ultra 2. You’ll get a wider (180-degree) field of vision for panoramic views and plenty of detail at night, thanks to color night vision.

Pro Tip: Arlo is on a price-slashing streak recently, but unfortunately the Ultra 2 is not one of the models currently being discounted. That said, we have seen prices for this camera slashed up to $249.99, so keep your eyes peeled.

But the main draw here is 4K. This is going to get you the clearest possible picture in a security camera, which means, among other things, you’re going to need a pretty strong Wi-Fi connection to keep all that data transmitting smoothly. If you’ve got that, you’re sure to be blown away by the image quality.

It’s also worth noting that at $299, Ultra 2 is Arlo’s most expensive camera. It can also be purchased as a 2-camera kit in white or black, and it does include a SmartHub, which connects your cameras to your network through an Ethernet port.

Before we move on, though, we do want to say that we know Arlo cameras can be a tough sell for people on a budget. Fortunately, this industry is full of competitive companies, meaning there are a lot of choices out there.

Breakdown of Arlo Camera Costs

Camera	Best Feature	Price	Sale Price
Arlo Ultra 2	4K HDR Resolution	$299.99	No Current Sale
Arlo Pro 5S 2K	2K Resolution	$249.99	$199.99
Arlo Pro 4	Direct Wi-Fi Connection	$199.99	$159.99
Arlo Essential	Compact Design	$129.99	$79.99
Arlo Essential Indoor	Automated Privacy Shield	$99.99	$69.99
Arlo Go 2	LTE Connectivity	$249.99	No Current Sale