A 1080p outdoor security camera with color night vision, an integrated siren, a spotlight, and integrated Wi-Fi is the Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera. The camera is easy to install, produces crisp video, and doesn’t require a hub. At $129.99, it’s fairly cheap for an Arlo, but using advanced features and viewing recorded video will cost more. Though the $40 Wyze Cam Outdoor, our Editors’ Choice for reasonably priced outdoor security cameras, is an even better bargain with free cloud and local storage options and a handy travel mode that allows you to carry it with you everywhere you go, the $40 Essential Spotlight Camera is still a good offer.
The biggest features and main data about Arlo Essential
Arlo’s Essential Features and Design
The Essential Spotlight Camera shares the same appearance as every Arlo Pro camera and the majority of other Arlo outdoor cameras. Its glossy white IP65 weather-resistant container with glossy black faceplate measures 3.0 by 2.0 by 3.5 inches (HWD). The camera, 2.4GHz Wi-Fi radio, motion sensor, LED spotlight, status LED, siren, microphone, speaker, and two infrared LEDs for night vision are all located underneath the hood. The lighting may be turned on to provide color night vision.
With a 130-degree field of view and a 12X digital zoom, the camera records video in 1080p (as opposed to more expensive Arlo models like the Ultra that go up to 4K). When motion is detected, it will record video of the event and deliver push and email alerts. However, you will need to subscribe to an Arlo Smart Plan to see the video. For a single camera, the Basic plan costs $2.99 per month; for up to five cameras, it costs $9.99 per month. Along with 30 days of rolling video storage, you also get access to custom Activity Zones, Rich Notifications that allow you to do actions like calling 911 (e911), activating the siren, or contacting friends—all from within the alert—and Advanced Motion Detection, which can distinguish between people, animals, and vehicles.
Arlo: Installation and Performance Essentials
The Essential Camera is simple to install. Before using the camera, you must charge it, download the mobile app, and register for an account. Next, I launched the app, clicked Add New Device, went to the Cameras menu, chose Essential, and then picked the Essential Spotlight Camera. I was able to connect the camera to my network without a hub or add it to my hub on the following screen. I went with the latter option, making sure my phone was linked to a 2.4GHz network by following the directions. I clicked the Sync button for two seconds, typed in my Wi-Fi password, and then held my phone’s QR code in front of the camera until the camera beeped. After I hit Continue, the software took twenty seconds to locate the camera. It was instantly added to my Arlo and Alexa accounts once I gave it a name.
I moved the camera outdoors, fixed the mounting plate to my house, and then fixed the camera to the mounting plate after a 60-second firmware update. My video bandwidth was strong, according to the program, so I tapped Finish to finish the installation. The Essential performs admirably. With the help of infrared LEDs, it can produce clear, colorful 1080p video during the day and crisp, black-and-white footage at night. The nighttime video appears in color when the spotlight shines on it, but as we found with the Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera, the night color quality isn’t as vivid as it is during the day (though it’s still superior to black and white).
Arlo Crucial for Compatibility with Smart Homes
In addition to being compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa, Arlo’s cameras are also compatible with HomeKit, which means that enthusiasts of Apple’s smart home ecosystem won’t be left out in the cold. Nevertheless, the Arlo Base Station ($99, sold separately) is also required for an Arlo to function with HomeKit and SmartThings. Arlo’s cameras are a practical and adaptable option for homes due to their remarkable interoperability with a wide range of smart home ecosystems, which is one of their significant advantages. Users can view live feeds on Echo Show devices and other Alexa-enabled displays and manage their cameras with voice commands thanks to Arlo cameras’ flawless integration with Amazon Alexa. This integration makes monitoring home security hands-free, which improves user experience.
Arlo cameras can also broadcast video feeds to Google Nest Hub and other Google Assistant-enabled devices because they are compatible with Google Assistant. using the help of this functionality, homes that make use of Google’s ecosystem can be easily integrated and users can access and operate their cameras using voice commands. For lovers of Apple’s smart home ecosystem, Arlo cameras also work with HomeKit, which is a big plus. Because of this interoperability, consumers may use Siri for voice commands and the Apple Home app on their iOS smartphones to control their Arlo cameras. Apple customers may enjoy a unified and simplified smart home experience with all of their gadgets cooperating thanks to HomeKit integration.
The Significance of Conclusions Arlo
For a fair price, you can practically get two devices with the Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera. Its 1080p camera records crisp HD footage, and its LED illumination highlights potential intruders while producing colorful nighttime footage. The camera is wireless, simple to set up and maintain, and compatible with other smart devices through IFTTT applets. It can also be controlled by voice commands from Alexa and Google. However, you’ll need to enroll in one of the Arlo Smart Plans to access event-triggered footage and use some of the camera’s more sophisticated functions. And for a third of the Arlo’s price, the Wyze Cam Outdoor—which is more portable and offers free cloud and local storage—is a better deal if you can live without the spotlight.