Arlo Pro
The Arlo Pro kit makes for a great entry-level security system that features an easy 100 percent wireless installation. Extras like 2-way audio and audio detection are a plus, but the lack of 1080p video and custom defined zones are a bit of a downer.
Arlo Pro 2
The Arlo Pro 2 builds on the success of the original Arlo Pro and adds much-requested features like 1080p recording and full-time surveillance (with optional local storage). However, features like this drive the price up and it's quite expensive.
The Arlo Pro and Arlo Pro 2 systems are nearly identical. That's great because they have a list of features that make them stand out among other DIY security system options. One major difference is the price. Arlo Pro 2 clocks in about $120 more expensive than the original for a 2-piece kit. Have a look and see if the extras are worth the price bump.
Impressive specs
DIY home security has seen a boom in recent years. Smart homes and new tech offer ways to fit cameras into our lives like never before, and well-established companies like Arlo are now offering comprehensive solutions that can rival multi-thousand dollar professional installation.
The Arlo Pro name comes highly recommended by just about everyone, and the release of the latest generation — the aptly named Arlo Pro 2 — brings about a few more features that make Arlo a name you need to look at before you buy any security system. The list of features speaks for itself.
| Header Cell - Column 0 | Arlo Pro | Arlo Pro 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Wireless | Yes | Yes |
| Resolution | 720p | 1080p |
| 24/7 recording | No | Yes, using optional local storage |
| 2-way audio | Yes | Yes |
| Field of view | 130-degrees | 130-degrees |
| Night Vision | Yes | Yes |
| Local Storage | Yes, optional | Yes, optional |
| Custom Activity Zones | No | Yes |
| Alerts | Motion and audio | Motion and audio |
| Compatibility | All Arlo systems | All Arlo systems |
The major differences between the Arlo Pro and the Arlo Pro 2 system are highlighted in this impressive list of features. 1080p vs. 720p video, the lack of a 24/7 "surveillance" option, and no ability to create custom zones to monitor activity are features the original Arlo Pro system lacks.
These features bring about a healthy increase in price, though. For a comparable system consisting of two cameras, a base station with alarm, two batteries, and a charger, the Arlo Pro 2 costs $120 more. To put that into perspective, it's more than the cost of an Arlo Smart Home Security Light to add into your system. $120 is real money. Arlo's cloud storage — seven days of recordings for free with multiple inexpensive upgrade options — is the same price for either system.
The system that's best for you depends on more than the price. The Arlo Pro 2's 24/7 recording feature — the base station has a USB connection for a storage device — is a must for some of us, as is the 1080p recording. The best feature, though, is the user-definable capture zones. Through the Arlo app, you can tell the camera where to look for motion before it begins recording. When you're using the camera totally wire-free and running off of the battery, this can mean a much longer battery life.
Unless $120 is just too much of a difference to swallow, we recommend the Arlo Pro 2 as the better purchase.
DIY ease with Pro features
The Arlo Pro kit makes for a great entry-level security system that features an easy, completely wireless installation. Extras like 2-way audio and audio detection are a plus, but the lack of 1080p video and custom defined zones are a bit of a downer.
The Best DIY camera system
The Arlo Pro 2 builds on the success of the original Arlo Pro and adds much-requested features like 1080p recording and full-time surveillance (with optional local storage). However, features like this drive the price up and it's quite expensive.
