The biggest downside to this home security camera is the cost. You need to pay for the camera, a hub, and a storage plan for complete use of your Arlo Pro 3. The camera also has a “catch” that keeps the body in place when you open the skin. This is one of Arlo’s less advertised features, maybe because sound detection can be a bit chancy, especially on a camera that’s outdoors. But users can adjust the detection sensitivity or turn it off altogether in the Arlo app. As Arlo releases more standalone, hub-free cameras, the prices are coming down, but not on the Pro 3. You’ll pay close to $200 even if you just get this home security camera on its own. And, as we mentioned earlier, Arlo’s camera plans are definitely some of the more expensive ones out there. Even before you add continuous recording into the mix, Arlo charges more for cloud storage than Reolink or Ring. Of course, you’re getting more with Arlo than just storage. You’re also getting access to the camera’s premium features. But on the other hand, Reolink and Ring aren’t charging extra for you to use their top features like Arlo is. They give them to you as part of the camera, which is, in our opinion, how things should be. Happily, you’ll get a three-month free trial to see if the storage is worth the Benjamins. You’ll also have the option for local storage through your base station, but if you don’t have a paid plan, your footage won’t save in 2K. And unfortunately, without the paid plan, your object detection won’t work, which kinda kills the point of going with Arlo. For $3–$10, the Secure Plan will give you 2K video, cloud storage, and advanced object detection. Arlo has one more paid plan, the Secure Plus Plan. It’s the same as the Premier plan, but it streams in 4K and costs more. We didn’t include the Elite plan in the table because it isn’t compatible with an Arlo Pro 3. The Arlo Pro 3 records in five-minute, event-based clips. If you want continuous recording, that’s a separate service altogether. You have to spend $13.99 per month for 14 days of continuous recording. And if you want the whole month, the cost jumps up to $24.99. Altogether, that makes Arlo’s camera plans rather pricey. That means you can connect your cameras to any of the four major smart hubs for voice control and other automation. Not bad! You can’t make any direct smart home connections, though. For instance, you can’t connect your Arlo account to any locks or bulbs and then control them from the Arlo app. Which brings us to … Arlo Pro 3 installation steps:
Charge the camera. Download the Arlo app. Create an Arlo account. Log in to your account. Select Add New Device. Follow the instructions to add the camera. Mount the camera.
The cheapest Arlo Pro 3 packages come with two cameras and a base station. If you only need one camera, the Arlo Pro 4 or Google Nest Camera will be a better option for you. If you’d like a well-known and reliable security system, you might like Vivint for a little more cash.
Features: This camera has advanced object detection, sound detection, color night vision, zoom, a spotlight, and a siren. That’s just about everything a camera can offer. Pricing: The Arlo Pro 3 is fairly expensive, but the price goes lower if you already have a base and/or a camera plan with an open slot. Home automation: You’ll get excellent smart hub compatibility with an Arlo Po 3. Installation: You can easily install the Arlo Pro 3 yourself.
To learn more, feel free to read our Arlo Security Camera Review. To decide which Arlo security camera is the best, we looked at getting the most out of your money, innovative technology, smart home integrations, clear video, and professional monitoring. In our opinion, getting an Arlo Pro 3 makes the most sense when you already have a base station. That way, you just have to get a standalone camera, not the full kit and caboodle. According to our security expert Mindy Woodall, if you love the latest and greatest tech, you’ll prefer the Arlo Pro 3 to the Arlo Pro 2. We’ve broken out the difference for you, just to make it easy to see. Like most Arlo cameras, the Pro 3 camera would work indoors or outdoors. However, with this expensive of a camera, we suggest putting it outside to get your money’s worth.
