Arlo Pro 4 Camera Review

Move over, Arlo Pro 3..

Arlo Pro 4
4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5
  • pro
    Hub not required
  • pro
    Magnetic mount
  • con
    Some features cost extra
Brianne Sandorf
Sep 06, 2023
Icon Time To Read4 min read

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Meet the Arlo Pro 4, Arlo’s new version of its oft-recommended Pro camera that replaced the older model  Pro 3.  The Pro 4 doesn’t need a base station to work (hooray!), but that’s its only improvement over the Pro 3.

So basically, if you’re ready to ditch the SmartHub, this is for you. 

Arlo Pro 4 price and details
Product
Price
Camera quantity
Hub needed
Learn more
1 camera

$139.99

1

Icon No  DarkNo
3-camera set

$349.99

3

Icon No  DarkNo

Amazon.com List Prices (as of 09/06/2023 10:00 MST) Full disclaimer

Arlo Pro 4 features

This camera has all the features Pros are known for

Arlo’s all about features, even in its more basic cameras. And the Pro 4 is no exception. We’d argue that advanced object detection is what makes Arlo Arlo. But you can’t get advanced object detection without a paid storage plan, which is annoying.

Arlo Pro 4 features:

  • 2K video quality
  • 160° field of view
  • Color night vision
  • Advanced object detection (person, vehicle, package)
  • Motion detection
  • Customizable motion zones
  • Sound detection
  • Zoom
  • Two-way audio
  • Spotlight
  • Siren
  • Magnetic mount
  • Arlo solar panel compatibility
  • Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, SmartThings, Apple HomeKit, and IFTTT compatibility
  • Local storage with base station/SmartHub (though hub is not required)
  • Water-resistant

Interestingly, the only advantage that the Pro 4 offers over the Pro 3 is the lack of hub requirement.

Magnetic mount

Righty tighty, lefty loosey, blah blah blah. Forget about screw mounts. The Arlo Pro 4 comes with a strong magnetic base so you can easily detach and reattach it. Since the batteries need charging at least every six months, that’ll definitely come in handy.

But if the thought of a more easily removable camera makes you nervous, you can also purchase a screw base. One reviewer said the Arlo Pro 4 can even be mounted to a standard tripod, which is neat (though we're not sure how it would come in handy).¹

Arlo Pro 4 pricing

The Arlo Pro 4 is a better deal than some Arlo cameras

If you’re looking for the most bargain cameras out there, typically, we wouldn’t recommend Arlo. But because you can buy the Arlo Pro 4 in a one-pack without a hub, its cost aligns more with that of other similar cameras.

However, the storage and full feature costs do jack up the price by a pretty penny.

Storage

If you want to take advantage of the Arlo Pro 4’s hublessness, you’ll need cloud storage. And for cloud storage, you need to pay.

Arlo storage plans
FeaturesArlo Basic (no plan)Arlo SecureArlo Secure PlusArlo Safe & Secure Pro
PriceFree$4.99/mo. for 1 camera; $12.99/mo. for unlimited cameras$17.99/mo. for unlimited cameras$24.99/mo. for unlimited cameras
Max resolution1080pUp to 4KUp to 4KUp to 4K
Cloud storageNone30 days30 days30 days
Live video streaming
Icon Yes  DarkYes
Icon Yes  DarkYes
Icon Yes  DarkYes
Icon Yes  DarkYes
Push notifications
Icon Yes  DarkYes
Icon Yes  DarkYes
Icon Yes  DarkYes
Icon Yes  DarkYes
Custom activity zones
Icon No  DarkNo
Icon Yes  DarkYes
Icon Yes  DarkYes
Icon Yes  DarkYes
Advanced object detection
Icon No  DarkNo
Icon Yes  DarkYes
Icon Yes  DarkYes
Icon Yes  DarkYes
Call a friend
Icon No  DarkNo
Icon Yes  DarkYes
Icon Yes  DarkYes
Icon Yes  DarkYes
Emergency Response
Icon No  DarkNo
Icon Yes  DarkYes
Icon Yes  DarkYes
Icon Yes  DarkYes
24/7 professional monitoring
Icon No  DarkNo
Icon No  DarkNo
Icon No  DarkNo
Icon Yes  DarkYes
Learn more

Data as of 09/06/2023.

Arlo's subscription plans aren't out-of-your-mind expensive, but the dollar signs can add up—especially since you’ll need to pay for Safe & Secure Pro if you want your camera to record all the time.

But, sadly, a paid plan is your only option if you don’t want to go through the hassle of local storage. The local feature requires buying a hub and an SD card or USB drive, then manually downloading the video footage every time you want to look at an event.

Also, even if you used local storage, you’d still have to pay the cloud storage price to access your object detection features. The motion and sound detection come with the camera, but the package, people, and vehicle detection all rely on the storage subscription.

Luckily, the Arlo Pro 4 comes with a three-month trial. And hey, at least you don’t have to pay for the more expensive Arlo Secure Plus Plan unless you want 4K resolution.

Arlo Pro 4 home automation

Arlo offers Apple HomeKit compatibility plus more

With Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, and Samsung SmartThings compatibility, your Arlo Pro 4 will work with just about any major smart home hub. That’ll make it easy to integrate the camera into most smart homes.

And even if you’re not using Amazon, Google, Apple, or Samsung at your place, you can still connect your camera to smart home device chains using IFTTT.

We typically like to see some Zigbee or Z-Wave compatibility, too, so that the camera can connect directly to other devices. In that regard, Arlo is lacking. But you can still create quite a solid smart home without those closer connections.

Arlo app

The Arlo app is nothing to sneer at. It’s got high ratings on both Google Play and the Apple Store, and it’s pretty intuitive if not innovative. Most users seem to like it just fine.

Arlo Pro 4 installation

The setup process is fairly user-friendly

You don’t need any previous experience with Arlo or home security cameras to set up this device. Still, you’ll definitely find it easier if you’ve used similar products before.

Arlo Pro 4 installation steps:

  • Plug in the Arlo Pro 4 to charge.
  • Download the Arlo app.
  • Create or log in to your Arlo account.
  • Select Add New Device.
  • Select Cameras.
  • Select Pro.
  • Select Pro 4.
  • Follow the app instructions to complete setup and connect to your home Wi-Fi.
  • Mount the camera if desired.

If this procedure sounds daunting to you, get a tech-savvy friend or acquaintance to help. Again, this camera has an estimated six-month battery life, so you shouldn’t have to change the batteries very often.

Recap: Is Arlo Pro 4 good?

It’s good, but it’s not much better than the Arlo Pro 3

We’re loving the no-hub feature, but other than that, the Pro 4 is about the same as the Pro 3. 

If you don’t own a hub and would have to buy one, then go for the Arlo Pro 4.

  • Features: The Arlo Pro 4 has all the features of its predecessor, such as colored night vision, a spotlight, and a siren.
  • Pricing: You don’t have to buy an Arlo SmartHub with the Pro 4, which brings costs down, but you still need a subscription for video storage and detection features.
  • Home automation: This camera has all the leading smart home hub integrations, though it doesn’t have Zigbee or Z-Wave.
  • Installation: The DIY setup isn’t very complicated, although you do have to mount the camera.

If the Arlo Pro line isn't quite meeting the mark for you, you might like the Arlo Ultra 2, Arlo Essential, or Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight as an alternative. Or, if you’d prefer to eschew Arlo altogether, you could try a different camera brand, like a Blink or Eufy cam. Or see how Arlo and Blink compare one-to-one.

Arlo Pro 4 FAQ

Yes, you can use an Arlo camera without a subscription. But you’ll be limited in your storage length (unless you’re using local storage), and you won’t be able to use all of your camera’s advanced features.

Yes, Arlo sells the Arlo Video Doorbell, which our expert Mindy likes quite well. 

Like most Arlo cameras, the Pro 4 works as both an indoor and outdoor camera.

Its design is ideal for an outdoor setup, but there’s nothing that makes it impossible to install indoors. However, most indoor-only cameras are going to cost significantly less.

The only practical difference between a surveillance camera and a security camera is that a camera specifically labeled for surveillance may not have all the latest features, like person detection and motion detection.

But there’s an easy fix for that: you can easily use most security cameras for surveillance purposes. Between a system marketed for surveillance and a system marketed for security, generally, we’d recommend the security system.

However, if you have your heart set on a traditional surveillance setup over a smart security camera, check out our Best CCTV Systems.

Sources

Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon.com. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Reviews.org utilizes paid Amazon links.

Brianne Sandorf
Written by
Brianne Sandorf
Brianne has a degree in English and creative writing from Westminster College and has spent 6+ years writing professional, research-based content. Before joining Reviews.org, she wrote safety and security content for ASecureLife.com. Her pieces and quotes are published across the web, including on MSN.com, Social Catfish, and Parents.com. Hobbies include wearing a seatbelt, wearing a life jacket, and keeping her arms and legs inside the ride at all times. Contact her at brianne@reviews.org.

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