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Product reviews > smart security cameras
Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Security Camera Review
By Rashko Arnaudov / Updated October 9, 2023
The Arlo Pro 4 represents the latest addition to the brand’s extensive lineup of security cameras. Over time, Arlo has earned a reputation as one of our preferred systems, thanks to its blend of adaptability, solid construction, excellent image quality, and reasonably priced cloud video clip storage.
The Arlo Pro 4 follows a similar path, offering impressive image quality, intelligent features, and the freedom to position it as you see fit. However, there is a notable drawback: it no longer includes the complimentary cloud storage that was once a standard feature for all Arlo cameras. This means you’ll need to subscribe for a minimum of £2.79 per month to access the camera’s full range of capabilities.
Pros
- Effortless Installation With Complete Wireless Functionality
- High-Definition 2K HDR Video Quality
- Night Vision With Full-Color Capability
- Compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, HomeKit, and IFTTT.
Cons
- Certain Functionalities Necessitate An Arlo Smart Subscription
- The alarm configuration is a bit tricky to set up.
Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Security Camera Specs
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Integrations |
Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant,
Apple HomeKit, IFTTT
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Alarm Volume |
80dB
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Connectivity |
Wi-Fi
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Night Vision
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Color Temperature |
6,500K
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Field of View |
160 degrees
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Storage |
Cloud
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What's in the Arlo Pro 4 Box
The Arlo Pro 4 comes with a few things. First is the Arlo camera, and then we have a mount to attach the camera itself to the wall with dowels and screws included and then we have a micro USB charging cable which does not come with a power adapter.
Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera Design
Arlo Pro 4 looks quite familiar because it looks similar to Arlo Ultra and Arlo Pro 3. However, despite its striking resemblance to its predecessors, Arlo 4 is all new and improved. The difference that can be noted between all types is that the Pro 4 is a different idea thinner than the rest.
The Arlo Pro 4 has a weatherproof housing, its white color allows it to blend in with the walls outside your house and also looks clean when placed inside it. The case is 3.5/2/3 so it won’t take up much space wherever you position is. In the front side of the camera are positioned the mini spotlight, the camera and infrarer rays. The bottom of a camera is exactly where you will charge your camera.
(Credit: Tom’s Guide)
Installation
Installation is also quite easy, it took me 5-10 minutes from unpacking to mounting the camera. I already had an account on the Arlo app, but if this is your first Arlo device you’ll need to download the mobile app and create your own account first.
I launched the app, scrolled to the bottom of the Devices screen, and selected “Add New Device.” In the Cameras section, I picked the Pro option and specifically chose the Pro 4. I had the choice to link the camera with my Smart Hub or opt for a direct connection without one, and I went with the latter. Following the step-by-step instructions on the screen, I provided my Wi-Fi credentials, inserted the camera’s battery, and verified the camera’s LED was flashing blue. As soon as a QR code was displayed on my phone, I held it approximately four inches from the camera and heard a chime confirming successful camera recognition. I assigned a name to the camera, and within seconds, it was integrated into both my Arlo and Alexa accounts.
After waiting a few seconds for the full update, I took the camera outside, attached the magnetic mount to the yard fence, and then mounted the camera to the mount, completing the installation of my Arlo Pro 4 camera.
(Credit: Arlo)
Arlo Pro 4 Battery Life
Battery life is pretty good considering the Arlo Pro 4 is a wireless camera. Arlo offers 3 power management options in the video settings menu:
Best Video consumes additional energy to deliver enhanced video quality; Optimized Seeks a compromise between power usage and video quality; Best Battery Life reduces power consumption but sacrifices video quality.
I don’t think the Arlo Pro 4 battery can possibly go 6 months without charging as advertised on the box of the camera itself. In the actual testing of the included cameras on the optimization menu within 18 days, then the best battery life menu and had to charge it again on the second month and 12th day.
(Credit: Arlo)
Arlo Pro 4 Features
The Main advantages behind the Arlo Pro 4 Camera are the long list of functions. I will discuss them separately from my personal impression of the period I tested the camera.
Color Night Vision
Everyone worries that when it gets dark outside the security cameras won’t catch all possible details. Well, the Arlo Pro 4 does pretty even in the dark! With its Color Night Vision function, the camera focuses on a given image of a face, zooming in on it with high resolution, and includes the spotlight for additional protection and scaring off the potential thief. I tried this process on the camera, I tried to sneak into the house from the garage when it was already dark, and instantly the camera focused on my face and turned on the spotlight.
160-Degree Field of Vision
Not only does the Arlo Pro 4 record in incredible detail but it also captures a fair amount of action with its substantial 160-degree field of view. I have positioned the Arlo Pro 4 camera in front of the front door of my house and I thinks it is quite sufficient because it covers the entire perimeter of the street.
This is another feature that comes in handy if you use the Arlo Pro 4 outdoors. Because of its wide viewing angle, you’ll need fewer cameras to cover every key area of your property.
2k Resolution
I’m pretty sure that most of you dont’t find significant differences between 2K resolution and 1080p, but let me assure you that there are significant too.Moreover, it boasts HDR, a distinguishing factor that sets the Arlo Pro 4 apart, even within the realm of 2K cameras.
HDR effectively evens out the lighting in your videos, ensuring clarity in challenging conditions, such as dealing with glare and shadowy regions.
This feature is particularly valuable when employing the Arlo Pro 4 as an outdoor camera, given the unpredictable nature of outdoor lighting.
Two-Way Audio
I’m usually not too impressed with this standard functionality on WiFi cameras but this one on the Arlo Pro 4 really impressed me. With most such cameras there is a lot of delay for two-way sound to be good, or the tweeters are so hideous that is sounds like your grandparents’s old cassette player, but with the Arlo Pro 4, that’s not the case. Yes, there is some delay in the sound, but the quality of the tweeters is great.
During the time I tested the camera, I could clearly understand what my brother was saying through the camera, but I don’t recommend you use it to have a full conversation. But it’s definitely a great option to tell the pizza delivery guy exactly where to put it.
Auto Zoom and Tracking
Do you want to be sure that nothing could sneak into your house unnoticed? The Auto Zoom and tracking feature will do just that. When something enters the frame of your Arlo Pro 4 Camera it automatically tracks its movements. This can be extremely useful in order not to miss any events, but keep in mind one detail that the camera would not be able to record in 2K resolution. The camera will automatically set the detector and record at the highest available resolution, usually 1080p.
(Credit:Arlo)
Activity Zones
From my testing period of the camera, I noticed that it is quite sensitive. But after all, cameras are designed to be that way, so indicate to the owner that somehow a person or object is moving. But imagine the following situation that I was faced with when conducting the testing, you place your camera in front of the entrance, and in front of the entrance, there is an apple positioned. The lightest and most insignificant wind causes movement of the branches of the apple itself, which accordingly accompanies multiple messages in your mobile phone for about 15 minutes there is almost no threat, but in fact there is none.
How did I deal with this problem Arlo Pro 4’s Smart Activity Zones feature set, which later tells the camera to focus on defining areas and ignore the rest (in my case, it was the tree). This is especiallty handy if you live in a busy area with a lot of traffic and want to turn it off .
(Credit: Arlo)
Arlo App
The Arlo app features an uncomplicated interface that is both straightforward and user-friendly. Upon launching the app, you’ll be greeted with a list of your installed Arlo security cameras within your home, each accompanied by a snapshot of the latest recorded motion.
Within this interface, you can effortlessly customize settings for individual cameras, such as adjusting speaker and microphone volume, activating the siren or spotlight, and even configuring geofencing through your smartphone. This allows the camera to intelligently activate or deactivate based on your location.
As I mentioned earlier you will need an Arlo smart subscription to be able to store video and have smart features for your security controlled from your own phone. The camera comes with a 3-month free trial, after which costs start at $2.99/ €2.49 per month.
Conclusion
As you may have just seen Arlo Pro 4 offers a large list of features. At first glance, it might look like an ordinary, harmless security camera, but this is far from the case. The camera has tremendous image quality and provides security-enhancing features (such as motion detection, face detection, auto-approach, activity zones, etc.), and the hardware build is substantial.
As a drawback of this camera, I would mention the fragile magnetic mount for which the camera itself is mounted.
How We Tested?
Arlo Pro 4: Is the Investment Justified?
Is The Arlo Pro 4 an excellent camera?
How much is an Arlo Pro 4?
Is the Arlo Pro 4 battery-operated?
Can the Arlo Pro 4 operate without a subscription?
Is a base station necessary for the Arlo Pro 4?
How We Tested?
We spend a lot of time testing various smart innovative technologies these days that make our daily lives easier. We conduct extensive research on the manufacturers of the various products to ensure they meet our standards.
Once we are confident in the capabilities of a product, we fit it into our home to see what it’s like to live with it every day. The reason for this is to see to what extend the product integration process is facillitated and wheather the features the product boasts are real.
From there on, we evaluate how the products perform by subjecting them to different conditions. It’s the process of rigorously testing every single feature to make sure the product adds a specifiv benefic to the smart home. Once we know what it’s like to live with the product, only then do we offer out recommendation.
Arlo Pro 4: Is the Investment Justified?
Well, it’s hard to say. $200 is a lot of money for some people, but for others, it is a reasonable expense when it comes to the security of your property. And when you consider buying a subscription and more than one camera to cover the whole area around and inside the house the price would become a bit higher.
However, if you want all these features (smart detections, color night vision, integrated spotlight and 2K quality resolution) the Arlo Pro 4 is your camera. There are quite a few cameras that are significantly more expensice than the Arlo Pro 4, but they weigh one up to two of Arlo’s features. In that sense, the Arlo Pro 4 is worth every penny. Not only this camera offer all these top-notch features, they really work quite impressively.
(Credit: Arlo )
Is The Arlo Pro 4 And excellent camera?
Yes, the Arlo Pro 4 is undeniably an exceptional camera. It stands out in its class for several reasons. First and foremost, its image quality, boasting 2K resolution and High Dynamic Range (HDR), ensures that you capture clear and vibrant footage, even in challenging lighting conditions. The incorporation of HDR technology effectively balances the lighting in your videos, guaranteeing that every detail remains crystal clear.
How much is an Arlo Pro 4?
The Arlo Pro 4 retails for $140 from Amazon.
Is the Arlo Pro 4 bettery-operated?
Certainly, the Arlo Pro 4 is a battery-operated security camera, and this feature adds to its convenience and versatility. By being battery-powered, it doesn’t rely on a constant source of electrical power, granting you the freedom to place it in locations without nearby power outlets. This is especially advantageous for outdoor surveillance or areas where access to electricity might be challenging.
Can the Arlo pro 4 operate without a subscription?
Yes, the Arlo Pro 4 can operate without a subscription. While Arlo offers subscription plans that provide additional features and cloud storage for your camera’s recordings, you can still use the Arlo Pro 4 without a subscription.
Without a subscription, your camera will still record video clips when it detects motion or sound, but these recordings will be stored locally on the camera itself. This means you won’t have access to cloud storage, and you may need to manage the storage capacity of the camera by deleting older clips to make space for new ones.
So, while a subscription can enhance the camera’s functionality and provide added convenience, it’s not a mandatory requirement to use the Arlo Pro 4 for basic surveillance needs.
(Credit: Arlo)
Is a base station nesessary for the Arlo Pro 4?
No, a base station is not necessary for the Arlo Pro 4. The Arlo Pro 4 is designed to operate as a standalone camera, and it does not require a base station to function. This standalone capability offers flexibility in camera placement and setup, as you can use the Arlo Pro 4 without the need for additional equipment. However, Arlo does offer a SmartHub for users who want to connect multiple Arlo devices and create a centralized smart home security system, but it is not a requirement for the Arlo Pro 4 to work independently.
