Customer Ratings & Reviews

Verdict: This camera is exactly what I needed for a specific area in the house. It does everything I need, with great resolution, and with the added feature of an on-demand privacy shield. The price is great too! It’s important to note that to get the most out of your Arlo cameras, you will need to get a subscription. Background. We have owned Arlo Cameras for many years now. In total, we have over twenty Arlo devices of all different types. What is most remarkable about Arlo is that all camera types and generations seamless integrate in the app. We still have the original pro cameras running on base stations and we have the latest Arlo Pro (6th Gen) working perfectly along side them. Kudos to Arlo for keeping all devices supported and integrated over so many years! Partly due to our existing investment and partly due to the value we think we get from the Arlo subscription, we pay monthly for unlimited cameras, 60-day rolling videos recordings, etc., and we think the subscription is worth the money, but everyone's situation is different. First impressions. The box is small, but includes everything you need: the camera, mount, plug, and charging cable. This camera is not small… it’s actually more noticeable than the Arlo battery camera it is replacing. I love that is has the privacy shutter. Setup. This camera connects over Wi-Fi so you will need to make sure you have a good signal where you plan to install it and you will need a plug. You do not have to mount it; ours jus sits on a shelf and it’s perfect that way. From the Arlo app, installation is very easy and takes less than five minutes, with the app walking through every step with pictures. The blue light that is on by default when the camera is actively monitoring can be turned off in the settings for that device, under “Device Info”. We turned off the blue light because it was too noticeable. Subscription required to get the most value. Arlo currently charges $7.99/month for a one-camera subscription, and $17.99/month for unlimited cameras. The subscription includes, among many advantages, 60-day rolling storage, identification of movements (person, animal, vehicle), detection zones, and more. Without a subscription, you will not have access to recordings, but you can still use your cameras to live stream and receive push notifications, so I think the use cases are very different but could still work for some people. For me it’s hard to justify buying this camera without the features enabled by the subscription. Performance. This camera works great: high resolution, very short delay to live stream, great night vision, really sensitive movement detection (I turned it down), seamlessly integrated into advanced automation through the Arlo app (when motion is detected on this camera, it turns on the smart light switches for my kitchen through SmartThings). There is an audible sound when the privacy shutter turns on / off, which I think is good so that you know it is activated or not. In our case, we have the camera continuously monitoring, and then turn it off when we want privacy. We like this camera so much that we ordered two more; they are perfect for using inside the house where you can easily plug them in somewhere without looking ugly. Things I love: - 130 Degrees field of view - 2K live video with 12x digital zoom - Dual band Wi-Fi that automatically switches to the best signal - Integration with smart apps for advanced automation (turn-on kitchen lights when motion is detected on the camera) - Super easy to install (less than 5 minutes) - Works seamlessly with my other Arlo devices - Live streaming takes about 2 seconds to connect - You can mount it, or just position it on a counter or shelf - I like this affordable plug in option; it’s perfect for some areas of the house - Pretty good night vision! - The Arlo app is quite good, allowing for lots of customization, automation, and daily use Things I don’t love: - This camera must be plugged in, so it’s not for all places and it’s not for all situations - The free tier doesn’t offer as much value, but this camera is so well priced that you could buy one or two of these just to get alerts and then view in livestream if you are able to see the notification right away - The nomenclature of the cameras is getting slightly confusing in the app. During setup, I didn’t remember if this was the essential or essential security. Maybe just make a new line, or call the bottom tier Standard, next tier Essential, and top tier Pro. There are quite a few types of camera now; it will soon be too many and cause analysis paralysis. Overall, I love this Arlo indoor Essential security camera. It’s affordable, capable, very easy to setup, and it has a privacy shutter. Because it’s connected to power, once you set it up, you don’t need to think about it anymore, which is a nice change from the otherwise regular check-ins on battery life for my other cameras. I love this camera and highly recommend it if you are willing to pay for a subscription.

I use Arlo cameras for my home security camera system and have been investing in Arlo for years. Besides my Pro cameras, I have 3 Arlo essentials 1st gen that I use for indoor purposes. I liked the fact that I can add them to my Apple HomeKit, Google, Amazon Alexa, and SmartThings for my home automation. One drawback was the 1080P resolution, and especially at night, the picture quality was not my best. Finally, Arlo has listened to and released this 3rd-gen essential indoor camera with enhanced features built upon the previous generations, but with more enhanced quality. This model has an upgraded stand compared to my 1st gen. Also, the power port is now USB-C, which aligns with what I have in most of my devices. Still compact and has a small footprint. Same Privacy Shield that I always like to have, since this is an indoor camera, and usually I leave it closed when home. The plastic cover slides to cover and uncover the cameras based on the mode setting. Also, I can leave it closed until I open the Arlo app and hit “open & go live” to override it temporarily, and as soon as I close the app, the shield slides up to cover the lens. Very intuitive and practical. The camera can be powered by USB-A or by using the power adapter that is included in the original box. I preferred to use a USB just to declutter some power adapters. After the camera was fully powered on, I opened the Arlo app and selected the Essential cameras. The camera was found, and I followed the setup steps to get the camera online. One thing that I noticed is that this model does not need any Base Station to connect to; instead, I connected it to Wi-Fi directly. Also, the camera has a dual band capability which is good. Such an upgrade makes the camera work faster, but I lost the Apple Home integration, which I love to have. The only way to operate the camera is through the Arlo app. It is not a dealbreaker for me, but I do not understand why Arlo ended the integration with Apple Home while Google and Amazon Alexa, and SmartThings are still available. The camera quality is 2K and has a great picture, day and night. Thank you for the infrared night vision. The field of view is wide enough, allowing the camera to cover a wider area in my living room. Motion detection is also great, and the two-way audio is clear and has no lag in conversation. My final word is this camera is designed for convenience and privacy in mind at an affordable price. One thing that I would like to see, maybe Arlo could implement in the future update, is the return of Apple Home integration.

The Arlo Essential 1 Indoor Wireless Camera 3rd Generation is built on privacy and security backed by a comprehensive phone app. I had an Arlo camera a couple of years ago and they have improved in a few different areas that I will outline in my review. The security camera market grows every year but the Arlo is clearly targeting homeowners and renters that want clear 2K video resolution, quick and easy installation, and an app that gives you the ability to control a host of features. Design/Build/Unboxing The box is basic, compact, and includes the camera, power adapter, mounting hardware, and an instruction manual. The build is fairly typical but what stood out to me was the ability to adjust the camera up and down. This works perfectly for me because I can point it down at the room from a tall bookshelf. The build quality is typical hard plastic but it seems durable. It also contains a privacy shutter. There's also a plug for power. You will need to place the camera in an area where you can plug it in. I chose a bookshelf where I have a surge protector mounted on the wall. Specs & Features Video - 2K Resolution, Night Vision FOV - 130 degree field of view Power - Power adapter (No Battery) Wireless Connectivity - Dual-Band (2.4GHz and 5 GHz) Storage - There's no slot for storage, cloud storage is available by subscription Audio - 2 way audio to talk through the camera Motion Detection - It can identify people, animals and packages Emergency Siren - Can be adjusted to sound for up to 5 minutes - Performance - The Arlo Essential wireless indoor camera was easy to setup. I downloaded the app and setup to watch my living room. It was nice to be able to adjust it up and down so that I could get a full view of the room from high on the shelf. The 2K resolution is clearly much better than the typical HD cameras. The field of view is wide enough to get my entire living area where I placed it. Even though this is labeled an essential camera, it has all the features I need and no glaring weaknesses. Camera video quality and video playback (through the app) is most important to me and both of these are excellent. The motion sensor seemed to pick up every type of movement. I have 5 kids so this helps me keep an eye on everyone. You can also setup custom monitoring zones and filter your playback feed by the specific event type. Another nice feature is that you can preview events on your lock screen to see if it's important. - Subscription - There's a professional monitoring subscription that is powered by AI, stores a 60 day video history, and gives you 24/7 professional monitoring for unlimited devices. There's also a plus subscription for a single camera or unlimited devices that also keeps a 60 day video history. The big difference between these two subscriptions is one has professional monitoring and Emergency Response. Additionally, if you want to record 24/7 you can subscribe to a CVR plan that gives you continuous video recording. - App - On the home screen you can set 3 modes: Arm Away, Arm Home, and Standby. Standby will initiate the privacy shutter. You can also see your feed with each Arlo device. In your feed, you can access all of the activity through playback videos. You have the ability to switch between all of your Arlo devices. Additionally, you can set automation schedules and routines by person (It will identify you by your device. You can adjust settings for motion sensitivity, audio detection, and record length. - Pros/Cons - - Pros - * 2K Video Resolution (Great video quality) * Privacy Shutter * 24/7 Professional Monitoring & Emergency Response available * Polished Phone App * Ability to set schedules and routines by specific person(s) * Emergency Siren on Camera * You can create custom zones for monitoring * Previews on your lock screen for alerts * You can filter your feed by event type -Suggestions/Needs Improvements * Difficult to turn off notifications (only up to 24 hours) * Some notable features are subscription based I would recommend this camera to anyone for the video quality and the app which is the most important part of camera monitoring. The app is well done and easy to use.

Love this camera! It works great and is very helpful to watch my animals while I’m at work.

This Arlo Essential Indoor Camera Generation 3 is a plugin camera that has some really great features. It’s good for the home, watching the babysitter, keeping at eye on your pets, and making sure your belongings stay secure while you are away from home. In the box is the Arlo Essential Indoor Camera, power adapter and cord, mounting hardware (face plate and screws), and quick start guide. Setup and installation is very easy. The first thing is to download the Arlo Secure app if you don’t already have it with another Arlo camera. The next thing to do is to plug in the camera and follow the directions in the app to add a device. Once you have the device setup, you will need to pick a place to install it. Make sure you stay within range of your WiFi network. If you don’t want to use the mounting system, you can place the camera on top of a flat surface like I did. I move my camera around at times, so I didn’t want to mount it anywhere just yet. Picture/Clarity/Resolution the camera has a great picture that is very clear in both day and night. The resolution is great and the clarity is as well. The night vision works very well. My favorite feature is that there is a privacy shutter that will close, turn off motion and audio when the camera is disarmed. That’s just a huge plus to me, as I have always been leery of cameras inside the house. Now, I don’t have to worry about that issue, because when I am home, I won’t have it armed. Other great features and the Arlo Secure App are a mix of security and convenience. Don’t like getting so many alerts? Set your own customized zone in the app. Want to not get so many audio alerts? Adjust the sensitivity to audio alerts to solve that issue. Want to talk to your babysitter or pets? Utilize the two-way audio from the Arlo Secure App. This camera is great and it goes perfect with my outdoor Arlo camera. I love how I can keep adding cameras to the app to cover both inside and outside my home.

Welcome to a New Kind of Home Security Home security has come a long way—and Arlo’s Indoor Security Camera feels like it’s been made with peace of mind for the user. It’s not just another camera; it’s a thoughtfully designed, privacy-conscious device that blends seamlessly into your space while keeping an eye on what matters most. From the moment you open the box, it’s clear Arlo put serious thought into the user experience. The camera’s flexible mounting options—upright or upside-down—make it easy to find the perfect spot, no matter your room layout. Unboxing: Sleek, Simple, and Ready to Go Inside the box, you’ll find everything you need to get started. The camera itself is compact and stylish, with a clean design that doesn’t scream “security device.” Setup is refreshingly simple, and the dual mounting options mean you can place it wherever it makes the most sense—on a shelf, under a cabinet, or tucked into a corner. Picture-Perfect Performance Let’s talk image quality: the Arlo Indoor Camera records in stunning 2K resolution. That means sharper details, clearer faces, and better evidence if you ever need it. Even in low light, the night vision holds up beautifully thanks to advanced infrared tech. Motion detection is smart enough to know the difference between your cat jumping on the couch and someone actually entering the room—so you won’t be bombarded with false alerts. Privacy That Actually Feels Private One standout feature? The automatic privacy shield. When the camera’s not actively recording, a physical cover slides over the lens. It’s a small touch, but it makes a big difference—especially if you’re wary of being watched when you’re just trying to relax. The companion app is another win. It’s intuitive, customizable, and gives you full control over notifications, settings, and live feeds. Whether you’re tech-savvy or just getting started, it’s easy to use. Sound, Power, and Practicality Audio quality is crisp and clear, which is great for two-way communication or just hearing what’s happening at home. The camera runs on a wired connection, so there’s no need to worry about battery life—but the included power cable is a bit short, so you might need an extension depending on your setup. There’s a slight delay in recording startup, but it’s minor and doesn’t detract from the overall experience. Pros and Cons at a Glance **What I Love:** - Flexible mounting (upright or inverted) - Automatic privacy shield - Sharp 2K video resolution - Reliable night vision - Smart motion detection - Easy-to-use app - Great value for the price **Room for Improvement:** - Power cable could be longer - Occasional recording lag - Needs to stay plugged in Final Thoughts: A Smart Choice for Peace of Mind The Arlo Indoor Security Camera isn’t just a gadget—it’s a well-rounded security solution that respects your privacy, delivers excellent performance, and fits into your life without fuss. If you’re looking for a reliable, stylish, and affordable way to keep your home safe, this camera is a solid pick. It’s smart where it counts, discreet when it matters, and easy enough for anyone to use. That’s peace of mind, redefined.

The Arlo - Essential 1-Camera Indoor 2K Security Camera (3rd Generation) is easy to set up and place where you want it within the reach of a power outlet. This camera gets its power from an electrical outlet. It comes with the cord and block to use. It can also be set up to hook into a computer (see photo below). It can be attached to the wall using the enclosed screws and plastic wall tap. It is an attractive camera. I am not really sure that it could be totally hidden but will serve its purpose indoors. I will use mine mostly to check on the inside of the house when my outdoor system sends an alarm. It will also be used for keeping an eye on my puppy while I am away. . Everything I needed was in the package including: camera, adaptor, cable, Plaque or as I call it “Tab”, screws. The button to pair the camera with WI-FI and APP is on the top of the camera. It blinks blue when it is attempting to pair. The lens has a privacy shield that can be used when you do not want anyone to view you with the camera. It totally covers the lens with a white piece of plastic. The microphone is just below the flashing blue button. It was so easy to begin the set up process by scanning the QR code on the inside top flap of the packaging. There is where I found the toll free numbers I would need if I ran into any problems as well. Scanning the QR code made it easy to get to the APP. I already had an APP downloaded for a previous ARLO security camera so I was good to go. I just followed the promptings on the APP. I went to the tab “Devices” and tapped on the “+” then “cameras” found my camera and from there just followed the prompts. . The part that took the longest account of time was marking sure my APP and camera had all the latest updates. I always use the APP from my phone to keep an eye on my home.

I wanted an additional fixed point indoor camera to watch a specific entrance that would work within the Arlo system. I decided to pick up the Essential Camera Indoor Wireless 2K Camera as it fit the need. Pros: - Simple Setup. - Clear Video and Audio. - Worked with existing Arlo Products. Cons: - App is not the easiest to navigate. Setup: Like my other Arlo experience, as I already had the Arlo Secure App, I just had to open the app up and add the new device. Following the step-by-step instructions, I was able to add the camera in less than 1 min, though there were some updates after adding the camera. I was just going to set this camera up on a shelf near the front door, so I didn’t need to use any of the included hardware. Software: Again, my only complaint about the Arlo Camera is the Arlo Secure App. For all the guided setup, the app layout is not very user friendly, at least I don’t find it to be. As it is setup as a security app first, the defaults focus on the system status instead of the camera feeds. After spending time using the app, I was familiar with how to navigate it. Once setup, the app works as I want without any complaints, just not very easy to navigate the first time. On the bottom of the app are tabs for Dashboard, Feed, Emergency, Devices, and Routines. Each tab allows you to review or modify different settings of the system. I mostly use the Dashboard and Feed tabs, reviewing the current view of the cameras on the dashboard and checking prior events in the feed. One difference to note about the Indoor Cameras compared to the Outdoor Cameras is the requirement to login with the Password to view the live feed from the app. As annoying as this might be, it is a great way to protect your privacy and prevent unauthorized or unintentional views of the camera. Additionally, this camera has a built-in privacy shield that will activate when the system is in Standby mode. This blocks all view from the camera lens, which clearly shows the camera cannot record any video. Subscriptions: Arlo offers an optional subscription plan that provides enhanced features like cloud storage, smart detection, or professional monitoring. As I mentioned initially, I might down the road need to get a security system anyway, so having these cameras to monitor plus be the security system checks off 2 needs with 1 device. The subscriptions have 3 plans: per camera for $9.99/mo, unlimited cameras for $19.99/mo, or Premium for $29.99 per month. All plans can also be purchased as Annual plans, which reduces the price by $2 to $5 per month depending on the plan. If you want to completely avoid the subscription plan, you can also go the route of local storage with the Arlo SmartHub which will allow you to store your video data locally for longer periods of time. For now, I’m not going this route, but it is nice to have the options if I decide I need to retain the videos longer in the future. Cameras: The Camera has a 2K resolution with 130-degree of view at 24 fps. This was plenty of field of view and resolution to keep an eye on the entrance. I’ve got a camera watching the outside (Pro Gen 6th) and next room (Pan Tilt Camera), so there’s no gaps in coverage now with this fixed-point camera on the door. This worked perfectly well, even at night. Connectivity: I found that the cameras all maintained a solid wireless connection, though this will heavily rely on your wireless network more than the cameras. I had no issues streaming the cameras video to my phone when on or off the same network. There was some obvious latency, but only 2-3 seconds which was most noticeable when in the same room as the camera or when using the 2-way audio. Conclusion: If you need a simple fixed-point camera, then Arlo Essential Indoor Wireless 2K Security Camera (3rd gen) is a great option. It’s even better if you already have existing Arlo products, as it will work seamlessly with those cameras as one system. The only concern I’ve had is the apps layout takes a while to get used to, but after you become familiar with it there’s no issue.

Arlo makes good security cameras and the mobile app is generally easy to use but I ran into some issues with this indoor camera that I didn’t expect. My biggest issue is that there isn’t a simple on/off option to control the privacy shield permanently. I figured out how to open the privacy shield permanently using routines in the app but it should be easier than this. Secondly the activation of the Privacy shield is very noisy, not sure if this is on purpose or because it’s an actual physical lens cover that moves but everyone in a room will know when its activated or deactivated. Lastly there is a LED indicator on the front of the camera that is great for figuring out connectivity but with an indoor camera it would be nice if the Led also indicated whether the camera was actually recording. While the privacy shield is noticeable having a recording status light would allow you to know from a distance whether its activated. Beyond these annoyances the camera does a good job as a security camera. Pros: - 2k resolution with up to 130 degrees field of view - Motion alerts with Spotlight, Alarm and 2 way audio - Night vision Cons: - You need to use Routines to keep the privacy shutter open - Very noticeable and noisy privacy shield engagement - Most features require a subscription which isn’t cheap - No Local Storage Use Case: I am using this camera to monitor my basement floor for water leaks and the basement door for activity. Because the camera has a privacy shield I have to activate the camera every time I want to do a quick check of things. Sadly there isn’t a simple setting in the device setup that deactivates the privacy shield. You can use the routines to over ride the privacy shield but that is a tad more complex than just having a simple Privacy Shield on/off button under the device options. Anyone who wants to use the privacy shield with this camera in a living space will definitely hear the loud clicks when the privacy shield opens. This may be good for adults but a parent who wants to sneak a peek on their kids playing will not want to use the privacy shield because it’s a loud announcement that mom is watching. Setup: Installing Arlo cameras are simple. You download the app and follow the instructions which are very intuitive. The app will find the new camera, add it to the device list and download any necessary updates automatically. Once its installed in the app you can then configure it to meet your needs or just use the default settings. The swivel base is not the heftiest base I’ve seen but it does an adequate job and it can be permanently mounted using the included screws.

I’ve been an Arlo user for several years now through the use of my wireless Ultra 2 4K cameras. This is my first indoor only Arlo camera, which I tested alongside the indoor/outdoor variant of this camera. Performance wise they are identical, but there are a few small differences. The camera comes with a month trial of Arlo Secure, which is Arlo’s cloud based detection and alert service. The cloud service includes motion detection filtering, animal/person detection, and package detection. When these cameras are off-plan you can rack up a lot of erroneous movement detections, and the only solution is to turn down the sensitivity. Not always ideal. The Essential line of cameras is Arlo’s entry-level offer tier. However, these cameras have pretty good specs that make them easy to live with. It comes with a 2K (2304x1296) resolution, 2-way full duplex audio, B&W nightvision, an integrated privacy cover, and a wide 130° field of view. The camera is rated for indoor usage. The camera has an attached stand that also doubles as a wall mount when combined with the included wall plate. The plate uses 2 screws, so no keyhole mounting option. The camera also has a ¼-20 threaded hole for other wall mounting options. Also include is the 6ft power cable (USB-C to USB-A) and a USB wall charger. Image quality on the camera is pretty good. Resolution is just shy of true 1440p/2K (2304x1296), and it records at a respectable 24fps. The image/video itself is good quality and stays nice and sharp. Movement on the camera isn’t choppy or anything like that, though it would be nice to have a higher FPS if you are trying to capture a shot of something moving fast. When the room dims a decent amount the image shifts to B&W nightvision, which is aided by IR lighting. There is no spotlight on this camera, so the IR is the only lighting you will get in the dark. However, it does a decent job of illuminating a space – I can see items/faces clearly at 10+ ft. Sound quality is better than I expected – the 2 way audio works well. The microphone does a good job of picking up light sounds in the room. The speaker is fairly loud as well, and I don’t have to talk loudly into my phone for the camera to play my voice loudly. Like its indoor/outdoor counterpart the 2-way audio is handled better than most cameras I have used. Accessing the camera is done through the app. The Arlo app is pretty well laid out, and it doesn’t take much to get familiar with it. You can adjust video settings, audio, add alert zones, and adjust the motion sensitivity. For this camera I toned down the sensitivity since it’s in one of my kid’s rooms. I don’t need to be alerted at all times, but more for bigger movements. The notifications show up quick – within 1-2 seconds of the event. If you already have the app open it only takes another second or 2 to start viewing the event or switch to live viewing. If the app isn’t open it does take decently longer because you need to login/thumbprint unlock to gain access to the app. I also connected the camera to my Google Home, and can display its feed on my Hub. Recorded events are stored in Arlo’s cloud, which you will have access to if you continue the trial. Single camera trials are $8/month, but if you have multiple cameras Arlo offers other options with unlimited cameras. I do like that the camera has an integrated privacy shield. However, you can only access it through the app and you have to disarm the camera to activate the shield. I have another camera from a different company that gives you a button on the camera body to activate the privacy shield. I like that approach way more because it’s a pain to have to go into the camera to toggle that setting. Really, this is my only gripe with the camera. Overall, the Essential Wireless 2K Indoor Camera is a nice addition to my home security. It doesn’t break the bank in terms of cost, and the Arlo Secure subscription is not cost prohibitive. At this price point the image quality is pretty good and the 2-way audio is better than I expected. I have relied on Arlo for years to keep an eye on my house, and it has done a very good job so far. If you already have Arlo cameras I think this is a pretty good option to take a look at.

This is a basic indoor security camera from Arlo. It doesn’t pan or tilt like some models. Very easy to install, just needs a 120v receptacle to plug in. There’s no internal battery, it must be plugged in. Power cable is about 6 1/2 feet long and it incudes a power supply. Records video in 2k with a 130 degree view. The picture gets a little distorted from the wide angle view but it’s not bad. The camera body itself is 3” tall, 1 7/8” wide, and 1 1/2”deep not counting the power cable that will protrude from the back. The power cable adds another inch to the depth. The camera body has 1/4-20 threaded holes on the back and bottom to use with the included mount, the mount adds 1 1/8” to either the height if setting it on a table or shelf or the depth if wall mounting it. There is a privacy shield that covers the camera and the mic turns off when the camera is disarmed, it pops out of the way when the camera is armed. If you want the camera to disarm when you return home, in the Arm Home Routine, do not set any rules for this camera and it’ll be disarmed by default. In Arm Away you can set your preferred motion and audio settings and the shutter will pop open so it can start recording when you leave. You can schedule your home and away times using the app so you don’t need to press a button every time you leave or come home. I think Arlo has some of the better motion detection in the home security business. I had this camera facing a TV and when a car or animal appears on the screen I was getting the appropriate notification. The first time I got a vehicle notification from a camera in my living room I was a bit surprised but it was just seeing the screen. You can block out portions of the viewing area using a privacy shield which prevents viewing that area. It puts an opaque shield on the screen to obscure dressing areas and such so they are not recorded or you can add a motion detection block which still allows recording but those areas don’t trigger motion alerts. In the case of the TV I just added a motion block over the area of the screen and stopped the false alarm. This camera only records motion events not continuously and requires a subscription to save and view clips. It’s a nice little camera but I have to say that I don’t like the Arlo app quite as much. I know if I used it more I would get used to it but it’s not as intuitive as some other home security apps. When I go looking for a setting it’s almost never where I think it should be. For instance, if I want to change the smart detection settings I think I should go to camera settings but it’s actually under the location and plan settings in my profile. There are a ton of settings though so not going to ding it a star for that. I was surprised to discover that this camera was not compatible with Arlo’s Smart Hub. The 2nd gen version was after a firmware update. I assumed the 3rd get would be also but not at the time of this writing anyway. I was thinking this camera could record locally to the hub but no. It did install easily using my home wifi and in the app it appears along with my other Arlo cameras so other than not recording locally I really don’t have a problem. There is a blue status light on the camera that is fairly bright, that can be turned off separately in the app if you don’t want the light or want the camera to be less conspicuous. Night vision works pretty good, it has enough distance for indoors. It is black and white when it’s on infrared though so it wouldn’t show colors of an intruder’s clothing. There’s no built in spotlight on these so no night color vision.

This Arlo Essential indoor 2K security camera (3rd gen) is a plug-in camera. It needs constant power in order to work. Plug it in, get the Arlo Secure app to get connected and you're ready to go. I do appreciate that it is capable of using dual band WiFi, not just 2.4. Arlo automatically gives you a one month subscription to their Arlo Secure plan which provides premium features (more about that later). That's where I got kind of stuck. There is only a Quick Start Guide provided and I had a difficult time finding something online to tell me what to do - what do the settings mean, what is available to me, how do I change the settings, etc. I was able to find bits and pieces online and basically referred to the guide for the older version of this indoor camera to get my information. Perhaps this is too new and they haven't uploaded the information yet. I did get the 30 day free trial of the Arlo Secure plan and I tried things out. It worked fairly well to pick up motion and sounds. With the plan you are able to be notified whether that motion is a person or animal. It can recognize faces it sees several times and you can tell the camera who it is then it will let you know who it is on its own. At the same time, it will record video that will be saved for up to 60 days. It can also create captions for those videos that I found to be kind of "creepy" in its detail, but extremely accurate. You also get "advanced audio" detection so when the sound of breaking glass, screaming or whichever of the options you choose occurs, you will get a sound notification. There are more things the plans can do, currently starting at $7.99/month. Without the plan, you are not able to record at all. I cancelled it because I wanted to see just what I would get without it. You will receive motion notifications only and if you want to see what is happening, you need to look at the live feed. The quality of the live feed is very good with its 2K resolution and its 130 degree field of view. And it does have night vision that makes night time viewing much better, along with 2 way audio and a siren (fortunately, I have not heard the siren). I also get a "motion" notification (not a sound notification) when the camera picks up certain sounds. I personally do not like to pay for subscriptions for things like this - why is that necessary? I don't need their cloud storage - I could save videos to my phone or they could make it use an SD card or a hub. Currently, I have the camera setting on top of a dresser in the room where the cats go to "do their thing". We need to see which one does what and when due to medical issues, so this is a great way for us to do it, but only if we catch the motion in action (since I cancelled the trial plan and have no recording ability). They do not like to be watched when in there, so this works because I still get the notifications sent to my phone and all I have to do is click on that and it takes me directly to the live feed. And I have it connected so it works with my Alexa display so I can just ask to see the camera and it will show me the live feed. When guests stay in that room, I put the camera in standby and the automatic privacy shield closes. At that point, it will not send notifications of motion or sounds, however if I go to the live feed, it will open the shield. So I don't really understand how that works completely. Overall, I find the Arlo Essential indoor 2K security camera (3rd gen) to certainly be worth the cost. Its capabilities are many and varied if you wish to pay for a monthly subscription. If you don't wish to pay, it is still an observer in your home that will give you a look into whatever goes on and will notify you when it does. Arlo has 24/7 chat support and I appreciate that. It's good to have and I was able to get to an agent (after the bot) without any wait and they were helpful. Would I recommend this? It definitely depends on what you are wanting to get from a security camera and if you are willing to pay for the plan or not.

The Arlo Essential 1-Camera Indoor 2K Security Camera (3rd Gen) Wired Plug-In Powered is my second security camera from Arlo. I’ve been having a good experience with the first camera which is a completely different model, and this one doesn’t disappoint either with some caveats. Out of the box, it only took a couple of minutes to set it up and ready to fulfill its purpose as a security camera. Standing at about 4 inches high with the pedestal included, it is easy to place about anywhere. It pivots in any direction from its pedestal to catch the right angle. Bear in mind that it’s a fixed camera and it’s wired; it has a 130-degree field of view which comes out quite wide and suitable for many room sizes. I placed it in a 23-foot wide room in the house and it covers all of it. I found the connecting wire to be a bit short but nothing that an extension cord won’t solve. The performance has been flawless so far. The 2K video quality is excellent with night and day footage well detailed and clear. There are no included flash lights so the night vision is in black and white. One feature I really like is the white privacy shield that stays shut when on standby mode and automatically opens when you arm the camera. The shield gives a sense of ‘privacy’ and assurance of not being watched. Even though sophisticated, the Arlo Essential 1 is a simple camera without an integrated memory or battery in case of power interruption. To take full advantage of its capabilities, a subscription is required to access up to 60 days of recording through the cloud. The camera came with a 30-day trial. A subscription also provides A.I. capabilities such as the ability to identify people, animals, packages and vehicles. If you want the camera to recognize you and the people from your household, you can provide Arlo with pictures and names for the camera to use for identification purposes. I use this feature with another competitor and it performs the same but with a bit more work. All the functions are done through the app and that’s the only disappointment for me. The user interface is too cumbersome. I wish it was simpler. Adding the camera was easy as I already had another Arlo camera connected. But once added to the app, it wasn’t as simple to get it to start watching and detecting when you would arm the app. A more straightforward user interface would make a world of difference. However, recording a live event or capturing a picture is quite easy to do, and so is establishing a two-way audio communication. I tried communication and it was close to perfect with minimal background noise. The integrated siren that can be triggered manually or automatically is really loud! The Arlo Essential 1-Camera Indoor 2K Security Camera (3rd Gen) is an important addition to the Arlo ecosystem with top-tier video quality and A.I. abilities and automated privacy shield. It truly shines with a subscription. Without it, it is reduced to a basic wired surveillance camera. For the Arlo users with a subscription, this indoor security camera is a must have.

Pretty simple and easy to use, decent feed and great motion detection alerts, only complaint would be the two way audio speaker is kinda quiet but thats not what i needed the camera for anyway.

The Arlo Essential Indoor 2K (3rd Gen) camera delivers clear video, easy app control, and a handy privacy shield. Perfect for monitoring your baby or home. The only downside is that most advanced features require a subscription.

This security camera is excellent, practical to use and install, the image quality is amazing, I'm very satisfied!

I love this indoor Arlo Camera , super easy to connect , it’s wired and it also have a privacy sheild , I love Arlo , Great Cameras

Easily setup and clean videos Videos quality great

Amazing camera works perfect easy to setup highly recommended

Easy to install, works great, the image is clear and its app records and notifies you of everything.