Customer Ratings & Reviews

The Arlo - Essential 1-Camera Wireless 2K Security Camera, Plug-In Powered is a great device for those who are looking for outside protection or surveillance without the need of having to replace batteries. If you have a plug-in source, this is a great camera for you. If you do not have a way to plug in this camera or not willing to install an outlet then this camera is not for you. I would have to say I was hoping that it came with some type of solution to protect the accessibility of so easily being able to unplugged this camera in my preference I would rather have battery operated cameras that I recharge or put a new batteries over a plug-in, simply for the fact that anyone can just come up and unplug this and I’m not gonna be installing outlets on the eve of my house. This camera would be better if I had a way to use a junction box if it came with an adapter instead of an outlet so you can hardwired in now one can probably already do this and cut the wire up, but most likely that would void the warranty. Also, there’s no protection on the actual power cable. I wish the power cable maybe was a little bit more protected either it came with plastic housing, which you can buy yourself for protection, but anyone can just come up and pull this camera straight down from any level because of the cable just wish it came with some type of solution to help even steel threaded sleeve around the power cable would help. Another great place that this camera actually might work would be inside a garage where you can mount this camera on the wall and have it plugged in or maybe outside by a pool or your outside oasis this might be a better solution for those type of needs. On a positive note, expect the great quality of Arlo with the app. Everything runs efficiently, smoothly and reliable. The camera is 2K quality so you have no issues there. This does come equipped with Arlo’s night vision color technology so night time viewing is optimal. It can work in super low to high temperatures from like -4 to over 110°F. The lens is wide angle at 130° not ultra wide angle at 180 but it’s sufficient at getting those angle views. It even has a spotlight which goes in hand with the ability to plug in so one won’t have to recharge if they use that feature often. You won’t go wrong if you just a need a plugged in power sourced. All the same Arlo features we know, love with quality wrapped in. Just make sure you have a way to plug in this camera and a solution to hide or protect the power cord.

I grabbed this Arlo Essential 1-Camera Wireless 2K security cam a little while back because I wanted something simple for my living room and front door area. This thing is great. Setup took like ten minutes but I am pretty tech-savvy so probably no more than 20 minutes for the average person. I mounted it, plugged it in, connected WiFi, and it was good to go. Small firmware update and it just works. Picture quality is great for the price. The 2K video actually shows stuff I didn’t expect to see like facial features clearly when someone approaches the house, packages on the porch, even my dog messing around on the couch. Night vision works surprisingly well too when the lights go down it still shows color and I could tell what was going on rather than “blobs in the dark.” I like that it’s plug-in powered. I’ve tried battery cams and ended up charging them constantly or forgetting to change batteries so this just staying plugged in is one less thing to worry about. The app is straightforward and clean I get motion alerts quickly, it shows me live view, and I can check it from my phone when I’m at work or even away for a bit. The mounting hardware was good: it comes with a plate, screws, and the cable setup. I placed it high in a corner so it covers the entryway and part of the hallway, and with the field of view I didn’t need a second cam for that angle yet. It integrates fine with my smart home setup, and I like that everything just works without needing a ton of hassle. If there’s any tiny thing I’d change it would be maybe the angle is a little fixed after mounting so I had to pick placement carefully, but once I got it in the right spot it’s been flawless. And yes, some features might require the subscription plan, but for basic viewing, live alerts, and good video I’m totally satisfied. Overall, this camera gives me peace of mind without a big headache. I feel more comfortable leaving the house now knowing I can check things in a click. If you’re looking for a solid plug-in security cam that just works and doesn’t cost a ton, this one is a real win.

Buying a security camera these days is like buying a “Free” system from one of the big monitoring companies. You can get something nice, but expect to pay for it over time. Arlo’s latest generation essential wired camera delivers a clear view anywhere. The mount is flexible enough to attach to a wall, a bookcase, or the ceiling. It comes with a long wire which plugs into the camera using a USB-C plug. This means easy access to an extension cord or the option to use another power source. The app is easy to use and configure. It shows all your Arlo cameras of all generations. It’s compatible with home hubs and doorbells so all your devices can be in one place. Your clips may not have the same luck. Arlo no longer supports home hubs. If you have a hub from when Arlo was selling them previously, it will not work with the current generation of cameras. These cameras only support the cloud subscription service Arlo sells. While there were some lag issues with the home hub, Arlo has done away with the free option even if it wasn’t ideal. Notifications will also only be sent if you subscribe to one of Arlo’s monitoring plans. There are plans which include all cameras in the cloud, which is nice if you happen to have several as I do. However, it’s nearly the same cost to get cloud storage for a single camera as it is to get it for the whole house. Cameras from Euffy and Wyze have micro SD card slots which allow for local storage and playback over the web. While their picture quality isn’t as sharp and the streaming is slower, those other brands will save you on monthly costs.

I have had multiple Arlo cameras over the year and the one thing that I've always liked about them is the quality of the video. Even before 2k, the previous models with 1080p and 720p, all had excellent video. Setting this up was pretty simple and since I already had another Arlo camera and an existing account, i was able to add it and get up and running quickly. One of the things that sets this camera apart from others is that it's dual band. Most cameras only work on the 2.4ghz network, but this one also works on 5ghz. The difference is that the 2.4ghz works at longer distances, but the signal is not as strong as 5ghz which works at shorter distances. Depending on the distance you are mounting this from your router, would determine which one works better. This is a hardwired camera, so you will need to have an outlet nearby. The cord itself is pretty long, i would guess 12-15 feet so that should give you options for mounting high up on a wall. This camera is equipped with color and black & white night vision and includes a siren and microphone. You can set off the siren in the app and you can speak through the camera with the app as well. There is 2 way audio, so you can talk back and forth with whomever is on the camera. The camera works with Google and Alexa, but not with Apple Home. I prefer Apple Home for my cameras, but if you are an Amazon user, it works well with Alexa. I cant speak to its integration with Google as I dont really use it. If you want to save the recordings, you will need to pay for their cloud storage as there is no option to add an SD card. This is another down side for me, but some may not care. Overall, this is a good camera and provides quality video, with good features.

After investing significant time switching my camera security system to Arlo, I can confidently say their wired cameras are the best around. Not only do you get the feature-rich app and a high-quality camera - you won't have to worry about battery life with this Essential 2K security camera. PROs: 1) Setup - The setup for this Arlo Essential camera is a breeze. From start to finish, I think it took me around 10 minutes to setup. The app walks you through set by step and even offers helpful tips along the way. Updating the camera's software took up the majority of the time. 2) App - Arlo's app is the best on the market as far as I'm concerned. They provide advanced features like auto zoom & tracking, field of view adjustments, motion zone setting, and the list goes on. Not only am I getting more features than my last system, the app still feels intuitive and easy to use. 3) Picture Quality - The 2K sensor on this camera looks crystal clear. I thought that the larger files from the higher-res video would take longer to load and scrub through but I haven't noticed any issues. 4) Wired- Being a plug-in unit gives this camera a huge advantage - no battery to charge! While you do have to mount it within reach of an outlet, you won't have to worry about changing the battery every few weeks like on some of Arlo's other models. CONs: 1) Subscription - Yes, the price of the subscription is a bit of a downer for me. It's $5/mo more expensive than what I was paying with my other security system and $3/mo more expensive if I choose to pay up front for the year. I wish companies would get away from the discounted yearly rates. Just give me the best monthly price you can give me. This price is based on having multiple cameras. If you have one camera, it would be much cheaper.

I've been an Arlo wireless camera user in the past and was always pretty happy with the quality of those cameras, so I had high hopes with this wired one. I wanted a camera I could set up in my living room for when I go out of town to be able to check on my cats and their food/water situation. I didn't want anything super fancy or high tech, and wanted a wired option so I wouldn't have had to worry about making sure the battery was fully charged before I leave, or it possibly dying while I'm away. This Arlo essential wired camera fits my needs perfectly. It was extremely easy to set up. I just downloaded the app, followed the instructions on the screen, did a quick software update, and was able to use it right after that, which all in all took about 15 minutes. As far as settings go, there are adjustments you can make for better picture clarity, but I kept everything at default, and that seemed to work well for my living room setting. I love that it syncs well with Google Home, the night vision is surprisingly really sharp, and I love the 2-way audio communication. My cats were very curious about the voices coming from this little thing. 10/10 recommend if you're looking for an affordable camera option for indoor and outdoor use! The only thing I'll say is just like everything else, you need a subscription to use a lot of the "nicer" features like cloud storage and smart detection. I'm very happy with just having the basics though.

This 2K indoor/outdoor camera is an economical way to add coverage to your home security environment. This unit has plug-in power so you will not need to recharge the device. I have a mix of rechargeable and plug-in units. This unit allows me to place it in a location that would be difficult to access if I had to recharge it. The Arlo app will integrate all your cameras including this one easily into an organized list of devices. Tip of the cap to the Arlo engineers both for this camera and their app as well. I found that the signal strength reception was outstanding using either 5 GHz or 2.4 GHz access points. The image is not as robust as the 4K cameras, however the image was clear and had color images both during the day and at night. It does utilize WiFi for signal connectivity. You will need to utilize subscription based cloud storage if you want to save videos. This camera has 2-way audio which I found to be very clear though sometimes there was a delay (which could be my network being slow). A siren is included as well. This combination gives me a full slate of the things I need a security camera to do in a nice weatherproof package at a low price point. I put this camera high up on the back of my house. The initial power connection was a bit more work than a rechargeable camera, but once installed I don’t have to do anything about charging the camera. I highly recommend this more basic unit for some of the areas as I mentioned where it is a great choice for home security.

This camera lives up to its name as being essential because it’s an indoor camera and you do need some indoor cameras. This one is plug-in and not battery powered and is very easy to set up by the app and puts out a very good picture. I’ve had Arlo cameras since the first generation and they continue to get better with each review unsurprisingly. I would like to see the ability to use as an IP camera, which would make it more useful personally for me because then I would record the output to my NAS and save all the cloud fees. Right now, Arlo’s main monthly cost covers cloud storage and a few AI features. I personally would like to see monthly fees, go away, as I will never pay for a subscription to view my cameras in the cloud. The build quality is on par with some of the other cameras I’ve reviewed. It’s fine. It will probably survive a drop or two, but let’s face it, these cameras are meant to last a couple of years max as the next best thing is right around the corner and we’re all guilty of succumbing to the temptation of the next. But until the next one, this is a great solution.

So far, the Arlo 2K wired security camera is great and the perfect addition to your Arlo system or to use as a standalone camera. I wasn't initially sure where to put it, but decided to put it inside my garage so I can see everything and anyone that comes inside the door. The best part is because there's power I don't need to worry about running wires for this camera or worry about charging batteries. So, if you're looking for one that plugs in and just works this one is great. For setup, it's easy, just download/install the Arlo app, and follow the instructions to connect the camera to your Wifi and it's up in minutes. With the app, you can get alerts from anywhere and even communicate through the camera with audio if you need to. There was a little bit of lag time on video/audio initially but I changed wireless networks to my guest network (on a different AP that's closer) and it cleared that issue up, so if you have good coverage with your Wifi you shouldn't have any issues at all. For the alerts, you can customize them both with a paid plan and a free plan so that it records and matches to your needs. I'd recommend trying out a trial plan and see what you need for the location of the camera. In all, I think the essential cameras are just that, they work and are easy to setup and install in random places like I did in my garage. I'd recommend it!

The Arlo Essential 2K Security Camera is fantastic! The video quality is super sharp, and the person and package detection work perfectly — I always know exactly what’s happening outside. The animated previews are really helpful, and setup was super easy with the dual-band WiFi. It’s reliable, clear, and gives great peace of mind. Totally worth it! The Arlo Essential 2K Security Camera delivers crisp, detailed video and impressive smart detection for people and packages. Setup was quick, and the continuous wired power means I never worry about recharging—definitely worth it for peace of mind. Arlo has become my favorite camera brand. It always arrives quickly, the image is very sharp, and its design is beautiful. Also a nice bonus with a new arrival box the house recently this thing is also fantastic as a baby monitor. Another bonus I like that it can detect if it’s a person, vehicle or an animal! It can also detect fire and co2 alarms which makes me feel better about leaving my pets at home. At this point I’m an arlo fanboy and wont be using any other brand in the near future.

Arlo has finally gone with the times and added USB-c connections to its cameras. This was really a must for Arlo's camera systems. If you owned, or own, an Arlo camera, you know the pains of dealing with their mini usb connectos. Well...the new Arlo - Essential 1-Camera 2K Security Camera, Wired Plug-In now has a USB-C connector which was a much needed upgrade. I needed a camera for the inside of my home, and I knew that I did not want something that was battery operated. So, the Arlo - Essential 1-Camera 2K Security Camera, Wired Plug-In camera was the perfect choice. I already had Arlo cameras around my home, so this was the right choice. Although the Arlo - Essential 1-Camera is only a 2k camera, the video quality is more than enough for inside of my home. I am now able to keep my home completely secure and monitored from anywhere. I can also keep an eye out on my pets to make sure that they are good whenever we are away. The camera comes with a very sturdy mount. Which is no longer a magnetic mount. Has lots of adjustability as well. I would highly recommend the Arlo - Essential 1-Camera 2K Security Camera, Wired Plug-In if you are looking for a security camera.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again the entire Arlo security lineup of devices provide some of the best value out there. This camera especially comes in at an unbeatable value. You still get all the features that you know in love like speaker Built in with alarm that you can use a two way talk, weatherproof camera body and power connection, 2K resolution for really sharp video, dual band Wi-Fi to make sure it stays connected, Motion and audio detection with Alerts which actually work extremely well with their proprietary algorithm. There is a 16ft power cable included which is long enough to mount almost anywhere you like that makes sense. All this being on the essential line of cameras is actually pretty insane. When it comes to value for money this is the one. There is no local storage on this model you must use the cloud servers. There is a 30 day free trial of Arlo secure plan which is a great value compared to competitors if you choose to continue the subscription after the trial period.

I'll front load this review and say my biggest issue with the Arlo ecosystem is being hit over the head at every turn inside the app with advertisements to buy more and subscribe. The cameras work well and are easy to setup. Just their business practices in the app you need to use to control the device you just bought feels so icky. Setup was simple enough. The biggest problem I had was it didn't appear to have any way to connect to an existing Arlo smart hub. So I had to connect to my own wifi. This could actually be good for you if you're planning on having this camera closer to your router than the smart hub normally is. Could be bad if you don't have good wifi coverage, though. The camera quality is pretty good. It's not as crisp but really isn't too bad next to my Arlo 4K cameras. HomeKit is easy enough to set up so you can view your camera straight from Home in iOS (I'm not sure about Android support). No HomeKit Secure Video support, though, so you'll need to navigate the Arlo app to access your recorded clips. And there's the app. While the setup process in the app is pretty nice as it takes your through the process step by step. Using the app (especially without a subscription) is kind of painful. Before I activated my trial subscription, there were ads EVERYWHERE in the app. A huge banner ads just always on the top of the app. Banner ads while scrolling through events. Large square ads wherever they could squeeze them. Just constantly being yelled at to buy more stuff or subscribe. It just made me feel icky using the app. Navigating the app was also not super intuitive and just not a fun experience in general. Speaking of the subscriptions, there's two main flavors you can purchase (which do get rid of the ads in the app). $30/mo and $20/mo. The extra $10 gets your 24/7 home monitoring and emergency services as well as their Arlo Safe Family app subscription. Both subscriptions do cover unlimited devices which is nice and give you a bunch of AI detection features as well as expanded cloud storage for your clips. But if you're looking for continuous 24/7 recording... That'll cost you! Only another $15/mo... PER CAMERA! Everything about these business practices just made me feel gross. Bottom line, these cameras are good enough for most people. They aren't going to blow your mind or anything. They're easy enough to set up and they do their job pretty well. But all of the shady upselling just leaves a bad taste in my mouth. If you're fine with this, maybe consider these cameras. But I think I'd recommend at least shopping around a little bit first.

This camera has a field of view of 160 degrees. This camera is powered by plugging it into a power source. The power adapter has a long cord to reach the camera from the plug. After downloading the Arlo Secure application, you can begin to install it following the on-screen directions. The application supports up to 15 total cameras, or you can do 5 at the Arlo web site. (my.arlo.com) A nice feature of the camera is its digital zoom of up to 12X. While you don’t realize it the is a lag between the camera and the application. This lag is noticeable when using the talk feature. The quality of the picture is outstanding, and in night mode it’s just as clear and appears like a black and white photo. I was completely surprised by the range of Wi-Fi. The camera is located about 125 feet inside a shed. I set up the camera inside the house and installed it in the shed, when house is covered with red brick still got a great signal. The camera does not have local file storage, if you want to store the video you have to purchase the upgrade. The upgrade is either monthly or yearly. The camera comes with a 30-day free trial offer. I like mostly everything about the camera except the lag.

My existing home security setup is all Power-over-Ethernet so I was interested to see how wireless cameras would compare. This is the first Arlo camera system I have tried and after some time with the system I came away with mixed feelings. On the hardware side of the device, the physical construction of the device is mostly plastic. This camera requires mounting as there is no base mounting bracket to just sit the device down. The power connection is on the bottom center which also makes fit an eyesore when installing. I don’t understand why the power connection wasn’t placed on the rear of the unit so it could be hidden from view when mounted. On paper the specs of the camera are exceptional for this price category. The camera is 2K resolution with 12X digital zoom. The device includes 2-way audio and echo cancellation and even a siren to scare people to death. For daily operation you’ll be relying on the SmartPhone app. This is the first wireless camera I’ve tried as I prefer POE but that is not an option for this camera. The camera supports 802.11n for 2Ghz and 5Ghz and I’m using Wifi 7 AP’s on a Internet connection of 1.5GB download/ 350MB Upload. I was surprised at how slowly the video operations work within the app compared with my wired cameras. As an aside, I have remote controlled robot vacuum cleaners on the same wifi and their controls respond instantly so whatever software controls are being triggered they are just not useful for anything more than frustration. And the final thing to note is that this camera has no local storage and no ability to switch to local video storage which means you’ll be paying for a monthly subscription ranging from $7.99 a month for a single camera up to $24.99 a month depending on the specific features you need. The camera comes with a 30 day free-trial period so you can experiment.