Customer Ratings & Reviews

For the last week, I've been testing out the new third-generation Arlo Essential XL wireless camera. I am also a current owner of the second-generation version of this same camera. Overall, this camera is easy to install, has excellent video quality and battery life, utilizes updated Wi-Fi standards, and, while subscribed to Arlo Home, it has great features. However, recharging the camera is painfully slow, viewing recorded events is slow to load, and without a subscription, the camera is just not worth owning. I like that the installation is straightforward. There is a plastic mounting plate that screws onto the desired location, and the camera snaps securely onto it with slight downward pressure. The completion of the installation is performed in the Arlo app. A few clicks and a firmware update, and the camera was available on my account. From there, the camera can be positioned in the direction I want to monitor. Video quality is excellent. The 2K resolution is crisp and clear. Even at night, the camera displays details very clearly, in color, and with very little noise. Also, the widescreen 130-degree field of view helps to protect a significantly large area. The battery lasts four times longer than the standard Arlo, which is great for reducing the frequency of recharging. From my past experience with Arlo XL, it lasts me about three months with standard traffic in front of my house (roughly about 30 events per day). While three months is a respectable amount of longevity, some drawbacks that come with it are the larger size of the camera, which increases its visibility from the street, and a painfully slow charging time of 10 hours. When it comes to performance, the Arlo does an excellent job of capturing events from beginning to end. It provides text-based push notifications within seconds of the event occurring and provides an option to activate the siren. But unfortunately, it doesn't contain a snapshot of the event, so I really wouldn't know if the event would require a siren. To view the events, I need to use the Arlo app. In the app, the events are well organized by time of occurrence, but unfortunately, displaying events has a 20-second lag, which can feel like an eternity when you need to know what is happening outside. The main thing I dislike about Arlo is that the subscription is absolutely necessary. It comes with a free 30-day trial, which allows for full functionality with the exception of continuous recording, which requires an additional fee. Without a subscription, it is just a live-streaming camera without any meaningful features. With all that said, if a subscription is not a factor, I think this is a fantastic camera with great response performance and long-lasting batteries. The few drawbacks I mention are a little nitpicky, and I could easily look past them and still be happy with this camera. However, for me, the subscription is a factor, and for that reason, I cannot recommend it.

I’m very happy with this Arlo Essential XL camera! The video quality is super clear, and setup was quick and easy. The best part is the long-lasting battery — I don’t have to recharge it often. Perfect for keeping an eye on my home with no hassle.

I got to test out this Arlo Camera for my house and I love it as this new generation captures better quality image during morning and night time as well as its long lasting batteries

The 2K HDR video quality is very clear and I can see everything that happens outside my house. The battery power is convenient because I don’t need to worry about cables or outlets. I like the spotlight feature because it turns on when it detects motion at night. The 160° field of view covers a large area so I can monitor my entire front yard with just one camera. The one-month trial of the Secure Plan gives me time to test all the extra features before I decide to pay for it.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

This works really well! The night vision is top notch and the motion alerts are very sensitive which is great!

Clear video. Works great. The app is so easy to use

After spending a week testing the Arlo Essential 3rd Gen Wireless 2K Security Camera, I came away genuinely impressed with how much performance Arlo packed into such a compact, battery-powered unit. It’s the kind of camera that just blends into your setup — no complicated wiring, no base station required, and you still get crisp, reliable footage. Setup Experience Setup was straightforward. I used the Arlo Secure App on my iPhone, and the camera paired almost instantly once I pressed the sync button. The app walked me through mounting options, motion zones, and even adjusting detection sensitivity. Connecting it to my Wi-Fi network took maybe two minutes, and the camera updated its firmware automatically right after. I also tested it on Windows and macOS through the Arlo web portal, and the interface stayed consistent — easy to navigate, with access to recordings, live feed, and settings all in one place. Video and Audio Quality The 2K resolution looks sharp, even when I zoomed in on details like license plates or faces from a distance. Daytime footage was crisp and well-balanced, while nighttime infrared mode gave me solid visibility without too much glare. The field of view is wide enough to cover most driveways, porches, or side yards, and the two-way audio was surprisingly clear — no static or weird echo. The camera’s built-in siren can also be triggered manually from the app, which is handy for deterring unwanted guests. Motion Detection and Notifications Motion alerts came through in real-time, and the app lets you fine-tune motion zones so you’re not getting pinged every time a car drives by. Detection was responsive but smart — it recognized people versus random motion, which cut down on false alerts. Battery Life and Mounting Battery life on the standard Essential camera is rated for several months per charge, and that seems accurate so far. After about two weeks of daily use with moderate motion activity, I was still sitting at around 90%. The magnetic mount made installation quick and clean, and the camera held its position well even through light Texas wind and rain. Conclusion The Arlo Essential 3rd Gen hits that sweet spot for homeowners or renters who want a high-quality, wireless camera that’s simple to use but still powerful. The 2K clarity, real-time notifications, and dependable app make it feel like a premium product without needing a whole ecosystem to run it. If you want an easy way to upgrade your home security without monthly headaches or messy wiring, this little Arlo is a fantastic pick.

Excellent picture quality. Easy install. Overall great product!

Arlo - Essential XL 1-Camera Wireless 2K Security Camera (3rd Gen) with 4x Longer Battery Life, I have never loved a wireless security camera more, I have tried several other big name popular brands and they have not delivered quality like Arlo wireless cameras have. The cameras are have crystal clear recording and picture. Download the Arlo app quick and easy WiFi connection. With the app you get motion detecting alerts for humans, animals, cars, packages. The color Night vision also clear as day, you’re able to access your app without having to unlock your phone screen. It has an alarm you can activate to scar aware intruders or package thieves. Has a spot light, I have several Arlo around my house, yard and also inside house to be able to watch my dogs while out of the house and be able to talk to them. It is weather proof so outdoor in the open your fine no need to try and find cover for it not to get wet. You can also get a plan that records & saves data which is optional. Battery life is longer then my other rechargeable Arlo security cameras but all have great fast charging capabilities. You can also connect and control you camera with several smart home systems such as Alexa, Apple, smarting & google they can help with announcements such as visitors automatically turn lights off and on when detected movements. I wouldn’t recommend any other cameras.

Very conveniet installation and clear video/picture is produced. Worth having for security and peace of mind.

I live Arlo security camera , great view , various camera that’s works all around the house , great brand and I definitely recommend

This camera is great! Easy to install and easy to operate.

A great camera for a great price can’t go wrong! Love the Arlo brand

Short answer: The Arlo Essential XL Spotlight Camera, 3rd gen is a great addition to the Arlo lineup. Video quality is excellent, the battery life is astounding, and setup is easy. It's a feature rich, low cost way to add an additional camera to an Arlo system. The Arlo Essential XL battery is not removable and comes partially charged. Charge it up, pair the camera to the Arlo app, and you're ready to go. The 3rd gen battery life is claimed to last up to 16 months before needing a charge. I've only had it installed a few days, but it's still showing 98%, so it's looking good. The mount is new and is not compatible with previous Arlo mounts. The camera swivel is built into the mount which is a permanent part of the camera. The mounting plate has two screws and the camera mount snaps onto the mount. I did try snapping it off the mount so I could take it down for recharging someday, but I may just get a really long usbc cable. Video quality is excellent, with 2K resolution and good detail both day and night. The built in light is motion and ambient light sensitive. For me, this was a bonus, as the Essential XL replaced an aging Arlo spotlight. It also has two way audio and an integrated siren. WiFi is dual band and connected to my home network without issue. For me, replacing a spotlight with a camera/spotlight was a no brainer, especially with the battery life of the 3rd gen Essential XL. If you already have an Arlo system, it's an easy and inexpensive way to add a camera. The Arlo environment really requires a plan to be effective and to enable all the enhanced features like package detection, zone security, etc. So the one decision is whether to buy into the Arlo plan going forward. Whether you're looking to add a low maintenance camera to a high traffic area or just looking for a low cost, high quality surveillance camera solution, the Arlo Essential XL 3rd gen is a great choice.

The Arlo essential XL camera offers excellent nighttime picture quality with a 2K video resolution. The video feed is crystal clear, and the audio capture is good. You also have the option to talk over the camera. The camera is weather-resistant and has long-range battery life. It’s easy to set up, and it was up and running in under 5 minutes, including a firmware update. It also has dual-band Wi-Fi for a reliable connection. The installation is simple, requiring only two screws. However, there are some drawbacks. One of the priciest plans compared to the competition is the minimum monthly plan, which is $9.99. The highest plan is $29.99. Yearly, the plan is a bit cheaper, but the upfront payment is higher, ranging from $96 to $300. Another drawback is that there’s no expandable storage. You’re relying on cloud storage, which means that without the monthly plan, the camera essentially becomes a live cam feed. This plan doesn’t fit well for me because I only use a single device. I would have preferred a lower-cost plan for someone who only needs one camera and some basic features. There’s also an option for continuous cloud recording for $14.99 if the 60 days of recording aren’t enough. Some of the features that are shared between the Plus and Premium plans include: - 60-day recording - Smart Activity Zone - Smart Detection - Package Recognition - Vehicle Detection - Custom Detection - Audio Detection - Animal Detection Shared perks include: - Priority Care: direct access to live agents - Theft Replacement Premium perks include: - Home Insurance Discount - Arlo Safe App Family Subscription Premium features only include: - 24/7 Professional Monitoring Emergency Response Overall, it’s a solid option, but if you’re looking for something with a slightly lower monthly price, you might want to consider other options.

I was all set to make the Arlo Essential system my new home security solution. I'm coming from the Nest ecosystem where I've dealt in the past with their lag, limitations of battery powered cameras, and high cost, all of which the Arlo system claims to deal with all of my concerns. I'm also somewhat moving away from the Google/Nest ecosystem in my home, so I hoped to use this starter pack as the first move away to bring my home security up to a spec that was more compatible with my Apple endpoint devices (and maybe HomeKit service!) Design - The camera is VERY well designed with a nice small footprint and an even more compact mounting system - Very small brackets install easily into the walls or trim of the house with 2 small self-tapping screws so pre-drilling and templates aren't necessary. There's a nice quick-release for taking them down to charge, and they're equipped with USB-C connections for easy access to recharge means throughout the house (There's also a nice USB-C cable included for the cameras for easy re-charging.) The cameras feature lights and a "siren" ability that I assume is used to scare off potential trespassers or burglars, but this seems to be of limited usefulness considering that most criminals are immune to this type of feature. Video Quality: The video quality at night and during the day seems excellent. They fare a bit better than competing 1080p cameras, but the claim of "color night vision" is exaggerated, as most of the night footage was in fact greyscale/Infrared-based. Not a problem for my use case. Day images were super clear and both were able to be zoomed a fair bit and details observed (not as much so as some 4K cams I've tested). Audio Quality: The audio was good, but laggy and delayed when sending audio through the devices. the audio pickup in videos where that's desired was good enough. Not a killer feature for my use case of having eyes around my house at every entry point. Battery Life: This camera is the "extended" battery powered model. I put this camera in my highest traffic area where I'd already tried one of the "standard" battery cameras which depleted quickly. After over a week in place, I found this camera still reported a "full" battery which is promising that I could get several weeks or even a few months of battery life between charges which is a HUGE improvement. I also have the standard battery version which contains much of this same review with differences noted with those cameras, For the intent of this review, the other capabilities were the same, the only difference being battery life. Connectivity: The device paired with my home WiFi 7 router/mesh well, which was a relief (these systems can struggle with mesh WiFi so this was a nice relief. I learned while researching the product that in order to have seamless/flawless connections there is an additional $99 base station that's not included that makes the system more reliably connected, and THEN offers Apple HomeKit compatibility. This was my biggest disappointment - Requiring a base station accessory to enable HomeKit was disappointing, as I was used to having Google Home integration with my home accessories already, and now I'm stuck with ONLY the proprietary app to get alerts, footage reviews, and recording reviews. This is a challenge for me to accept these are my primary camera system, and is the deal breaker for my own installation, but shouldn't deter you if you dont have an Apple ecosystem requirement. If you're happy using the free Arlo app for alerts and checking the cameras on phone and tablet, these work well. I did notice delays on my further-mounted cameras from the sides of the house struggling to connect for 20-30 seconds sometimes when trying to get live view quickly from the camera. I'm worried this is a known issue with Arlo without the base station. Subscription/Software: The Arlo app is adequate. It's just adequate. It lacks the interface polish of the rest of the brand (I expected something more akin to the project packaging and aesthetic but the app is drab grey with an appearance like it was originally written for an older version of iOS. The Android app is very similarly outdated-feeling. It worked well enough but just didnt feel like a 2025 competitor in this space. This was one of the reasons I would have loved to manage the cams from the Apple Home app and have that interface for interacting with them. I missed Google Home, which is saying something. The subscriptions are also pricey even at the standard tier, and the cameras are basically only live-monitoring with NO alerting without the $215/year subscription to the "Plus Multi-Camera" plan that is the only one that makes sense for my number of cameras. This camera standalone could be subscribed for the $9.99/mo or $96/yr plan for a single cam. Still a lot for just recording retention and some AI features. All in all, this is an adequate monitoring solution based on some good technology, just a victim of no partnerships brought forward from Arlo, limited Apple compatibility, and a weak app UI/UX.

This is one of my favorite outdoor security 2k cameras that are battery operated. I haven't been able to test the battery test but it is currently getting below freezing where I live and the battery is only reduced a few percentage points from 100% and I have been using for over a month. From my previous wireless security cameras that is close to the 4x that is states as typically my wireless cameras during the colder months only last approximately 30-45 days. This camera is very easy to setup and install. I really enjoy the magnetic base plate as it helps me get the precise angle I would like to have with my cameras. The wide angle lens is fantastic and the 2k is very detailed during the evening. You can shoot in HD but I prefer having 2k for all time so I can get better detail in the evening. This camera has a speaker for audible alarm and also 2 way communication. I really enjoy the two way as I have people that sometimes stop by and I can talk to them when I get an alert. For a wireless camera the video quality is really good. I would definitely recommend this camera.

The Arlo Essential XL Security Camera (gen 3) is a large, heavy security camera that does a fantastic job of capturing sharp video day and night, sending notifications to my phone and identifying objects. It is quite bulky and heavy for a security camera with a rechargeable battery. That doesn't affect anything but aesthetics though. Setup is quick and easy. Charge the battery to full, download the Arlo app and it walks you through pairing, updates the camera, and then walks you through the process of installing the camera and adjusting the view. This security camera uses a USB-C cord to recharge the battery, which I much prefer to the magnetic cords used previously. However, I don't like that you can't use just any USB-C cord. The charging port is narrow and the cord that they include has a narrow jacket to fit. So if you lose the cord, you can't just simply replace it with another. The app gives thumbnails to view while identifying objects, so far it's been accurate. Clicking on a thumbnail lets me view the entire footage of the event. Video is sharp and clear, day and night. The spotlight is very bright. The security camera comes with a free trial of Arlo Secure plan that is necessary to keep premium features. I love the video quality, the detection accuracy, and ease of setup with this Arlo Essential XL Security camera. Taking off a star because I'm not a fan of it being bulky and heavy, or that the charging cord is not universal.

Arlo Outdoor Security Camera My first impression of this Arlo Outdoor Security Camera Essential XL, 3rd generation, was that it definitely felt like a premium product. It turns out that my first impression was correct. In addition to the security camera, it comes with a charging cable (it’s already partially charged right out of the box – a nice feature) and a Quick Start Guide. The Quick Start Guide is more comprehensive than many other Quick Start guides. Before it takes you into the “Get started” section of the Guide, it not only tells you what’s in the box, but includes a very nice section titled "Get to know your camera”. This section identifies all the relevant parts of the camera with an arrow pointing to each camera feature. This helps you become more comfortable with all the features before you even start setting up your camera. Once you’ve connected the camera to your network, it will check to make sure that you have the latest firmware, and, if not, it will update it. After that, you’re in business. Once set up, the motion detector starts filming whenever it detects motion, so you can see who’s coming and going. In my case, my wife leaves the garage door open for much of the daytime hours, and I have several sets of expensive Ping golf clubs, lots of expensive fishing gear, and a number of other valuable things in the garage. It’s probably a bit alarming for any bad guys who dare set foot in the garage, since their motion sets off the spotlight built into this security camera and most likely scares away anyone who has bad intentions. The photos and videos that the camera takes when it senses motion are of high enough quality to allow me to hopefully identify anyone who ventures into my garage with bad intentions. To summarize: This is a very nice security device that is very reasonably priced, so there's no reason not to protect things that are of value to you. And it’s also great for allowing caregivers to keep an eye on their loved ones without having to be in the same room with them 24/7. This security camera is very impressive. Highly recommended. You won’t be disappointed.

The Arlo Essential cameras arrived well-packaged, with a clearly written instruction booklet that made the initial setup feel promising. The wireless camera itself feels like a step up in build quality compared to earlier Arlo models I’ve used. Unfortunately, the setup process through the app was frustrating. While the app’s interface is clean and intuitive, the onboarding was confusing. After selecting the device type and model, I was asked to choose between four subtypes—none of which matched my camera exactly, especially since the power button placement didn’t align with the options shown. Eventually, I held the power button for three seconds, saw the blue light, and the app found the camera—great. But after entering my network credentials, I ran into repeated connection errors. I tried rebooting, factory resets, reinstalling the app, and even waited through multiple failed attempts. After a dozen tries and a 35-minute support call (plus a callback), I was told the camera required a 2.4GHz network and WPA2 security. Support even suggested I contact my internet provider to switch from WPA3 to WPA2, but it turned out my network was already set to WPA2-Personal. Despite what the documentation claimed, I ultimately connected successfully using my 5GHz network. Even after receiving a replacement wired Essential camera, I encountered the same issues. I decided to dig into the app settings and, on a hunch, deleted my home location and re-added it from scratch. Surprisingly, that simple change resolved the connection problem for both cameras instantly. It’s surprising that support didn’t suggest this earlier. Once installed, both cameras were mounted about four feet from the front and back doors. The wired camera has proven more reliable, consistently connecting to the live feed and recording clips ranging from 19 seconds to a full minute. The wireless camera, despite being placed at an equal distance, struggles with lag and only records brief clips—sometimes just two seconds. I suspect this is due to network performance even though both camera indicate full strength, and I plan to test alternate placements. Image quality on both cameras is excellent, with up to 8x zoom during playback to capture fine details. However, the monthly subscription is pricey compared to other systems I’ve used, and without a plan, you can’t access recorded footage at all. In summary, the Arlo Essential cameras themselves are well-built and deliver impressive video quality. The app is functional, but the setup experience—especially for wireless models—was unnecessarily complicated. Once connected, the wired version offers better reliability, while the wireless camera may require some trial and error to optimize performance. If Arlo can streamline the setup process and improve wireless performance, this system would be much easier to recommend. I still gave a 4 star rating since they do have good notification options and a high quality image and some of the connection issues may have been due to me previously having an Arlo account.