Arlo is one of the most trusted names in home security. It has a solid reputation for user safety and data privacy, and its cameras feature high-quality hardware and industry-leading features. Homeowners looking for a new system face dozens of options, but Arlo consistently rises up the ranks as one of the best home security systems.
Arlo’s full line of home security cameras, doorbells, and sensors is divided into different categories, such as the high-end Pro family and the entry-level Essentials line. Arlo Essential devices are easy to install and use for beginners while still having enough advanced features to meet the needs of more advanced smart home owners.
Arlo’s second-generation basic outdoor security cameras are available in four different configurations: HD and standard battery, 2K and standard battery, HD and XL battery, and 2K and XL battery. This review delves into the non-XL 2K version.
Arlo Essential Outdoor Camera (2nd Gen)
And color night vision too.
With hassle-free wireless installation and months of battery life, the Arlo Essential Outdoor Camera (2nd Gen, 2K) is easy to set up and use. Featuring clear 2K video, two-way audio, and a built-in siren And Bright light, amazing zoom up to 12x.
- And very reasonably priced.
- Small and unobtrusive profile
- The picture quality is excellent.
- The battery may only last a few months depending on settings.
- IP rating below XL
Price, availability and specifications
You can get the Arlo 2nd Gen Essential Outdoor Camera 2K for $100 from Amazon, Arlo, and Best Buy. At the time of publication, the camera was on sale for $70. It can be purchased in packs of one, two, three, or four cameras, and no additional hub is required to operate these cameras.
What are the good features of the Arlo Essential Outdoor Camera (2K) 2nd Gen?
Sharp image and video quality
Arlo never fails to deliver on image and video quality, outperforming the competition by a wide margin. It’s impressive how much color night vision has improved in residential security cameras over the past two years, and the performance of the second-generation Arlo Essential Outdoor 2K is no exception. The 2K image during the day was sharp and clear, enough to identify faces even from 25 to 30 feet away. Arlo’s motion detection of people, vehicles, and animals is consistent and reliable.
The camera was very easy to set up and remove; the mounting plate required a few simple screws to attach, and the camera simply slid down into place on the stand. It does take a bit of effort to lift and remove the camera from the stand, which can be a challenge if the camera is mounted high off the ground, but hopefully will ease up over time.
Arlo’s user interface hasn’t changed much in the past two years, but you can’t fix what isn’t broken; the Arlo Secure app is clean and simple, offering quick access to your video archive, professional monitoring (if you’re a subscriber), a dashboard that displays camera feeds, and quick options for arming your home.
It’s also worth noting how affordable the second-generation Arlo Essential Outdoor Camera 2K is. It retails for $100; on the other hand, the Google Nest Wireless Cam retails for $180 for just one camera. And that’s for the non-2K HD model at 1920×1080 resolution, with infrared night vision only (no color).
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Monthly subscription is a basic requirement, and even then it has its problems.
What’s bad about the Arlo Essential Outdoor 2K 2nd Gen Camera?
Be prepared to pay a monthly fee.
From hardware to specs to features, the Arlo Essential Outdoor 2K Camera is a great option for home security beginners or budget shoppers. However, even with Arlo being a popular home security option, using Arlo products without a paid monthly subscription isn’t easy. You can still access the cameras’ live view, but there’s no cloud storage, and the cameras don’t come with an SD slot for local archives.
The second-gen Essential Outdoor Camera 2k isn’t compatible with any of Arlo’s SmartHubs or Base Stations either (that compatibility might come in 2024, Arlo says, but we don’t know when), so local storage isn’t a practical option for second-gen Essential Outdoor Cam users. That gives other brands, like Wyze and TP-Link, an advantage that Arlo doesn’t have, at least not with this particular model.
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Do Arlo Essential devices need a base station?
Are base stations required with Arlo Essential equipment?
The battery life of the Arlo Essential Outdoor Camera 2K, the second generation Arlo, is on par with similar cameras, with an average battery life of two to four months. I put the camera through some rigorous, high-sensitivity testing during the first week, setting my preferences to record every movement, turn on the light, and send a signal to my phone. After starting with a full battery, the Arlo’s battery was down to about 88%.
This means that the battery life is about two months at these high sensitivity settings under fairly moderate weather conditions. Without recording every movement, more relaxed use of the camera would likely extend its life to about three to four months.
Since we’re talking about batteries, it’s unfortunate that this camera’s batteries are not removable and cannot be charged off-camera. This means you’ll have to take the camera apart to charge it every time the battery runs low unless you add solar charging or purchase a 25-foot external charging cable. Both charging accessories cost $40; for the solar adapter, that’s very reasonable, but a bit steep for a cable. In any case, it would be nice to have a spare, charged battery on hand for quick replacements, but this seems like an option reserved for higher-end devices, like the Arlo Pro 4.
Should you buy it?
The Arlo Essential 2nd-gen Outdoor Security Camera 2K suffers from some weaknesses in terms of battery size and a subscription paywall. However, if you don’t mind pulling the camera out every few months to charge it, it’s a solid option. Despite being Arlo’s entry-level outdoor cameras, the Essential line promises all the most sought-after features, including floodlights, geofencing, and integration with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT smart home.
Like everything else, the Arlo Essential Outdoor cameras aren’t without their flaws, albeit minor ones. Apple HomeKit integration is lacking, and the installation instructions need more clarity. It’s unfortunate that the only video storage option is a paid cloud-based one; a microSD slot, or expanded HomeBase compatibility for this series of cameras, would give Arlo a competitive edge.
Overall, if you’re willing to pay a monthly subscription to access the best security camera features, the Arlo Essential 2nd Gen 2K Outdoor Camera is reliable and powerful. It’s simple enough to serve as a starting point for homeowners new to smart homes and home security, and competitive enough to be considered by shoppers looking to take their home surveillance to the next level.
Arlo Essential Outdoor Camera (2nd Gen)
With hassle-free wireless installation and months of battery life, the Arlo Essential Outdoor Camera (2nd Gen, 2K) is easy to set up and use. Featuring clear 2K video, two-way audio, and a built-in siren And Bright light, amazing zoom up to 12x.
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Let Arlo smart security cameras be your third eye for complete peace of mind.
