Keep an eye out rain or shine with Arlo Pro!
These smart cameras are great for both indoor and outdoor use, making it easy to buy them in a pack and place all around the property. Not only that, but they pack a punch when it comes to features such as motion detection, night vision, two-way audio, and more!
Today we’ll be looking at Arlo Pro 2 vs. 3, and the useful benefits each camera can offer you and your home. So whether you like the idea of Arlo Pro’s 27-day free cloud storage, or Arlo Pro’s 3 enhanced resolution and field of view, there is a smart camera out there for you.
Feel free to skip down to any part you prefer using our navigation system below.
Arlo Pro 2 vs. Pro 3 — Things in Common
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Live-View – Both Arlo Pro 2 and 3 have the live-view on-demand feature which allows you to clearly see anyone inside or outside your home. Additionally, when paired with their impressive 8x digital zoom function, you can take a closer look at the potential culprit who ran off with your package.
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Two-Way Audio – You’re not just simply limited to viewing the live feed, now you can also effectively communicate with anyone through your camera via the Arlo app. So whether it’s to say hello to your loved ones or warn off a potential intruder, Arlo has you covered.
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Motion Detection – By receiving motion alerts on your iOS or Android smart device, you’ll constantly be in the loop of what’s going at home as any movement or activity will trigger your smart camera’s sensors.
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Activity Zones – Both Arlo Pro and 3 also allow you to set your own activity zones. This means that you can pay closer attention to specific areas such as the garage or your front porch, so you’ll always get alerts that matter.
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Power Options – You have the ability to go completely wireless with both camera options, as they run of rechargeable battery power. No more wires mean quicker and easier installation as there is no need to worry about power cords and sockets.
However, you still have the option of using a power cable to provide your cameras with a constant source of power should you wish.
It’s also worth mentioning that the new power cable of Arlo Pro 3 attaches to the bottom of the camera using magnets which is far more weatherproof, rather than Arlo Pro 2 which uses a micro-USB plug-in option.
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Smart Home Integration – Smart home integration is a pretty fun and efficient way to make your devices even smarter than they are.
Luckily both Arlo cameras are compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, and even IFTTT.
IFTTT stands for “if this, then that”, and it’s basically a type of program that connects your smart devices together creating a series of applets, or commands.
So that means you can set your smart light to blink when motion is detected, or log any motions straight to your Google Drive. Either way, it’s pretty useful and a cool way to impress your visitors!
While having assistants such as Google and Alexa are pretty handy too, as you can take advantage of having hands-free control over your smart cameras.
Executing simple voice commands such as “Alexa, show me the living room” will allow you to see the live feed on your device without you having to lift a single finger.
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Operating Temperature – It’s important to check prior if your new smart camera is suited for outdoor or indoor use only, luckily both Arlo Pro 2 and 3 can brave the harshest elements with their operating temperature ranging from -4° to 113° F.
Arlo Pro 2 vs. Pro 3 — Differences
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Difference #1: Resolution – While both smart cameras have a pretty good resolution, Arlo Pro 3 has a slight edge with its 2K video clarity as well as its HDR, which improves the brightness and contrast so the images don’t look washed out.
The Arlo Pro 2, on the other hand, comes with 1080p resolution, which also offers HD quality video but not as supreme as the Arlo Pro’s 3 2K.
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Difference #2: Field of View – The Arlo Pro 3 has better coverage compared to the Arlo Pro 2: 160° vs. 130°. While 30 degrees might not be a huge difference, however, every extra degree will be useful in case you’ll need to identify porch pirates who’s been bugging you for months.
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Difference #3: Storage & Subscription – Both Arlo Pro 2 and Pro 3 have local storage available, and both cameras have a back-up USB storage on its base station to store footage locally. However, it’s worth noting that local storage can not be used on its own as a substitute for cloud storage.
In terms of cloud subscription, Arlo Pro 2 comes with a 7-day free cloud storage plan to take advantage of, while Arlo Pro 3 requires a paid subscription.
The first initial month is free, so you do get to experience it yourself and after that you can choose Arlo Smart which includes a 30-day video history per camera and that comes to $14.99 per month, or the Continuous Video Recording (CVR) Add-on plan, which allows you to experience a 24×7 14 day or 30 day continuous video recordings for an extra layer of security. That amounts to $19.99 per month, you also get opt for different plans such as the Arlo Smart Premier and Arlo Smart Elite to support multiple cameras in your home.
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Difference #4: Night Vision – While both Arlo Pro 2 and Arlo Pro 3 have night vision, Arlo Pro 3 also comes with a spotlight.
This allows for an enhanced night vision with more color, rather than just black and white. This also eliminates the need to purchase the Arlo Light for your cameras too, allowing you to see more without having to spend extra on special add-ons.
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Difference #5: Hub – Both Arlo smart cameras require a hub in order to connect to your network, It’s also worth mentioning that Arlo Pro 3 includes a new base station called Arlo SmartHub. The main advantages of this upgrade are ZigBee and Z-Wave compatibility and even support for the new Arlo Security System.
Additionally, you will also have ArloRF, which is a type of radio technology that allows effective communication between cameras over longer ranges and extended battery life.
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Difference #6: Siren – With Arlo 3 you can also take advantage of the built-in siren technology, which will be triggered whenever the camera detects motion or audio, and it can also switch the light to a red strobe as a way to scare off potential intruders.
You can find the siren on the camera itself, while for Arlo 2 the siren is built-into the Arlo base station so its capabilities are a little more limited.
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Difference #7: Design – In terms of size, Arlo Pro 3 is larger with its measurements of 3.5” x 2.4” x 3.8” vs. Pro’s 2 3.2” x 1.9” x 2.8”. Arlo Pro 3 has also a more rounded front and a smoother design.
Arlo Pro 2 vs. Pro 3 — Comparison Chart
| Arlo Pro 2 | Arlo Pro 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1080p | 2K |
| Live-View on Demand | Yes | Yes |
| Zoom | 8x Digital Zoom | 12x Digital Zoom |
| Night Vision | Yes | Yes + Spotlight |
| HDR | No | Yes |
| Network | WiFi: 2.4GHz | WiFi: 2.4GHz |
| Siren | Base station only | Included on camera |
| Two-Way Audio | Yes | Yes |
| Motion Detection | Yes | Yes |
| Compatible Hub | SmartHub or Arlo Base Station | SmartHub included, as well as backwards compatible |
| Activity Zones | Yes | Yes |
| Field of View | 130° | 160° |
| Local Storage | Back-up USB storage on the base station |
Back-up USB storage on the SmartHub |
| Power Source | Rechargeable Batteries/AC | Rechargeable Batteries/AC |
| Free Cloud storage | 7-Days Free | No |
| Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT compatible |
Yes | Yes |
| Operating Temperature | -4° to 113° F | -4° to 113° F |
| Dimensions | 3.2” x 1.9” x 2.8” | 3.5” x 2.4” x 3.8” |
Arlo Pro 2 vs. Pro 3 — Accessories
Now that we have gone over both smart cameras. Let’s check out some of the accessories you can include below.
For easy setup, and a great viewing angle indoors and outdoors, why not include the Arlo Ultra & Pro 3 Magnetic Wall Mounts.
Additionally, if you wish to charge your smart camera in a way that’s both environmentally friendly, and doesn’t cost much in the long run, check out the Arlo Ultra & Pro 3 Solar Panel - Black.
Lastly, if you want to give your Arlo a more aesthetic look while also adding on an extra protective layer, be sure to take a look at the, Set of 3 Skins in Black for Arlo Pro & Pro 2.
Arlo Pro 2 vs. Pro 3 — Our Thoughts
In the end, when it comes to Arlo Pro 2 vs. Pro 3, there are a couple of things to consider.
For example, Arlo Pro 2 comes with a 7-day free cloud storage plan to take advantage of, and while the Arlo comes with some impressive cloud plans, they are still a little expensive.
Of course, you also have the option of using Arlo’s Pro 3 SmartHub’s storage via USB and all your videos and motion clips can easily be stored there. Although, you won’t be able to use it as main free storage, you’ll need to get a subscription anyway.
So, all things considered, we feel that the Arlo Pro 3 with it’s enhanced resolution, night vision capabilities and impressive field of view, is the superior model of the two. However, if free cloud storage is what you’re looking for, then the Arlo Pro 2 is the best choice for you.
Last update on 2024-04-26 at 04:11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
