Arlo vs Ring: The Security Showdown
Ring and Arlo two of the biggest names in home automation in the world right now. And it’s no suprise when you look at their easy to use nature. But, which one is better in this Arlo vs Ring security showdown?
Challenger #1
Arlo Pro 2
Arlo security cameras are leading the way with smart security systems, but how will it fare.
 Amazon.com | $139.99 20 used from $139.99 | Buy Now |
 Bestbuy.com | $179.99 | Buy Now |
 Walmart.com | $250.92 out of stock | Buy Now |
 Ebay.com | $133.99 out of stock | Buy Now |
VS
Challenger #2
Ring Spotlight
The Ring Spotlight is amazons way of jumping into new markets with security camera.
| Bestbuy.com | $199.99 | Buy Now |
| Ebay.com | $149.95 out of stock | Buy Now |
| Amazon.com | out of stock | Buy Now |
| Arlo Pro 2 | Ring Spotlight | |
|---|---|---|
| Size (Inches) | 3.1″ × 1.9″ × 2.8″ | 2.6″ × 3.8″ × 4.75″ |
| Weight (Oz) | 4.8 Oz | 16 Oz |
| Battery Life | 6-Months | 6-Months |
| Power Option | AC Adapter, Battery, Solar | AC Adapter, Battery, Solar |
| Operating Temperature | -4 to 113°F | -5 to 120°F |
| Field Of View | 130° | 140° |
| Storage | Cloud Storage (7-Days Free) | Cloud Storage |
| Siren (Decibels) | 100 Db | 110 Db |
| Resolution | 1080p | 1080p |
| Light Output | No | 700 Lumen |
| Continuous Recording | Yes | No |
| WiFi | Yes | Yes |
| Moblie App | Yes | Yes |
| Night Vision | Yes | Yes |
| Voice Commands | Yes | Yes |
| Motion Detection | Yes | Yes |
| Activity Zones | Yes | Yes |
| Scheduling | Yes | Yes |
| Facical Detection | No | Yes |
| 2-Way Intercom | Yes | Yes |
| Live Stream | Yes | Yes |
| USB Backup | Yes | No |
| Lifetime Replacment | No | Yes |
| Buy | Find Best Price | Find Best Price |
#1 – Arlo Pro 2
Challenger #1
| Amazon.com | $139.99 20 used from $139.99 | Buy Now |
| Bestbuy.com | $179.99 | Buy Now |
| Walmart.com | $250.92 out of stock | Buy Now |
| Ebay.com | $133.99 out of stock | Buy Now |
One of the most noticeable parts of the Arlo Pro 2 security cameras is the lack of wires being exposed, and that’s because it’s 100% wireless; no power cords and no wiring, zero hassle.
Another bonus is the weatherproof nature of the product, and this to lack of wiring, and you have a device that can be easily installed anywhere of your liking.
To ensure you capture the quality images with super sharp details, the Arlo Pro 2 uses a 1080p camera that features night vision.
The camera is capable of providing an 8x digital zoom and a field of view of 130°.
With the purchase, you get free seven-day cloud storage, which enables you to watch security footage from anywhere in the world.
To make sure you don’t miss a thing, you can set activity zones, so you don’t end up with unnecessary notifications throughout the day.
When any activity is picked up by the motion sensor in the activity zones, the camera will start recording 3 secs before the motion was detected; this way, you never miss a thing.
The device comes with a 100-decibel siren, which can be activated in three ways: remotely, motion detection, or sound. You also have the opportunity to take advantage of the two-way audio system, which can be used to speak to people at the door or warn off intruders.
Key Features
- 1080p HD camera
- 3-second playback
- 100-decibel siren
- Two-way audio
- 8x digital zoom
- Seven-day free cloud storage
- Night vision
- Wireless range of 300 ft
What Other People Say
The picture quality of the Arlo was excellent even when in night vision. They also liked how small and easy to install the camera was due to the lack of wires. They also mentioned that the range was excellent, even through their big block walls.
Another feature they loved was the free seven-day storage program. They were also happy they could allow multiple users to connect and monitor the cameras; it meant the whole family could get involved in protecting the house. The biggest problem was with battery and how regularly the cameras went offline.
Final Verdict
The Arlo Pro 2 is up there with some of the most expensive home security devices, but what you get is exceptional. The package comes with two Arlo cameras, a base station, and a USB local storage system. And it’s not just what you get, its the overall quality of the product.
The 1080p camera records with incredible quality no matter what conditions are set in front of it. One of my favorite parts of the security system is the free seven-day cloud storage; it’s really nice not having to pay a monthly fee for this feature.
What We Liked
- Improved video recording
- Geofencing controls
- Free cloud storage
- Strong magnetic mounts
- Built-in siren
What We Didn’t Like
- Very high price
- The app feels extremely complicated
#2 – Ring Spotlight
Challenger #2
| Bestbuy.com | $199.99 | Buy Now |
| Ebay.com | $149.95 out of stock | Buy Now |
| Amazon.com | out of stock | Buy Now |
The Ring Spotlight cam comes in two colors, black or white, which can be connected to any wall without the need for wiring.
Just like the Arlo cameras, Ring security cameras are entirely weatherproof, meaning you don’t have to worry about where you set the device up.
They also use a 1080p HD camera, which features infrared night vision and live playback for remote viewing.
The wide-angle lens captures images at 140° field of view, ensuring you get the best view of any intruders.
One of the best features of the Ring is the LED spotlights and the built-in 110-decibel siren, which can be activated remotely or by activating the motion sensor in the activity zone.
To add further automation, you can connect the device to Alexa. This can be used to make announcements when any motion is detected, or talk to the guest using the two-way audio.
The two-way audio can be used remotely from anywhere in the world.
For $3/month, the device will record all your videos for the next 60 days, which you can share with friends and family. Ring understands that people like to steal your device, which is why they include a lifetime theft protection if it gets stolen, they will replace it for free.
Key Features
- Uses 1080p HD camera
- Built-in LED strip
- The siren can be activated remotely
- Two colors to choose from
- Night vision mode
- Amazon voice commands
- Professional monitoring
- 110-decibel siren
- Lifetime theft protection
- Rechargeable battery
What Other People Say
Everyone loved how easy the device was to install; it only took a couple of minutes with the screws provided. The battery life wasn’t too bad either; one customer said after the first couple of weeks, the ring device had only lost 10% of its power; they expected to have another couple of months before it died completely.
Another customer was delighted with the camera, the picture quality was excellent, and the wide-angle lens allowed them to view there hole yard. The biggest problem with Ring security cameras is the motion sensors; they have trouble picking up motions.
Final Verdict
The battery-operated smart camera worked fantastically and provided clear footage no matter if it was pitch black or not. The built-in LED lights were bright enough to light up the night sky and deter any potential intruders, as for the siren, no one will be hanging around if it goes off.
One downside is the $3/month subscription (per camera), which allows you to record on the cloud (if you don’t have this protection, no recording will last more than 24-hours) for 60-days. If you want to take advantage of the professional monitoring service, it will cost $10/month.
What We Liked
- Robust and weather-resistant
- Easy to install
- Theft protection
- The Ring app offers plenty of features
- 110-decibel siren
What We Didn’t Like
- Motion sensitivity is lacking
- Requires a monthly subscription for cloud storage/recording
Things They Have In Common
As you may have noticed, the two devices do have a few things in common. For one, they both use a 1080p camera to capture videos.
And both of them provide a clear, crisp picture day or night, the one thing that does differ in the field of view and zoom capabilities.
Another feature they both share is the ability to use the two-way audio system, which allows you to have conversations with people at the door, no matter where you are in the world.
They also both built-in alarm systems which can be activated remotely or via motion detection. And the similarities don’t stop there; both products are wireless, easy to install, and can perform smart platform integration.
As well as being able to connect to Alexa and Google home without any issues. Your can find out does Ring work with Alexa here. They also both use rechargeable batteries and WiFi to power the devices.
They both also use geofencing capabilities. And if you want to know what is Arlo geofencing, then I have a great article that covers that subject.
Head To Head
This is where things get fun, I’ve picked some areas to stick the Arlo Pros 2 and Ring Spotlight cam head to head in a battle to find out which will reign supreme.
Check it out:
Installation
Both devices are very easy to set-up and install due to it having no wires to configure. You also don’t have to have any tools, which is excellent, especially if you’re not very DIY inclined. Overall, the installation and set up will take around 30 minutes, which is no time when you consider other home security devices.
The easy instructions make it simple for anyone to follow, which shows it was designed as a do it yourself project.
Winner: Tie
Camera
Both cameras use an HD 1080p camera with live view options, but as I mentioned earlier, they do have a few key differences. To start with let’s start with the FOV (Field Of View), The Arlo Pro 2 has a FOV of 130°, while the Ring has a FOV of 140°. Although this only a 10° difference, you’ll be surprised by how much this relates too.
Then we get to the zoom feature of the Arlo Pro 2, which has an 8x digital zoom, which smashed the Ring out of the park, considering it doesn’t support zoom. But what we did find was, it was very unlikely you’d ever use the zoom mode, which made it feel like an irrelevant feature.
Winner: Arlo Pro 2
Night Vision
Both devices use an infrared night vision, but one was leaps and bounds better than the other. Arlo cameras use 850nm LED lights to take control of the night, which, if a couple more lights would have performed so much better.
But when it comes to the Ring spotlight cam, the night vision blows the Arlo out of the park. Not only is the infrared night vision stunningly clear, but you have the option to add color. And I have to say it is perfect, the colors are picked up quickly, and the image remains crisp.
Winner: Ring Spotlight
Emergency Connections
We all know WiFi connection can be temperamental at the best of times. Which is why both devices use a cellular back-up just in case your connection is lost. With the Ring Spotlight Cam, you can have emergency monitoring on the in 30 seconds, but this does require the Ring Protection Plus plan.
Arlo, on the other hand, doesn’t have emergency monitoring, but it still features the emergency connection so that you can view the security even with no WiFi. Due to them both having emergency connections, it’s tough to pick an overall winner.
Winner: Tie
Monitoring Options
When it comes down to monitoring the security feed, both allow you to check in to the live feed to self-monitor what happening now. And they also enable you to monitor any warning notifications, but here’s the thing: Arlo gives a seven-day free storage program, while the Ring security camera doesn’t come with any free storage.
To monitor the previous notification, you’ll have to subscribe to a $3/ month payment plan, which allows viewing videos for 60-days, which is per camera. If you are looking for professional monitoring, you’re looking at $10/ per month for each camera. If you’re planning on using more than one camera, they do supply a discount.
Winner: Ring Spotlight
The App
The App is an important factor for any smart device. It’s where you change the settings, run the set-up, and perform various other actions. Which is why it’s so essential to have App that you feel comfortable using, and can navigate easily.
Both Apps allow you to live-stream footage, use the two-way audio, set off the alarm, and make adjustments. For me, the Ring app was a lot easier to use, but after an update, it was left buggy, luckily since then, they have sorted the bugs out.
Winner: Ring Spotlight
Quality
When it comes down to quality, both devices are relatively evenly matched, they’re both made with high-quality materials; although the Ring does feel like the build quality is better. But that doesn’t mean that the Arlo isn’t built to last.
One thing that goes in favor of Arlo is the camera; it’s definitely superior. The camera holds up in all weather conditions and supplies a crisp and clean picture. For me, it’s to close to deciding on a winner. I guess it depends if you want a high-resolution camera or higher build quality.
Winner: Tie
Final Verdict: Ring vs Arlo
For me, the Ring Spotlight cam slightly edges the battle for a couple of reasons. To start with, it feels like an all in one system with some fantastic home automatization features.
The camera slightly underperformed when comparing it to the Arlo system.
But the night vision mode smashed Arlo out of the park, it was so bright no matter how dark it was, and add that to the color mode, and you can see it truly is exceptional.
It was also lovely to have the option to have someone professionally monitoring your house; even it did cost $10/ month.
The biggest downside to the Ring Spotlight cam was the lack of free cloud storage (unless you purchase) the basic plan), which is supplied by Arlo, which is why I can fully understand people’s decision to go for Arlo.
Hopefully, this helps you on your journey. Who do you think should? Let me know in the comments below.
If you’re looking for more information about Arlo devices, you can find out does Arlo work with Alexa right here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Recently Arlo has decided to remove its free cloud storage plan. Which was many people’s buying point, so it’s a shame it’s coming to an end. Now, if you want standard HD storage, it will cost you $2.99/ month depending on the number of cameras, or for ten camera’s it’s $9.99.
When it comes to 4K footage, it will be an additional $1.99 on top of the original $2.99. This means it could cost you $60 or more each year.
Luckily if you already have a camera, they don’t plan on removing the free seven-day cloud storage.
Recently Arlo has decided to remove its free cloud storage plan. Which was many people’s buying point, so it’s a shame it’s coming to an end. Now if you want standard HD storage it will cost you $2.99/ month depending on the number of cameras, or for 10 camera’s it’s $9.99.
When it comes to 4K footage it will be an additional $1.99 on top of the original $2.99. This means it could cost you $60 or more each year.
Luckily if you already have a camera they don’t plan on removing the free seven-day cloud storage.
Both systems offer you the chance to self-monitor your home, either with the live stream function or viewing previously saved videos. But, not everybody has time for that, which is why Ring offers a professional monitoring plan for $10/ month.
And when you think about it’s not a bad deal, they’ll deal with any security issues quickly and efficiently. Arlo, on the other hand, offers no professional home monitoring service.
There seem to be mixed answers surrounding this question, from what I understand Ring will not save any videos on to the cloud without a subscription yet. But, some customers are saying they save the hours for 24-hours, but I think nit’s best to go with what the company says, and they don’t mention that at all.
So my answer is no, they don’t offer free cloud storage, but if it’s something you’re looking for, then the basic plan starts at $3/ month. After subscription videos will last 60 days in most countries and 30 days in others. Check out the full country list here.
For the basic plan, it will cost you $3 per month per device, which will save the videos for up to 60 days (depending on the country.) The protect plan protect covers all of your ring cameras for $10 per month. This includes extending the warranty for each Ring product and professional monitoring. Prices are reduced if you purchase the plans for 1-year upfront.