With how unpredictable break-ins and other similar incidents can be, people have been taking matters into their own hands by beefing up their security setups. One of the best ways to be more secure is to install at least one security camera.
Arlo - Pro 4 Spotlight Camera, 1 Pack - VMC4050P - White
A security camera can help you see your property when you otherwise wouldn’t be able to, and many will even alert you to activity. In this review for the Arlo Pro XL Spotlight, we will show you an excellent option for a wireless security camera that you can use to make yourself so much more secure.
Contents
Key Takeaways
- The Arlo Pro 4 is a simple yet effective wireless security that has a rechargeable battery, 2K recording, and smart alerts to help keep your home safe.
- Having a security camera is a really important security addition, as it allows you to monitor your home while away from the house or as you sleep.
- Arlo is one of the top names in quality, affordable home security cameras with a wide range of amazing products.
- We will feature a breakdown of the Arlo 4 that showcases what it offers, some benefits, and a few drawbacks to show you why it’s such a great option.
Overview Of Arlo 4 Spotlight Security Camera
The Arlo Pro 4 is a fairly simple and straightforward security camera, but that is not a bad thing. Security cameras often come with many unique and varied features, and while these can be nice to have they aren’t always particularly necessary.
While the Pro 4 may not have too many extra bells and whistles, it does everything it does efficiently and with a high degree of usability and convenience. The camera is quite versatile, and it can monitor everyday situations along with more specialized scenarios.
In the past, we have seen how security cameras like these can help to prevent attacks from porch pirates, for example. Otherwise, the camera will keep watch at night or when you have to leave the house, so you can already see how it comes in handy in many different ways.
Throughout this review, we will look at some of the features it offers in a lot more detail. If you would like to see the Arlo Pro 4 in action, Arlo has created this introductory video to give you a taste of what it offers.
Importance Of Having A Video Monitoring Camera For Home Security
Having home security cameras is a fairly recent development for the average person. Until cameras became cheaper to produce, security cameras were relegated mainly to businesses and similar properties, but now they’re practical for pretty much anyone.
Adding a camera to your security system is a great idea, as they allow you to have eyes where you otherwise wouldn’t. Break-ins rely on catching you off guard, usually at night when you’re asleep or when you’re away from the house.
Cameras such as the Arlo Pro 4 will send alerts to your phone upon detecting activity, so this can make you aware of potential incidents at times when you otherwise would have been none the wiser.
We have also covered the subject of improving your home security in this informative overview.
With property crimes accounting for a significant portion of all crimes in the United States, the Arlo Pro 4 XL Spotlight Camera serves as a critical deterrent against burglaries and trespassing. Its 2K video resolution and integrated spotlight not only provide clear, detailed footage but also enhance visibility, making it a formidable tool in preventing crimes before they occur. The presence of such a camera can significantly reduce the likelihood of your home being targeted by criminals.
– Kirk MacDowell, Home Security Expert
About The Brand
Arlo is an American-based company that specializes in wireless security cameras among other products. While they are a fairly new name in the business, they have already gained a great reputation thanks to their quality, affordable products.
Not only do they produce great hardware, but they bolster them with their Arlo Secure service that can be subscribed to in order to add extra features and benefits for increased safety.
They endeavor to create products that offer what you need with a focus on simplicity and convenience, and they also offer a lot of customization options with their various bundles. These allow you to create a more specialized security system to fit your needs, and you will often save money doing so. We will look at some of these bundles in more detail later in the review.
Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Review
Now, we would like to put the spotlight on the camera itself, as we shine a light on all the great features and benefits you have with this camera. Once you have seen what is on offer, we hope it will be easier than ever to decide whether this camera is right for you.
Key Features And Benefits
- 2K Video With HDR – The Arlo Pro 4 has a 2K recording resolution, which is a nice step up from the lower 1080p resolution some other cameras have. This should be crisp and clear enough to see any details you need, and the HDR capabilities will make the image clearer in all kinds of lighting conditions.
- Integrated Spotlight – A spotlight is built into the camera, giving it its namesake. This can be used for greater visibility with the camera image, but it could also help if you’re standing outside your door trying to find your keys in the dark, for example.
- Rechargeable Battery – Having to install wires and fancy mounts is quite an undertaking and often requires hiring someone to do it for you. The Arlo Pro 4 is easy to set up with a long-lasting rechargeable battery which means you won’t have to worry about complicated setups.
- Connects To Wifi – The Arlo Pro 4 will connect directly to your home wifi with no base or central system required.
- Two-way audio – The two-way audio feature of this camera allows you to communicate with anyone in the camera’s vicinity straight from your phone.
- Alarm Siren – You can activate the built-in alarm siren at your discretion straight from your phone in order to deter unwanted guests.
- Connect To Smarthome – If you have a Smarthome setup, the Arlo Pro 4 will connect to many major Smarthome ecosystems. These include Apple HomeKit, Alexa, OK Google, SmartThings, and IFTT. Connecting allows for voice commands and other features.
- Weatherproof – Finally, the camera is designed to withstand the elements, making it safe to install outside.
Design
The design of the Arlo Pro 4 is simple, sleek, and unobtrusive. It has a slick black and white design, and it’s pretty small and compact with dimensions of 316g; 89mm x 52mm x 78.4mm.
It affixes to the wall easily with a magnetic mount that allows for simple removal if you need to charge the battery.
Setup
The Arlo Pro 4 has been designed with simplicity in mind. You merely need to make sure the camera is charged, attach it to the wall, connect it to the app, and then you’re good to go! Most features will be handled directly through the app.
Performance And Reliability
The simplistic design of the camera means that there is less margin for error. It performs all of its functions reliably and simply, and you’re unlikely to run into many issues. On the Amazon store page, there is an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars from 3551 ratings, meaning that the vast majority of customers had a great experience with the camera.
Pros And Cons
The simplicity of the Arlo Pro 4 is both its biggest strength and weakness. We have seen so far that the camera has great recording resolution, easy setup, alerts, and other features that make it a rather robust option.
It does lack a few features some higher-end cameras have, however. These would include AI detection, solar power or automatic pan and tilt. While it can be used without it, you will also need the Arlo Secure subscription to get the most out of your camera.
Smarthome Integrations
As we touched on before, the Arlo Pro 4 can connect directly to many major Smarthome suppliers such as Alexa and OK Google. Smarthome ecosystems provide a lot of conveniences, as they allow you to control many aspects of your home from a centralized source.
Once you connect the camera to the system, you will be able to control it and monitor it using your ecosystem of choice. This is great, as you won’t need to familiarize yourself with a different system to control the camera.
Customer Service And Support
Arlo has a fairly robust support page that you can access for customer support and queries. All customers can access the community forums to ask fellow customers for help and advice. This also included guides and FAQ sections you can access for some additional information.
Subscribers of the Arlo Secure service will also be able to contact Arlo representatives for more specialized assistance.
What Is The Arlo Pro 4XL Spotlight 3 Camera Security Bundle?
Arlo offers a few different security bundles that have multiple components for additional savings. There are two that include the Arlo Pro 4. The first is the charging pack bundle.is a 3-pack of cameras that also comes with a dual-charging station. This particular bundle costs $479.98.
The second is the complete Pro 4 bundle. This pack includes the 3 cameras, dual charging station, and also a solar panel that can also be used to keep the cameras charged. This bundle retails for $539.97, making for excellent value.
FAQ
How To Install Arlo Pro 4 Camera
Installing the Arlo Pro 4 camera is incredibly simple. You merely need to connect the mount to the wall, charge up the camera and then attach it with the magnetic mount. Finally, the cameras will be connected directly to your wifi and any devices using the Arlo app.
For more information of setting up your wireless camera, be sure to check out this overview we have previously created.
How To Reset Arlo Pro 4 Camera
To reset your camera, you can press and hold the sync button for 15 seconds until it starts blinking.
How To Open Arlo Pro 4 Camera
The camera can be easily opened using a button near the base of the camera.
How To Mount Arlo Pro 4 Camera Outdoors
Once you have chosen the perfect spot for your camera that has a good vantage point and is in wifi range, you can use the included screw to secure the mount. The camera will attach to the mount magnetically for easy removal.
How To Charge Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera
The battery of the camera can be easily removed and then charged using a separate battery charging station. The camera can be charged directly using a cable, or with separate solar panels.
Are Arlo Pro 4 Cameras Waterproof?
Arlo Pro 4 cameras are waterproof and weather resistant, so they can withstand most weather conditions.
Do Arlo Security Cameras Require A Subscription?
The cameras can be used without a subscription, and you will have access to basic features. The Arlo Secure subscription will add features like cloud saving, instant emergency response, and more advanced detection for fewer false alarms.
Are Arlo Subscription Plans Worth It?
While the Arlo Pro 4 will function perfectly well without a subscription, the features the subscription do add a lot to the system. They are definitely worth it if you’re okay with paying the extra fee. It would be especially recommended if you’re away from home a lot or if you live in an area where break-ins are frequent.
They have various tiers ranging from $4.99 to $24.99 per month. You can get a better idea of what’s available by checking out this page.
Conclusion
As we have seen in this review, the Arlo Pro 4 camera is a great option for anyone wanting to make their home more secure. It is super easy to set up, and it has a really clear recording resolution with handy alerts. Being able to connect not only to your smartphone but also to your Smarthome ecosystem makes it even more convenient.
It’s also great that Arlo offers so many options for bundles and additional hardware that can help you to make the most out of your home security system. No matter what you end up going for, you can rest assured you’re in good hands with Arlo.
