Arlo Ultra Camera Review

Arlo is a home automation company that provides an impressive line of wireless camera options to help customers beef up their home security systems. Unlike traditional security companies, it does not offer professional monitoring. Arlo was formerly under the Netgear family prior to its public offering in 2018. It has recently announced a partnership with European security company Verisure.

Arlo Ultra is the brand's most advanced camera product, providing the user incredible video quality, along with plenty of features including weatherproofing and a wide-angle view. This wirelss security camera is perfect for customers looking for customization, simple installation and no contracts. Here are some important things to consider when decided whether or not Arlo Ultra is right for your home.

arlo-logo

Nerd Rating: 4 / 5

Nerd Pros

Nerd Cons

Arlo Ultra Features

Here are some of the features Arlo Ultra offers that stood out to our SecurityNerd.

  • Ultra 4K resolution: Arlo Ultra has something many other DIY security cameras don’t have: 4K resolution. This is the best resolution on the market, guaranteed to provide a clear view of what’s happening at your home.
  • Enhanced night vision: You won’t only have a clear picture at night. The Ultra outdoor camera also sees color in the dark, which can come in handy if you need to hand your video over to authorities.
  • Integrated spotlight: The motion-activated spotlight not only has the ability to scare the bad guys away, but it will also provide a better picture in the dead of night to help you see what's happening on your property.
  • Two-way talk: With two-way communication, users can both talk to whomever is on the other side of the camera and also listen in.
  • 180-degree field of view: This wide-angle picture will provide a better look at the entire area, without the distortion users find in other security cameras.
  • Noise cancellation: This feature cancels out noises like wind, rain and car noise to give you better audio of the sounds you really want to hear.
  • Smart home automation: Arlo Ultra is compatible with Google Assistant, Alexa and other devices to help turn your home into a smart home.
  • Close up zoom: Some cameras don’t provide zoom at all. Arlo Ultra has an impressive zoom feature that can pick up details like license plates.
  • Auto zoom and tracking: The Arlo Ultra is pretty smart. It can detect movement and automatically track it and zoom to make sure you catch any important activity.
  • Wireless: You don’t have to worry about difficult installation or unsightly wires with the Arlo Ultra, thanks to a wire-free design.
  • Weatherproof: This Ultra outdoor camera can stand up to Mother Nature and will work in wind, rain, snow or heat.
  • Siren: If you spot someone in your yard or home who shouldn’t be there, you’ll be able to activate a loud siren to scare them away and alert neighbors to trouble.
Source: Arlo
Source: Arlo

Arlo Ultra Installation

Nearly every Arlo Ultra review you read from customers mentions incredibly simple installation, and for good reason. Its wireless design makes Arlo Ultra one of the easiest-to-install security camera on the market.

Arlo says it takes about 10 minutes to set up one of its cameras. With Arlo Ultra, you can simply plug in the base station and log into the Arlo app to begin setup. Users can follow along with instructions, and your smart phone will link to the equipment automatically.

The Arlo Ultra comes with a magnetic camera mount, or it can just be placed on a flat surface anywhere inside your home.

Arlo Ultra Pricing

An Arlo Ultra camera must be used with a hub. Price for one camera with a hub starts at $399. Two cameras and one hub costs $500, and a 3-camera kit runs $799. Bundling cameras will save some money, if you want more than one. If you already have an Arlo hub, you can purchase an add-on camera for $299. (All quoted prices are the accurate MSRP at the time of writing - they may change over time.)

Arlo VMS5240-100NAS Ultra - 4K UHD Wire-Free Security 2 Camera System
  • UHD video quality - Zoom in to see sharp details with Arlo Ultra’s 4K & HDR advanced image quality technology
  • 180 Degree diagonal field of view - See more with a wider angle lens that has auto image correction reducing the fish eye effect
  • Enhanced night vision - See what’s lurking with color night vision allowing you to see video in color rather than traditional black and...
  • Integrated spotlight - Light up the night using Arlo Ultra’s integrated spotlight
  • Smart Home Security featuring superior video and audio quality

Arlo offers 7 days of free video storage, but if you’d like to keep any video beyond that time, you’ll need to purchase one of the storage plans. Pricing is as follows:

  • Arlo Smart plan: This plan offers 2K video quality storage, and comes with intelligent alerts, 30 days of video storage, cloud activity zones, and a one-touch 911 call option. It costs $2.99 per camera per month up to 5 cameras. Any purchase over 5 cameras, and users receive 50% off for each additional camera.
  • Arlo Premiere Plan: This plan comes with all the features above, except you’ll get 4K video storage, which is higher resolution. It costs $4.99 per camera per month up to 5 cameras. After that, customers get 50% off each additional camera covered.

Home Automation Options

Purchasing an Arlo Ultra will allow users to create their own smart home ecosystem. It is compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, and IFTTT and some other third-party integrations. Customers will be able to stream live video feeds, and even create rules with IFTTT technology. While Arlo itself doesn’t have its own line of smart home products, it does provide several opportunities from third parties for home automation features.

DIY Monitoring

There is no professional monitoring option with any Arlo camera. You’ll be able to monitor your own Arlo Ultra, receiving intelligent alerts on your device if the camera detects a person in your home or yard. The Ultra outdoor camera also has a siren that the user can activate when someone suspicious is seen. When you purchase a video storage plan, you’ll also have the option of a 911 button in the Arlo app, which provides a simple way to notify authorities in an emergency.

Arlo Ultra: The Bottom Line

If you’re in the market for a camera with supreme Ultra 4K resolution and powerful features like smart tracking and package detection, Arlo Ultra is a solid choice. Although the initial investment can be high compared to other DIY cameras, you pay for what you get. We think the Arlo Ultra is worth the extra cost, especially since you won’t be stuck in a long-term contract.

Easy installation and a variety of compatible smart home options makes the Arlo Ultra even more attractive. Our SecurityNerds recommend the video storage plan to take complete advantage of every feature the Arlo Ultra offers. Whether you’re looking for an indoor or outdoor camera, the Arlo Ultra is as impressive as it gets in the DIY security camera market. You might also be interested in checking out the other Arlo cameras we've reviewed.

Arlo VMS5140-100NAS Ultra - 4K UHD Wire-Free Security 1 Camera System
  • UHD video quality - Zoom in to see sharp details with Arlo Ultra’s 4K & HDR advanced image quality technology
  • 180 Degree diagonal field of view - See more with a wider angle lens that has auto image correction reducing the fish eye effect
  • Enhanced night vision - See what’s lurking with color night vision allowing you to see video in color rather than traditional black and...
  • Integrated spotlight - Light up the night using Arlo Ultra’s integrated spotlight
  • Smart Home Security featuring superior video and audio quality

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Participation in these programs helps us keep the site up, and to continue to help you find great products. Our editorial process is in no way impacted by partnerships.

About the Author

Erin MaloneyErin Maloney
Erin is a freelance video producer and writer based out of Florida. She works with major retail companies and digital startups as a brand storyteller. When Erin's not writing, you can catch her scuba diving and spending time with her dog (not at the same time).