Anna
Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2025
I’ve been using the Arlo Essential XL 2K for a few weeks now, and I’m really impressed. The video quality is sharp, even at night with the color night vision. The motion detection works well, and I get notifications quickly on my phone. The two-way audio is clear, and the built-in spotlight is a nice touch for added security.The biggest selling point for me is the battery life—it really lasts a long time, which means less hassle with charging. The setup was super easy, and since it’s wire-free, I could place it anywhere. My only minor complaint is that some features require a subscription, but overall, it’s a solid security camera. Definitely recommend!
Iryna
Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2025
Great home security camera! Setup took just a few minutes—connected to Wi-Fi, and it was ready to go. The video quality is excellent, even at night, and the audio is clear. It’s compact, stylish, and super convenient to use. Definitely a great choice!
Nikki Parica
Reviewed in Australia on January 11, 2025
Arlo cameras are good and very reliable. It’s internet connection does not get disconnected easily.
Mayadah
Reviewed in Australia on January 11, 2025
It’s a bit slow sometimes but love it so far
Mister Anonymous
Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2024
There is some combination of settings I use in their app that will brick these cameras permanently with no ability to factory reset. I haven't figured out which combination of settings it is, but it seems that it might just be safer to keep the cameras at their out-of-the-box settings if you want to avoid bricking the product. This is garbage coding by the manufacturer. It's easy enough to return a new one, but you are out of luck (and money) if you brick an older one. Pretty cool business model to place a trap door in your firmware code that forces people to buy your product again.EDIT: figured out the trick to re-syncing these when you get stuck with the blue light long flash. What's happening is that when you have gone into the app and removed the camera, it can no longer connect to your wi-fi. The issue is that it is STILL creating and trying to upload recordings nonetheless. When you go to perform the reset and reconnect steps they wont work because you are handling the camera and generating new recordings by creating motion. The trick is to: 1. Make sure the camera is fully charged. 2. Set the camera on a shelf in a well-lit room, facing a static scene like a wall or at objects that will have no motion from things like shadows, movement or lights being turned on/off. Leave it here for whatever amount of time it needs to complete trying to record/upload. Wait until the long blue light flash stops plus some time for good measure. 3. Press the pair button on the camera for 3 seconds but do so while holding the camera perfectly still and not generating a shadow in the view of the camera - all of this while facing the static scene you created. This should give you the fast blue light flash we need. 4. start the "add device" process in the app. 5. the add device process will tell you this device has been previously paired and needs to be reset. 6. press the pair button on the camera again, this time for 15-20 seconds (or until you see an amber light flashing) - again, hold the camera perfectly still. 7. Wait until the amber light stops flashing, then press the pair button again to get the fast blue light flash. 8. tell the app to attempt to connect to the device again. This time the app should find the camera. 9. in my case, the app froze when attempting to name the camera. If this happens, close/terminate the app. Re-open the app and go into the settings for the camera you just successfully added. It will have an error message that "onboarding must be completed", click that and complete the rest of the setup if necessary.What a farce. This company needs to fire their developers and bring on new people to improve this code/logic.
Vadim Antipov
Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2024
Arlo Essential Security Camera 2K (2nd Gen) ReviewThe Arlo Essential Security Camera 2K (2nd Gen) is a fantastic option for those looking to boost their home security with a straightforward, reliable camera. Here’s a breakdown of its features and performance:Design and InstallationThe camera’s design is sleek and minimal, making it a good fit for both indoor and outdoor settings. Its wireless functionality makes installation easy, as it doesn’t require complex wiring. The camera is weather-resistant, so it can handle various outdoor conditions, making it versatile for different areas around the house.Video QualityWith 2K resolution, the Arlo Essential provides clear and crisp video quality. This high-definition resolution allows for clear images even when zooming in, which is a significant improvement over traditional 1080p cameras. Whether you’re monitoring a large yard or a smaller indoor area, you’ll get sharp visuals.Spotlight and Night VisionOne of the standout features is the built-in spotlight, which provides extra lighting and acts as a deterrent. When motion is detected, the spotlight illuminates, helping to capture color video even in low-light conditions. The night vision mode is effective as well, ensuring good visibility even in complete darkness.Motion Detection and AlertsThe Arlo Essential comes with smart motion detection capabilities, reducing false alarms. You can customize motion zones and receive notifications on your smartphone, making it easy to stay updated in real-time.Battery LifeThe battery life is decent, lasting a few months on a single charge with average use. However, this depends on the settings and how often motion events are triggered. It’s rechargeable, so you won’t have to worry about constantly replacing batteries.Storage and SubscriptionArlo offers cloud storage and the option for a subscription plan, which gives access to advanced features like activity zones, cloud recording, and person detection. There’s also local storage if paired with an Arlo SmartHub, though the subscription is generally needed to make the most of the camera’s potential.Pros • 2K resolution provides clear, detailed video quality. • Easy, wireless installation and versatile indoor/outdoor use. • Built-in spotlight and color night vision. • Customizable motion alerts and zones.Cons • Battery life may vary depending on usage. • Subscription required for full access to features. • Requires an Arlo SmartHub for local storage options.OverallThe Arlo Essential Security Camera 2K (2nd Gen) offers excellent video quality and essential features that make it a reliable choice for home security. While a subscription is necessary for advanced features, it’s a worthwhile investment if you’re looking for an easy-to-use, high-resolution security solution.
Customer
Reviewed in Australia on November 10, 2024
Took 3 weeks to get to me 2 weeks longer than anticipated and previous Arlo order and I my car as broken into infront of where the camera was due to be positioned 2 days before I got it