Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera Review: A Wireless Security Solution for Your Home
If you are looking for a wireless security camera that can provide you with clear and colorful video, day and night, and also deter intruders with a bright spotlight and a loud siren, you might want to consider the Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera. This camera is one of the latest products from Arlo, a leading brand in smart home security. In this article, we will review the features, benefits, and drawbacks of the Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera, and compare it with some of its competitors. We will also share some customer reviews and provide a link to buy it online.
Features of the Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera
The Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera is a wireless outdoor security camera that connects directly to your Wi-Fi network, without requiring a hub or base station. It has a rechargeable battery that can last up to six months on a single charge, depending on usage and settings. It also supports an optional solar panel accessory that can keep it charged with direct sunlight.
The camera has a 1080p resolution and a 130-degree field of view, which means it can capture sharp and wide-angle video of your property. It also has a built-in spotlight that can illuminate up to 25 feet in the dark, enabling color night vision. You can turn on the spotlight manually or automatically when motion is detected. The camera also has infrared LEDs that can provide black-and-white night vision if you prefer.
The camera has a built-in microphone and speaker that allow you to hear and speak to visitors or intruders through the Arlo app on your smartphone. You can also trigger a 100-decibel siren from the app or set it to sound automatically when motion is detected. The camera has an IP65 rating, which means it is weather-resistant and can withstand rain, snow, heat, and cold.
The camera supports advanced motion detection that can distinguish between people, animals, vehicles, and packages. You can also create custom activity zones to focus on specific areas of interest and reduce false alerts. However, these features require an Arlo Smart subscription plan, which starts from $2.99 per month for one camera or $9.99 per month for up to five cameras. The subscription plan also gives you access to 30 days of cloud video storage, rich notifications that let you take action from the lock screen of your phone, e911 emergency call service, and advanced AI features such as smoke alarm detection and pet detection.
The camera works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, which means you can use voice commands to control it or view live video on compatible smart displays. It also supports IFTTT applets that let you integrate it with other smart devices and services.
Benefits of the Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera
The Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera offers several benefits for users who want a wireless security solution for their home. Some of these benefits are:
– Easy installation: The camera comes with a magnetic mount that attaches to any flat surface with screws or adhesive strips. You can adjust the angle of the camera easily by rotating it on the mount. You can also use other mounting options such as a wall mount or a table stand (sold separately).
– Flexible placement: The camera does not need to be plugged into a power outlet or connected to a hub, which gives you more freedom to place it anywhere within your Wi-Fi range. You can monitor your front door, backyard, garage, or any other area of your property.
– Reliable performance: The camera delivers high-quality video and audio in any lighting condition, thanks to its spotlight and night vision features. It also has a long-lasting battery and an optional solar panel that can keep it running without interruption.
– Smart alerts: The camera sends you notifications when it detects motion or sound in your selected zones. You can view live video or recorded clips from the app or from your smart display. You can also respond to alerts by talking to visitors, sounding the siren, calling 911, or activating other smart devices.
– Secure storage: The camera encrypts your video data before uploading it to the cloud, where it is stored for up to 30 days with an Arlo Smart subscription plan. You can also download or share your videos from the app or from the web portal.
Drawbacks of the Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera
The Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera is not without its drawbacks. Some of these drawbacks are:
– Subscription required: The camera does not offer any free cloud storage option or local storage option (such as a microSD card slot). You need to pay for an Arlo Smart subscription plan to access most of its features and functionalities.
– Battery life varies: The battery life of the camera depends on several factors such as usage frequency, settings, Wi-Fi signal strength, temperature, and sunlight exposure. You may need to recharge the battery more often than expected if you use the camera heavily or in harsh conditions.
– Non-removable battery: The battery of the camera is built-in and cannot be replaced. If the battery fails or degrades over time, you may need to buy a new camera or contact Arlo for a warranty service.
Comparison of the Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera with Similar Products
The Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera is not the only wireless security camera on the market. There are other similar products that offer different features and prices. Here is a comparison table of some of the popular wireless security cameras:
| Product | Price | Resolution | Field of View | Night Vision | Battery Life | Storage Options | Smart Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera | $129.99 (single pack) | 1080p | 130 degrees | Color and B/W | Up to 6 months | Cloud (paid) | Spotlight, siren, two-way audio, person/animal/vehicle/package detection, activity zones, e911, Alexa/Google/IFTTT |
| Ring Spotlight Cam Battery | $199.99 (single pack) | 1080p | 140 degrees | B/W | Up to 6 months | Cloud (paid) or local (with Ring Protect Plan) | Spotlight, siren, two-way audio, motion zones, Alexa |
| Blink Outdoor | $99.99 (single pack) | 1080p | 110 degrees | B/W | Up to 2 years (with two AA batteries) | Cloud (paid) or local (with Blink Sync Module 2) | Two-way audio, Alexa |
| Wyze Cam Outdoor | $59.99 (starter bundle with base station) + $39.99 (add-on camera) | 1080p | 110 degrees | B/W with starlight sensor | Up to 6 months (with four AA batteries) | Cloud (free for 12 seconds clips) or local (with microSD card in base station or camera) | Two-way audio, motion zones, travel mode, Alexa/Google/IFTTT |
As you can see from the table, the Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera has some advantages over its competitors, such as its color night vision, its wide field of view, and its advanced AI features. However, it also has some disadvantages, such as its higher price, its lack of free or local storage options, and its non-removable battery.
Customer Reviews of the Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera
The Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera has received mostly positive reviews from customers who have bought and used it. Here are some of the representative reviews from Amazon:
– “I love this camera! It was easy to set up and install. The video quality is excellent both day and night. The spotlight is very bright and the siren is very loud. The app is user-friendly and intuitive. The battery life is decent so far. I highly recommend this camera for anyone looking for a wireless security solution.” – 5 stars
– “This camera is good but not great. The video quality is good but not as sharp as I expected. The spotlight is nice but sometimes it does not turn on automatically when motion is detected. The battery life is okay but it drains faster than I thought. The app is okay but it sometimes crashes or freezes. The subscription plan is expensive and I wish there was a free or local storage option.” – 3 stars
– “This camera is disappointing. The video quality is poor and grainy. The spotlight is weak and useless. The battery life is terrible and I have to recharge it every few weeks. The app is buggy and slow. The subscription plan is a rip-off and I hate that I have to pay extra for basic features. I regret buying this camera and I do not recommend it.” – 1 star
Conclusion: Is the Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera Worth Buying?
The Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera is a wireless security camera that offers many features and benefits for users who want to monitor and protect their home. It has a high-resolution video, a bright spotlight, a loud siren, a two-way audio, and a smart motion detection system that can recognize different types of objects and events. It also works with popular smart assistants and services such as Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT.
However, the Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera also has some drawbacks that may deter some users from buying it. It has a high price tag compared to other similar products on the market. It does not offer any free or local storage option for your video recordings, which means you have to pay for an Arlo Smart subscription plan to access most of its features and functionalities. It also has a non-removable battery that may fail or degrade over time.
Therefore, whether the Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera is worth buying depends on your needs, preferences, and budget. If you are looking for
It has many features and benefits that make it a reliable and smart security solution for your home.
However, if you are looking for a cheaper or more flexible option, or if you do not want to pay for a subscription plan, you might want to look for other alternatives on the market. There are other wireless security cameras that offer different features and prices that may suit your needs better.
Ultimately, the choice is yours. You have to weigh the pros and cons of each product and decide which one is the best for you. To help you make an informed decision, we have provided a link below where you can buy the Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera online or compare it with other similar products.
[Buy Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera on Amazon] or [Compare with other wireless security cameras] a wireless security camera that can provide you with clear and colorful video, day and night, and also deter intruders with a bright spotlight and a loud siren, you might want to consider the Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera.Link direct:
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