There are many ways smart tech can be integrated into your security system if you want to keep an eye on the home even when you’re gone. This article pits two of the most trusted companies, Ring vs Arlo, against each other in order to determine which company is best at protecting our homes.
The best security cameras, and best doorbells make great first steps to a safer home. They also provide greater convenience for visitors and couriers. Both types of devices have seen a surge in popularity over recent years. Statista, a market research firm, predicts that the global smart home security market will grow by $5Billion by 2025.
Arlo and Ring (owned by Amazon), are the two leaders in this market. This article will help you narrow your search if you are considering smart home security investments.
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Ring vs Arlo: Best deals
You can read on to find out how these home security camera systems compare. Or, if you already know which one you want, you can check out the current best prices for video doorbells and home security cameras.
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Ring vs Arlo: Range
Both Ring and Arlo offer a wide range of video doorbells and cameras. We’ll show you what’s out there – spoiler alert!
Arlo’s high-end home security cameras are powered by rechargeable batteries. These cameras are weatherproof and can be used outdoors or indoors. However, most require a base station. It is located inside your home and connects to the internet via Ethernet. The base station also provides Wi-Fi connectivity for the cameras.
The ArloPro 2 records color Full HD during daylight and black-and white Full HD at night. The ArloPro 3 has 2K resolution and a built in spotlight to capture color footage during daytime and night.
The ArloPro 3 Floodlight acts as a security lamp to illuminate motion and capture footage.
The Arlo Pro 4 has all the same benefits as the Arlo Pro, but it doesn’t need a base station to connect Wi-Fi.
The Arlo U records at 4K, and is in the same spotlight as the Arlo 4 and 3, while the Arlo 2 adds both 2.4GHz Wi-Fi (and 5GHz Wi Fi) and a greater range, which should help reduce connectivity problems.
We’re still here, right? We’re not done yet, but that’s okay. Arlo also has three FullHD cameras in the Essential range. These are more affordable FullHD cameras and don’t need a base station.
The Arlo Essential Spotlight , and Arlo Essential XL Spotlight are both battery-powered. They can be used indoors and outdoors and last up to one year between charges.
The Essentials indoor camera, a wired device that can be used inside your home, is affordable and has a privacy shutter. This gives you peace of mind for those who worry about their movements. The , a Full HD battery-powered security cam that connects to mobile data instead of Wi-Fi, is an additional feature. It can be used in areas where your home network cannot reach.
Arlo also offers two video doorbells. These record at a resolution 1536p and have a 1:1 aspect ratio. This allows you to see the entire length of the person on your doorstep. The only difference is how they are powered. The Arlo is wired while the Arlo essential Video Doorbell Wireless uses an rechargeable battery.
(Image credit: Arlo)
Ring was founded as a video doorbell manufacturer, so its selection of doorbells is more extensive than its home security camera line.
Ring offers five video doorbells in total; the Ring Elite (a professionally-installed wired doorbell that uses Ethernet rather than Wi-Fi) and the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2, which is mains powered and records FullHD video in a 1:1 aspect that’s identical to Arlo’s video doorbells… but doesn’t actually need to be professionally installed.
The new Ring Video doorbell 4 joins them. It can be powered by battery or mains power. The Color Full HD recording is not possible, but it does have the same aspect ratio as the Video Doorbell Pro 2.
The second generation Ring Video Doorbell has a narrower field-of-view than the Video Doorbell 4. This means that you will not be able see as much from the camera. Additionally, the battery is embedded rather than removable so you must remove the entire doorbell to charge it. The Ring Video Doorbell Wife is Ring’s most economical option. This is a hard-wired, wired version of the Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Generation).
The Ring Video Doorbell Pro or Ring Video Doorbell 3 can be purchased for as low as $199.
Ring offers the Indoor Cam entry-level security camera. It is mains-powered and records in color Full HD. The 140-degree field-of-view allows for a wide viewing angle.
The Stick Up Cam is next, and it can be used indoors or outdoors. It comes in both mains- and battery-powered versions.
It records in full HD color with the same field-of-view. The flexible mount allows for it to be mounted from any height and angle.
Ring Spotlight Cam, another outdoor security camera, uses the Stick Up Cam’s flashlight to illuminate motion. The Ring Floodlight Cam also has two floodlights of 1,000 lumens, which is more than the average ceiling light at 800 lumens.
Pre-order the Ring Floodlight Cam Pro. The new Ring Floodlight Cam Pro is a refinement of its predecessor. It also features some useful laser-based motion detection functions that can be found on the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2, which should reduce unwanted activity alerts.
Ring offers something that Arlo does not: a smart alarm system with door/window sensors and motion-detection IPIRs. An optional outdoor siren can be added, as well as an assisted monitoring which will call three emergency contacts in case the alarm is activated.
(Image credit: Ring)
Ring vs Arlo: Price
How much will you need to spend on this array of home security products? Ring’s cameras cost slightly less than Arlo’s.
The Ring Indoor Cam is the cheapest, and it costs $59.99/PS49/AU$99. You can also get an outdoor camera, the Ring Stick up cam, for $99.99/PS89/AU$179.
The latest wired Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 will cost you $249.99 / PlayStation219 / AU$399.99. While the current battery-powered Ring Video Doorbell 4, costs $199.99 / Ps179 / AU$329.
Arlo’s most affordable security camera, the Arlo Essential Indoor Camera will set you back $99 / PlayStation119.99 (around AU$180), while the Arlo Essential Spotlight camera will set you back $99 / AU$229.
The wired version is priced at 149.99 / PlayStation179.99 / AU$289.99. While the battery-operated version is priced at $199.99 / PlayStation179.99 / AU$329.
These home security cameras, and video doorbells, are often discounted throughout the year. For example, Cyber Monday. The $139/PS119/AU$175 price for the Ring Video Doorbell Pro was less than its original $169/PS219/AU$399 list price.
The Arlo Ultra two camera kit has been reduced to almost half-off – it now costs $440 / PlayStation309 / AU$699.
(Image credit: Arlo)
Ring vs Arlo: Subscription cost
Subscribe to the monthly plans to get the best out of both security camera systems. These allow you to view footage captured by cameras and doorbells later on, and also give you access to smart features that reduce unwanted notifications. You can still receive alerts when motion is detected by the cameras. However, you will not be able log in to view the live feed and will be unable to save videos to view after they have been recorded.
Arlo Smart costs 2.99 / PS2.79/ AU$4.49 per camera for storage of up to 2k footage. It’s also available at $9.99/PS8.99/AU$14.99 per monthly for unlimited cameras. 4K footage can be stored for $14.99/PS12.99/AU$ 21.99 per year for unlimited cameras.
All options can store video for 30 days. They can also identify whether motion was caused by an animal, person, or vehicle. Most new cameras come with a three-month trial.
Arlo Pro 2 and older Arlo cameras offer seven days free cloud recording if you buy them. If you wish to view the video for more than 30 days or to identify the source of the motion, the premium Arlo smart service will be required.
Ring Protect is also available at $3/PS2.50/AU$4 per Month for one camera, $10/PS8/AU$15 unlimited cameras, and 30 days of video storage. It also offers People Only mode, which will reduce unwanted motion alarms, excluding those caused by animals, wind, or rustling through trees.
Ring Protect is available for a free 30-day trial on all new Ring devices.
(Image credit: Ring)
Ring vs. Arlo: Video & audio
They are generally equally matched when it comes to audio and video quality for the Ring and Arlo security camera systems.
We have reviewed most of the products from both brands. In our tests, the video was clear and detailed while the audio was extremely consistent.
Arlo’s audio and video capture slightly outperforms Ring in our eyes for a few reasons. One is that some cameras can record in both 2K and 4K resolution.
These mounts are great if you need to mount your camera high to capture a larger area and not lose details.
The second feature is the inclusion in multiple cameras of spotlights to produce color footage during daylight and night. Ring offers this only on two cameras and its design is quite bulky. Arlo, on the other hand, retains the small size and includes the light.
(Image credit: Arlo)
Ring vs Arlo: App
Ring and Arlo both have simple apps that allow you to view and review footage from previous captures.
Rich notifications are also available on both platforms. They include a quick snapshot of any activity that was detected to your smartphone. This allows you to quickly determine if you should be concerned.
US Ring offers the Neighbors feature via its app. This alerts you to crimes within 5 miles from your property.
It is worth noting that every US state has its police and fire departments working in Ring. They can request footage for use in their investigations through this feature.
Ring stated that the departments can’t view live feeds or record. It’s up the device owners to decide if they want to share the footage. The owner’s personal information will not be shared. It’s important to note that requests can be made if the option is opened.
(Image credit: Ring)
Ring vs Arlo: Smart home integration
Both Ring and Arlo cameras and doorbells can be integrated with voice assistants. You can use the smart speakers to communicate with anyone within the camera’s view, and you can also see a live feed of the camera through the smart displays.
Arlo is our clear choice, since all of their home security cameras integrate with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some of their devices can also be integrated with Apple HomeKit. Future support for Apple’s system will be available to new products like the Arlo Video Doorbell.
Ring’s video doorbells and cameras are compatible only with Alexa. This is not surprising given that the company was acquired by Amazon in 2018. If you have Alexa in your home, Ring devices are a good choice.
Ring vs Arlo: Verdict
Ring and Arlo both proved to be easy-to-use and effective home security camera systems in our tests. Ring offers a more comprehensive security package thanks to its smart alarm and automated monitoring service. This is a great option if you need an alarm system that can be integrated into your cameras or video doorbells.
Arlo allows for greater flexibility in the placement of cameras. You can move your cameras in seconds thanks to the combination magnetic mounts with battery power. Arlo’s products also offer higher resolution.
Imagine that you have already got smart speakers and smart displays installed in your home. These will play an important role in choosing the brand, since Ring is tightly integrated with Amazon Alexa. Arlo can also be used with Google Assistant and Alexa, while some devices have HomeKit support.
