Catch your package thief with a smart camera!
Smart cameras are a handy addition for any home as they can be placed both inside and outside, and can also be integrated with other smart home products, such as locks and doorbells. They not only record useful footage, but also come with other unique features such as motion detection, two-way audio, and more!
Today we’ll be looking at Blink XT2 vs. Arlo Pro 2, and the useful benefits you can expect from either model. Whether it’s the budget-friendly Blink XT2 camera with its extended battery life, or the more expensive, but advanced Arlo Pro 2. We’re sure you’ll find something you like.
So let’s get right to it and see which one suits your home best!
Feel free to skip any part below using our navigation system.
Arlo Pro 2 vs. Blink XT2 — Things in Common
- Live-View on Demand – Know what’s going on both inside and outside your home with the live-view on-demand feature. All you need to do is open the Blink or Arlo app on your iOS or Android phone, and you can check-in in clear 1080 HD resolution from wherever you are.
- Night Vision – And you can do so at night time too! Heard a strange noise in the kitchen during the late hours? No worries, you can check on your smart device from your bed, and confirm that it was simply someone fixing a midnight snack.
- Two-Way Audio – Both Arlo Pro 2 and Blink XT2 have the two-way audio technology available. This allows you to seamlessly communicate with anyone who is both inside or outside your home. This type of feature will come in especially handy when instructing your delivery guy on where to leave the package or warning off a potential intruder away from your porch.
- Motion Detection – Amp up your home security even more with the motion detection feature. You’ll receive alerts straight to your phone if any suspicious activity is detected, so you can always be informed whether the postman has pulled up, or your toddler has wandered by himself in the kitchen.
Both Arlo Pro 2 and Blink XT2 allow you to also set motion detection zones. Meaning that you can keep a closer eye on higher risk zones, such as the designated area for your delivered goods or the hallway in your home.
- Cloud Storage – Both smart cameras also offer free cloud storage, letting you store your videos for up to 7 days! You can also share, preview and download the clips as you please at no extra cost.
- Alexa – By integrating your smart camera with Alexa and Echo Show 5 or Echo Show 8, you can use simple voice commands to operate your device. Such as, “Alexa, show the front door.” “Alexa, turn off the live feed” and more! You can also use your Fire TV to view your security footage, allowing you to take advantage of the bigger screen.
- Operating Temperature – Having a smart camera that can withstand even the strongest outdoor elements is a great addition for any home, especially if you reside in a particularly cold climate. Luckily both Arlo Pro 2 and Blink XT2 has you covered, as they can cover temperatures ranging from -4° to 113°F (-20° to 45°C).
- Network – If you have a suitable WiFi network of 2.4GHz, there should be no problems when setting up both Arlo Pro 2 and Blink XT2.
However, it’s important that you ensure prior that your network is powerful enough to handle your smart camera, otherwise it’s worth looking into a wifi extender such as Google WiFi.
Arlo Pro 2 vs. Blink XT2 — Differences
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- Difference #1: Power Options – When it comes to setting up your new camera, there are a couple of options you can choose from in terms of power.
For example, Blink XT2 can run solely on 2 AA lithium batteries, and that will provide you with an impressive 2 years of use. It also ensures that you won’t be without a security camera in case of a power outage.
You can also choose to power you Blink XT2 with a micro USB cable, and while it will provide you with continuous power, your outdoor camera will no longer be weatherproof.
Similarly, Arlo Pro 2 can also be battery operated, however, it’s battery life only ranges from 3-6 months which is much less than of Blink XT2. If you want to take advantage of an even longer battery life, you can include an Arlo Solar Panel. Which harvests energy from the sun to the camera’s battery. Making it an efficient as well as an environmentally friendly choice for your home.
- Difference #2: Field of View – Having a good field of view, ensures that your camera will be able to cover a wider range of space both outdoors as well as indoors. Therefore saving money in purchasing additional cameras, as well as improving its functionality.
Arlo Pro 2 has a considerably wider view range than of Blink XT2, as you can see with its 130 degrees vs. 110 degrees of Blink XT2.
While it may not seem like a lot, but those extra 20 degrees could help you to identify the thief who ran off with your package.
- Difference #3: Zoom – And in order to even further identify the thief, Arlo Pro 2 also comes with an advanced 8x digital zoom function, which will allow you to get a closer look at whatever or whoever you wish.
Unfortunately, Blink XT2 doesn’t have the zoom feature available.
- Difference #4: Temperature Sensor – However, Blink XT2 redeems itself with its unique temperature sensor technology. It provides you with accurate temperature readings from wherever it’s located.
This feature comes in especially handy while you’re away, and want to ensure that it’s neither too hot or too cold for your pets back home.
- Difference #5: Local Storage – The Arlo Pro 2 has an option for local storage whereas the Blink XT2 doesn’t. With local storage you can rest assured that you’ll be able to access all the motion-triggered recordings, even the ones that can not be saved to cloud storage due to internet outage.
With the Arlo Pro 2, you’ll never miss a motion-triggered video clip. Just plug-in a USB into the Arlo Pro base station, and Arlo will automatically duplicate all video clips from Arlo’s cloud storage to USB local storage. Unfortunately, USB local storage can not substitute cloud storage (only temporary during an internet outage). You can use it as a back-up storage, which is still better than nothing.
However, if you’re looking for a 24/7 video recording to local storage for free with access to the video recordings via an app, make sure to check out the upgraded Wyze Cam and our take on Wyze Cam vs. Arlo Pro 2.
- Difference #1: Power Options – When it comes to setting up your new camera, there are a couple of options you can choose from in terms of power.
- Difference #6: Subscription Plan – With Arlo Pro 2 you can even add a subscription plan to unlock even more storage and features!
With Arlo Smart Plan, you can take advantage of 30 days of storage and its unique person detection feature for $2.99 per month.
If you wish to take your security even further, you can go for the A la carte 24/7 video recording plan which provides you with continuous video recording (CVR), which comes to 9.99 USD per month per one camera.
However, Blink XT2 doesn’t require any subscription plans in order to take advantage of all the features it offers.
- Difference #7: Smart Home Integration – While we already know that Arlo Pro 2 and Blink XT2 are compatible with Alexa, Arlo Pro 2 takes it a step further by offering even wider possibilities of smart home integration. As it’s also compatible with Google Home, SmartThings as well as Stringify.
- Difference #8: Design – In terms of size, Arlo Pro 2 is slightly larger with its measurements of 3.1 x 1.9 x 2.8”, compared to Blink XT2’s 2.8 x 2.8 x 1.4”.
Arlo also offers a more modern look with its soft rounded shape, while Blink XT2 provides a more stocky, and traditional appearance.
Arlo Pro 2 vs. Blink XT2 — Comparison Chart
| Arlo Pro 2 | Blink XT2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Video Resolution | 1080p HD | 1080pHD |
| Frames Per Second | 30 FPS | 30 FPS |
| Video Format | H.264 | H.264 |
| Live-View on Demand | Yes | Yes |
| Record Live-View | Yes | Yes |
| Field of View | 130 Degrees | 110 Degrees |
| Zoom | 8x Digital Zoom | No |
| Power Options | Rechargeable Battery/ AC’ Solar Source |
2 AA Lithium Batteries/ Micro USB |
| Battery Life | 3-6 months | 2 Years with standard use |
| Two-Way Audio | Yes | Yes |
| Motion Detection | Yes | Yes |
| Custom Motion Zones | Yes (Up to 3) | Yes |
| Person Detection | With Subscription | No |
| Sound Detection | Yes | No |
| Night Vision | Yes | Yes |
| Network | WiFi: 2.4GHz | WiFi: 2.4GHz |
| Cloud Subscription | 7-Day Free Plan | 7-Day Free Plan |
| Local Storage | Yes, via a USB | No |
| Alexa | Yes | Yes |
| Google Assistant | Yes | No |
| SmartThings & Stringify | Yes | No |
| Operating Temperature | -4° to 113° F | -4° to 113° F |
| Temperature Sensor | No | Yes |
| Color | White | Black |
Arlo Pro 2 vs. Blink XT2 — Accessories
Now that we have gone over both Arlo Pro 2 and Blink XT2, let’s check out some of the accessories both models offer.
Always have a backup plan with Arlo’s Rechargeable Battery, which easily allows you to easily charge your batteries, and have a spare ready to go whenever you’re running low.
Protect your Arlo Pro 2 even further by adding extra Skins. These silicone water-resistant skins have a built-in shade for sun glare protection, making it ideal for both outdoor and indoor use. Do the same for Blink XT2 as well, by adding their own set of white Blink XT/XT2 Skins.
For Blink XT2 you can also include their own Blink XT/XT2 Camera Wall Mount Brackets. These wall mounts Provide a 360°rotating viewing angle eliminating any possible blind spots, allowing you to set up your cameras the way you would like them to be.
Arlo Pro 2 vs. Blink XT2 — Our Thoughts
At the end, when it comes to Arlo Pro 2 vs. Blink XT2 it’s clear to see that Arlo Pro 2 may be the superior model with its advanced features and flexible smart home integration.
Yet Blink XT2 doesn’t come without its own benefits, it’s actually a pretty good camera especially for the budget-friendly price that it offers. It’s main features such as the temperature sensor, and extended battery life make it a great selling point.
Therefore it’s a good option to go for if you want something simple, durable and without any subscription plan hassle.
However, if you wish for something with more advanced security technology then Arlo Pro 2 is the way to go.
Last update on 2024-04-24 at 08:44 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
