Arlo Pro vs. Arlo Go

When comparing the Arlo Pro vs. Arlo Go, it’s clear that the two cameras have a lot in common; however, there are a good amount of differences between the models as well. If you’re looking for a camera for areas with no access to WiFi, the Arlo Go is the clear choice due to the LTE capabilities. Otherwise, the Arlo Pro is the clear winner.

When deciding between the two smart cameras, you’re essentially choosing between more robust features and the flexibility to monitor your home in areas without internet access. For the average house with an average wireless network, the Arlo Pro definitely has the edge. But when you find yourself trying to monitor a remote corner of your property that isn’t covered by your router, the benefits of the Arlo Go will become pretty clear!

Arlo Pro vs. Arlo Go — Differences

  • Difference #1: Internet Connection – Perhaps the most obvious difference when comparing the Arlo Pro vs. Arlo Go is the way they handle internet connections. Like many smart cameras, the Arlo Pro uses 2.4 GHz WiFi to connect and stream video footage.

    The Arlo Go is a little more unique, however, as it ditches WiFi for LTE. The downside to that is that you’ll need a cellular plan to use the footage, but the lack of reliance on an internet connection gives you a lot more flexibility when it comes to placement. Your camera can work anywhere there’s cell service and connects to 3G or 4G LTE networks using Arlo Mobile Service.

    You do have some flexibility when it comes to your cell provider, with the option to buy service from AT&T, Arlo Mobile, or Verizon, all of whom have different plans and payment models.

    NETGEAR, the parent company of Arlo, offers their own service plans with 3 different tiers.

    The base plan gives you 15 minutes of recording storage, with 1 clip a day or 30 clips per month at 30 seconds per clip. This service is available for $4.99 per month.

    For 120 minutes of storage, with 8 clips a day or 240 clips per month at 30 seconds per clip, you’ll pay $22.99 per month.

    The highest capacity plan through Netgear is $32.99 per month and offers 15 clips per day or 450 clips per month.

    Ultimately, despite the extra expense, we feel that LTE is a superior option to traditional WiFi models. You’ll be able to take your camera with you wherever you go without being tied to a network, which means your security can follow along when you head to a hotel or even a cabin in the woods!

  • Difference #2: Requires a Base Station – Another reason the Arlo Go is so flexible is that it doesn’t require a base station. One of the aspects of the Arlo, Arlo Pro, Arlo Pro 2, and Arlo Ultra that we’re not huge fans of is the reliance on a separate piece of equipment. This station does bring in some extra perks, but it takes up a port on your router as well as some valuable shelf space.

    A single station can support up to 15 base stations, and there are two different models to choose from. Check out our take on the Arlo vs. Arlo Pro Base Station for an idea of the differences between the two.

    Long story short, the Arlo Go doesn’t tie you down, while the Arlo Pro requires both an internet connection and a separate base station to do its job.

  • Difference #3: Siren – While the base station might be a little unwieldy, it does have a few perks — one being the inclusion of a siren. If you’re looking for a camera that can not only detect motion but also sound the alarm in the event of an emergency, the Arlo Pro is the clear winner.

    The Arlo Go has no such functionality.

  • Difference #4: Local Backup Storage – The Arlo Pro’s connection to the base station also comes with the perk of local backup storage. The USB slot allows you to use physical storage to keep your recordings, and while you can’t use it as the primary method of storage, it’s a great backup to have available in the event of an internet outage.

    While you’ll still have to use the cloud as the main way to access your footage, the local backup adds the peace of mind that your recordings won’t be lost if your network cuts out. The base station can even notify you when the USB is low on storage, as well as automatically overwrite the oldest recordings so you’ll never have to worry about swapping the card out.

    Luckily, even though the Arlo Go lacks support for Arlo base station, the camera still offers local backup storage via an SD-card slot right on the camera. So, after all, both cameras offer local backup storage, although they do differ in the way they offer it.

Sale Arlo Pro - Wireless Home Security Camera System with Siren | Rechargeable, Night vision, Indoor/Outdoor, HD Video, 2-Way Audio, Wall Mount | Cloud Storage Included | 1 camera kit (VMS4130)

Arlo Pro vs. Arlo Go — Comparison Chart

Arlo Pro Arlo Go
Video resolution 1280 x 720p 1280 x 720p
Frames per Second 30 FPS 30 FPS
Video Format H.264 H.264
On-Demand Live View Yes Yes
Record Live View Yes Yes
Field of View 130° 130°
Zoom 8x digital zoom 8x digital zoom
Power AC or Battery AC or Battery
Optional Power Source Solar Panel Solar Panel
Battery Life Battery: 3-6 months
Solar: indefinitely
Battery: 3-6 months
Solar: indefinitely
Two-Way Audio Yes Yes
Motion Detection Up to 23 feet Up to 23 feet
Motion Zones With subscription With subscription
Person Detection With Subscription With Subscription
Facial Recognition No No
Sound Detection Yes Yes
Night Vision 850 nm LEDs:
illuminates up to 25 feet
IR cut-off filter
850 nm LEDs:
illuminates up to 25 feet
IR cut-off filter
Internet Connection WiFi: 2.4GHz LTE
Requires a Base Station Yes No
Max # of Cameras per Base Station 15
Siren Via the Base No
24/7 Recording No No
Local Backup Storage Via the Base Built-in SD card slot
Cloud Storage 7-Day Free / Subscription 7-Day Free / Subscription
Review, Share, & Save Yes Yes
e911 Emergency Call With Subscription With Subscription
Instant App Alerts Yes Yes
App Support Android, iOS, FireOS, Web Android, iOS, FireOS, Web
Rich Notifications With Subscription With Subscription
Weather-resistant IP65 rating IP65 rating
Amazon Alexa Echo Show, Echo Spot Echo Show, Echo Spot
Google Assistant Yes Yes
IFTTT Yes Yes
Stringify Yes Yes
Operating Temperature -4° to 113° F -4° to 113° F
Dimension 3.1 x 1.9 x 2.8 in 3.5 x 2.73 x 3 in
Color White White

Arlo Pro vs. Arlo Go — Things in Common

Arlo Pro Outdoor

  • Video Quality – Video quality is an important consideration when shopping for a smart camera. After all, what use is blurry footage when trying to sort through the chaos of a home invasion? Both cameras record in 1280 x 720p at 30 FPS, and use H.264 video compression in order to reduce congestion on your network.

    While 720p might not be as high of a resolution as a camera like the more recent Arlo Pro 2, it should still give you a clear picture of any activity in your home.

  • Field of View – Unless you’re planning to outfit your home with a ton of cameras (and that would be pretty expensive), you’re going to want to keep each model’s field of view in mind. Both the Arlo Pro and Arlo Go have a 130° field of view, which should be more than enough for the average room. Just stick the camera in a corner and relax with the confidence that your home is protected from every angle.

  • Zoom – One of the more impressive aspects of these cameras is their zooming capabilities. The majority of smart cameras have some sort of zoom, but the 8x digital zoom on the Pro and Go goes above and beyond the industry average. Being able to really zero in on the details when activity is detected can make the documented evidence far more effective.

  • Power Options – A cool perk to these Arlo cameras is their ability to function either through a rechargeable battery or plugged in with AC. If you decide to opt for battery power, you’ll get 3-6 months of life on a single charge. However, the cameras also work with the Arlo Solar Panel that should keep them recording indefinitely.

    AC power is always an option for those who don’t want to deal with occasional charging or installing a solar panel, but it’s definitely nice to have the option to ditch the cords and install your camera wherever you please — especially for the Arlo Go since it’s inherently flexible without the need for WiFi.

  • Two-Way Audio – In addition to recording audio, the Arlo Pro and Go also give you the option to talk back. This can be a great way to scare off package thieves or intruders, but we’re probably a little more likely to use it to shoo the dog off of the couch! The ability to also remain connected to your home and communicate through the Arlo app from wherever you happen to be is a major perk of these cameras.

  • Motion & Sound Detection – Both cameras feature motion detection with a range of up to 23 feet, which makes them a great option for monitoring the largest of rooms or the exterior of your home. The Pro and Go also offer Person Detection capabilities and cloud activity zones as well, although both features are locked behind a subscription.

    Cloud Activity Zones function similarly to standard motion zones, but when activity is detected, the information is sent to the cloud for interpretation rather than being processed locally. In the grand scheme of things, this isn’t a huge problem, although you may start to see your battery deplete if your camera is not plugged in. Additionally, standard motion zones are processed locally so the functionality should stay intact should the internet go down.

    The company added standard motion zones with the Arlo Pro 2, along with a lot of other improvements. If you’re interested in seeing how the first-gen Arlo Pro stacks up against its successor, check out our comparison of Arlo Pro vs. Arlo Pro 2.

  • Night Vision – Your home needs protection 24/7, so your cameras should work just as well at night as they do in the day. The Arlo Pro and Arlo Go have this down pat, with 850 nm LEDs that illuminate up to 25 feet for recording in darkness. Both models also include an IR cut-off filter, which helps enhance the picture in low light conditions for a crisp, clear picture with a good amount of detail.

  • Cloud Storage – The primary way that you will store and access your Arlo recordings is through the cloud. The subscription plan for the brand is called Arlo Smart, and is an affordable service that enhances the capabilities of your camera.

    When you buy your camera, you’ll have access to Arlo Smart Basic, which is the base level plan and is available free of charge. This tier offers you a rolling 7 days of cloud recordings, with support for up to 5 Arlo cameras. That means that if you don’t think you’re going to need to review footage from a long time ago and you’re only going to use a few cameras, you can likely skip out on the subscription entirely.

    With that said, the Arlo Smart Add-on adds in a whole host of features that range that add convenience and security to your home monitoring. The Add-on comes at a price of $2.99 per camera and enhances your experience in a number of different ways.

    First off, the camera’s motion detection capabilities will be expanded with Person Detection that reduces the incidence of false alarms while keeping you in the loop when your cameras detect human activity. Cloud Activity Zones enhance your cameras with the ability to detect motion or ignore it in specific areas that you choose, which allows you to focus on monitoring activity in areas that need it most while avoiding the spam of false alarms in heavily trafficked areas.

    In addition to the detection enhancements, the Arlo Smart Add-On adds in some unique services that make it easier to call for help in the event of an emergency. Rich Notifications give you the ability to take action in response to an alert immediately, without the hassle of unlocking your phone. A simple swipe can activate an alarm, call a friend, or even contact the authorities. Speaking of the authorities, the included e911 Emergency Call Service ensures that, in the event of an emergency, the authorities will be dispatched to your home rather than forcing them to rely on tracking your phone which could be miles away from the crisis.

    The Add-On is a great option for adding in more features, but if you’re looking to expand the functionality of the Smart Basic plan, you have two different options: Arlo Smart Premier, and Arlo Smart Elite.

    Arlo Smart Premier costs $9.99 per month and offers 30 days of rolling cloud recordings as well as support for 10 cameras. Additionally, all of your cameras will have access to the add-on features. If you’re looking for the enhanced capabilities on more than a couple of cameras, opting for this tier is a no-brainer.

    Arlo Smart Elite, at $14.99, is the company’s most premium plan. With 60 days of cloud storage, support for 20 Arlo cameras, and all of the Add-on features, you’ll be well equipped with everything you need to set up some pretty comprehensive home monitoring.

    Lastly, we want to mention that the Arlo Smart subscription is only available in the United States.

  • App Support – When it comes to app support there’s little to no difference between the Arlo Go vs. Arlo Pro. The primary way that you’ll control your cameras is through the Arlo app. The company offers support for Android, iOS, and Web, as well as FireOS — a rare inclusion that is a welcome addition for Amazon Kindle Fire users.

  • Weather-resistant – Unlike some cameras that are intended for use either inside or out, the Arlo Pro and Arlo Go work equally well in your living room and your backyard. Both cameras are IP65 certified weather-resistant, which means you’ll enjoy the same high-quality monitoring rain or shine. Plus, an operating temperature of -4° to 113° ensures your cameras can add coverage to even homes in more extreme environments.

    The weatherproofing is a great perk for both cameras, but the combination of battery power, LTE support, and a rugged design that can weather the elements makes the Arlo Go one of the best options on the market for monitoring those distant and inconvenient areas.

  • Voice Control – No smart camera is complete without support for some of the major smart assistants. Both the Arlo Pro and Arlo Go integrate seamlessly with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

    The Alexa support is particularly useful, as you can use products like the Echo Show and Echo Spot to monitor the video feed while gaining access to voice commands. Just keep in mind that two-way audio won’t work with the Echo Show, so you’ll be able to listen and access the live view but not talk back.

  • IFTTT & Stringify – IFTTT and Stringify are two of the most popular trigger platforms, which can connect your smart devices together and make your home more intelligent. With the Arlo Pro and Arlo Go, you can pretty easily set up a trigger to flashlights when motion is detected, or even to turn up the thermostat when they sense a human in the home. These are incredibly popular platforms, and the sky’s the limit so you have a lot of opportunities to be creative!


Arlo Pro vs. Arlo Go — Accessories

Arlo Pro - Accessories - 02

The Arlo line has a number of accessories that enhance the functionality of their cameras, and the Arlo Pro and Arlo Go are no exception.

If you’re using your Arlo Pro outside, the Arlo Security Light is a great option to keep your yard illuminated. You may also be interested in Arlo Pro Skins that allow for more customization of the camera’s appearance to more easily disguise it or even just make it look a little better. If you’re planning on using battery power to keep your camera running, having an extra battery on hand is always a good idea, too.

The Arlo Go has its own rechargeable battery to keep you going while away from home. The Camouflage Ghillie Skins and Flexible Tripod Mount Pod are the perfect combo for setting up some discreet monitoring in your yard, or even on a camping trip in the woods.

Since both cameras can run off battery power, they’re also both enhanced by the optional Solar Panel that makes recharging a thing of the past.


Arlo Pro vs. Arlo Go — Our Thoughts

Arlo Go

These cameras share a lot of the same useful features, but they are suited to different applications. For that reasons, it’s difficult to declare a clear winner when comparing the Arlo Pro vs. Arlo Go.

If you’re looking for a camera with the flexibility that can keep up with an active lifestyle and isn’t hampered by a reliance on internet connections, the Arlo Go is our top pick. It’s a little frustrating to have to pay monthly for the cell service, but the massive flexibility more than makes up for that extra expense.

For more traditional home monitoring that you’re planning to keep in one location and within range of your router, the Arlo Pro has a few extra features that make it the better choice, such as local backup storage and a siren that are built into the base station. If you’re leaning towards the Arlo, you might be interested in the new and improved successor — the Arlo Pro 2. Check out our comparison of the Arlo Pro vs. Arlo Pro 2 for a better look at what sets these cameras apart.

Sale Arlo Pro - Wireless Home Security Camera System with Siren | Rechargeable, Night vision, Indoor/Outdoor, HD Video, 2-Way Audio, Wall Mount | Cloud Storage Included | 1 camera kit (VMS4130)

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Last update on 2024-03-28 at 06:00 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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