Image rights: Arlo.The Arlo app is quick and
easy to use, and includes
features such as “pinch
to zoom”. Arlo has been busy since its parent
company, Netgear, spun it off as
a separate business in 2018, and the
latest addition to its range of security
cameras is the Arlo Pro 3. This new model
steps up from the 1080p video recording of
the Arlo Pro 2 and now offers 2K resolution
(2560x1440), as well as a number of other
new features. Those features come with a
higher price tag, though — especially as you
can only buy it as part of a two–camera kit
for $450 or a three–camera kit for $650.
The Arlo Pro 3 works hard to earn its keep,
though. The compact little camera has a
weatherproof casing so you can use it both
indoors and outdoors, and there’s a magnetic
mounting plate and screws included so you
can attach it to a wall and get a good
overview of your garden or driveway. It also
includes a siren and a spotlight to scare off
intruders, a powerful 12X digital zoom, and
color night–vision mode for greater clarity in
low–light conditions. The internal battery can
be removed when you need to recharge it,
but a nice touch with this new model is the
inclusion of a magnetic charging cable that
simply clips onto the base of the camera
when you need to quickly top up the battery.
The Arlo app is easy to use and guides you
through the installation process in only a few
minutes. The 2K video quality is very good,and the app also includes some useful
features, such as “pinch to zoom” so that you
can quickly zoom in and out to get a better
view on your smartphone screen. Our only
complaint is that Arlo is getting a bit mean
with the cloud storage that it provides for
your video recordings. Some of the other Arlo
cameras allow you to store your video clips
online for seven days free of charge, but the
Arlo Pro 3 only includes a free three–month
trial period for online storage. After that you
will only get live streaming and notifications
from the camera. You’ll have to pay a
subscription — starting at $2.99 for a single
camera or $9.99 for up to five cameras — if
you want to store your video clips and
recordings online. It is possible to store video
clips on a USB storage device that can be
connected to the SmartHub, but there’s still
the risk that an intruder could smash or steal
the hub, so many people will prefer online
storage for their video recordings instead.
That’s a bit irritating, because it feels like
Arlo is forcing you to pay for a subscription
in order to use the camera properly. However,
the older Arlo Pro and Arlo Pro 2 models are
still on sale if you’re looking for a less
expensive option.
THE BOTTOM LINE. It’s expensive, but the
Arlo Pro 3 is a versatile, high–quality security
camera. CLIFF JOSEPHArlo Pro 3
High quality security camera with spotlight and siren
From $450 From Arlo, arlo.com
Needs iOS device, Wi–Fi router with spare Ethernet portARLO PRO 3
2K video recording
Built–in siren and
spotlight
Sturdy, weatherproof
design
Cloud storage requires
subscription
GREAT
Reviews
52 MAR 2020 maclife.com