Image credit: ArloIt’s expensive, but
the Arlo Pro 3 is a
versatile, high–quality
security camera.+++++
2K video recording
Built–in siren
and spotlight
Weatherproof design
Cloud storage
requires subscriptionHigh-quality security camera with spotlight and siren
£549.99 FROM Arlo, arlo.com FEATURES 2K HDR, colour night vision, 160° viewing angle, smart hub, weatherproofArlo Pro 3
rlo 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. You can buy
the Pro 3 as a two-camera kit for £549.99, a
three-camera bundle for £749.99, or get four
cameras for £899.99. (Add-on single cameras
are £279.99.) It’s fair to say then that the Arlo
Pro 3 is not a cheap option.
That said, the system certainly works hard
to earn its keep. 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
colour night-vision mode
for greater clarity in
low-light conditions. The
internal battery can be
removed when you need
to recharge it, but a really
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.Store charges
The Arlo app is easy to use
and guides you through
the installation process in
only a few minutes. The
2K video quality is verygood, 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 £2.49 for a single
camera or £7.99 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.
CLIFF JOSEPHThe Arlo app is quick and easy to use, and
includes features such as pinch to zoom.VERDICT
84 | MACFORMAT | APRIL 2020The app includes useful
features, such as pinch and
zoom to get a better viewAPPLE CHOICE Mac/iOS hardware