Product Review:The Arlo Video Doorbell - Going toe to toe with Ring but does it provide the answers?
- Paul McRae
- May 23, 2023
- 6 min read
Updated: Jul 1, 2023
Arlo Video Doorbell - Chime for the real test.
By Paul McRae
Video Doorbells have increased in functionality and decreased in cost in recent times making them a popular choice for Home and Office Security. There's lots to choose from and costs can vary considerably. Here I take a look at the Arlo Video Doorbell as it goes up against the likes of Ring, Google Nest, Netatmo and others in an attempt to steal the crown of top ringer.
First Impressions
The Arlo doorbell feels well-built and of a premium quality at the point of unboxing. If you've never seen a video doorbell up close before be warned, they are fairly chunky units compared to traditional doorbells. When you consider that the ringer houses a camera, a microphone and a speaker of high quality then it should be no real surprise. Throw in a battery for the non-wired models and it becomes even more understandable.
To clear up any confusion, you can purchase a wired and a non-wired model of the Arlo. This relates to the power supply of the bell, not whether it is connected to the network via an ethernet cable or wi-fi - both models connect over wi-fi. The benefit of the wired model is that you don't need to re-charge the doorbell as it is permanently connected to your mains power supply. How beneficial this is to you comes down to whether you want to pay an electrician to hardwire it for you (which I would highly recommend) or whether you want to save some money and are happy to re-charge it when it runs out of juice. How often you have to re-charge it depends on how busy the door bell will be in terms of streaming live footage, recording images and having its button pressed. If it's going to be a busy buzzer you're going to want to opt for the wired model, which is what I did. Installation costs may vary depending on your property type so be sure to get a few quotes.
You can choose from a black or white model. The white model is actually a black insert with a white surround but does suit white or light-coloured properties better.
In the box you get the Video Doorbell, a Screw Kit, a Power Kit, an Angled Mounting Plate, and a Flat Mounting Plate.
One final and very important point that you must consider is how you are going to hear the doorbell. Traditional doorbells are generally connected to a powered mechanical chime, sometimes but not always located beside your electricity consumer unit. You can connect this doorbell to your existing chime (again, I recommended this is done by a qualified electrician) but if you do not want to do this or if you don't have a traditional chime then you can also purchase an electronic chime which you can pair to your doorbell easily.
The Test
So what makes a good doorbell? Let's start with ease of use.
Once installed and powered up, set up is done via the companion app on your smartphone. Simply download the Arlo Secure app from Google Play or the Apple App Store and follow the set up instructions. The doorbell will connect to your home network and once done you will be able to set up the configuration for how you want the doorbell to operate for you. Take note, the doorbell, like other Smart Home Tech, has to be connected to the 2.4Ghz spectrum of your home network.
Once set up, the doorbell and its companion mobile application are a breeze to use.
One thing to note is that the position of your installed doorbell may not be exactly as you want due to the design of your property. Maybe your electrician had to install it slightly higher or lower than you would have liked due to cable run restrictions, for example? But don't worry, the wide angle lens covers a large area horizontally and even more so vertically. The vertical image capability is one of its big selling points and allows you to see packages that have been left on the ground, for example. If still not 100% happy, you can also zoom in or out to adjust the viewable area if not positioned exactly as you would have wanted.
Once happy with the image you can then proceed to set up your Video Settings (higher or lower resolution), your Activity Zones, your Melody and many other personal preferences. You will also be asked for your phone number. This is so that you can be called when someone rings the bell. More on that below.
Video Doorbells vary with their pricing but also with their pricing subscriptions. Some, like the Netatmo Video Doorbell, do not have a subscription requirement and allows you to record and store footage via their platform without a fee. However the Netatmo is, at the time of writing this review, considerably more expensive than the Arlo. You have to weigh up whether you want to pay more upfront for a doorbell without a subscription or pay less for a doorbell but pay a small subscription.
In my opinion, the subscription is a worthy option and extremely easy to set up. It's worth noting that you also get the 1st 3 months free so that you can trial and decide if it is something that you need. More on the subscription details and benefits here.
If you've purchased a compatible Chime don't forget to pair that too or you won't be able to hear it.
Now that the doorbell is up and running, let's take a look at some of the features.
As soon as a visitor enters the Activity Zones you have specified (usually the start of your garden path or driveway), you will receive a notification via the app which you can click on to view the live doorbell camera feed. The doorbell will also start to record the visitor and store the footage in the Library tab of the app for you to view.
As mentioned above, if your visitor then proceeds to press your doorbell then you will receive a phone call via the Arlo platform. Just like a standard phone call, you can choose to either decline the call or answer it. Once answered, you can have a 2-way conversation with your visitor and the video feed is also presented on your smartphone screen via the app. The experience is very smooth and once you start using it, in this age of store to door deliveries and hybrid working, you'll wonder how you ever got by without it.
A nice feature is one that allows you to set default messages for visitors. If you can't answer, or simply don't want to, you can invoke a message that will be played to the visitor through the speaker of the doorbell. For example "I can't come to the door right now, if you have a parcel please leave it behind the bin on the right". Useful if you're in a meeting, for example.
For many Smart Home Integration consumers, connecting their Smart Home devices to their chosen EcoSystem is a factor. The Arlo is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It is also compatible with Apple HomeKit but only if the doorbell is connected to the Arlo SmartHub. I am an Iphone user and have a number of Apple gadgets as part of my ecosystem and, in all honesty, I have been using the doorbell without HomeKit Integration with no downgrade in experience. Despite not being able to see the Arlo Doorbell image on the same Apple Home Screen as my Netatmo Cameras, it hasn't detracted from the experience in any way.
In use, I have been very pleased with the Arlo. The image is clear and bright with a great horizontal and vertical image, audio is clear and loud, notifications come through quickly and the app is easy to use.
It has added another layer of security to my home and my family and allows me to clearly see who is at the door of my property as well as being able to communicate with visitors whether I am at home or not.
Pros and Cons
Pros:-
+ Excellent. clear, full image both in width and particularly in length
+ Clear 2 way audio
+ Easy to use, customisable app
+ Customisable Messages
+ Can hardwire to mains power
+ Apple HomeKit integration possible through the Arlo SmartHub
Cons:-
- (Small) Monthly Subscription
The Final Score
9/10 - This is a top quality product with all of the features that you would hope for in a Smart Doorbell. The image is clear and bright, the extra long portrait view sets it aside from other doorbells, the app is intuitive to use and the ability to hardwire it to the mains to avoid painful battery reloads is something that you will be very thankful for if the battery option is not for you.
You can purchase the Arlo Video Doorbell Security Camera from HERE
Competing Products:-
Blink Video Doorbell - Purchase Here
Google Nest Doorbell - Purchase Here
Netatmo Video Doorbell - Purchase Here
About Me
A 25-year industry veteran, I am IT Consultant with a history in Engineering and a love for technology and gadgets. I have purchased and tested too many products over the years that it would be a waste if I didn't write about them. I hope you enjoy.
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