(If you want to see a comparison with Arlo Pro 3 and Arlo Ultra, click here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n We’ve happily used Arlo Pro cameras to secure our own home for nearly two years, and now had the Arlo Pro 2 for a year. As you’ll see in this video review, we compared the footage side-by-side between both cameras.<\/p>\n Find out more about the specific differences between each camera in our detailed review below.<\/p>\n Table of Contents<\/p> Affiliate Disclosure<\/a>: This page contains affiliate links, which earn us commission at no cost to you. Disclaimer: The writers of this blog received a free sample of the product for review. They were not compensated in any other way. The opinions are 100% their own and not influenced.<\/em><\/p>\n If you’re researching Arlo Pro or Arlo Pro 2, you probably want to find out what sets the cameras apart from each other.<\/strong><\/p>\n Let’s dig in.<\/p>\n For quick reference, we created this infographic of differences between the cameras. Several of the Arlo Pro 2 upgrades require the camera to be plugged into power, as noted below.<\/p>\n Arlo Pro 2<\/a> has impressive upgrades, but several of them require plugging into an outlet.<\/p>\n Since Arlo recently released the updated outdoor power cord<\/a> for Arlo Pro 2, these features are available either indoors or outdoors, as long as AC power is nearby to plug in your cameras. These additional features will not work while the camera is plugged into Arlo’s solar panels.<\/p>\n Instead of recording only when there is motion, CVR keeps recording 24\/7 for a timeline of constant footage. This provides peace of mind that you didn’t miss any footage.<\/p>\n Seriously: your camera won’t miss a single second.<\/p>\n For example, if someone runs on your porch, grabs a package, and runs away, every second of footage will be precious in detecting exactly who the perpetrator was.<\/p>\n While Arlo Pro will only begin recording once it senses motion, Arlo Pro 2 with CVR is constantly recording, ensuring that you don’t miss any moment.<\/p>\n CVR is an optional feature that costs $10 per month per camera, and it requires your camera to be plugged into AC power.<\/p>\n<\/i> 3-second look back<\/strong><\/p>\n This allows you to view the activity 3 seconds before a triggered event.<\/p>\n Since the original Arlo Pro is triggered by motion, it’s easy to miss some footage: instead of capturing someone walking up to your door, Arlo starts recording when they are already at the door.<\/p>\n The delay is solved with Arlo Pro 2’s 3-second look back feature, which uses a pre-buffer to record the few seconds before motion.<\/p>\n It makes a huge difference.<\/p>\n In our testing, the 3-second look back made a big impact in triggering a recording sooner, which matters in the event of a break in (watch our video<\/a> for an example).<\/p>\n 3-second look back doesn’t require CVR or any extra fees. Just plug in your Arlo Pro 2 and it will already be enabled. As noted above, this feature doesn’t work on battery power.<\/p>\n<\/i>\u00a0Motion and activity zones<\/strong><\/p>\n Specify which areas you want to monitor by drawing one or more motion zones in the settings of your camera. Other zones will not be monitored.<\/p>\n This reduces false alarms for cars passing in the background or pets wandering through the frame.<\/p>\n A lack of motion zones was one of the biggest complaints about the original Arlo Pro. So this is a big perk in the Arlo Pro 2, although it does require your camera to be plugged in to an outlet.<\/p>\n We found this was a great improvement over the original Arlo Pro’s 720p quality, especially when identifying a person’s face.<\/p>\n This is the biggest benefit of Arlo Pro 2 over Arlo Pro.<\/p>\n The video was much clearer, and 1080p made a huge difference. Video quality is customizable; if you want to lower the quality to preserve battery life, you can.<\/p>\n<\/i> Wider viewing angle<\/strong><\/p>\n When we tested Arlo Pro and Pro 2\u00a0side-by-side, we found that the Arlo Pro 2 caught more footage on the sides of the screen due to its wider angle.<\/p>\n The specs on their website say that both cameras have 130\u00b0 viewing angles, but our footage showed that Arlo Pro 2 appeared more wide.<\/p>\n<\/i> Brighter night vision<\/strong><\/p>\n Arlo Pro 2 illuminates more fully at night than the Arlo Pro.<\/p>\n Arlo Pro 2 battery life may<\/strong> be shorter due to its 1080p footage.<\/p>\n This definitely varies.<\/p>\n Both Pro and Pro 2 cameras drained at the same rate when we tested them for our video and used them in the months since, but it’s worth noting that other users have found that Arlo Pro 2 runs out of battery more quickly.<\/p>\n We tested the Arlo Pro batteries<\/a> for months and found them to be reliable and long-lasting up to the promised 6 months.\u00a0It’s likely that Arlo Pro 2 will last at least 6 months for many users depending on how you use them.<\/p>\n Make sure the cameras are close to the base station for optimal battery life.<\/p>\n For more details on Arlo Pro 2’s upgrades and how the cameras worked in our testing, check out our full Arlo Pro 2 review<\/a>.<\/p>\n Arlo Pro is on the left, and Arlo Pro 2 is on the right.<\/p>\n If you can’t spot the difference, don’t worry – you’re not alone. The only visual difference is the small white ring around the front of the camera on Arlo Pro 2.<\/p>\n See it now?<\/p>\n Both Arlo Pro and Arlo Pro 2 have some similar specs.<\/p>\n Let’s go over some of the hardware and software similarities so you won’t have to wonder what they have in common.<\/p>\n Arlo Pro 2 is an excellent option that improves an already great camera.<\/p>\n When deciding between the Arlo Pro or Arlo Pro 2, your main consideration should be\u00a0where will I install the cameras, and will they be plugged in?<\/strong><\/p>\n If you have an outlet nearby and plan on plugging in your security cameras, then you’ll be able to take advantage of\u00a0CVR, 3 second look back, and motion zones.<\/p>\n That makes Arlo Pro 2 worth it.<\/p>\n Even with its extra cost, Arlo Pro 2\u00a0adds security and convenience, while reducing your false alarms.<\/p>\n But if you want to take advantage of Arlo’s battery power to install your cameras completely wire-free, then the only major upgrade you’ll be able to use on Arlo Pro 2 is 1080p footage.<\/p>\n Buy Arlo Pro on Amazon<\/strong><\/p>\n None of the other additional features are available on battery power.<\/p>\n If my home security setup will have cameras that work on batteries without AC power, then I’d rather have the less expensive Arlo Pro, which still is high quality enough for monitoring my home.<\/p>\n If you already know the convenience of Arlo Pro cameras, you might be wondering if you should upgrade to Arlo Pro 2.<\/p>\n The good news?<\/p>\n Arlo Pro 2 is backwards compatible with both the first and second generation base stations that Arlo offers. You can easily own Arlo Wire-Free, Arlo Pro, and Arlo Pro 2 cameras within the same system, making it easy to upgrade as you go without having to throw away your old cameras and base stations. Shout out to Arlo for designing their system this way.<\/p>\n Since the cameras and base stations all work together easily, if you’re just starting out and you are hesitant to spend the extra money on Arlo Pro 2, you can always buy the original Arlo Pro and then add-on an Arlo Pro 2 camera later.<\/p>\n There are a few questions we hear consistently from people comparing Arlo Pro and Arlo Pro 2. Some of these are also asked by those who are just getting started with Arlo cameras.<\/p>\n Definitely!<\/p>\n You don’t have to be a handyman or a technical genius to set up either of these cameras. After plugging in the cameras to charge them fully, you can simply place them in whatever area of your home\u00a0you want to monitor.<\/p>\n You may want to use the included wall mount, which requires one screw and has a magnet on the front for securing your camera. If your cameras will be plugged in, make sure you install them near a power outlet.<\/p>\n After it’s installed, download the Arlo app and follow the instructions to connect your cameras.<\/p>\n Installation and setup is very quick and painless. Just make sure your cameras are within 300 feet of the base station\u2014spotty reception may mean that walls or obstructions are limiting the signal and the cameras need to be moved even closer than 300 feet.<\/p>\n Additional outdoor mounts may increase the security of your cameras because they screw in instead of sticking as magnets. Skins are also available to help these stark white cameras blend into any surroundings.<\/p>\n The accessories are sold by Arlo, but there are also third-party options<\/a>\u00a0if you want a specific style or more affordable price.<\/p>\n In the Arlo app, you can set up individual modes for quickly arming and disarming your cameras.<\/p>\n The default modes are: Armed, Disarmed, and Scheduled.<\/p>\n You can also set up custom modes, and we have one for when we are on vacation. To set up the modes, you simply edit which cameras you want to be armed, and what you want them to trigger.<\/p>\n For example, if you want only your outdoor cameras to be armed while you are inside your home, then you can have your indoor cameras disarmed.<\/p>\n You can trigger the outdoor cameras to send a notification or sound the siren. It doesn’t take long to set up the modes, and once they are established, you can easily arm and disarm your cameras using the Modes tab in your app.<\/p>\n When someone rings your doorbell,<\/a> you’ll get a call on your phone and be able to answer that call using your installed Arlo cameras. Unfortunately, the doorbell does\u00a0not\u00a0<\/strong>have a built-in camera.<\/p>\n Arlo Light<\/a> is another compatible option. When it senses motion, Arlo Light can trigger your Arlo Pro or Arlo Pro 2 cameras to begin recording sooner, adding security so that you don’t miss footage when motion is first seen.<\/p>\n When we originally reviewed Arlo Pro<\/a>, our only issues were the lack of motion zones and the slight delay in recording that can cause you to miss important footage.<\/p>\n Arlo Pro 2’s enhanced features solve both of these issues by offering motion zones and CVR (if you are willing to pay a monthly fee and keep your camera plugged into power).<\/p>\n Its biggest improvement?<\/p>\n 1080p footage. It will only help you identify intruders more easily and made a big impact on our footage quality during testing.<\/p>\n As long as you’re planning on keeping your cameras plugged in, Arlo Pro 2 is definitely worth its slightly higher price compared to Arlo Pro. If using the cameras with battery power, then I’d go with Arlo Pro<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"arlo](\"https:\/\/smarthomesolver.com\/reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Arlo-Pro-2-review-embed-compressor.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nArlo Pro & Arlo Pro 2 Comparison<\/span><\/h1>\n
Differences Between Cameras<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"arlo](\"https:\/\/smarthomesolver.com\/reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Arlo-Pro-vs-Arlo-Pro-2-compressor.jpg\")
<\/p>\nArlo Pro 2 Upgrades<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"arlo](\"https:\/\/smarthomesolver.com\/reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/arlo_app_2-compressor.png\")
<\/p>\nUpgrades requiring AC power<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/i>\u00a024\/7 Continuous Video Recording (CVR)<\/strong><\/p>\n
![\"arlo](\"https:\/\/smarthomesolver.com\/reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/arlo_pro_compared_outside-compressor.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nUpgrades that work on battery power<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/i> 1080p HD quality<\/strong><\/p>\n
Possible downside<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"arlo](\"https:\/\/smarthomesolver.com\/reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/arlo_pro_2_skin-compressor.jpg\")
<\/i> Shorter battery life?<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/smarthomesolver.com\/reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/arlo_pro_left-compressor.jpg\")
<\/a>\u00a0![\"Arlo](\"https:\/\/smarthomesolver.com\/reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Arlo-Pro-2-compressor.png\")
<\/a><\/div>\nFeatures of Both Arlo Pro Cameras<\/span><\/h2>\n
Hardware similarities<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n
\n
![\"arlo](\"https:\/\/smarthomesolver.com\/reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/arlo_pro_battery-compressor-e1498102525663.jpg\")
<\/li>\nSoftware similarities<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n
\n
![\"Arlo](\"https:\/\/smarthomesolver.com\/reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/20170818_145711-compressor.jpg\")
<\/a>Notifications<\/strong> for sound and motion detection. These can come as push or email notifications.<\/li>\nShould You Upgrade?<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"arlo](\"https:\/\/smarthomesolver.com\/reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/arlo_pro_porch_close.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/smarthomesolver.com\/reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/v1_button_check-it-out-blue-compressor.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nWhat if I already own Arlo Pro?<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"Arlo](\"https:\/\/smarthomesolver.com\/reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/arlo_pro_one_camera_kit-compressor.jpg\")
<\/p>\nArlo Pro FAQs<\/span><\/h2>\n
Are Arlo cameras easy to install?<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"arlo](\"https:\/\/smarthomesolver.com\/reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/arlo_pro_wall_mount.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWhat other mounts and skins are available?<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n
How do I arm\/disarm my cameras?<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"arlo](\"https:\/\/smarthomesolver.com\/reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/arlo_pro_app_modes.jpg\")
<\/em><\/h3>\nWhat other Arlo products are available to secure my home?<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"arlo](\"https:\/\/smarthomesolver.com\/reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/arlo_light_lifestyle-compressor.jpg\")
Arlo recently announced their new Arlo Doorbell<\/a>, which isn’t on sale yet, but will integrate with both Arlo Pro and Arlo Pro 2.<\/p>\nThe Big Question: Is Arlo Pro 2 worth it?<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"arlo](\"https:\/\/smarthomesolver.com\/reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/arlo_pro_2-compressor.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
![\"arlo](\"https:\/\/smarthomesolver.com\/reviews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Arlo-Pro-2-Box-compressor.png\")
<\/p>\n