The product(s) featured in this post was provided to me free of cost as a Netgear Ambassador. This post has not been monetarily compensated. Please note that, as always, any personal opinions reflected in this post are my own.
Going back a couple of years someone broke into my car and stole my GPS unit. Less than two years ago a total stranger walked onto our property to my son’s bedroom window and started an inappropriate conversation. My son came and told me and we called the police. Ever since that day I have been wary. The feeling worsened when my neighbor saw someone try to break into their van a few months ago. The desire to stay safe and know what’s going on around my home has gotten stronger over the years. Finally this month I met Arlo, who can do help me deal with all of it and let me feel a bit safer.
Arlo is Arlo Smart Home, a security system from the folks at Netgear. Yes, that Netgear. You know, the tech people. I sold tons of their products when I was in computer sales. I have always considered the products that this brand makes to be reputable and user-friendly. As it turns out, Arlo is no exception.
The Arlo system starts at $199.99, complete. For that price you receive:
- Arlo Security System with 1 HD Camera (VMS3130)
- (1) HD, 100% wire-free, indoor/outdoor camera with night vision
- (1) Smart home base station with power adapter
- (1) Ethernet cable
- (2) Magnetic camera mounts
- (2) Mounting screws
- (4) Batteries
- (1) Quick start guide
- (1) Window decal
Now that’s the base system. There are three others, and the main difference between all of them is the number of cameras that they come with. The system supports up to four cameras.
I received the system with two cameras, which retails for $349.99.
The Arlo Smart Home system only takes about 15 minutes to set up. Installation is super easy! The box comes with everything you will need. First you plug the Arlo router into your home router and sync the cameras with the Arlo router.
The second step is to prepare the cameras for installation. The cameras require four lithium CR123 photo batteries (included) to operate. The batteries have an average life of 4-6 months. There is a battery monitor in the dashboard that lets you know when the battery is running low.
The third step is to download the Arlo app.
The fourth and final step is to install the Arlo cameras, which can be placed on a table or shelf or hung on a wall. That’s it! There are no wired required at all, except for the power able for the Arlo router and the ethernet cable that connects that to your home router. No cables are required to install the cameras. No power supply is required for the cameras. Installation is truly effortless!
Once your system is up and running you can see what’s going on in your Arlo dashboard, accessible either in the Arlo app or on your desktop. Besides being able to check in real-time, this is also where any recorded events are stored.
The events that are recorded are as a result of motion being detected. Alternatively, Arlo can be configured to record on a schedule of your choosing.
I set ours to notify me when motion has been detected. The screenshots below were taken from my Arlo Smart Home online dashboard, and they show some of the events that cause the motion detector to go off.
Going clockwise starting in the upper left there’s a car in front of the driveway and my Dad checking out one of the cameras, me getting into my truck, the school bus, the mailman, the UPS truck, cars across the street at night, and the garbage truck.
You can see all of the same info in the Arlo app on your phone.
Arlo uses an HD video system with a 300 foot range line of sight. The system can be used indoors or outdoors, or a combination of both. We installed ours outdoors and the night vision (which illuminates up to 25 feet) has helped keep us informed and feeling secure. The cameras have a 110 degree field of view.
Here’s a brief video from the initial announcement of Arlo’s release.
I love, love, love Arlo and recommend the system highly. I feel far more secure since we installed Arlo. We love it so much that we want to get an additional camera, so our whole home and lot will be covered.
How would Arlo Smart Home be most useful to you?
CONNECT
Arlo Smart Home website – Arlo Smart Home on Facebook – Arlo Smart Home on Twitter
I need to look into this. I’ve had Netgear products in the past and always been impressed with them.
That’s a really cool system! I’d feel pretty safe with all of those measures in place.
That sounds like an awesome security system! I’d love to have one.
No wires for the camera is really nice. We have been discussing a home security system. I haven’t heard of this brand but will be checking them out!
This looks like a great system. I love that it’s made by Netgear. I’ve been using their products for years.
That seems like a really great deal for a security home system! We have been looking at them since we have had 2 cars stolen and our house broken into in the past 2 years! I will have to show this to my husband!
I’ve been looking for something like this! Last week our neighborhood had 10 trucks’ Cadillac converters stolen right out of the people’s driveways. I hate to leave our house unprotected with crime rates going through the roof.
My neighbors just purchased this! She was really impressed with the video quality!
I like this system. Great way to feel secure.
I’ve been looking into getting something like this instead of getting a baby monitor. It just makes more sense to be able to keep an eye on everything in the home.
This looks awesome. Something I would invest in. We have punk kids around our house so I often worry!
This is so neat Valerie! I live in an area very close to the highway and I would love the peace of mind this provides. Thanks so much for sharing!
We’ve been looking for something like this. I’ll have to show this to my husband.
We used to have to a security system. I would like to get one. And that is a great price.
My husband is gone a lot at night, so we put in a security system. It doesn’t have nearly as many security features as this option.
Both those events would terrify me! We bought a house will a fully installed system, but if we hadn’t, I would really look into this!
Our current home security system is our German Shepherd. Unfortunately he doesn’t have a cool camera feature like this system!
This system would definitely give my family peace of mind! I love the sleek look too, would blend in perfectly with our decor
That is pretty cool. I love the fact that it is just a one time payment and that you can monitor your home from your phone.
home security is such an important thing. the price of this is reasonable and make security affordable for almost everyone
All great reasons for getting this unit. I need to get one
This looks like an amazing system. We have had some break-ins not far from us so I’d love to get a security system!
One could definitely feel safe with a system like that. It’s what every house needs!
This would be the perfect security system for me. I like the cameras so you can see what is going on.
Showing my hubby your post. These would be great to watch out dock on the lake.