Arlo Ultra 2
High–end smart security camera with 4K video and HomeKit support
$599.99 From arlo.com
Features 2x Arlo Ultra 2 cameras, 1x SmartHub, 4K video with HDR, siren and spotlight, 6–month rechargeable battery, HomeKit support, dual–band Wi–Fi, SD card slot
Arlo’s top–of–the–range Ultra 2 security camera is pretty expensive, but it’s one of the few that works with HomeKit for Apple devices, and that’s a key feature that might actually save you some money in the long run.
The Ultra 2 starts at a hefty $599.99, for a set — available in black or white — that includes two cameras, and a SmartHub that connects to your broadband router and acts as the central control point for your cameras. It has the same 4K resolution with HDR as the original Arlo Ultra — still on sale on some online stores — but now supports HomeKit and dual–band Wi–Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz), which provides better performance for streaming large video files.
The cameras earn their keep, though, with a sharp, detailed image. They’re weather– resistant, with rechargeable batteries that last for six months, and Arlo includes stands for both indoor and outdoor use. The high–res image means that the camera’s 12x zoom function works well too, allowing you to zoom in on specific areas without blurring.
Our only complaint is that the night–vision mode is a little murky. However, the cameras also include a built–in spotlight, which can be triggered automatically when the camera detects movement, to improve visibility. There’s a built–in siren too, which can be triggered automatically, or controlled within the app if you want to give someone a scare.
Getting started is easy. You just need to connect the SmartHub to your router using the Ethernet cable in the box, and the Arlo
app then automatically detects the SmartHub and cameras, and links them together. But, like many security cameras these days, the Ultra 2 requires an additional subscription to use some of its key features. You can use the system without a subscription, and the cameras will still send you notifications when they detect movement, and allow you to stream live video in order to see what’s going on. The SmartHub also has an SD card slot, so that you can record video onto a memory card. But if you want to store your video recordings more securely in the cloud, and to activate additional features — such as “activity zones”, which focus the camera on specific areas such as doors or windows — then you need to pay for a monthly Arlo Secure plan. A three–month trial for Arlo Secure is included, but after that you’ll need a subscription, starting at $2.99 per month to store just 2K video online for one camera for 30 days, and stepping up to $14.99 for 4K video and multiple cameras. But, as mentioned, the Ultra 2 also supports HomeKit, which allows you to store video from security cameras online as part of an iCloud+ subscription. This is definitely a much more affordable option, starting at just $0.99 per month if you want to store recordings from one camera, $2.99 for five cameras, or $9.99 for an unlimited number of cameras.
THE BOTTOM LINE. Not everyone will need a high–end camera with 4K resolution, but if you can afford the hefty price and subscription fees, then the Arlo Ultra 2 is hard to beat. CLIFF JOSEPH