Arlo Home Security Kit Review

The Arlo home security system builds on the company’s extensive experience with home security cameras and expands it to include everything you could want in a DIY home security system. Not only does it install in minutes, but what makes Arlo’s security system so attractive is the included all-in-one sensor that can be used to track whether a door or window is open, or detect motion or searching water. of possible leaks.

I tested the Arlo home security system in my office for a month and there are a lot of things I like about it compared to the best DIY home security systems, but there are a couple of things that may hold it back. Let’s delve into.

Arlo Home Security System: Pricing and Availability

You can order the Arlo home security system directly from Arlo for $200. The basic kit includes the keyboard and two of the all-in-one sensors. For $300, you get the same basic kit but a total of five sensors and a yard sign. Additional sensors cost $30 each, and you can also add Arlo security cameras, which tend to be some of the best home security cameras we’ve tested.

Alternatively, you can order any of the kits directly from Amazon with same day delivery.

Arlo Safe & Secure Pro, the company’s subscription service that includes 24/7 professional monitoring, costs $25 a month, with no contract.

Arlo Home Security System Review: Design and Setup

Included in the box is Arlo’s Keypad Sensor Hub which is not only used to monitor the status of your security system, but also has a motion sensor built into the front, along with a built-in siren and the ability of hearing smoke. and CO alarms, which indirectly makes it an alternative to the best smart smoke detectors.

You’ll also find two of Arlo’s all-in-one sensors, which are capable of detecting up to eight different variables: they can be used as door and window sensors, motion detectors, water leak detectors, freeze detectors, smoke/CO2, and as a light sensor.

To set up the security system, you will need to install the Arlo Secure app on your iPhone or Android phone. Once you have logged into the app and selected that you want to add the home security system, you will be guided through the process. The Keypad Sensor Hub does not require an Ethernet connection; in fact, it doesn’t even have an Ethernet port. Instead, you’ll connect to Arlo services over your home Wi-Fi network.

Once you’re connected to your network, you’ll be guided through a short tutorial showing you how to use the keypad, enter a code to arm and disarm the system, or, in an emergency, call for help using the panic button.

The center should be placed on a flat surface, such as a countertop or shelf. On the front of the square case is a motion sensor that can detect motion up to 13 feet away, so you’ll want to keep that in mind when deciding where to place the system. I placed it on my desk, giving it a full view of my office.

There’s a standard keypad on the top of the hub, along with buttons to put the system into Away Arm, Stay Arm, or Standby modes. Additionally, there is a panic button that will sound the alarm and, depending on your personal settings, call for help. There are also dedicated buttons to request medical, fire or police help by holding the button for two seconds. These latter features require a Professional Monitoring subscription to work. The keys are backlit and easy to see from across the room, thanks to the color-coding of the mode buttons.

When testing the Abode security kit, I relied on the included remote control to arm and disarm the system, but it wasn’t until I started testing the Arlo home security system that I realized how vital a keypad is for security. home security experience. Not only does it give you a visual way to check the current status of the system, but you don’t have to worry about losing the remote control; the keyboard is always in the same place.

Arlo also sells a Battery and cell phone backup Accessory that you place the center on for $80. You will need to have an active professional monitoring subscription to be able to use the cellular part.

After configuring and placing the hub, you will be prompted to configure and add the sensors to your system. This is arguably the most difficult part of the setup process, because there are so many different ways to use each sensor, deciding where and how you want to use them can be a daunting task. I opted to use one sensor on the front door leading to my office, with the second sensor placed on a wall as a motion sensor.

Included in the box are all the mounting hardware you’ll need, whether it’s an adhesive strip or a screw mount for a more permanent installation. During the setup process, you will be asked how you will primarily use the sensor. You can select between Open/Close Detection, Motion Detection, or Water Leak Detection.

In total, it took me about 15 minutes to go from unpacking the system to adding the hub to my Arlo account and installing the two sensors.

Arlo Home Security System Review: App Performance and Features

If you have an Arlo security camera installed, you’re already familiar with the Arlo app and should have no problem getting used to controlling the security system. The main screen within the app, called Dashboard, gives you a quick overview of the system’s current status, such as armed or standby, and also the status of its sensors.

If there is motion currently detected by the hub or a sensor, for example, you will see it. You will also see the current temperature reported by any sensor, as well as light levels, depending on how you have configured the sensor. The home page is a quick and easy way to take a look at the status of your home and know what’s happening where. You can also quickly change the mode settings for your system in the panel tab.

The power tab is where you can see a timeline view of your system, letting you know when a door or window has been opened and closed, or when motion has been detected in a room. The feed is not a general list of all activity; however, it will only log and track events that happen based on the current state of the system. For example, when the system is in standby mode, by default, it will not record when doors are opened or closed or when motion is detected. However, it records when the amount of light detected by a sensor changes.

That said, you can go to the Routines tab and customize how each mode behaves. I was able to set the standby mode to record each event, as well as send automatic alerts to my phone about the activity on each sensor.

The Routines tab is also where you’ll go to create automated tasks, such as changing the system’s assigned mode based on the time of day, whether you’re home or not.

I found Arlo’s automation workflow easier to understand and use than Abode’s Cue system, which, while arguably more capable, is also more complicated to navigate and use.

As for system performance, it worked as expected. The alerts from the various sensors were accurate and arrived in a timely manner. The hub speaker is loud enough to hear the chimes or siren through my office door, but not loud enough to hear through multiple walls.

Again, the backlit keys on the keyboard are very bright and a great addition to a home security system. It’s something I like about my Ring Alarm Pro system and the Arlo setup is no different.

Arlo Home Security System Review: Smart Home Integration

Like Abode’s Essential Security Kit, the Arlo home security system has no additional radios or connectivity options to control your smart home devices. Specifically, that means it lacks Zigbee or Z-Wave connectivity. Instead, it depends on Wi-Fi.

However, you can connect your Arlo account to Google Assistant and Alexa. The first does not allow you to control the system, or even see the status of any sensors or modes, while the second will allow you to use Alexa to arm and disarm the system.

Arlo Home Security System Review: Subscription Options

You don’t need to sign up for or use one of Arlo’s subscription plans with Home Security System. You can use it as a standalone device and receive alerts based on your personal settings for activity and mode changes. However, you won’t be able to use any of the major features that are typically associated with home security systems.

The Arlo Safe & Secure Pro plan costs $25 a month and includes 24/7 professional monitoring. That means if the alarm goes off, Arlo will automatically call for help. You can also use the panic button and various keyboard shortcuts to call for help. If you have Arlo cameras installed, the plan covers your cameras and will even allow Arlo to use your camera footage to verify that there really is an emergency before sending help, reducing false alarms.

Arlo’s $25/month professional monitoring plan is more expensive than Abode’s $23/month and Ring’s $20/month. Arlo plans have historically been more expensive than the competition while offering similar features and functionality.

Arlo Home Security System Review: Verdict

The Arlo home security system is easy to set up and is a complete home security option. All-in-one sensors are incredibly versatile and aren’t too expensive, considering everything they are capable of doing. I enjoyed using it and if I wasn’t already using Ring’s Alarm Pro in my home, I would definitely consider using Arlo’s system. It’s more expensive than Abode’s Security Kit, both in terms of hardware and monthly subscription, but you get a more versatile system out of the box and it might be worth the extra cost.