Arlo Ultra vs Arlo Ultra 2: which 4K security camera is right for you?

Date:
Sun, 01 Aug 2021 09:00:00 +0000

Description:
Arlos first 4K security camera is soon to be discontinued, but you can still pick one up, but should you? We tested the Arlo Ultra and the Arlo Ultra 2 to find out which you should choose.

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The best home security cameras are a great way to provide peace of mind letting you check in on your home when youre not around. Theyll alert you if they detect motion so you can take appropriate action, and theyre far easier to install than traditional wired CCTV systems.

So its not surprising that almost 20% of US homes have a home security camera installed, according to Safety.coms home security survey.

Arlo was one of the first brands to produce home security cameras in 2014,
and since then has released a number of models that build on the last with improved video quality and handy features to cut down on the number of false alerts.

Its first 4K home security camera, the Arlo Ultra is being discontinued as
the brand has launched the Arlo Ultra 2 . However stock of the Arlo Ultra is still available, although its dwindling fast - in part because the price of the Ultra has been significantly cut making it more attractive than ever. So should you rush out and buy the Ultra, or wait and plump for the Ultra 2 at your leisure? Weve rounded up the key differences between the two and tested them head to head to help you decide. Arlo Ultra and Arlo Ultra 2 key differences

On the surface, the Arlo Ultra and Arlo Ultra 2 look identical and can both record footage in 4K . Both cameras use a SmartHub to connect to the internet rather than attaching to your home Wi-Fi network.

This SmartHub creates its own individual Wi-Fi connection with the Ultra and Ultra 2 cameras, which is more secure than a direct link between your router and the security camera. This ensures its less likely to be intercepted by unauthorized users and also offers local storage removing the need to subscribe to Arlo Secure, the brands online storage service.

In fact, the distinction between the two cameras comes down to one feature, but it could make all the difference to just how effective your home security camera is at protecting your property.

The Arlo Ultra 2 supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi bands, while the Arlo Ultra only supports 2.4GHz. This means the Arlo Ultra 2 camera can be placed further away from the SmartHub than the Arlo Ultra - if you have a large property and need a longer-range Wi-Fi connection, this will make all the difference to which camera you choose. (Image credit: Arlo) Best Arlo Ultra deals

Read on to discover how these two 4K home security cameras compare or, if youve already decided which of the two you wish to buy, check out the best prices right now for both products below: Price

As weve already mentioned, the Ultra home security cameras sit at the top of Arlos range, so unsurprisingly, theyre the most expensive models offered by the brand.

The Arlo Ultra starts from $399 / 314.99 / (around AU$550 ) for a one-camera kit, which includes the smart hub. This kit isnt currently available in Australia however.

A two-camera kit will set you back $599.99 / 490 / AU$826 . Theres also a three-camera version available for $897 / 629.99 / AU$1,149 , and in the UK you can pick up a four-camera kit too, for 799.99 .

Single add-on cameras, which dont include the smart hub, will set you back $265 / 229.99 / AU$312 .

The Arlo Ultra 2 has been available in the US and Australia since October 2020, while it only launched in the UK in April 2021. New stock of the original Ultra is no longer being produced, hence why theres less choice of camera kit available in the US and Australia.

The Arlo Ultra 2 is a little pricier than its predecessor, starting at
$599.99 / 629.99 / AU$799 for a two-camera kit (unlike the Arlo Ultra, a one-camera kit isnt offered).

Theres also a three-camera kit priced at $899.99 / 809.99 / $1,049.99 , while in the US and the UK theres a four-camera kit that costs $999.99 / 989.99 .

Single add-on cameras that dont include the smart hub are priced at $299.99 / 314.99 / AU$449.99.

As with the majority of home security cameras, if you want to review footage recorded by the camera at a later date, youll need to subscribe to a cloud storage plan (although you can record footage on your own device - more on that later).

All Arlo cameras use Arlo Secure, which costs $4.99 / 3.99 / AU$7.49 per
month and ensures 4K footage recorded by the camera is stored for up to 30 days.

Theres also a $14.99 / 12.9 / AU$21.99 subscription plan available, which can be used with the Arlo Ultra and Arlo Ultra 2. However, this only stores footage at a maximum resolution of 2K - to choose this option would make investing in Arlos 4K cameras a bit, well, pointless.

Arlo Smart also gives you access to handy AI features such as being able to identify if the source of motion was a person, animal, vehicle or simply a tree rustling in the wind. Both cameras come with a three-month free trial of Arlo Secure. (Image credit: Arlo) Design

As weve already mentioned, the Arlo Ultra and Arlo Ultra 2 look identical, with a glossy white casing and a sleek black face featuring the camera lens and LED spotlight sit (to ensure color footage even at night). They both have a 180 degree field of view, and can record footage in 4K.

Both cameras, which are weatherproof and can be used inside or outdoors, are powered by a rechargeable battery, although they can also be hard-wired too. They can be positioned freestanding or wall-mounted, and use a SmartHub to connect to the internet.


However, while the Arlo Ultra 2 supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi bands,
the Arlo Ultra only supports 2.4GHz. Features

Both the Arlo Ultra and the Arlo Ultra 2 are effective at monitoring for motion and alerting you if activity is detected. On test, we found both cameras were quick to alert us when motion was detected, and we were
impressed by the quality of the footage.

We mounted the cameras on the exterior of our property, in the middle of the second storey, so the whole of our driveway was taken in by the cameras field of view. The 4k resolution meant that when activity was detected, we were
able to zoom in on the footage and still be able to pick out details clearly, such as the number plate of the car parked on the drive - something cameras that record in 2K and Full HD struggle with at this height.

The Arlo Ultra and Ultra 2 can also be set to automatically zoom in when motion is detected, and track the subject. We found this feature was handy
and effectively followed the subject, but because the image has been zoomed, its not the same clarity as footage recorded when this feature is turned off.

We used the free trial of Arlo Secure Plus when testing the cameras, and
found both were accurate at identifying the course of the motion as well, ensuring we werent plagued by false positive alerts. Verdict

When it comes to choosing between the Arlo Ultra and the Arlo Ultra 2, the size of your property and the distance you want to position the camera from the SmartHub will affect which of the two home security cameras you should plump for.

If you plan on using the camera relatively close to the SmartHub, then the Arlo Ultra will suffice, and as it's more affordable than the Arlo Ultra 2, its kinder to your wallet. Although, as stock of the camera is no longer
being produced, wed urge you to buy sooner rather than later so you dont miss out.

However, if you have a large property and want to position the security
camera a longer distance from the SmartHub, the Arlo Ultra 2 is a better option. The longer range Wi-Fi will ensure that the camera doesnt frequently drop internet connection, meaning it isnt able to detect motion and alert you if anything untoward happens. Check out these great home security camera deals



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/arlo-ultra-vs-arlo-ultra-2-which-4k-security-ca mera-is-right-for-you/


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