Arlo Q vs. Arlo Pro: Which Security Camera Is Best?

(Last Updated On: March 9, 2018)

Arlo is probably one of the most trusted security camera manufacturers right now. Two of the brand’s many offerings and models are the wire-free Arlo Pro and the powered Arlo Q.

Which one is better?

Arlo Q

Arlo Q is a wired security camera that delivers 1080 high definition video, and infrared night vision.

The HD camera gives you clear details as well as a wide 130-degree field of view. It also has a built-in microphone and speaker, allowing you to talk to anybody that the camera captures.

But what makes Arlo Q better than most of its competitors is that it gives you seven days of free cloud storage. Every time the camera is triggered by either sound or movement, it will be able to record what’s happening and then send it to the cloud for you to access the clip. If that is not enough, you can upgrade to continuous video recordings with Arlo’s subscription plans.

Mobile app

Arlo Q has a companion mobile app that allows you to see what’s happening at home through your smartphone or tablet. You can also check on the live stream on a computer or on Apple TV. But that is not all that the mobile app can do. Some of the app’s features include:

• E-mail or mobile alerts. Once the Arlo Q detects motion or sound, it will send you an alert on your phone or via e-mail so that you could check in on what’s happening at home.
• Support for five cameras. Each account can handle up to five cameras. If you have more than that, you can upgrade and add up to 15 cameras for every account. You can easily manage and view multiple cameras on one app.
• Scheduling. You can set up your own schedules to arm or disarm the camera. For instance, you can set your camera not to record anything from 6 pm to 10 pm when you are at home and not yet asleep, and then automatically arm itself at 8 am when you leave for work, or at 10 pm when you go to sleep.
• Settings. You can use the mobile app to set your preferences for the camera.
• Share your videos. You can easily share access to your Arlo Q with friends and family. Plus, you can share your recorded videos with your family and friends.

Subscription plans

Arlo Q comes with a free basic plan that allows you to get seven days of cloud storage for your video recordings and connect up to five cameras in a single account. But if you want more than that, you have two options:

• The Premier Plan. Get this plan and enjoy 30 days of cloud recordings for up to 10 cameras for only $99 a year.
• The Elite Plan. This plan gives you 60 days of cloud recordings for up to 15 cameras for $149 per year.

If you want your Arlo Q to always be recording, you can choose to add the optional 24/7 Continuous Video Recording to your plan. Pay $99 per year for 14 days of continuous video recording, or $199 for 30 days.

What’s in the box

• Arlo Q 1080p HD Security Camera
• Power adapter
• Cable for the power adapter
• Wall mount plate
• Mounting screws
• Arlo window decal
• Quick start guide

Arlo Pro

Arlo Pro is another security camera from Arlo, but unlike the Arlo Q that is for indoors only, the Arlo Pro is weatherproof.

Arlo Pro also has HD resolution, a viewing angle of 130 degrees, and two-way audio.

What you would love about the Arlo Pro is that it is very flexible. Because it does not have any wires, you can put it just about anywhere you want. You do not have to worry about laying down wires to power the camera. It uses rechargeable batteries that allow you to save money in the long run. More than that, you can plug it in if you place it near an existing power outlet.

What’s more, because it is weatherproof, you do not have to worry about it getting wet or dirty. The Arlo Pro is rated IP 65, which means that the camera is protected against water spray and dust that may harm the camera.

Arlo Pro has advanced motion detection, which uses PIR motion sensors that can capture any movement in front of it. Furthermore, you can connect a USB drive to your Arlo Pro base station if you want to save your recorded videos locally.

What’s in the box

• Arlo Pro smart security camera
• Base station with built-in siren
• Rechargeable battery
• Power cable
• Power adapter
• Wall mount
• Wall mount screw set
• Ethernet cable
• Window decal
• Quick start guide

Comparing the Arlo Q and Arlo Pro

The Arlo Pro and Arlo Q make home security a lot easier and they come with a lot of the same features, including the use of H.264 video formats, night vision, motion detection, sound detection, email, and mobile alerts, and free seven-day cloud storage. Both also allow you to access them with the mobile app and come with subscription plans that allow for more connected cameras and more cloud storage.

When it comes to differences, there are quite a few. For instance, the Arlo Q might be a bit smaller than the Pro, but it is heavier. And then there are areas where one wins over the other.

Where the Arlo Q wins

If you are going to use the camera indoors, then get the Arlo Q because the indoor camera has its own stand. You can just place it on top of a table, or on your shelf, without needing to mount it on anything.

Arlo Q also has a higher resolution, delivering 1080 pixels rather than the 720 pixels you get from Arlo Pro. Arlo Q can also transmit videos on the 5 GHz Wi-Fi band, making sure that your transmissions are not crowded.

Furthermore, continuous video recording is only available on the Arlo Q. With Arlo Pro, you can only get motion- or sound-activated recorded videos.

Motion detection is also better with Arlo Q, which allows you to set activity zones. This will allow you to focus on certain areas while also ignoring the rest, like a busy street, or an area with a lot of foot traffic. This reduces the number of false alarms you get.

Last but not least, the Arlo Q is $50 cheaper than the Arlo Pro.

Where the Arlo Pro wins

The Arlo Pro is the one to choose if you need to place your camera outdoors. It is weather-resistant and dust-proof and safe from water spray damage.

Also, it is really flexible when it comes to placement. You can place your Arlo Pro just about everywhere you want to because it is wireless. You can just use the rechargeable batteries to power it. More than that, you can buy the solar panel or just plug it in if you do not want to worry about replacing the batteries every now and then.

Moreover, you can connect a USB flash drive to your base station, allowing you save your recorded videos locally.

The Arlo Pro also has an included siren. The loud siren is found on the base station, and you can activate it remotely if you want to.

Side by side comparison of Arlo Pro and Arlo Q

	Arlo Pro	Arlo Q
List Price	$249.99	$199.99
Dimensions	2.3 x 6.9 x 5.0 in	2.8 x 2.8 x 4.5 in
Weight	0.30 lbs.	0.37 lbs.
Resolution	720 pixels	1080 pixels
Frame rate	Not specified	30 fps
Video format	H.264	H.264
Field of view	130 degrees	130 degrees
Night vision	850 nm LEDs	850 nm LEDs
Night vision range	25 feet	25 feet
Digital zoom	Yes	Yes
Motion detection range	Adjustable sensitivity	50 feet
E-mail alerts	Yes	Yes
Push notifications	Yes	Yes
Wi-Fi frequency	2.4 GHz	2.4 GHz, 5 GHz
Wi-Fi range	300 feet	300 feet
Wired?	No	Yes
Weather resistant?	Yes	Indoor use only
Upgrade to 24/7 recording?	No	Yes
Can you plug it in?	Yes	Yes
Solar power source?	Yes	No
Rechargable batteries?	Yes	No
7-day free storage	Yes	Yes
Siren	Yes	No
Does it have local storage?	Yes	No
Can I set up activity zones?	No	Yes