Arlo vs Ring - Video doorbells and Cameras compared

Table of contents

1. Comparison Table 2. Introduction to Arlo 3. Introduction to Ring 4. Overview of Arlo Devices a) Arlo Video Doorbells b) Arlo Security Cameras 5. Overview of Ring Devices a) Ring Video Doorbells b) Ring Security Cameras 6. Step by Step Comparison of Arlo and Ring a) Design: Arlo vs. Ring b) Video Quality: Arlo vs. Ring c) Features: Arlo vs. Ring d) User Interface and App: Arlo vs. Ring e) Monthly Subscription Plans: Arlo vs. Ring f) Compatibility with Other Devices: Arlo vs. Ring g) Automation Capabilities: Arlo vs. Ring h) Ease of Installation: Arlo vs. Ring i) External Monitoring Options: Arlo vs. Ring j) Emergency Response Times: Arlo vs. Ring k) Support, Customer Service, and Warranty: Arlo vs. Ring 7. Arlo vs. Ring a) Duel Summary - Win, Lose, Tie b) Verdict: Arlo Wins! 8. FAQ a) Interesting IFTTT recipes for Arlo b) Interesting IFTTT recipes for Ring c) Can someone steal my Arlo device? d) Can someone steal my Ring device? e) Does Ring doorbell record conversations? f) Can I hear a Ring doorbell in my house? g) Does Arlo need Wi-Fi? h) Does Ring need Wi-Fi? i) How often do I need to charge Arlo? j) How often do I need to charge Ring?

 

When choosing the right smart doorbell or security camera for your home, the two most likely contenders you should consider are Arlo and Ring. Offering a wide variety of models with numerous features and price points, both companies don’t make it easy on their customers in terms of choice. Which is a good thing.

Thanks to this variety of models, it’s certain you’ll be able to find the right doorbell or security camera that fits both your needs and budget. To make sure you pick the one you need, this overview provides you with a detailed comparison between Arlo and Ring.

Before you delve deeper in this article, here’s a detailed comparison chart of all relevant Arlo and Ring smart doorbells and security cameras.

Name	Arlo Video Doorbell	Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wire-Free	Arlo Baby	Arlo Q	Arlo Q Plus	Arlo Essential	Arlo Pro 4	Arlo Ultra 2	Arlo Go	Ring Video Doorbell 2020	Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus	Ring Video Doorbell Pro	Ring Video Doorbell Elite	Ring Peephole Cam	Ring Indoor Cam	Ring Stick Up Cam	Ring Spotlight Cam	Ring Floodlight Cam
Cost	$149.99	$199.99	$199.99	$84.99	$249.99	$129.99	$199.99	$299.99	$429.99	$99.99	$229.99	$249.99	$349.99	$129.99	$59.99	$99.99	$199.99	$249.99
Weatherproof	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Resolution (pixels)	1536 x 1536	1536 x 1536	1920 x 1080	1920 x 1080	1920 x 1080	1920 x 1080	2560 x 1440	3840 x 2160	1280 x 720	1920 x 1080	1920 x 1080	1920 x 1080	1920 x 1080	1920 x 1080	1920 x 1080	1920 x 1080	1920 x 1080	1920 x 1080
Field of View (degrees)	180	180	110 - 130	130	130	130	160	180	130	155	160	160	160	155	140	130	140	140
Motion Detection	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Night-vision	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes (spotlight-assisted)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Live Feed	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Pre-Roll	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	4 seconds, low resolution, no sound, black and white	Full HD	Full HD	No	6 seconds, Ring Protect plan required	6 seconds, Ring Protect plan required, wired versions only	6 seconds, Ring Protect plan required, wired versions only	6 seconds, Ring Protect plan required
Two-Way Audio	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Smart Notifications	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Connection	Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi, Ethernet cable	Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi, Mobile 4G LTE	Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi or Ethernet	Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi
Power Supply	AC power	Battery or AC power	Battery or AC power	AC power	AC power or Power-over-Ethernet	Battery, charging cable included	Battery or AC power	Battery or AC power	Battery or AC power	Battery or AC power	Battery or AC power	AC power	AC power	Battery or AC power	AC power	AC power, battery, solar, or PoE	AC power, battery, or solar.	AC power
Color options	White, Black	White, Black	Grey Bunny. Other colors and characters sold separately.	White	White	White, Black	White, Black	White, Black	White/Black. Skins in various colors sold separately.	Satin Nickel, Venetian Bronze	Satin Nickel, Venetian Bronze	Satin Nickel, Pearl, Venetian, Black	Satin Nickel, Pearl White, Venetian, Satin Black	Satin Nickel	White, Black	White, Black	White, Black	White, Black
Installation type	DIY	DIY	DIY	DIY	DIY	DIY	DIY	DIY	DIY	DIY	DIY	DIY	Professional	DIY	DIY	DIY	DIY and Professional	DIY and Professional
Event recording	30 days (subscription required)	Not suitable for this device	30 days (subscription required)	30 days (subscription required)	30 days (subscription required)	30 days (subscription required)	30 days (subscription required)	30 days (subscription required)	Not suitable for this device	60 days (subscription required)	60 days (subscription required)	60 days (subscription required)	60 days (subscription required)	60 days (subscription required)	60 days (subscription required)	60 days (subscription required)	60 days (subscription required)	60 days (subscription required)
24/7 video recording	Yes (subscription required)	Not suitable for this device	Yes (subscription required)	Yes (subscription required)	Yes (subscription required)	Yes (subscription required)	Yes (subscription required)	Yes (subscription required)	Not suitable for this device	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
24/7 video storage	Yes (subscription required)	Not suitable for this device	Yes (subscription required)	Yes (subscription required)	Yes (subscription required)	Yes (subscription required)	Yes (subscription required)	Yes (subscription required)	Not suitable for this device	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
People detection	Yes (subscription required)	Not suitable for this device	Yes (subscription required)	Yes (subscription required)	Yes (subscription required)	Yes (subscription required)	Yes (subscription required)	Yes (subscription required)	Not suitable for this device	Yes (subscription required)	Yes (subscription required)	Yes (subscription required)	Yes (subscription required)	Yes (subscription required)	Yes (subscription required)	Yes (subscription required)	Yes (subscription required)	Yes (subscription required)
Subscription Cost Basic	$2.99 per month for a single camera; $9.99 per month for up to five cameras; discounts for more than five cameras									Charged per device, $3 per month or $30 per year
Subscription Cost Plus	Not suitable for this device	Not suitable for this device	Not suitable for this device	Not suitable for this device	Not suitable for this device	Not suitable for this device	Not suitable for this device	$4.99 per month  for a single camera, $14.99 per month for up to five cameras; discounts for more than five cameras	Not suitable for this device	$10 per month or $100 per year for all Ring devices
External Monitoring Service	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Neighborhood App	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
AI assistant	Google, Alexa	Google, Alexa	Google, Alexa, Apple HomeKit	Google, Alexa	Google, Alexa	Google, Alexa, Apple HomeKit	Google, Alexa	Google, Alexa, Apple HomeKit	Google, Alexa	Alexa	Alexa	Alexa	Alexa	Alexa	Alexa	Alexa	Alexa	Alexa
IFTTT	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Emergency calls	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Warranty	1 year	1 year	Limited 1 year hardware warranty	Limited 1 year hardware warranty	Limited 1 year hardware warranty	1 year	1 year	1 year	Limited 1 year hardware warranty	1 year, extended with Plus subscription	1 year, extended with Plus subscription	1 year, extended with Plus subscription	1 year, extended with Plus subscription	1 year, extended with Plus subscription	1 year, extended with Plus subscription	1 year, extended with Plus subscription	1 year, extended with Plus subscription	1 year, extended with Plus subscription
Theft protection	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

In 2014, Netgear, a popular computer networks computer, created the Arlo brand. The idea behind this move was to offer various security camera devices for smart homes under a more casual identity. The main products of the new company included smart security video cameras and video doorbells.

Four years later, thanks to the new brand’s success, Netgear decided to establish Arlo as a separate company. With a wide variety of security cameras and smart doorbells, Arlo became one of the most trusted smart home brands. In mid-2020, Arlo reported a total of 4.5 million registered users and close to 300,000 paying subscribers.

With their humble beginnings as a startup in 2013, Ring quickly made a significant impact on the market with their smart video doorbell. The device included a high-resolution camera, two-way speaker, motion sensor, and an accompanying app. By allowing their users to control the doorbell from a smartphone or computer, this product became extremely popular, extremely quickly.

Following the success of their smart doorbell, Ring released their first smart security camera in 2015. Besides being able to connect to the home Wi-Fi network, it also had a couple of charging options. You could connect it to a wired power outlet, battery, or solar panel, depending on your needs.

Noticing the uptake Ring was experiencing as a company, Amazon decided to buy the company in 2018 for a sum between $1.2 and $1.8 billion. Today, Ring boasts five smart doorbell models and four video surveillance cameras, as well as their own alarm system and smart lighting solutions.

Arlo Wired Video Doorbell

One of the main benefits of Arlo smart doorbells is the video resolution of their camera that boasts as much as 1536 x 1536 pixels. Add to that its viewing angle of 180 degrees, and it’s certain you’ll be able to clearly see what’s going on in front of your door. And thanks to its night vision capability, no action will be lost even in poor lighting conditions.

Cost

List price is $149.99. At the time of writing this review, Arlo offered this camera for $129.99.

What’s in the box?

• Arlo Video Doorbell
• Flat and angled mounting plates
• Release pin for the security latch
• Wall mount with screw kit
• Wire extension kit
• Quick Start guide

Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wire-Free

Similar to their basic video doorbell, Arlo’s wire-free version is super-simple for installation. One of the greatest improvements over the basic model is the addition of a battery power supply. This way, you can attach the video doorbell anywhere you want in mere minutes without having to worry how to power it.

Thanks to the battery which can work in all weather conditions, you can expect it to last up to six months between two charges. Of course, you can also connect the doorbell to an existing chime electrical installation if you have it already. Then you’ll enable the continuous charging of the doorbell’s battery. But with such a great battery life, this might not be worth the hassle.

Cost

$199.99 at the time of review.

What’s in the box?

• Arlo Wire-Free Video Doorbell
• Rechargeable battery
• Flat and angled mounting plates
• Release pin for the security latch
• Battery charging cable
• Wall mount with screw kit
• Wire extension kit
• Quick Start guide

Arlo Baby Security Camera

If you’re looking for a baby monitor for your home, look no further than Arlo Baby Security Camera. This indoor Full HD camera provides a two-way audio communication, night light, lullaby player, and a 130-degrees viewing angle. Everything you need to make sure the little one is safe and sound.

In addition to this, this baby camera also has an air sensor which monitors the air conditions in the nursery room. Thanks to a variety of sensors, you can check the room temperature and air humidity, as well as the levels of unwanted volatile compounds. If the conditions shift out of your desired range, Arlo’s app will provide notification, allowing you to react in due time.

Cost

$199.99 at the time of review.

What’s in the box?

• Arlo Baby HD Monitoring Camera
• Power adapter with cable
• Wall mount plate
• Set of mounting screws
• Window decal “Video monitoring in progress”
• Quick start guide

Arlo Q Security Camera

This indoor smart security camera allows you to monitor everything that’s going on inside your home. Supporting the 24/7 recording and pre-roll capability, you can precisely check on each event which triggered the camera’s motion sensor. Along with Full HD 1080p video, night vision, and two-way audio communication, you can ensure you’re in control all the time.

Using Arlo app, you can tune into the camera’s live stream at any moment. And when there’s something worthy of Arlo Q camera’s attention, you’ll get a notification to your phone. One of the most popular uses for this camera is monitoring on your pet’s activity. If they misbehave while you’re at work, you can call them out directly from the camera.

Cost

$84.99 at the time of review.

What’s in the box?

• Arlo Q Security Camera
• Power adapter and cable
• Wall mount plate (1 pcs.)
• Mounting screws (4 pcs.)
• Window decal “Video monitoring in progress”
• Quick start guide

Arlo Q Plus Security Camera

Further improving their Q smart camera, Arlo Q Plus introduces PoE charging and MicroSD card slot. With the Power-over-Ethernet feature, you can plug in a network cable into the camera. This will provide enough power to keep the camera working and will connect the camera to the local network.

Although you can use this camera at home for the areas where your Wi-Fi signal is not good enough, Arlo Q Plus is perfect for business applications. Connecting the camera directly to your business network increases security of your recordings in case of a Wi-Fi hack. At the same time, the MicroSD card will keep the backup of anything the camera records.

This is a great feature for situations where you just can’t get a good-enough Wi-Fi signal.

Cost

$249.99 at the time of review.

What’s in the box?

• Arlo Q Plus Security Camera
• Power adapter
• Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) adapter
• USB cable
• Wall mount plate (1 pcs.)
• Mounting screws (4 pcs.)
• Window decal “Video monitoring in progress”
• Quick start guide

Arlo Essential Security Camera

Being the most affordable Arlo smart camera, this one brings all the essential features you might expect from an outdoor security camera. First of all, the camera provides a crisp image in 1920 x 1080 Full HD resolution. Although it doesn’t include a night mode feature, its spotlight will ensure that you see everything clearly even in the night-time.

Naturally, the camera sends alerts to your phone whenever it detects motion. If there are any intruders, you can use a two-way communication to address the issue or simply disturb their attempt with a loud built-in siren.

Cost

$129.99 at the time of review.

What’s in the box?

• Arlo Essential Camera
• Wall mount with screw kit
• Charging cable
• Quick start guide

Arlo Pro 4 Security Camera

Improving upon their Essential Security Camera, Arlo Pro 4 brings 2K image quality to your security setup. With a 2560 x 1440 resolution and HDR capability, you’re getting quite a boost. To make sure you capture even more details, Arlo Pro 4 also comes with an infra-red color night vision feature and a 160-degree viewing angle.

The basic version of this camera comes with a wired power connection. If that doesn’t work for you, you can opt for a model that operates on a battery or the one with a dedicated solar panel.

Cost

List price is $199.99. At the time of writing this review, Arlo offered this camera for $179.99.

What’s in the box?

• Arlo Pro 4 Camera
• Rechargeable battery
• Magnetic charging cable
• Wall mount with screw kit
• Quick start guide
• Window decal “Video monitoring in progress”

Arlo Ultra 2 Security Camera

Arlo Ultra 2 is the flagship model of their smart security camera offer. With a glorious 4K 3840 x 2160 resolution in HDR and a viewing angle of 180 degrees, there won’t be any detail that can hide from you. Of course, there are also the standard features like advanced color night mode, integrated spotlight, and the two-way speaker.

Cost

$299.99 at the time of review.

What’s in the box?

• Arlo Ultra 2 Camera
• Rechargeable battery
• Magnetic charging cable
• Magnetic wall mount with screw kit
• Quick start guide
• Window decal “Video monitoring in progress”

Arlo Go Security Camera

For anyone that needs a security camera that operates in remote locations, Arlo Go might be the perfect match. Thanks to its 4G LTE capability, all you need is to insert a working mobile SIM card and your camera will be online in a moment. Following the rigorous IP65 weatherproof standard, you can leave your camera in any weather. Being the most expensive product in the Arlo lineup, it’s great that you can buy Arlo Go with a mobile plan from a network operator.

Cost

$429.99 at the time of review. Also available with a mobile plan from AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and US Cellular.

What’s in the box?

• Arlo Go Security Camera
• Rechargeable battery
• Power cable with adapter
• SIM card (if purchased from a mobile network operator)
• Outdoor security mount (black)
• Mounting screws (3 pcs.)
• Quick start user manual
• Window decal “Video monitoring in progress”

Ring Video Doorbell 2020

The basic video doorbell model from Ring comes packed with features at a fairly low price. It has a 1920 x 1080 Full HD resolution, two-way audio communication, motion detection, and a night vision mode.

Of course, the doorbell connects to your Wi-Fi allowing you to tap into its live feed and other functions over an app on your smartphone. Since it works on a battery, the installation is quick and simple. If you don’t want to take care of charging the battery from time to time, you can power it using the wall wiring. All that for only $99.99 – a real bargain.

Cost

$99.99 at the time of review.

What’s in the box?

• Ring Video Doorbell (2020 Release)
• Micro-USB charging cable
• Mounting bracket
• Tools and hardware required for installation
• User manual
• “Protected by Ring” window sticker

Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus

Although the 2020 video doorbell from Ring brings a lot of features for just under $100, the 3 Plus version has a few more tricks up its sleeve. First of all, it includes much more sensitive motion detectors, as well as a near motion zone. This feature allows you to define the focus area for the sensors, making sure only relevant events trigger the camera to start recording.

Additionally, Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus comes with an extremely useful Pre-Roll feature. When a motion triggers the recording, the camera will also add four seconds of footage that preceded the triggering event.

Cost

$229.99 at the time of review.

What’s in the box?

• Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus
• Rechargeable battery pack with a quick-release feature
• Satin Nickel faceplate
• Corner kit
• USB charging cable
• Mounting bracket
• Tools and hardware required for the installation
• User Manual
• “Protected by Ring” window sticker

Ring Video Doorbell Pro

Unlike the previous two models, Ring Video Doorbell Pro doesn’t have a battery capability. Due to the advanced security features it comes with, a continuous power source is mandatory. By applying for a Ring Protect Plan, you receive an additional layer of security. This allows you to keep the camera recordings in the dedicated cloud storage, as well as capture photos and share your security content.

Being an Amazon product, it connects seamlessly to Echo and FireTV devices. This allows you to quickly tune into the live video feed of the doorbell’s camera, as well as receive notifications on all connected devices.

Cost

$249.99 at the time of review.

What’s in the box?

• Ring Video Doorbell Pro
• Four Removable Faceplates in Satin Nickel, Pearl, Venetian, and Black
• Retro kit plate
• Wedge and corner kits
• User manual
• “Protected by Ring” window sticker
• Installation tools and screws
• USB charging cable

Ring Video Doorbell Elite

This professionally built smart doorbell requires some advanced DIY skills to install properly. If you’re not sure how to do that, it’s best to seek the help of a professional. That being said, this video doorbell ensures constant security of your front door.

Thanks to the Power-over-Ethernet feature, you can power the doorbell over a computer network cable. By doing so, you’ll not only ensure the constant power charge to your device, but also a non-stop connection to your home network. This in turn provides for a high-quality Full HD video feed without any glitches, independent of the quality of the Wi-Fi coverage around your home.

Cost

$349.99 at the time of review.

What’s in the box?

• Video Doorbell Elite
• Low-voltage bracket
• 50-ft. (9.14-m.) & 3-ft (1-m) Ethernet cable
• Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) adapter
• Mounting hardware and screwdriver
• User Manual
• “Protected by Ring” window sticker

Ring Peephole Cam

If you’re looking for a sleek and non-intrusive variation of a video doorbell, Ring’s Peephole Cam might be the right product for you. Using the existing peephole in your door, the installation process is extremely simple. Although Peephole Cam is weatherproof, it’s ideal for apartments and homes that already have a peephole on their front door.

Besides the usual motion detection, two-way communication, and Full HD video, this device brings a few more features. One of these is the knock detection that sends you a notification if someone knocks on your door. If you use Ring Peephole Cam in an apartment building, you might want to define a custom privacy zone. This will allow the camera to monitor only the area that’s relevant to you.

Cost

$129.99 at the time of review.

What’s in the box?

• Peephole Cam
• Battery pack with a quick-release feature
• Legal insert
• USB charging cable
• Installation hardware and tools
• User manual
• “Protected by Ring” window sticker

Ring Indoor Cam

This indoor smart camera provides a convenient way of monitoring the in-home activities around your house. With a Full HD resolution and a two-way communication, this small camera is ideal to keep track of your pet’s behavior, for example. While away, you can always talk to them should they become anxious awaiting your return.

Being quite small in size, you can place it anywhere you want. That way, you can adjust its position allowing it to detect any motion around your house. And since you connect this camera to a power outlet, you don’t have to worry about changing the batteries.

Cost

$59.99 at the time of review.

What’s in the box?

• Indoor Cam
• Indoor power cable (6.5 ft.) with adapter
• Wall anchors and screws
• User manual
• “Protected by Ring” window sticker

Ring Stick Up Cam

A step-up from Ring Indoor Cam, you can place the Stick Up security camera anywhere you want, both inside and outside. You can either use its stand or mount it on a wall or a tree. Since there are four different versions of this camera, you can even opt for a wire-free model.

The two base models allow you to either use a battery or plug it into a wall socket. The next model introduces a small solar panel that’s enough to power the camera. And finally, the Elite model comes with an adapter for Power-over-Ethernet charging.

Cost

At the time of writing this article, these were the prices for the four models of Ring’s Stick Up Cam:

• $99.99 for Ring Stick Up Cam Battery.
• $99.99 for Ring Stick Up Cam Plug-In.
• $148.99 for Ring Stick Up Cam Solar.
• $199.99 for Ring Stick Up Cam Elite with PoE Adapter.

What’s in the box?

Battery version:

• Ring Stick Up Cam
• Battery pack with a quick-release feature
• Micro-USB charging cable
• Wall anchors and screws
• User manual
• “Protected by Ring” window sticker

Ring Spotlight Cam

This security camera comes with an integrated spotlight, which makes it an ideal replacement for the standard spotlights around your home. Similar to Stick Up Cam, this model comes with three options for a power source. You can have it operate on battery, solar panel, or over a wire.

Thanks to its spotlight, two-way audio, infra-red night vision, and a 110-decibel siren, Ring Spotlight Cam proves to be a great home security solution.

Cost

At the time of writing this article, these were the prices for the four models of Ring’s Spotlight Cam:

• $199.99 for Ring Spotlight Cam Battery.
• $199.99 for Ring Spotlight Cam Wired.
• $248 for Ring Spotlight Cam Solar.
• $249.99 for Ring Spotlight Cam Mount.

What’s in the box?

Battery version:

• Spotlight Cam Battery
• Mounting base
• Battery pack with a quick-release feature
• Installation tools and screws
• USB charging cable
• User Manual
• “Protected by Ring” window sticker

Ring Floodlight Cam

By adding two powerful LED floodlights to an already great smart security camera, you get the best security camera Ring can offer. If you already have spotlights around your home, you can easily replace them with this camera. This will provide all the usual benefits of motion tracking, night vision, and a loud siren.

As with other smart security cameras from Ring, by applying for Ring Protect Plan, you gain access to some additional features. Video pre-rolls and a 60-day access to your recordings on the dedicated cloud storage will allow you to make the most of your home security system.

Cost

$249.99 at the time of review.

What’s in the box?

• Ring Floodlight Cam
• Mounting bracket
• Screwdriver handle with Philips and socket bits.
• Bracket screws (5 pcs.)
• Wire nuts (3 pcs.) and cap nuts (2 pcs.)
• Hook that lets you hang the Floodlight Cam during the wiring process
• Installation user manual
• “Protected by Ring” window sticker

Now that you’ve seen the product lineup for both Arlo and Ring, it’s time to pit one against the other. Since both companies provide smart doorbells and security cameras, the following sections will take this into account as well.

The first thing to consider when checking out a product is how it looks visually. When you compare all the products from a single manufacturer, you can clearly see that both Arlo and Ring have a distinct design style. While Arlo goes with an organic and slightly futuristic design, Ring still clings to the old boxy look for their products.

Although some Ring products come with interchangeable faceplates in four different colors, this doesn’t counter their fairly outdated design. On the other side, Arlo sticks to the proven recipe, allowing you to choose between black and white options only. The only exceptions to this rule are Arlo Go and Arlo Baby smart cameras that allow for some color customization.

As far as the technical design goes, both Arlo and Ring outdoor devices provide ample weatherproof capabilities. When it comes to installation, Arlo manages to keep all their products in the DIY zone. Compared to that, a couple of Ring camera models will require some professional assistance to set them up.

If you ever decide to install a video doorbell or a smart surveillance camera in your home, it’s important it can record video of decent quality. The first thing to look at in this category is the resolution of the recorded video.

Arlo doorbells provide great video quality at 1536 x 1536 resolution, while their more advanced security cameras shoot in 2K and 4K. Compared to that, Ring’s video doorbells and smart cameras provide Full HD resolution only. Although of decent quality, 1920 x 1080 resolution just can’t bring up the level of detail a 4K camera can at 3840 x 2160 pixels.

When it comes to the various features a smart home security system needs to provide, both Arlo and Ring offer a wide range of capabilities. These include at least a Full HD video quality live feed, motion detection sensors, infra-red night vision, face recognition, two-way voice communication, and wide field of view.

Add to that some advanced features like pre-roll recording and online storage for captured videos, and the list of features really becomes substantial. Luckily, products from both manufacturers provide all these options and then some more. Unfortunately for Ring, the only feature they don’t provide across their entire range is 24/7 recording. Although this is something you get when you become an Arlo paying subscriber, nonetheless it’s quite a useful feature.

Looking at the accompanying apps for Arlo and Ring devices, both provide a clean and functional user interface. As far as the features go, there’s a multitude of options to choose from. You can tune into the live feed of your cameras, define the area you want them to focus on, or simply disarm the motion detection. You can also check all the notifications you’ve received, as well as use your phone to talk to anyone in front of the door, through your camera’s two-way audio.

What Ring has over Arlo is their additional Neighborhood app, which you might find pretty useful. If there are multiple households that use Ring surveillance cameras in your neighborhood, the owners can share their camera feed with others. That way, you can cover a pretty wide area with a personal surveillance system.

Naturally, both Arlo and Ring provide added benefits to anyone who decides to pay for one of their plans.

Arlo bases their plans on the video quality you want to store in the dedicated cloud storage.

• Arlo Premier Plan
  • $2.99 per month for one camera or $9.99 for up to five cameras.
  • If you have more than five cameras, you get a 50% discount for each additional camera subscription.
  • Save videos of up to 2K quality (2560 x 1440 pixels).
  • Recommended for Arlo Baby, Arlo Q models, Arlo Pro models, and Arlo Video Doorbell.
• Arlo Elite Plan
  • $4.99 per month for one camera or $14.99 for up to five cameras.
  • If you have more than five cameras, you get a 50% discount for each additional camera subscription.
  • Save videos of up to 4K quality (3840 x 2160 pixels).
  • Recommended for Arlo Ultra models.

Regardless of which of the two you opt for, both provide these major benefits:

• Store recorded videos directly in the cloud.
• 30-day video history.
• Advanced object detection for people, vehicles, pets, etc.
• Package detection to know when they arrive to your door.

Ring bases their plans on the number of devices you want to connect to their cloud storage.

• Basic
  • $3 per month for recording the video from one camera.
  • If you decide to pay $30 annually, you can save $6 each year.
• Plus
  • $10 per month for recording the video from all your Ring cameras.
  • If you decide to pay $100 annually, you can save $20 each year.
  • Adds 24/7 professional monitoring, extended warranty for all devices, and some additional discounts on Ring.com.

With both Ring plans, you get the following benefits:

• 60-day video history.
• Save videos and share them.
• People Only Mode makes your camera send you notifications only when it detects someone.
• Capture snapshots from your cameras in intervals between two motion-activated events.

Not being attached to a single smart assistant system, Arlo is quite versatile in that regard. You can control your Arlo setup using Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Samsung SmartThings. If you’re an Apple user, you can connect Arlo cameras to Apple HomeKit and allow Siri to help you control your home surveillance.

Since Ring became part of the Amazon family in 2018, it works exclusively with Alexa smart home assistant. Although you can use their app on Android, Apple, and Windows, you won’t be able to control their devices over Google Home, Apple HomeKit, or any other smart home system.

When it comes to automation capabilities, the IFTTT is the leader in this class. The name comes from the software algorithm acronym meaning “If This Then That.” Being an open source platform, IFTTT allows you to establish a connection between various smart devices, ultimately controlling them all through your smartphone.

When looking at the accessories and hardware you need for installing a smart home device, it’s important that manufacturers anticipate this and help you out. In the case of Arlo and Ring devices, this is indeed the case. Right out of the box, both brands provide all the screws, mounts, and even some simple tools to make the installation as painless as possible.

When installing any of the Arlo products by yourself, you’ll find the process to be quite easy. Unfortunately, compared to that, some of the Ring products will require assistance from a professional. The main reason being that certain products require working with high-voltage electricity. To be on the safe side, it’s better to let a professional handle that part of the installation.

With Arlo being mostly focused on making their devices super simple for installation, this translates to the area of professional monitoring as well. For anyone looking for such a service, Arlo simply isn’t a brand for that, as they don’t include any kind of external monitoring for their video doorbells and security cameras.

Compared to Arlo, Ring recognized the need for professional assistance in keeping track of any suspicious events at your home. When such events occur or they notice there’s something wrong with your surveillance system, they can call to check if everything is alright. If you’re not able to answer the operator’s call, then they’ll immediately inform the relevant emergency service to send a patrol to your home.

Unfortunately, in order to use the benefits of this service, you’ll have to buy and install Ring’s alarm system first. That means, if you go for a video doorbell and/or smart surveillance camera setup without an alarm, you won’t be eligible for the external monitoring service.

Emergency Response Times: Arlo vs. Ring

When it comes to emergency response times, it’s hard to predict how much time can pass between your call to an operator and the moment an emergency team arrives. There’s just too many factors that can affect this.

That being said, security companies are able to predict how quickly their operators can answer your emergency call. With Ring’s external monitoring, you get the benefit of an average call response time of 30 seconds, which is pretty good. If you need an emergency service to come to your location, they can handle that for you.

Even though Arlo doesn’t have external monitoring, their e911 feature can send a direct request to the emergency service to come to your location. What’s more, if there’s any video or audio footage that’s relevant, Arlo’s system can send that as well.

In the customer support category, Arlo proves to be at the top of their game. First of all, the support section on their website provides a ton of useful FAQs, tutorials, and various resources. If you have a question, you can use the live chat option on their website.

When you type in your question in the chat window, a bot will provide a prompt response. If it’s not able to help you with that, the bot will transfer you to a live agent. The great customer experience extends here as well, as the chat agents are ready to provide swift and precise answers to your questions. You also get a chat ID number for any future reference, should you need it.

Compared to Arlo, Ring’s support is not exactly on that level. Their website provides a great deal of information in the form of FAQs and help sections, a blog, tutorials, and setup guides. But when it comes to calling their customer support or using the live chat option, that experience could benefit from a bit of improvement.

Pitting the warranty policies of Arlo and Ring, both brands provide a standard one-year warranty on all their products. But if you purchase the Ring Protect Plus monthly subscription plan, you get the extended warranty on all Ring products. This extends all the way to the moment you unsubscribe from the Ring Protect Plan.

When buying a video doorbell or a smart surveillance camera, both Arlo and Ring prove to be contenders worthy of your consideration. To make sure you choose the brand that’s right for your needs and budget, here’s a summary of all the wins, loses, and ties you’ve read above.

Arlo won in the following categories:

• Design (90%)
• Video Quality (90%)
• Features (90%)
• Ease of Installation (80%)
• Compatibility with Other Devices (90%)

Ring won in the following categories:

• External Monitoring (40%)
• UI & App (90%)
• Subscriptions (90%)

Tied results:

• Emergency Response Time – Arlo 70%, Ring 70%
• Automation Capabilities – Arlo 90%, Ring 90%
• Support, Customer Service, and Warranty- Arlo 85%, Ring 85%

With a sleek and functional design, top-notch video quality, and an amazing set of features, this might be enough to sway your decision in favor of Arlo. Add to that a simple and quick DIY installation process as well as universal compatibility with various smart home system, and Arlo gets quite a few points over Ring.

As far as Ring is concerned, there are three areas that work in their benefit. First of all, there’s the external monitoring service. Thanks to a team of dedicated professionals, you can rest easy that everything is safe and sound around your home. That’s something Arlo simply doesn’t have. Besides that, there’s the additional Neighborhood app and favorable monthly subscription plans.

When it comes to emergency response times, automation, customer support, and warranty on products, both Arlo and Ring perform on the same level.

Taking all that into consideration, it’s clear that Arlo dominates in the categories that matter the most for home video surveillance. This makes it a clear winner of this duel.

Using various IFTTT recipes for your Arlo video doorbell or smart surveillance cameras can make your home much smarter than it already is. In turn, this will make your life a bit easier as well. For example, one of the most convenient IFTTT services is the one that sends you a notification when your Arlo device is low on battery. That way, you can prevent your camera from going offline while away from home, plus you don’t have to spend time checking the battery levels on your own.

Besides this one, there are numerous other services you can consider. But here are some of the functionalities you can get this way:

• You can arm and disarm Arlo depending on your presence in an area.
• Also, there’s a way to do this depending on the sunset and sunrise as well.
• When Arlo detects motion, you can make your lights automatically turn on.
• You can set Arlo to make a short recording or a snapshot at the top of each hour.
• If Arlo detects a motion, it can call you directly to your phone.
• Make Arlo doorbell record 30 seconds of video every time someone rings the bell.

Just like IFTTT recipes for Arlo, there’s quite a few of them for Ring devices as well. One of the recipes that shows what kind of integrations you can achieve with IFTTT uses Google Sheets. This service logs each doorbell ring into a dedicated Google spreadsheet on your Google Drive. Another interesting one is to pause your Roomba’s cleaning routine when the Ring doorbell chimes.

Of course, there are many other recipes you can try with your Ring devices. Here a selection you can check out:

• Make the lights in your home blink when someone rings the doorbell.
• You can receive an SMS text message when someone rings the bell or your Ring device detects motion.
• If you’re listening to music in your home and someone is in front of the door, the movement sensor will trigger the music volume to go down. In turn, you can hear any potential commotion outside and check the video feed of your camera.
• Another useful recipe is to play a pre-recorded message over your Ring doorbell’s speaker, anytime the device detects motion.
• If you own a BMW, you can have the Ring camera or doorbell to send a message to your car’s dashboard should the device detect any motion.

Like almost anything in the world, even your Arlo camera might get stolen. Of course, there are numerous ways you can prevent that or at least make it more difficult for the thieves. If your camera has a spotlight, you can set it to light up anytime the sensors detect motion. Since most Arlo models come with a pretty loud alarm siren, you can set it to activate if a person enters a certain area.

Although these are direct actions your Arlo devices can use to prevent theft, there are also some mundane things you can try. First of all, mount the camera a bit higher off the ground, to make it harder to reach. Next, you can fasten it to the wall using specialized chains or steel cables. Another thing to consider is to use third-party low-visibility skins for your camera. These will allow you to better conceal the camera itself.

If clever thieves manage to steal your Arlo regardless, make sure to report that the matter to the police. Using the official police report, you can claim a free replacement from Arlo.

Just like with Arlo, you might find your Ring camera missing without your knowledge. Although it’s hard to prevent thieves from stealing your property, you can at least try to prevent that from happening. Check out the advice mentioned above, while making sure to report the stolen devices to Ring. If one of their security cameras gets stolen, they’ll make sure to recompense you for that.

Ring doorbells do not activate on sound. That being said, they can start recording your conversation if they detect motion. For example, if a neighbor dropped by to say hello and you have a conversation in front of the door, your doorbell will probably record that. Of course, you can disarm your doorbell so it doesn’t record, but then what’s the point of having it in the first place, right?

Ring doorbells don’t come with a chime which you can hear in the house. However, you’ll get a notification on your phone when someone rings the bell. Since that’s not exactly an ideal scenario, you can connect your Ring video doorbell to your existing or any other third-party chime you might have.

You might also check the chimes Ring sells, where the more expensive models serves as a Wi-Fi extender as well. If that’s not an ideal solution for you, you can always check one of the IFTTT recipes to connect your doorbell to a smart speaker you might have in your home.

Yes, Arlo devices need Wi-Fi to be able to connect to your home network and the Internet. That way, you get the video feed in the Arlo app and the camera or the video doorbell can store the video it records to the dedicated cloud storage. Some models come with an Ethernet adapter, allowing you to use a network cable to connect the camera to your network.

Just like Arlo, Ring requires a Wi-Fi connection in order to work as intended. Of course, there are also some Ring doorbell and camera models that can use a direct network connection over an Ethernet cable.

This mainly depends on the Arlo model you have, as well as what kind of use it sees and under which weather conditions it works. Arlo markets their devices to last up to six months between two charges, which is quite a lot. If a device runs low on battery, you’ll get a notification, allowing you to prevent it from shutting down.

Again, the same applies to Ring as to Arlo devices. Depending on various factors, you can squeeze up to twelve months of battery life out of Ring devices. But if your video doorbell or smart surveillance camera overviews a larger area that sees a lot of traffic, chances are the battery won’t last long. Reason being its motion sensor will trigger the recording every time someone or something passes through the camera’s monitoring zone.

To prevent that, you can keep the camera looking at the same area, and mark the zone in which the motion sensor should operate in.