Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera

Smart outdoor security cameras provide a safe way to see what's going on outside of your home without having to leave the comfort of your couch, but many models require a hub and wiring, making them somewhat difficult to install. The wireless Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera ($199.99), on the other hand, is a high-resolution, weather-resistant security camera that not only captures motion-triggered video, but casts a bright light on whatever is moving around on your property. It installs in minutes, delivers detailed 2K video with color night vision, and provides accurate and intelligent motion detection, making it our new Editors’ Choice award winner for outdoor security cameras.  

It Looks Like an Arlo

If the Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera looks familiar, that’s because it shares the same size and shape as the Arlo Ultra and Arlo Pro 3 cameras that we reviewed in 2019. The white, weatherproof enclosure measures 3.5 by 2.0 by 3.0 inches (HWD) and the slide-in camera assembly is glossy black and holds a removable, rechargeable lithium-polymer battery pack rated to last up to six months between charges. On the base of the enclosure is a magnetic charging port and a button that releases the camera assembly.

You can attach the Pro 4 to your house or any other structure using the included magnetic mount, or you can purchase a screw-in mount for $19.99. Also included in the box are a battery pack, a magnetic USB charging cable, and mounting hardware.

The Pro 4 not only looks just like the Pro 3 camera, it also shares the same specs. In fact, the only differences between the two are price and connectivity: The Pro 4 is less expensive, has built-in Wi-Fi, and doesn't require a hub (however, you can pair it with an Arlo Smart Hub if you already have one).

The camera uses a 4-megapixel sensor and HDR (High Dynamic Range) technology to capture video at 2K (2,560 by 1,440) resolution. It has a 160-degree field of view and a 12x digital zoom, and it uses two infrared LEDs for black-and-white night vision. There’s also an embedded motion-enabled spotlight that provides color night vision, a noise-canceling microphone, a speaker, and an 80dB siren for scaring off unwanted visitors. The camera offers auto-zoom and motion-tracking capabilities and is equipped with a motion sensor with a 130-degree range.

While the Pro 4 will record video when motion is detected, you’ll have to subscribe to the Arlo Premier Smart Plan to access it (unless you have a Smart Hub with an attached USB drive). For $2.99 per month, you get 30 days of video history, 2K recording, Advanced Object and Package Detection, cloud-based activity zones, and Intelligent Alerts for a single camera. For $9.99 per month, you get the same features for up to five cameras. The camera works with Alexa, Google, and Siri voice commands and interacts with loads of third-party smart devices via IFTTT applets including smart plugs, lights, and door locks. Additionally, it can be integrated into a Samsung SmartThings or Apple HomeKit home automation system. 

The Pro 4 uses the same mobile app as every other Arlo camera. It opens to a Devices screen with tabs for all of your installed Arlo devices. Each tab displays a still image and contains a play arrow. Tap the play arrow to see a live stream that you can view in full-screen mode by tapping the two arrows in the upper right corner. At the bottom of the video screen are mute, two-way talk, spotlight, photo (takes a still image), and manual video record buttons. There’s also a red alarm button that you can use to call 911, dial up a friend, or activate the siren.

There are four buttons positioned at the very bottom of the Devices screen. The Devices button takes you back to the Devices screen from wherever you are in the app, and the Library button opens a screen with thumbnails for all motion-triggered videos. Each thumbnail displays the time of the event and the cause (Vehicle, Person, Animal). Use the Mode button to arm or disarm the camera, create an arming schedule, or configure location-based arming (geofencing). When the camera is armed, motion detection is enabled, and when it’s disarmed, it's disabled.

The Settings screen is where you go to enable/disable Smart Notifications, configure the Package Detection, e911, and Call a Friend options, check the camera’s battery level, and configure motion detection and activity zone settings. Here you can also tweak video settings (HDR, brightness), enable auto-zoom, tracking, and color night vision, enable/disable the spotlight, and select a video mode (Wide, Standard, Full).

Easy Wireless Installation, Sharp Video

Installing the Pro 4 couldn’t be easier. I already had an Arlo account from previous reviews, but if this is your first Arlo device, you’ll have to download the mobile app and create an account.

I opened the app, scrolled down to the bottom of the Devices screen, and tapped Add New Device. In the Cameras menu, I tapped Pro and selected the Pro 4. I was given the option to pair the camera with my Smart Hub or connect without a Smart Hub and chose the latter. Following the on-screen instructions, I entered my Wi-Fi credentials, inserted the battery into the camera, and confirmed that the camera’s LED was blinking blue. When the QR code appeared on my phone, I held it four inches from the camera and heard a chime indicating the camera was recognized. I gave the camera a name, and after a few seconds it was added to my Arlo and Alexa accounts.

After waiting a few minutes for a firmware update, I took the camera outside, attached the magnetic mount to my house siding, and attached the camera to the mount to complete the installation.  

The Arlo Pro 4 performed wonderfully in testing. Daytime 2K video showed excellent image detail with vibrant colors, and black-and-white night video was lit well, with good contrast. Color night vision was also sharp, but colors weren't quite as vivid as daytime colors. Alexa voice commands to stream video from the camera to an Amazon Echo Show worked perfectly.

Motion detection also worked well. Push and email alerts arrived instantly, and the Pro 4 had no trouble differentiating between vehicles, people, and animals. It also did a fine job of filtering out all other motion. Package Detection worked as intended, as did the motion tracking and auto-zoom features. Two-way audio between the camera and my phone was clear and loud, and the siren was loud enough to be heard throughout my house.

A Top-Notch Outdoor Security Camera

The Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera is easily one of the most feature-rich outdoor security cameras we’ve tested. It not only delivers crisp, detailed 2K video with color night vision, it also works with numerous third-party smart devices, supports Alexa, Google, and Siri voice commands, and integrates with Apple’s HomeKit and Samsung’s SmartThings home automation platforms. It offers motion tracking and auto-zoom, and because it's completely wireless, it’s easy to install. You’ll have to subscribe to an Arlo Smart plan to view recorded video and take advantage of some features such as Package Detection and Advanced Object Detection, but that doesn’t prevent the Arlo Pro 4 from earning our Editors’ Choice award for outdoor security cams.