Home security cameras have become an increasingly popular way for homeowners to monitor their property and protect their homes. Two of the biggest names in home security right now are Arlo and Ring. But if you‘re trying to decide which system is right for your needs, the choice isn‘t always straightforward.
In this in-depth comparison guide, we‘ll look at all of the key features, strengths and weaknesses of both Arlo and Ring home security systems. By the end, you‘ll understand the key differences between the two brands and be able to decide which is the better fit for your home.
A Brief Background on Arlo and Ring
First, let‘s start with a quick history of each company.
Arlo was launched in 2018 as a standalone company after being incubated in NETGEAR. NETGEAR wanted to focus more on WiFi equipment while spinning Arlo off into a company specializing in smart home devices like wireless security cameras.
Ring started in 2013 and was purchased by Amazon in 2018 for over $1 billion. Amazon uses Ring as the centerpiece of its smart home and home security efforts. Ring now offers video doorbells, security cameras, alarm systems and smart lighting.
Now let‘s dive deeper into comparing the product offerings.
Arlo VS Ring: Feature and Product Comparison
Available Product Lineups
Both Arlo and Ring sell wire-free home security cameras along with video doorbells, floodlights, window/door sensors and more. However, the overall product lineups have some differences:
Arlo focuses more on outdoor and indoor security cameras in various sizes and configurations. They have a video doorbell but no alarm system or smart lighting. Most of their cameras are completely wireless and run on rechargeable batteries.
Ring has a wider range of products beyond cameras, like full home security system packs, smart lights, and a range of video doorbells. However, some Ring devices like video doorbells and floodlights must be hardwired for power.
So Arlo tilts more towards flexible wire-free cameras while Ring has smarter expansion into more areas of home security.
Video and Image Quality
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Video Resolution: The latest video doorbell cameras from both Arlo and Ring record in 1536p (1080p HD) resolution. Their higher-end outdoor cameras go up to 4K resolution. So it‘s generally a tie for video resolution.
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Field of View: Arlo cameras tend to have wider 180-degree fields of view compared to 150 degrees for the Ring cameras. This allows Arlo cameras to see more of the area side-to-side.
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Night Vision: Both brands use infrared (black and white) night vision with similar effective ranges between 20-30 ft. The clarity of night vision footage can vary with environmental conditions.
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HDR: Ring‘s cameras have high dynamic range (HDR) imaging for better lighting adjustment. Arlo cameras currently don‘t have HDR support.
Overall, Arlo wins for wider viewing angles while Ring cameras do a bit better in varying light conditions. But both produce sharp 1080p HD video suitable for identifying people and activities in most home security situations.
Smart Alerts and Detection
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Activity Zones: Arlo and Ring both support designating certain zones within the camera‘s view and only alert you when motion is detected in those zones. This is good for ignoring motion from busy areas.
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Package Detection: Want to get alerts anytime a package is delivered? Both systems support packaged detection so you‘ll know exactly when your orders have arrived.
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Facial Recognition: Only Ring currently provides facial recognition on select higher-end models like the Ring Doorbell Pro 2. This allows you to program alerts that are triggered only by unrecognized faces.
As you can see, both systems cover the basics, but advanced detection capabilities like facial recognition are currently only found on Ring cameras.
Power, Connectivity and Storage
The capabilities here reveal some key differences:
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Battery or Hardwired: Most Arlo cameras run solely on removable rechargeable batteries while Ring products tend to require existing doorbell wiring or external power. The Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 does not currently have a battery-powered option.
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Local Storage: Arlo devices can record video to a built-in SD card slot as back up to the cloud. Local SD card recording is not available on any Ring devices.
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WiFi vs. Cellular: Both systems connect over WiFi. Arlo also offers a Cellular option on some cameras that enables LTE connectivity. This is useful if WiFi is unavailable in installation areas.
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Cloud Storage: 30-day video clip storage requires an Arlo Smart subscription ($2.99-9.99/mo) or a Ring Protect Plan ($3-$10/mo). Costs vary based on number of devices and length of storage duration needed. Up to 4K video support is limited to certain subscription tiers.
Arlo is the way to go if you need completely wire-free installations. Ring offers facial recognition but lacks SD card support and LTE options for places without WiFi connectivity. Both carry recurring fees to enable storing footage in the cloud.
Smart Home Ecosystem Compatibility
Smart home compatibility allows you to access camera feeds, arm/disarm cameras, and leverage unique integrations with your Ring or Arlo gear with just your voice.
- Both Arlo and Ring integrate with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice controls.
- Arlo also works with Apple HomeKit, while Ring so far does not.
- Using If This Then That (IFTTT), advanced automations can be built around notifications and triggers from either system.
So Arlo wins when it comes to fitting into an Apple-centered smart home. But Ring and Arlo have otherwise similar levels of smart home support.
Arlo Vs Ring Security: Pros and Cons
Before picking which system is right for your needs, let’s summarize the main advantages of Arlo and Ring setups as well as their potential limitations.
Arlo Pros
- Completely wire-free cameras for flexible placement
- Rechargeable batteries minimize outages
- Built-in local storage via SD card slots
- Wider viewing angles with 180-degree FOV
- LTE cellular backup ensures connectivity
- Apple HomeKit support
Arlo Cons
- Must pay subscription for full functionality
- Max 1080p video quality on most models
- No facial recognition capabilities yet
- More limited range of security sensors
Ring Pros
- Integrated smart security system options
- Facial recognition on high-end doorbells
- High Dynamic Range (HDR) on video
- Floodlight cameras provide illumination
- Bit lower subscription cost
Ring Cons
- Most devices require wiring for power
- No local storage backup option
- Narrower 150-degree field of view
- Less flexibility in camera placement
- No Apple HomeKit support
Now let‘s discuss which use cases might be better suited for Arlo or Ring…
Arlo vs Ring: Which is Better for Different Needs?
Based on their respective strengths, Arlo and Ring both appeal better for certain situations.
Arlo shines when you need:
- Quick drop-in wire-free installation anywhere
- To access feeds on Apple devices
- Large areas of coverage with fewer cameras
- Unwired installation over sheds, barns, pipes, etc
- Backup connectivity if WiFi is unstable
On the other hand, Ring is likely the superior choice when:
- You want facial recognition capabilities
- Professional monitoring services beyond self-monitoring
- Your Internet connectivity is very dependable
- You simply prefer the Ring ecosystem and product lineup
If easy integrations with Google Assistant or Alexa are most important rather than HomeKit support, then both systems are on equal footing.
Hopefully this paints a clearer picture that the right security system for your house depends a lot on the specific needs and tech you already use!
Arlo or Ring: Which Home Security Ecosystem is Cheaper?
On one final note, price and budget may be a deciding factor between Arlo and Ring systems. Let‘s break this down…
For home security cameras specifically, Arlo tends to be cheaper per device. A single Arlo Pro 4 camera retails around $200 compared to $250 for a Ring Spotlight Cam Pro.
However, while Arlo cameras themselves tend to cost less upfront, there‘s the recurring subscription to factor in. Since Arlo‘s paid plans unlock more features and functionality compared to what you get for free, most Arlo owners will require an ongoing subscription for their system to make sense.
Conversely, Ring cameras include more inherent features without needing a paid plan, like customizable motion zones, two-way talk, and lifetable battery. So if you need just basic functionality, standalone Ring devices may cost less overall.
But once multiple cameras are involved or 30-day cloud video storage is required, the costs for monthly or yearly subscriptions adds up on either system. At that point the pricing is very similar, usually around $100-200 annually.
Essentially, if you just need one or two cameras with basic features and local SD card recording, Arlo gadgets free from monthly fees will be cheaper. But once advanced functionality and cloud storage come into play, both systems require subscriptions, so the costs are comparable over time.
Conclusion: Key Takeaways on Which System is Best
Like with any product comparison, there’s a lot of fine print to parse through. So to recap:
- For those wanting completely wire-free setups, cellular backup connectivity and HomeKit support, Arlo is likely the best system.
- If facial recognition, professional monitoring, lighting combinations and an integrated home security ecosystem matter most, Ring has a strong advantage.
- Both offer reliable HD video feeds and standard features like custom activity zones. But Arlo gives you wider viewing angles while Ring provides added lighting and high dynamic range imaging.
- Solo users who want to self-monitor one or two cameras will save money upfront on Arlo hardware but Ring devices include more functionality without needing the ongoing Arlo subscription.
Hope this full breakdown clarifies the capabilities and limitations of both leading DIY home security platforms on the market right now! Determine what features would provide the most value for your household and you can pick the best system with confidence.
