We as humans are eager to jump on the new hotness at the cost of the old whenever a manufacturer releases an update to a current product, but this isn’t always the best choice. We’ll look at the differences and similarities between the Arlo Pro 3 and the Arlo Pro 2, and then I’ll tell you which one I believe you should choose.
Similarities of Arlo Pro 3 vs. Pro 2
The Arlo Pro 2 and Pro 3 are similar enough in appearance that you’d be excused if you couldn’t tell them apart. The Pro 3’s industrial design seems to be a little sleeker than the Pro 2, yet there is a familial resemblance.
Because of how much you can store on-device — up to 2TB! — the Arlo Pro 3 is one of our top choices for security cameras that can store footage locally. Although the storage is technically via the Arlo Hub (indoors), it is still local. The best part? On both the Pro 3 and the Pro 2, this feature is available. The only drawback to this enormous local storage capacity is that it cannot be accessed remotely; instead, you must remove the USB storage from the hub and connect it to your computer.
Both Pro 2 and Pro 3 can record video 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but they need a continuous wired (cable) power connection and a membership to the Arlo Smart cloud service to do so. They both have IP65 weather protection and may be used as interior or outdoor cameras.
You can buy Arlo Pro 2 or Pro 3 systems in bundles that include a hub and 2-6 cameras, or you may buy a lesser system and add cameras later. The Google Assistant and Amazon’s Alexa both function well with the two cameras.
Differences of Arlo Pro 3 vs. Pro 2
Despite the fact that the cameras have a lot of things in common, Arlo developed the Pro 3 series to improve on the Pro 2 in a few important areas. It’s another thing whether or not such improvements are important to you.
The camera performance is where you’ll see the most noticeable changes between Pro 2 and Pro 3. The Pro 3 features a 2K HDR sensor that can record at 1440p, which is much greater than the Pro 2’s 1080p HD quality. The Pro 2 has a 130-degree field of vision, but the Pro 3 increases it to 160 degrees, allowing it to see some more of your lawn, garage, or living room. While both cameras feature night vision, the Pro 3 can catch and record in full color at night, as well as having an inbuilt spotlight.
Aside from the physical variations, the cost of ownership for these cameras varies significantly. The Pro 3 is considerably more expensive than the Pro 2 regardless of whatever hub and camera bundle you select. In reality, the price difference between each package level may range from $180 (for a two-camera configuration) to $500 (for the six-camera setup). That’s a substantial sum of money to leave with.
Both cameras come with a free cloud storage option, but the variations between them are significant. For the life of the system, the Pro 2 provides seven days of free online recording access. The Pro 3, on the other hand, comes with a three-month trial of the Arlo Smart cloud service, after which you’ll have to pay for a subscription if you want to keep access to your recordings online.
Arlo Pro 2 vs. Arlo Pro 3 Features
The Arlo Pro 3 outperforms the Arlo Pro 2 in every way. The Arlo Pro 3 records in 2K ultra-high-definition, while the Arlo Pro 2 records at 1080p (UHD). The Arlo Pro 3 features color night vision, as opposed to the Arlo Pro 2. Where the Arlo Pro 2 has a 130º field of view, the Arlo Pro 3 offers a beautiful, broad 160º field of vision.
Arlo Pro 2 Features
Despite the Arlo Pro 3’s superiority, the Arlo Pro 2 remains an excellent security camera. You don’t have to make holes in walls or weave cables through windows to plug it in since it’s wire-free. It’s also waterproof and has two-way audio, allowing you to communicate with anyone in your yard even in the middle of a blizzard.
Arlo Pro 3 Features
The Arlo Pro 3 is a security camera that has almost everything on your wish list in one convenient package. It has a 2K Ultra HD resolution, which means the images are sharp and clear. It also comes with built-in lighting and a siren, something the Arlo Pro 2 lacks.
When you have the Arlo Pro 3, you don’t need a separate security light since it’s two-in-one.
The Mobile App and 3rd Party Integration
The Arlo app is a feature-rich and easy-to-use software that works with all Arlo cameras. When upgrading to newer cameras, you don’t need to download a new app if you already have one and are acquainted with it.
You can utilize third-party smart home integration devices after everything is linked to your wireless network. All Arlo cameras are now compatible with Apple HomeKit (though certain Pro 2 cameras are still being evaluated), Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT, Wink, and other voice assistants.
Arlo is also working on integrating Z-wave and ZigBee technology, though it hasn’t yet reached all of the camera options.
Which One Should You Buy?
Anyone searching for a top-of-the-line security camera system should consider the Arlo Pro 3. Still, the improvements in camera quality aren’t enough to compensate for the significant price hikes in hardware or the shift in free cloud storage, in my opinion. You can’t go wrong with the Arlo Pro 2 if you want a high-quality security camera with local storage that won’t break the budget.
