REASONS TO BUY
4K video
Can call first responders to location
Spotlight
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
Battery-powered only
Poor quality speaker
Arlo Ultra 2 Wireless Review
This device walks the line between a security camera and a security system, as it's bundled with two cameras and a base station
Credit: Arlo
RELATED: Best Security Camera of 2024
Our Verdict
If cost is no object, the Arlo Ultra 2 Wireless offers some useful features and services not always found in top home security cameras. For example, it comes with two standard cameras, and they have powerful spotlights to illuminate the field of view. Additionally, it has alerts for people, vehicles, and motion — the last of which can be narrowed to focus on a specific space like a door or window. Additionally, it will alert emergency services and send them to the camera's location. However, with the exception of ease of use, its general performance was subpar. For our money, there are better performing products for a significantly lower cost.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product Arlo Ultra 2 Wireless | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Overall Camera |  Best Camera On a Budget |  Best for Live Monitoring | ||
| Price | $600 List $379.99 at Amazon | $40 List $39.98 at Amazon | $30 List $16.98 at Amazon | $180 List $154.99 at Amazon | $36 List $35.39 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | An expensive but sophisticated camera system that's on the fence between security system and security camera | An exceptional and affordable camera that builds on the success of the previous model | This very affordable security camera offers exceptional performance | A well-designed security camera is packed with useful features that will have a strong appeal to those already using the Google Smart Home platform | A top-performing camera at a below-average price that doesn't require a subscription to unlock most of its features |
| Rating Categories | Arlo Ultra 2 Wireless | Wyze Cam Pan v3 | Wyze Cam OG | Google Nest Cam | Wyze Cam v3 |
| Recorded Video Quality (35%) | |||||
| Monitoring Performance (35%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (30%) | |||||
| Specs | Arlo Ultra 2 Wireless | Wyze Cam Pan v3 | Wyze Cam OG | Google Nest Cam | Wyze Cam v3 |
| Camera Type (Indoor or Outdoor) | Indoor and Outdoor | Indoor and Outdoor | Indoor and Outdoor | Indoor and Outdoor | Indoor Only |
| WiFi Type | Dual-band 802.11a/b/g/n |
2.4 GHz 802.11b/g/n |
2.4 GHz 802.11b/g/n |
Dual-band 802.11a/b/g/n |
2.4 GHz 802.11b/g/n |
| Encryption Types | 28-bit SSL, AED-128, TSL | H.263 | 256-bit encryption and SSL |
AES 128-bit, SSL/TLS | AES 128-bit |
| Resolutions Available | 1080p 2K 4K |
1080p | 1080p | 1080p | 1080p |
| Video FPS | 25 FPS | 20 FPS Day 15 FPS Night |
N/A | 30 FPS | 20 FPS Day 15 FPS Night |
| Wired or Battery | Battery | Wired | Battery | Battery and Wired | Wired |
| Smart Device Compatability | Apple HomeKit Amazon Alexa Google Assistant Smart Things IFTTT |
Amazon Alexa Google Assistant IFTTT |
Not Supported | Google Assistant | Amazon Alexa Google Assistant IFTTT |
| Siren Volume (dB) | 62.8 dB | 67.6 dB | 70.2 dB | N/A | 67.8 dB |
Show full specification detailsHide full specification details
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Arlo Ultra Wireless 2 comes with two cameras and a base station (mandatory for operation). It is rated for indoor and outdoor use and has a spotlight not seen on the competition's cameras. However, it is at the very high end of the market where the price is concerned — this includes both upfront and long-term costs. That said, the camera offers three field of view settings, 4k video, and emergency services for an extra monthly fee.
Performance Comparison
Low-profile and unobtrusive, the Ultra 2 is unique for having an onboard spotlight.
Credit: Chris McNamara
Recorded Video Quality
The Arlo Ultra Wireless earned a less than remarkable score in the recorded video quality assessment. This is partly because the camera records in HD, not 4k, and that video is often overexposed in daylight recordings. Also, the wide field of view setting slightly muddles facial features and makes everything seem far away. Additionally, the night vision struggled with clarity where facial features are concerned.
It's not all bad news for the Ulta. The camera's color night vision does a great job with license plates, and the background is pretty well resolved. Additionally, the camera offers three field of view settings (180 / 155 / 120), which is great for limiting the camera's view for motion alerts or widening it for tight areas like a front door. The wide field of view also makes up for the lack of a remote panning option.
The Ultra is one of the few cameras that has an adjustable filed of view.
Credit: Chris McNamara
Monitoring Performance
The monitoring performance assessment focuses on live video quality and the sound captured by the camera's mic produced by its speaker. The Ultra performed abysmally in this evaluation on account of the pronounced lags between actual events and those seen on screen. Also, the sound captured by the mic and produced by the speakers leaves a lot to be desired.
While the live video and audio synchronicity wasn't perfect, it was pretty close. The microphone is reasonably sensitive, too. However, it produces a lot of static that sounds like an air conditioning unit was running in the background. Finally, the sound produced by the camera has really bad feedback and a slight echo when you are speaking through it. And, the alarm from the same speaker is too weak (62.8 dB at 10 feet) to be useful.
We were not impressed with the inboard speaker on the Ultra.
Credit: Chris McNamara
Ease of Use
The Arlo Ultra did pretty well in our ease of use assessment, picking up a well above average score. The app is easy and intuitive to use as the home screen has everything you need easily accessible. There are also many useful alerts that are straightforward to set up.
The Ultra has notifications, including motion alerts for people, vehicles, animals, and general motion. There is also package detection and a setting that allows you to get an animated preview of notifications you receive. Finally, the camera has an indoor smoke and carbon monoxide detector with associated alerts.
The Ultra has redundant data storage with both cloud and onboard options.
Credit: Chris McNamara
As far as storage options go, the Ultra has both local (SD card) and cloud storage. However, it should be noted that the cloud storage comes in tiered subscriptions starting with a 14-day rolling plan. Finally, the camera comes with a magnetic base that doubles as a wall mount (hardware included).
The Ultra's base doubles as a wall mount.
Credit: Chris McNamara
Value
The Arlo Ultra 2 Wireless has a lot to offer, but value isn't on the list. This is a really expensive camera system, and it requires a paid subscription to function properly. Moreover, it fails to perform at the same level as significantly less expensive cameras in critical areas.
Conclusion
The Arlo Ultra 2 Wireless has two features that set it apart from the competition: a spotlight and a hefty price tag. While the camera offers lots of practical settings and adjustments, it failed to perform at a high level compared to the leaders in the class. Given its poor showing, we suggest you look at the higher-ranking products in our review and pocket the money saved for a rainy day.
—
Nick Miley, Matt Spencer, and Austin Palmer
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