Best Smart Home Trends Complete guide for upgrading to a Smart Home
The very famous Arlo cameras have been quite a hit in the smart home automation circuit for a while now. Netgear, its parent company, has made sure that we get all the necessary features along with this device. Such that, we do not need any additional attachments after getting it up and running.
One gets to enjoy plenty of rare benefits with this smart gadget such as over 7 days worth of totally free cloud storage use to store all your important data and security feeds. Infrared night visions make it perfect for the night time vigilance when you are comparatively way less attentive to the outside intrusions.
Arlo vs Arlo Pro: Our take on the upgrade
Given the wide-scale success of the Arlo model, the company has come up with its upgraded version that excels in all those areas where the initial release slightly lacks. Now, you will find the Arlo Pro just perfect if you are just getting into the notion of making your home smart automation savvy or want to upgrade your security system.
The latest upgrade has been made to improve the model from inside out. From the functionality right to the overall aesthetics, you will be pleasantly surprised when you finally use the Arlo Pro. And realize just how much scope there was of improving the security setting for your entire home.
Main Upgraded Features of Arlo Pro Security Camera
- You get cameras ranging from one to a total four along with a base station when you purchase the latest model.
- This base station has been redesigned for improved functionality so that you experience a better service quality.
- Front door camera comes with the two-way audio facility which works perfectly with the provided microphone and speaker.
- You can easily use the front camera to communicate with people without opening the door till you find them credible or talk to the delivery person when you are away.
- One of the best features of the Arlo Pro is that it comes with rechargeable batteries. This means that you don’t need to worry about replacing batteries every four months. Just recharge them when you feel the need to do so.
Arlo Pro Camera: Detailed Review
Pros
- Fast charging seems to be the highlight of this amazing upgrade that makes the whole system perfect for everyday and long-term use.
- Batteries are also claimed to be able to last at least 6 months or even more. Till now a lot of people have vouched for this claim made by the company by their glowing feedback.
- PIR motion sensor allows the camera to go into battery saving mode till any motion is detected such that the battery is not drained even when there is no immediate threat to address to.
- You get updates with a time-lapse of as low as just 3 seconds. This feature makes sure that you save precious time when in danger.
Cons
- Camera resolution is not as outstanding as one would expect from the house of Netgear.
- You might come across the time delay issues during recording and with certain notifications.
The Verdict
If you have just bought Arlo Pro then you are all set for making your home one of the safest place on the entire planet. Thanks to the cutting edge technology of this smart security camera, you can finally breath easy when you are in your home or even miles away.
Suitable Alternatives to Arlo Pro
Arlo Pro is one in a million security camera. But if you still want to look for other alternatives then you can always pick one of the following suggestions.
1. Zmodo Pivot 1080p HD 360° Rotating Wireless All-in-one Security Camera System
Main Features
- Zmodo Pivot comes with a full 3 years warranty for the prospective US users so that they can stay rest assured.
- Enjoy dedicated customer care support via phone, email and even on chat whenever you feel the need for it.
- Zmodo mobile app will make the entire process of setting up extremely quick and easy for you.
- View remotely when you are away from home and make adjustments according to your requirements, then and there.
- Just create your account and connect to your device to keep it synced up according to your preferences round the clock.
Pros
- Enjoy the benefits of a wide-angle rotating camera to keep a track of everything in your surroundings in the most comfortable way possible.
- The vivid and clear picture will be streamed to your smart screens thanks to the 1080p resolution of the camera.
- 16 GB internal storage makes sure that you can store the feed for past weeks and days before having to shell out for additional storage space.
- Get timely alerts and notifications on your phone right away whenever anything suspicious is detected by the camera.
Cons
- Some customers are complaining that it constantly makes a certain irritating clicking sound.
- The movement is not picked by the security camera in some cases.
The Verdict
You will want to make this camera your partner in preventing crime if you have a knack for picking only the best when it comes to home security. Its power-packed performance is assured to make your security related blues disappear right away.
2. Ring Stick Up Cam
Main Features
- Make the most the ‘Cloud Video Recording’ feature which you will be able to enjoy for free for the first month with the Ring Stick Up Cam.
- This will allow you to review and save important video feeds which you will not have been able to accomplish otherwise.
- Mount it on any kind of surface with the help of available toolkit and extremely helpful installation guide.
- With the help of the extremely useful ‘Live View’ feature, get the video on demand to keep an eye on your home throughout the day.
- Infrared vision and the HD video further make it extremely simple for you to monitor your home quite closely
Pros
- Built-in motion sensors have been designed and integrated with the mobile app in such a way that you will get instant alerts on your phone whenever any activity is detected.
- Use your smart devices to effortlessly communicate with your anyone visiting your property when you are away.
- One of a kind outdoor security camera that gives you the benefits of both two-way audio and HD video.
- Being wireless makes it perfect for even those location where you cant afford to have a power outlet in any form.
Cons
- Customer care service is not helpful at all which makes the installation and other issues really hard to manage.
- Is not as durable as its other counterparts in the same price range.
The Verdict
Make this camera the virtual gatekeeper of your sweet home so that you can finally get to sleep like a baby, no matter what age group you belong to. The HD streaming and dual audio feature will make it an instant hit in your home right away.
3. EZVIZ Husky Outdoor HD 1080p PoE & Wi-Fi Wireless Video Security Bullet Camera
Main Features
- With EZVIZ Husky, you get complete voice control over the Wi-Fi cameras with the help of Amazon Alexa working in perfect coordination with the Echo Show.
- Network and control the camera through other IoT devices with the help of IFTTT to make your home a truly smart home.
- Say goodbye to cable wiring since this camera is completely wireless the make you experience totally hassle-free.
- Deploy the camera comfortably with the help of the Wi-Fi and then collect all the videos and images that you would require.
- Get all the live feeds and snippets sent and displayed directly on your smart gadgets for an easy viewing experience.
Pros
- The weatherproof and dustproof body makes it perfect for the trying terrains that you might be living in.
- Being PoE (Power Over Ethernet) ready makes it perfect for your household use in varying internet availability situations.
- Remote View facility lets to see the entire arena in full HD with just a single tap on your smartphone.
- Plenty of smart home compatibility features make it a perfect addition to your home-wide smart home network.
Cons
- One might find it difficult to sync it up with the rest of the smart appliances available at home.
- Amazon Alexa compatibility is not good enough for prolonged use.
The Verdict
When you need a rugged as well as futuristic security camera then opt for the latest EZVIZ Husky Outdoor bullet camera every time. You will get the full worth of every single penny invested via its unprecedented service for years to come.
4. Nest Cam Outdoor Security Camera
Main Features
- Buying Nest Outdoor Cam, you will get complete access to the extremely useful Nest Aware subscription absolutely free on a trial basis.
- This subscription will allow you to get important alerts and continuous recording feeds from your property.
- You also have the option of creating activity zones when you are looking for attaining a closer feed and hence more precise alerts.
- The option of creating and sharing custom clips as well as time lapses will also increase the overall security of your home to manifolds.
- Absolutely no drilling is necessary for actually installing the hardware within or outside your household.
Pros
- DIY installation is the perfect approach towards the integration of this camera to your premises.
- All you need to do is just mount the camera on the camera at the desired place and plug in the socket at a nearby power outlet.
- Make the most of the feature where you can even attach this camera to a magnetic surface in case you want absolutely no hassle with the installation process.
- The camera comes with a built-in speaker along with a microphone which lets you communicate with anyone quite easily through the smart app.
Cons
- The microphone is not good enough when used for communication purposes.
- Installation process might get tricky for those people who are still new to this whole smart automation concept.
The Verdict
Most of us today are mainly looking for a sharp and easy-to-install security camera that is not too obvious to the wandering strangers outside our home. The Nest cam is perfect for this purpose and it also gives you a million more reason to pick it over other models every single time.
5. Amcrest IP2M-841 ProHD 1080P (1920TVL) Wireless WiFi IP Camera
Main Features
- Enjoy full HD display with the stunning resolution of 1080p even during video recording at the incredible frequency of 30 fps.
- Micro SD Card, Blue Iris, Amcrest, ONVIF NVR and FTP Upload will work just fine to record and playback the feed via this security camera.
- Service of the Amcrest Cloud Video Recording is also available with this camera that lets you record and saves as much feed as you want in the cloud storage.
- Sync the Wi-Fi set up with the internet settings of your android or apple smartphones in the quickest time possible with the help of the rare Amcrest View App.
- Stream the video, two-way audios and much more to your smart gadgets, laptops, and desktops as and when you like.
Pros
- Get a clear view of everything going on around your house with the help of Super Wide 90 degree Viewing Angle.
- Expand on the minute details, all thanks to the Intelligent Digital Zoom which gives you a better view without making you compromise even a bit on the picture quality.
- For every activity that takes place on your premises, you will get a quick update with the help of the Intelligent Motion sensors.
- Get a power-packed performance with the help of insightful elements of Sony image sensor as well as Ambarella processor.
Cons
- Price is a bit too steep as compared to the other similar models in this range.
- The microphone does not give a consistent and reliable performance as one would expect.
The Verdict
Wireless technology has reached the domain of security cameras too, and you can benefit from these features thanks to the Amcrest Security camera. The clear picture and quick updates further make it perfect for the domestic security purposes.
6. Canary All-in-One Home Security Device
Main Features
- With Canary, you get to avail the secure cloud storage space absolutely free for the entire time you are using this camera.
- Overall installation could not be any simpler. You just need to plug it into the power outlet and it will work itself out.
- No monthly subscription fees are required for benefiting from any of its amazing features. You get to use them absolutely free of cost.
- Instant video alerts make this camera all the more useful since you can now look at the exact reason behind the alert instead of wondering about it and freaking out unnecessarily.
- The smart app is available for both Android and Apple platforms to make it customized for your smartphone preferences.
Pros
- In case, an intruder tries to tamper with the camera, you will get an instant alert informing you about this incident.
- The camera comes equipped with the HomeHealth Technology which lets you examine how the home temperature, humidity, and other factors are affecting your overall health.
- Motion activated recording feature comes handy when you are asleep, away or just don’t want t stay worried about every small and big activity going throughout your home.
- Get the loud and clear siren of 90+ dB that gets activated in case of imminent danger. This way your home will stay safe even when you are too busy to attend to those gentle alerts.
Cons
- Quality of the newer models is really not up to the mark of the initial releases.
- Service quality of the camera really deteriorates after only a few months of use.
The Verdict
Special attention has been given to the creation of various significant features that comes along with the Canary security camera. That is why it has been termed as a security device and not just another security camera.
For a detailed comparison between Canary and Nest Cam, click here.
Which is the best smart security camera?
In this case, we have a clear winner.
The best security camera in this comparison is undoubtedly the very affordable and useful Arlo Pro. There are plenty of suitable rivals present in the market too. But, when you can have the best then why would you want to bother about the rest.
Yet another insightful article about the smart home automation and its wonders comes to an end. Your comments and positive feedback motivate us to keep on giving you regular updates. We try to cover all the big and small things going on in the world of automation. So stay connected!
