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Head-to-head · Best Video Doorbells

Arlo Essential Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) vs Arlo Video Doorbell

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Arlo Essential Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.2 vs 3.9). The gap is mostly about Buyers with wide porches or wraparound entry steps who need maximum field of view, and who accept paying Arlo Secure for recording features. — read the strengths below before deciding.

Arlo Essential Video Doorbell (2nd Gen)
Higher ratedRanked #4 in Best Video Doorbells
Arlo Essential Video Doorbell (2nd Gen)
2 sourcesall derived$49.99as of Aug 1

Buyers who care most about field of view should look at the Arlo Essential Video Doorbell 2nd Gen, which also has the squarest 1:1 framing in the category. Its 180 degree lens and HDR handling are genuinely best-in-class on wide porches, and the on-device AI is mature. Like Ring, it gates the recording features most people expect behind a subscription, here Arlo Secure, so budget for the monthly cost.

Strengths
  • — 180 degree field of view captures the widest porch coverage in the category, with 1:1 aspect ratio for full head-to-toe framing
  • — 1536 by 1536 resolution with HDR holds up in high-contrast doorways
  • — AI-powered detection differentiates people, vehicles, animals, and packages with low false-positive rates
Watch-outs
  • — Arlo Secure subscription at 7.99 a month required for video recording, smart alerts, and activity zones
  • — Battery life drops noticeably under heavy event load per reviewer testing
  • — Two-way audio can sound thin compared to Ring or Eufy
$49.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Arlo Video Doorbell
Ranked #8 in Best Video Doorbells
Arlo Video Doorbell
5 sources1 derived$49.99as of Aug 1

The Arlo Video Doorbell comes in wired and battery-powered configurations, which makes it the brand's flexible mid-tier option. Its 180-degree square field of view captures the full porch, packages on the ground included. Reviewers at The Verge and elsewhere called out the strong app, the tie-in with Arlo's home-security ecosystem, and the fact that no hub is required. Continuous video recording and AI features need an Arlo Secure subscription.

Strengths
  • — 180° diagonal field of view
  • — Built-in siren
  • — Two-way audio
Watch-outs
  • — Requires Arlo subscription for cloud storage
  • — Battery life can be limited
$49.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Arlo Essential Video Doorbell (2nd Gen)

Out-frames every other model in this roundup with a true 180 degree 1:1 lens that the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus and Google Nest Doorbell Wired 2nd Gen cannot match. Falls behind the Eufy Security Video Doorbell E340 on subscription cost and night-vision color, and behind the Aqara Smart Video Doorbell G4 on HomeKit integration.

Arlo Video Doorbell

The 180° diagonal view captures packages at feet level, a unique advantage over competitors.

Specs side-by-side

SpecArlo Essential Video Doorbell (2nd Gen)Arlo Video Doorbell
Resolution1536 by 1536 (1:1 square)—
Field of View180 degrees diagonal—
Power SourceBattery or hardwired (model dependent)Rechargeable battery
Battery LifeUp to 6 months per charge—
Cloud Storage Subscription RequiredYes, Arlo Secure from 7.99/mo for video history—
Local StorageNone (cloud only)—
EcosystemAlexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT, SmartThings—
Field of View Aspect Ratio1:1 square—
Night VisionColor and IRColor Night Vision
Two-Way AudioYes—
Weather RatingIP65—
Smart NotificationsPerson, vehicle, animal, package (with Arlo Secure)—
Video Resolution—1080p HD
Field Of View—180° diagonal
Audio—Two-way audio
Smart Home—Alexa, Google Assistant
Storage—Cloud subscription
Weatherproof—IP65
← See the full ranking of best video doorbells