Detailed Review of the new generation wireless smart health connected camera smart health innovation

Although Netgear is best known for its routers and modems, Netgear also has a brand of smart health connected security cameras. After having tested the Arlo and the Arlo Q Plus on ABsmarthealth.net, here is the brand's new model: the Arlo Pro.

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Mark : NetgearCategory: smart health connected cameraConnection: WirelessCompatibility: iOS and AndroidPrice: 249 € for a camera, 339 with the basic stationAvailability: AvailableTested with: Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime

Buy the Arlo Pro 1:

Buy the Arlo Pro 2:

Unboxing of the Arlo Pro

We had access to the Arlo Pro pack of two cameras. This pack carries the white and green color scheme of the brand. The two cameras are visible directly through a transparent plastic packaging which overhangs the main carton of the packaging.

On the aforementioned box, you can see information about the Arlo Pro smart health connected camera: its absence of wires, its rechargeable battery or its night vision. You can also see a summary of the material in the box.

Once the main packaging is open, we discover two different boxes : the first includes the tools necessary to set up your cameras, while the second contains all the equipment to operate the base station that will manage everything.

The plastic packaging that contains the cameras turns out to be of very high quality. The two Arlo Pro are held in place by a plastic screw, which proves special attention to detail and quality.

Another guarantee of quality: the presence of a real manual, printed in several languages. No need to go on the Internet, you will have all the information in front of you during the installation of your Arlo Pro even if you are not at your computer and you use your phone to display the Arlo application.

Design and ergonomics of the Arlo Pro

The Arlo Pro is very similar to the classic Arlo. She is bigger and taller because of the technology it carries, but it stops there. Netgear seems to have found its ideal design given the few changes made to it.

It must be said that it is always difficult to talk about design on a product supposed to be discreet, even hidden. Although the camera is quite nice to look at, nor is it a particularly interesting product.

In terms of discretion, the goal is achieved, unless your interior has a lot of dark colors. Indeed, the bright whiteness will make it stand out in this context. However, the fashion for white or beige walls is well established, whether indoors or outdoors.

Regarding the invisible side, Netgear has thought of equipping its cameras with accessories allowing it to blend into the leaves of a tree. If you want to film your garden discreetly, this is perfectly possible thanks to this skin which is already available.

Application of the Arlo Pro

The application of Arlo is still as effective. It allows total control, remotely, on the parameters of your camera. It is divided into three parts: Fashion, Peripherals, and Library.

The Mode section allows you to activate or deactivate various properties of your camera, such as motion or sound detection, geolocation, or planning. With IFTTT, you can even add your own recording trigger modes.

In the Device section, it is possible to watch live what is happening in the monitored area. The time lag between an action and its live appearance is approximately one second. You can also activate the siren on demand, to scare away an intruder, for example.

Finally, the library contains all the recordings that have been triggered automatically by the camera depending on which mode is activated (motion, sound detection, etc.). In free mode, you can store up to 7 days in the Cloud.

Using the Arlo Pro

Installing the camera is extremely simple, the manual and the application explain everything in detail. Just install the battery in the camera, connect the base station to Ethernet and to mains, then pair the two via the app by pressing the sync button on both devices.

You can also choose to connect the camera to the mains if desired. A micro-usb cable is provided for this purpose in the product box. Besides, the box also contains the material necessary to place your camera where you want it by screwing it.

Arlo’s main focus, however, is its wireless line. As Wi-Fi optimization is Netgear's specialty, the accuracy and autonomy of the cameras are greatly improved compared to other wireless models. In addition, its wireless nature, coupled with its resistance to weather hazards, allows it to be installed indoors and outdoors.

To create the Arlo Pro, Netgear has taken into account the feedback they received on their previous camera. The optical unit has notably been reviewed: infrared has been redesigned and the angle of view has been increased from 110 to 130 °. Motion detection increased from 5m to 7m. The brand's objective was to be able to cover a 90m² room regardless of its layout, especially for L-shaped salons.

One of the other big news is the abandonment of the battery system to replace it with a 2500 mAh battery which will be able to ensure a lifespan of 4 to 6 months without recharging to the camera. This places it directly in the top of smart health connected cameras with the most autonomy.

The magnetic fixing has been reinforced. This makes the camera heavier, but also much better fixed on its foot to prevent it from falling if it receives a somewhat too violent shock. Speaking of size and weight, choices had to be made in order to make the Arlo Pro as innovative as possible while keeping the measurements as small as possible. For example : the camera only films in 720p, and not in 1080, because Netgear preferred to add a microphone and a speaker to the latter.

While we are in the theme of sound, the alarm of the base station reaches 100 decibels. In addition, the latter now has the ability to save images locally. Information travels in the Cloud, but the user can choose whether it will be stored locally or in the Cloud.

The base station ensures the continuity of the Arlo range. Indeed, as we told you in the Review of the first Arlo, it's more of a health home automation system than a simple camera collection. Result: the range is interoperable : you can therefore install an Arlo and an Arlo Pro on the same base station and control them with the same application. One station can accommodate up to 15 cameras.The future of Arlo is already mapped out, especially with the release of the Arlo Go, the 100% autonomous camera we told you about a while ago, and the addition of Amazon's artificial intelligence: Alexa.

The Arlo Pro against the competition

Many types of smart health connected cameras exist on the market and offer all different features, between those who offer to control your smart health connected objects (like Google health home) or even to check the air quality (like Canary or Withings health home). For this Review, we will focus on the models that only offer ehealth surveillance.

In this domain, two brands pose as Arlo's direct competitors: Nest and Netatmo. The former have made an impression with Nest Cam Outdoor, while the latter are best known for the Welcome.

Only the difference is very clear: Netgear offers a wireless product capable of holding up to 6 months without recharging. As if that were not enough, the brand offers a free registration function where Nest, for example, only offers a paid solution.

Netgear currently ranks first in the smart health connected camera market, and not for nothing. Although the Arlo Pro costs around € 50 more than other models, it is the one that will give you the best performance, not to mention its smart health connected ecosystem and the absence of a mandatory subscription.

The new version, the Arlo Pro 2

In its new version, the camera is generally very similar. It has a sensor that films in 1080p and especially the possibility to record 24 hours a day and especially seven days a week. The camera also has a battery to hold in the event of a power failure. It can also be used outdoors with IP65 protection.

Its new asset is ehealth in night vision to be sure of capturing the best image in the event of violation. Camera can store data locally with a USB cable or connect to the cloud to store online for up to seven days.

Conclusion

Good points

• Wireless

• Excellent autonomy

• Very good technical performance

Negative points

• A little more expensive than the competition

Buy the Arlo Pro 1:

Buy the Arlo Pro 2:

Design and Ergonomics – 6

Application – 7

Features – 7.9

Use – 8

Value for money – 7.5

7.3

Design and ergonomics: The design is exactly the same as the previous model except for its size, which is slightly larger. Without going out of the ordinary, it remains efficient and ergonomic.

Application : Application: The application is simple and functional. Above all: it allows you to control any camera model with a single base station.

Features : Features: Motion and sound detection, alarm, weather resistance … They are diverse and useful.

use : The installation and use of the product are very simple, no need for prior knowledge.

Quality / Price ratio : The best on the market. Although 50 € more expensive, the Arlo pro imposes itself when a reference for smart health connected cameras by its quality and its functionalities.

AB SMART HEALTH REVIEW