Overview
The Arlo Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) is our “premium pick” in the
Best Smart Doorbells 2025 guide. Where the
Blink Video Doorbell focuses on ultra-low cost and the
Ring Battery Doorbell aims at the best balance of price and
features, Arlo leans hard into video quality, smarter motion detection, and security-centric extras.
In real-world use, it’s one of the clearest doorbells we’ve tested. Faces stay readable in challenging
lighting, nighttime footage remains detailed, and activity zones help keep random street traffic from
spamming your phone. The trade-off: you’ll likely pay more up front and want an Arlo Secure subscription to
unlock its best features.
Pros
- Excellent HDR video with clear detail on faces and packages
- Strong night vision and balanced low-light performance
- Accurate motion alerts with solid person and package detection
- Flexible installation for wired or battery-powered setups
- Works with major ecosystems (Alexa, Google, and more)
Cons
- More expensive than Blink and often Ring
- Most advanced features live behind an Arlo Secure subscription
- Cloud-first design won’t please local-storage purists
- App can feel busy if you only own the doorbell
Performance & Reliability
Arlo’s 2nd-gen doorbell consistently delivered sharp, detailed video in our testing. HDR prevents blown-out
skies and dark faces when someone stands in bright sunlight, while the wide vertical field of view makes it
easy to see both visitors and packages near the door.
Motion alerts arrived quickly and reliably on test phones, and we didn’t see the random “ghost motion” that
cheaper doorbells sometimes trigger from passing cars or shifting tree shadows. Once motion zones and
sensitivity were tuned, alerts felt intentional instead of noisy.
Design & Usability
Physically, the Arlo Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) feels every bit like the premium option it’s positioned as.
The hardware looks clean and modern, and the doorbell button is obvious and easy to find, even at night.
Installation can be either wired or battery-powered, putting it in the same flexibility tier as the
Ring Battery Doorbell. The app walks you through setup with
clear visuals and explanations, though the sheer number of options can feel like overkill if you just want a
“set it and forget it” experience.
Features & Ecosystem
The basics—live view, two-way talk, and motion alerts—work out of the box. Where Arlo really stretches its
legs is with the richer features unlocked by an Arlo Secure subscription: smarter detection that can
differentiate people, packages, and vehicles; longer video history; and more advanced notification options.
Ecosystem support is strong. If you already own Arlo cameras, the doorbell slots neatly into the same app
and recording workflows. It also plays well with Alexa and Google Assistant for things like chimes on smart
speakers and viewing on compatible displays.
Value for Money
On pure sticker price, the Arlo Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) clearly sits a tier above Blink and often above
Ring. If you just want basic “who’s at the door?” coverage, the
Blink Video Doorbell still wins on value. For most households,
the Ring Battery Doorbell remains the sweet spot of price,
features, and ecosystem.
Arlo earns its higher price if you genuinely care about better footage, smarter motion detection, and deeper
security features—and you’re okay with a subscription. But if you’re stretching your budget to reach it,
you may be happier saving money with Ring or Blink and putting the difference into a better router or
additional cameras.
Build, Privacy & Support
The hardware feels robust, and the doorbell handled typical outdoor conditions in testing without drama.
Like most cloud-centric brands, your footage and alerts live on Arlo’s servers, so you’re trusting them with
your front-door video history.
Arlo provides clear documentation and typical big-brand support options. As with any connected device, long-term
app changes, subscription pricing, and firmware support are part of the equation, not just the up-front cost.
Score Breakdown
| VoltVerdict Pillar |
Score (0–10) |
What it means for you |
| Performance & Reliability |
9.3 |
Clear, detailed HDR video and stable alerts that keep up with real-world front-door traffic. |
| Design & Usability |
8.8 |
Premium hardware and flexible installation, with an app that’s powerful but a bit busy. |
| Features & Ecosystem |
9.2 |
Deep security features, strong motion intelligence, and good integration with Arlo and major platforms. |
| Value for Money |
8.4 |
Worth it if you’ll use the extra clarity and smarter alerts; overkill if you just want basic coverage. |
| Build, Privacy & Support |
8.9 |
Solid construction and big-brand backing with the usual cloud-privacy trade-offs. |
Buy the Arlo Video Doorbell (2nd Gen)
If you want the clearest HDR footage and smarter motion detection than Ring or Blink, Arlo is the premium pick.
It’s ideal for busy porches, wide entryways, and anyone who wants the most accurate alerts at their front door.
Price at review (Amazon US — 2025-11-28): typically US$149.99–$179.99*
Check price & availability on Amazon →
*As an Amazon Associate, VoltVerdict earns from qualifying purchases. This never affects our scores or
recommendations. Prices change often—always check the current price before purchasing.
Short version: If you want the best footage and smartest motion detection at your front door,
this is the doorbell to beat. If you mostly care about “good enough” alerts at the lowest price, stick with
Blink or Ring instead.
Final Verdict: Who Should Buy the Arlo Video Doorbell (2nd Gen)?
Choose the Arlo Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) if you:
- Already own other Arlo cameras and want everything in one app
- Care a lot about clear, detailed video and strong night performance
- Don’t mind paying a bit more—and a subscription—for smarter security features
Think twice—or look elsewhere—if you:
- Just want basic video and motion alerts on a tight budget
- Don’t want any ongoing subscription fees
- Prefer a simpler, more mainstream ecosystem like Ring or Google Nest
For most households, we still recommend the
Ring Battery Doorbell as the default smart doorbell pick.
But if you’re building a more security-focused setup and want top-tier video quality, Arlo’s 2nd-gen
doorbell earns its spot as our Premium Pick in the
Best Smart Doorbells 2025 guide.
Arlo Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) FAQ
Do you need an Arlo Secure subscription for this doorbell?
You can use the doorbell without a subscription for basic live view, notifications, and short clips, but
most of the “smart” security features—like richer motion detection, longer history, and better alerts—live
behind Arlo Secure. If you’re strongly opposed to subscriptions, you may be happier with a simpler, cheaper model.
Is Arlo better than Ring or Nest?
“Better” depends on what you care about. Arlo generally wins on video quality and motion intelligence.
Ring wins on overall ecosystem polish and broad adoption.
Nest is the best choice if you already live in Google’s world.
Our
Best Smart Doorbells 2025 guide compares them directly.
Can I install it myself?
Yes. You can wire it into an existing chime or run it on battery power. If you’re comfortable turning off
a breaker and following step-by-step instructions, DIY installation is very achievable. Otherwise, an
electrician or handy friend can handle the wired route for you.
