Arlo is one of the biggest names in IoT home security cameras and the company has taken to CES 2020 with a brand new one, the Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera, to prove once again why that’s the case. As its branding implies, the new gadget is an outdoor home or business security camera packed with its own floodlight. But it isn’t just the branding that sets this camera apart. It’s also among the sleekest-looking security devices to hit the market to-date.
Built around a nearly seamless design, Arlo engineered Pro 3 Floodlight camera to blend in with almost any modern decor wirelessly. It features a curved, LED-laden front surface, flattened against an accenting camera. That housing also packs in motion sensors, mics, and speakers for a higher level of functionality.
Behind the curved portion, a more standard backing props up the camera. Just behind that is a portion that attaches to the wall or another surface. The design isn’t just for looks either. Instead, Arlo indicates that it helps prevent washout effects and background noise commonly seen in outdoor security cameras.
What makes Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera different?
Aside from design, Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera seems similar to any other outdoor security camera with a floodlight attached. It features either motion-based or manual wide-area illumination, 2K video recording with HDR-compatibility, and remote live or recorded viewing. Two night-vision modes are available, both color and black-and-white. Of course, sensitivity settings are adjustable across the board.
Arlo set the field of view for Pro 3 Floodlight Camera at 160-degrees, when measured diagonally too. Two-way audio is available if needed.
There are custom settings for notifications in the associated smartphone application that lets buyers adjusting notifications. Home or business owners can use the camera to spot people, vehicles, animals or packages with smart alerts. That includes custom controls for both the lights and the camera. The lights can be set to simply turn on. Or users can set the lights to pulse in two different patterns — pulsing or flashing.
As mentioned above, this camera also goes above and beyond to integrate with Arlo’s Smart subscriptions and other devices. That means that Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera can be linked in with e911 emergency services, among other things.
While that’s a healthy combination of features, Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera’s biggest feature is that it’s entirely wire-free. Arlo hasn’t provided exact metrics for how long the internal battery in its Pro 3 Floodlight Camera will last. But the battery means that homeowners and business owners alike can install the combined camera and floodlight unit wherever it’s convenient to do so.
Using a battery should also make installing and running the camera more affordable. There won’t be any wiring to run or specialized installation services required and high energy efficiency should improve operating costs when it comes to recharging.
Pricing and availability
Arlo hasn’t provided an exact date for the release of its Wire-Free Floodlight Camera but will undoubtedly reveal one in the coming months. The company says, for now, that the new smart security gadget will become available during the Spring season this year. All of the convenience does come at a cost but that’s not as high as the features might suggest. Sales are expected to start at an MSRP of just $249.99.
For an unspecified added premium, buyers can also pick up Arlo Smart. That’s a subscription-based program that offers 30-days of 2K cloud-stored recordings and video clips. That also includes customized people-spotting and notifications, in addition to alerts for vehicles, animals, and packages. E911 services are included there as well, providing easy access to emergency services should the need arise.
Arlo Smart typically costs $2.99 per camera. But the company includes three months of Arlo Smart with purchase, so buyers can try it out before deciding on a subscription.