Arlo's cheapest home security cameras just got a big upgrade for Apple users

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Apple Home support comes to Arlo's Essential cameras

Arlo Essential Outdoor Cam mounted to shed door
(Image credit: Future)

Among the best home security cameras, we've long been fans of Arlo's devices for their excellent video quality. And, because they're not owned by Amazon or Google, they often play nice with both Alexa, Google Assistant, and even Apple.

I say often because, until recently, Arlo's least expensive lineup of cameras — its Essential series — didn't work with Apple Home, but that's finally changed.

Now, second-generation Arlo Essential devices — The Essential Indoor camera ($39), the Essential 2nd Gen ($99), and the Essential XL 2nd Gen ($149) and the Arlo Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) will work with Apple's smart home ecosystem.

Previously, Arlo's higher-end cameras were the only models that were compatible with Apple Home, so it's good to see Arlo's more affordable models get the same capabilities.

However, in order to work with Apple Home, Arlo's cameras will need to first connect to one of Arlo's Base Stations or SmartHubs, the latter of which costs $99 at Arlo.

Once connected, you'll be able to do the following, according to Arlo:

  • Use Siri to voice control your Arlo devices
  • View your Arlo device in the Apple Home App
  • Use Apple TV to view your Arlo device on your TV
  • View live feeds and screenshots in the Apple Home App
  • Listen and talk using two-way audio in the Apple Home App
  • Receive Arlo motion and audio notifications in the Apple Home App

While Arlo's cameras work with Apple Home, they aren't compatible with Apple Secure Video, so you will still need an Arlo subscription in order to save video.

Arlo's plans start at $7.99 per month for a single camera and $17.99 per month for unlimited cameras. When compared with other security camera storage plans, Arlo is among the more expensive options. With that, you get 60 days of video history, as well as person, vehicle, animal, and package detection.

Arlo also has familiar face recognition, as well as a beta feature called Custom Detection, which lets you receive notifications for events you specify, such as a garage door opening.

In the grand scheme of things, Arlo adding Apple Home support for its least expensive cameras isn't a monumental change, but it is good to see that its most accessible devices are gaining additional features.

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Mike Prospero
Mike Prospero
U.S. Editor-in-Chief, Tom's Guide

Michael A. Prospero is the U.S. Editor-in-Chief for Tom’s Guide. He oversees all evergreen content and oversees the Homes, Smart Home, and Fitness/Wearables categories for the site. In his spare time, he also tests out the latest drones, electric scooters, and smart home gadgets, such as video doorbells. Before his tenure at Tom's Guide, he was the Reviews Editor for Laptop Magazine, a reporter at Fast Company, the Times of Trenton, and, many eons back, an intern at George magazine. He received his undergraduate degree from Boston College, where he worked on the campus newspaper The Heights, and then attended the Columbia University school of Journalism. When he’s not testing out the latest running watch, electric scooter, or skiing or training for a marathon, he’s probably using the latest sous vide machine, smoker, or pizza oven, to the delight — or chagrin — of his family.

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