In this head-to-head article, I compare and contrast the key features and offerings of Ring and Arlo.
Ring has gained popularity for its user-friendly video doorbells and comprehensive surveillance solutions, while Arlo stands out with its wireless cameras and advanced customization options.
To provide insights into selecting the brand that best suits your home security requirements, I looked into a total of 20 security cameras, including 12 from Ring and 9 from Arlo, and a detailed list of product codes can be found at the end of the article.
The Winners
Best for Simple Security
Best for Comprehensive Security
Best for Simple Security: Ring
Ring is best for simple, cloud-based security due to its easy setup, emphasis on cloud storage, and seamless integration with cloud services.
With cloud storage, Ring cameras offer the convenience of remotely storing and accessing video footage online, ensuring that valuable recordings are protected even if the camera or local storage gets damaged.
This provides added security and convenience for users who can easily access their footage from anywhere. While there is usually a recurring fee for cloud storage services, the benefits of remote access and added security makes it a worthwhile investment for many.
Overall, Ring's cloud-focused approach and integration with cloud services make it an excellent choice for those seeking convenient remote access and enhanced security through cloud storage.
Best for Comprehensive Security: Arlo
Arlo is an ideal choice for those seeking comprehensive security solutions with 24/7 professional monitoring.
With optional cloud subscriptions and storage options, Arlo offers flexibility in choosing the level of cloud storage and advanced features that best suit individual needs and budgets.
Additionally, Arlo cameras integrate with a wide range of smart home platforms, including popular ones like Apple HomeKit, Amazon Sidewalk, Chromecast, SmartThings, Google Nest Hub, and IFTTT. This extensive compatibility enables seamless integration and enhanced smart home security capabilities.
Winners per Category
| Category | Winner |
| Power & Data Feeds | Draw |
| Storage and Interoperability | Arlo |
| Smart Detection | Arlo |
| Audio | Draw |
| Low Light and Full Night Vision | Draw |
| Camera & Lens | Arlo |
| Pan, Tilt, Zoom | Ring |
| Camera Quality | Draw |
Overview
Here, I specifically looked at Ring and Arlo’s camera types, cloud subscription options, wire types, color options, price range, and warranty duration.
Camera Types
Ring mainly provides video doorbells, floodlights, and spotlight cameras. Ring's video doorbells come in wired and wireless options, with the latter being battery-powered.
On the other hand, Arlo also offers a comprehensive selection of security cameras such as video doorbells, spotlights, floodlights, and indoor cameras. Arlo's camera models feature both wireless and wired options, with several models operating on battery power.
Cloud Subscription
Ring generally requires a mandatory subscription for its camera models to have access to cloud storage for video recordings, advanced motion detection settings, and extended warranties.
Arlo, on the other hand, offers optional cloud subscriptions for all camera models in this research.
Pricing
Both Arlo and Ring offer products in the mid-range and high-end price segments. As of the time of writing, Arlo cameras were coming in slightly more expensive than Ring. For up-to-date pricing, check out the packages above.
Warranty
The standard warranty duration for most Ring products included in this analysis is one year, with the Pro 2 offering a two-year warranty. Similarly, Arlo's standard warranty on cameras included in this research is one year.
Power & Data Feeds
In terms of power and data feeds, I analyzed both brands’ power options, data transmission processes, and data types.
Winner: Draw
Very little to set them apart here. Both offer cameras with battery, solar, AC/DC power options, and Wi-Fi. Ring has 1 PoE camera, while Arlo has a 4G camera.
Power Options
Ring cameras mostly support DC and AC power, with some models supporting battery and solar power such as Spotlight Cam Plus Battery and Stick Up Cam Battery. The Video Doorbell Elite also runs on PoE (power-over-ethernet).
On the other hand, Arlo models mostly support battery and AC power such as the Pro 5S 2K, Pro 4, and Ultra 2. Some cameras also support solar power such as Go 2 LTE/Wi-Fi, Essential, and Pro 3.
Data transmission
Both Ring and Arlo support 2.4GHz Wi-Fi in nearly all their camera models, and also offer additional data transmission options in certain models.
With Ring, the Video Doorbell Elite and Floodlight Cam Wired Pro also support 5GHz Wi-Fi and Power over Ethernet (PoE). In contrast, Arlo provides 5GHz Wi-Fi in the Pro 5S 2K and Ultra 2 models and 4G LTE support in the Go 2 LTE/Wi-Fi model.
Storage & Interoperability
When analyzing the storage and smart integration functionalities of each brand, I primarily focused on its storage options and integration features.
Winner: Arlo
Ring offers cloud storage for footage which secures your data, while Arlo provides flexibility in its storage options.
Storage
Ring has a consistent focus on cloud storage, with all their models, including the Video Doorbell Series, Indoor Cam, Floodlight Cam Wired Pro, Spotlight Cam, and Stick Up Cam, supporting this feature exclusively.
This means that your video footage will be stored remotely and accessible online, providing convenience and added security in case the camera or local storage gets damaged. However, it is essential to note that there is usually a recurring fee for cloud storage services, which may add to the overall cost.
On the other hand, Arlo offers more versatility when it comes to storage options. Most of their models, such as Essential Wireless, Essential Wired, Pro 3, Pro 4, and Ultra 2, support microSD, cloud, and USB flash drive storage via the wireless hub.
This mix of local and cloud storage options provides users with more flexibility in choosing the storage method that best meets their security and budgetary needs.
The Arlo Go 2 LTE/Wi-Fi model goes one step further, including an onboard storage capacity of 2GB, which allows video recording even without an external storage device or cloud subscription.
Interoperability features
Neither of these brands plays well with external systems. If you’re looking for ONVIF, RTSP or FTP capabilities, then I recommend checking out my Reolink vs Amcrest guide.
Smart Detection
In examining smart integration and intelligence features, I analyzed the smart integration capabilities and customization of motion zones and sensitivity.
Winner: Arlo
Arlo has more models with integrations to smart assistants and platforms, provides an added email notification when detecting motions, and caters to more smart detection features as compared to Ring.
Smart Integrations
Both Ring and Arlo cameras provide support for popular voice assistants such as Amazon, Alexa, and Google Assistant.
However, I noticed that Arlo has a slight edge in terms of compatibility because its cameras generally integrate with a wider range of smart home platforms including Apple HomeKit, Amazon Sidewalk, Chromecast, SmartThings, Google Nest Hub, and IFTTT.
On the other hand, Ring cameras focus mainly on Amazon devices such as Echo Show and Fire TV.
Despite being a third-party vendor, Arlo’s integration into Amazon’s ecosystem is quite extensive.
Configurable Motion Zones and Sensitivity
Ring and Arlo offer these features in most of their models, allowing you to customize your camera's motion detection capabilities according to your preferences.
Motion Alerts and Notification
Users receive push notifications for motion alerts on both brands.
Some Arlo models like the Pro 5S 2K, Essential Wireless, Essential Indoor, Go 2 LTE/Wi-Fi and Pro 3 also provide the option for email alerts, adding an additional layer of notification flexibility.
Smart Detection Features
Although both brands offer smart motion detection features, Arlo appears to have a more extensive list of detection options. Arlo cameras can detect not only the presence of a person but also vehicles, objects, and even animals.
Ring cameras included in this research mainly focus on person detection, with the Pro 2 offering object detection as well.
Audio
Here, I specifically looked at Ring and Arlo’s audio capabilities like integrated microphones and speakers, alarms, and sirens.
Winner: Draw
Both brands support two-way chat and have integrated alarms.
Integrated Microphones and Speakers
Ring and Arlo cameras generally offer integrated microphones and speakers, allowing for a seamless two-way audio experience. This means users can listen to and speak with the people in front of the camera.
An integrated microphone is a crucial feature for communicating with people on the other end, whether it's through a doorbell camera or an indoor/outdoor security camera.
Integrated siren or alarm
All models from both brands included in the research feature an integrated siren or alarm, which can alert homeowners to any potential threats and scare away intruders.
Some of the Ring models like Floodlight Cam Wired Pro and Spotlight Cam Plus Wired have sirens that can reach an impressive 110 dB of loudness, ensuring the alarm can be heard clearly.
Low Light and Full Night Vision
Here, I took into consideration the night vision capabilities of both brands focusing on types of night vision, and spotlight features.
Winner: Draw
Both Ring and Arlo feature night vision, and spotlight features on selected models.
Night Vision Types
Both Ring and Arlo cameras offer night vision functionality, but they differ in their night vision types.
Ring primarily uses infrared night vision, which provides good visibility in total darkness, while some Ring also offer full-color night vision via a spotlight feature with Floodlight Cam Wired Plus, Floodlight Cam Wired Pro, Spotlight Cam Plus Battery, and Spotlight Cam Plus Wired models.
Arlo, on the other hand, tends to have infrared night vision as well, but they also provide full-color night vision via a spotlight in Pro 5S 2K, Go 2 LTE/Wi-Fi, Pro 3, Essential, and Pro 4 models.
Spotlight Feature
Ring has models with powerful spotlights, like the Floodlight Cam Wired Pro, which uses two 2000-lumen spotlights.
Arlo also offers the spotlight option on several models, like the Pro 3, which features a 3000-lumen spotlight, one of the brightest in their lineup.
Camera & Lens
Here, I've looked at the specifics of the field of view, image sensor, lens type, and resolution of camera models included in the research.
Winner: Arlo
Arlo wins this category, particularly with the Arlo Ultra 2 which has 4k resolution and a large 1/2″ image sensor.
Continuous vs Motion Activated Recording
Continuous recording could be essential for those who want round-the-clock coverage at their property.
A few Arlo models, such as the Essential Indoor and Ultra 2, offer continuous recording capabilities. The Ring Elite doorbell also supports it.
Contrastingly, motion-activated recording is a common feature in both brands, ensuring that the cameras only record when movement is detected. This helps in saving storage space and provides more focused surveillance.
Field of view (FOV)
This determines how much area the camera is able to capture. My research shows that Ring offers an extensive range of FOV options, with horizontal angles ranging from 110° to 160° and vertical angles from 57° to 150°.
On the other hand, Arlo provides fewer variations but offers cameras with either a broader 180° diagonal FOV or a narrower 130° diagonal FOV.
Image Sensors & Lenses
Ring primarily uses CMOS sensors known for their great low-light performance. Certain Arlo models like the Arlo Pro 3 and Arlo Pro 4 feature a 1/3″ image sensor size, while the Arlo Ultra 2 has a bigger 1/2″ image sensor size. A larger sensor size allows the camera to capture more detail in images.
Both Ring and Arlo cameras come equipped with fixed-focus lenses, which maintain a sharp focus on objects at a specific distance.
Resolution
As for resolution, Ring cameras offer 2MP (1080p) Full HD resolution, ensuring clear and crisp image quality.
Arlo provides a wider range of resolutions, from 2MP (1080p) Full HD up to 8MP (4K) Ultra HD, like the Arlo Ultra 2.
Higher-resolution cameras deliver more detail and better picture quality, which can be crucial for identifying intruders or reading license plates.
Pan-Tilt-Zoom
Here, I scrutinized the pan, tilt, and zoom capabilities of Ring and Arlo camera models included in this research.
Winner: Ring
Ring has one PT camera, the Ring’s Stick Up Cam Plug-In with a PT Mount.
Pan and Tilt
In terms of pan and tilt features, all models included in this research lack these features with the exception of Ring’s Stick Up Cam Plug-In, which offers a 360-degree pan angle and a 90-degree tilt angle with the add-on mount.
Zoom Options
With regards to zoom options, neither Ring nor Arlo cameras included in this research offer optical zoom.
Camera Quality
When examining the device features of Ring and Arlo, I specifically checked the camera dimensions, build quality, and weight.
Winner: Draw
Both Ring and Arlo provide weather-resistant cameras that suit your security needs in both indoor and outdoor spaces.
Camera Dimensions
Ring cameras tend to be more streamlined and minimalist in design, while Arlo devices can be larger and bulkier, which may impact your decision based on aesthetic preferences.
For example, Ring's Video Doorbell 4 measures 5.1 in. x 2.4 in x 1.1 in, compared to the slightly larger Arlo Pro 5S 2K at 89mm x 52mm x 78.4mm.
Build Quality
My research shows that both Ring and Arlo security cameras are generally built to withstand various weather conditions.
They have weather-resistant exteriors and are designed to perform well in a range of temperatures – most models can operate in temperatures as low as -5°F and as high as 120°F.
Arlo offers cameras with higher IP ratings, such as the Go 2 LTE/Wi-Fi camera with an IP65 rating, indicating a higher level of protection against dust and water.
How I Tested
| Ring | Arlo |
| Pro 2 Video Doorbell 4 Video Doorbell 3 Video Doorbell Pro Video Doorbell Elite Indoor Cam Floodlight Cam Wired Pro Spotlight Cam Plus Battery Stick Up Cam Battery Stick Up Cam Plug-In Spotlight Cam Plus Wired | Pro 5S 2K Essential Wireless Essential Wired Essential Indoor Go 2 LTE/Wi-Fi Pro 3 Essential Pro 4 Ultra 2 |