Arlo and Lorex are big names when it comes to security cameras, offering custom services crafted just right for personal and business users who've got specific needs.
In this analysis, I examined a total of 32 security cameras, including 23 from Lorex and 9 from Arlo, to provide you with essential information on their camera lineup. A comprehensive list of product codes can be found at the end of the article.
The Winners
Best for Comprehensive Security
Best for Home Security
Best for Comprehensive Security: Lorex
If you are looking for a comprehensive security system that can cover every corner of your property, Lorex is the better option. Lorex offers finance options and camera packages that include cameras and NVR or DVR recorders that can support up to 32 cameras.
You can choose between IP or analog cameras that use PoE or coax cables, depending on your wiring preferences. Lorex cameras also work better for wired installations than Arlo, which mostly relies on Wi-Fi.
Storage Options
Lorex also gives you more flexibility and control over your video storage, as you can use NVR or DVR devices to store your footage locally or use ONVIF compatibility to integrate with other security systems.
Unlike Arlo, most Lorex cameras offer continuous recording, so you don’t miss any important events. Lorex cameras also have higher IP ratings than Arlo, which means they can withstand harsher weather conditions and vandalism.
Additionally, Lorex cameras have higher resolution and more advanced features than Arlo cameras, such as motorized lenses and pan-tilt capabilities.
Best for Home Security: Arlo
If you are looking for a simple and easy-to-use home security system that can integrate with your smart home devices, Arlo is the better option.
Arlo cameras are generally easier to set up than Lorex, as many of them are fully wireless or can be powered by a solar panel. This makes them ideal for consumers who want a hassle-free installation and either a single or a handful of cameras.
Cloud Subscription
Arlo also offers cloud storage, which is convenient for consumers who don’t want to deal with complex local storage devices. You can access your footage from anywhere using the Arlo app or web portal.
Arlo also offers home security plans that include 24/7 emergency response, which can give you peace of mind in case of an emergency.
Arlo also integrates better with other smart home technologies, such as Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT, which can enhance your home security and convenience.
Arlo generally offers cameras that have motion-activated recording, which means you only get alerts when there is movement in your camera’s field of view.
Overview
Lorex
Established in 1991, Lorex is a veteran in the industry, providing a wide range of camera products, including NVR, DVR, PoE Cameras, and Wi-Fi Cameras. Recently acquired by Skywatch, Lorex cameras are currently manufactured by Dahua.
With its 30-year history, no monthly fees, and flexible financing options, it has gained the trust of DIYers and installers alike.
Arlo
On the other hand, Arlo, founded in 2014, focuses on consumer solutions with offerings such as Wi-Fi Cameras, Wire-Free Cameras, 4G/LTE Cameras, and Cloud Services.
Arlo is manufactured by NetGear. Known for its consumer-grade security cameras, easy DIY installation, advanced cloud platform, and premium features, such as zoom, tracking, and object detection, Arlo is gaining a competitive edge in that market.
When it comes to warranty, both Lorex and Arlo offer a standard 1-year warranty for their cameras.
Mobile App and Storage
In terms of mobile app experience, their scores are quite similar, with Lorex scoring 3.6/5 and Arlo at 3.5/5.
For storage options, Lorex opts for a product-centric strategy without a cloud platform, whereas Arlo has a cloud service named Arlo Secure and Arlo Secure Plus.
The platform provides additional features like cloud storage, smart notifications, and advanced app features for a monthly subscription fee.
Intelligence
AI algorithms dramatically reduce the amount of false positive detections. Here I looked at what intelligence Lorex and Arlo cameras offer.
Motion Sensitivity and Smart Motion Detection
Both Lorex and Arlo support configurable motion zones and motion sensitivity, which allow you to fine-tune the areas and levels of movement that trigger an alert.
They also offer smart motion detection features like person detection, vehicle detection, and in some cases, face detection.
Some Lorex cameras even offer more advanced features like abandoned object detection, missing object detection, people counting, and heat map analytics like the LNE9383.
Integration with smart home systems
With its multiple smart integrations with Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, Amazon Sidewalk, SmartThings, and IFTTT, Arlo camera models in this research provide seamless integration into smart home systems.
Comparatively, only a few Lorex cameras are compatible with smart home systems like Alexa, Google Assistant, Chromecast, Fire TV, and Apple TV like the W461ASC-E and V261LCD-E.
Notifications
In terms of motion alerts, Lorex primarily uses push notifications, whereas Arlo provides both push notifications and email alerts.
Storage & Interoperability
In this category, I looked at how video footage is stored for Lorex and Arlo cameras, while also checking to see how compatible they are with other systems.
Storage
For storage capacity, most Lorex models offer 256GB of storage on the camera itself, or microSD, Network Video Recorder (NVR), Digital Video Recorder (DVR), and Wireless Hub.
On the other hand, Arlo offers a variety of storage options such as microSD, cloud, and USB flash drives.
Interoperability
Lorex has several models that support ONVIF, an open industry standard for network video products, allowing for easier integration with existing security systems.
Additionally, the LNE9383 model also supports RTSP and CGI protocols.
Arlo models, on the other hand, generally operate in a closed system, so don’t usually play well with other camera systems.
Power & Data Feeds
How your camera gets power and how it transmits video footage and audio streams is an important aspect to consider.
Power
For power options, both Lorex and Arlo offer cameras that run on battery power or AC options. Some Lorex cameras such as the LNZ44P4BW run on direct current (DC) power or PoE (Power over Ethernet). Most Arlo cameras mostly rely on battery power or AC power options.
Both brands also offer cameras that run on solar power such as the Pro 3 for Arlo and U471AA-E for Lorex.
Data Type
When it comes to data type, Lorex has both Internet Protocol (IP) and analog security cameras.
IP cameras use digital technology to transmit video feeds over the internet, while analog cameras require a coaxial cable for video transmission. Arlo, on the other hand, only offers IP cameras.
Data Transmission
Regarding data transmission, Lorex cameras can support 2.4GHz WiFi, 5GHz WiFi, PoE, and even coaxial cable for analog models while Arlo cameras mostly rely on 2.4GHz WiFi.
Data transmission range is not provided for most cameras.
Pan-Tilt-Zoom
Various Lorex models come with pan and tilt functions, such as the LNZ44P4BW and LNZ44P12B, with wide pan angles of 355 and 360 degrees, respectively, and tilt angles of 90 degrees. These models also come with advanced PTZ features.
Arlo models, on the other hand, do not have pan or tilt functions.
Zoom (Digital and Optical)
In terms of zoom capabilities, Lorex cameras often offer both optical and digital zoom features.
For instance, the LNZ44P4BW provides a 4x optical zoom and a 16x digital zoom, while the LNZ44P12B has a 12x optical zoom and a 16x digital zoom.
Arlo cameras, however, seem to only offer digital zoom, with most models having a 12x digital zoom, such as the Pro 5S 2K, Essential Wireless, and Ultra 2.
It's also worth noting that Lorex offers more advanced PTZ cameras with more extensive optical zoom capabilities, like the LNZ81P25 and LZV2925SC, which have 25x optical zooms.
These models also feature 360-degree pan angles, and the LNZ81P25 has a 180-degree tilt angle.
Camera & Lens
The camera lens type is a critical aspect to consider when weighing up Lorex vs Arlo, taking your specific requirements into account.
Field of View
(FOV) determines how wide of an area the security camera can capture. A larger FOV allows the camera to cover a larger area, reducing the number of cameras needed for complete coverage.
Most Lorex models provide a strong FOV range, with models like the U424AA-E boasting a diagonal FOV of 140° while Arlo models provide even wider coverage like the Essential Wireless and Essential Wired both offering a 180° diagonal FOV.
Image Sensors
Cameras with better sensors perform well in various lighting conditions. Notably, the W881AAD-E of Lorex has a 1/2.8″ CMOS image sensor, whereas the Arlo Pro 5S 2K features a 1/3″ image sensor. Both Lorex and Arlo cameras consistently offer CMOS image sensors, which indicates their reliability and modern technology.
The Arlo Ultra 2 had the biggest image sensor in my research with a size of 1/2″.
Lens Type
Fixed Focus lenses provide a fixed focal length, while Motorized and Manual Varifocal lenses offer adjustable focal lengths.
The majority of Lorex models in my research, such as the LNZ44P4BW, feature Motorized lenses, providing several options for adjusting the angle of view.
Nonetheless, most Arlo models, including the Pro 4 and Essential Indoor, feature Fixed Focus lenses, which are more straightforward and suitable for monitoring specific areas.
Resolution
Lorex models generally offer higher resolutions, with many offering 4K (3840×2160) and 4MP (2560×1440) such as E893AB-E and W452ASDB-E.
Arlo cameras usually provide 2MP (1920×1080) and 1536×1536 HD resolutions, as seen in the Essential Indoor and Essential Wireless models.
Exceptions include the Arlo Ultra 2, which features 4K resolution.
Video
The type and quality of video footage are key aspects to consider when choosing a camera brand.
Continuous recording
If you want to have a non-stop video recording of everything happening around your property, continuous recording can be an advantage. In this case, Lorex offers more options as several of their models support this. On the other hand, most Arlo models primarily focus on motion-activated recording.
Frame rate
Lorex cameras usually have frame rates of 15 or 30 FPS. A higher frame rate provides smoother video playback and can be valuable if you need to review footage for detailed analysis.
Video coding formats
Both Lorex and Arlo support a wide range. However, Lorex cameras typically offer more options, including H.265, H.264, MJPEG, H.264B, and H.264H. In contrast, Arlo cameras primarily use H.264 and H.265 formats. The more advanced H.265 format provides better video compression, which means you can store more footage using the same amount of storage space.
Wide Dynamic Range
Both brands offer models with digital WDR/HDR capabilities. WDR is essential in situations with varying lighting conditions, as it helps balance the exposure in a scene, making details in both dark and bright areas visible. While Lorex lists WDR in more of its models, Arlo also includes digital WDR/HDR in some of its cameras.
Neither brand offers cameras with True WDR which is an improvement on DWDR / HDR.
As for advanced video features, Lorex stands out with a broader variety of options, such as 3D Digital Noise Reduction (DNR), White Balance Control, and Privacy Masking. These features allow for better video clarity and customization, making Lorex cameras suitable for more demanding security needs.
Audio
When considering audio, I looked at microphones, speakers, and alarms.
Integrated microphone, speakers, sirens, or alarms
A majority of Lorex models offer integrated microphones, and sirens or alarms, while a few models do not include these features. Most Lorex models are also equipped with integrated speakers, and a two-way audio feature is available on many models. The W881AAD-E stands out, offering 110 dB siren loudness, while the U471AA-E offers 84.4 dB siren loudness.
On the other hand, all Arlo models in the research come with integrated microphones, sirens or alarms, integrated speakers, and two-way audio features.
Alarm interference
Both brands focus on providing users with a simple and straightforward security solution that doesn't require any additional interfaces for alarms or audio that’s why none of the researched Lorex or Arlo models offer this feature.
Similarly, both brands' models lack an audio interface.
Device
When weighing up Lorex and Arlo camera devices, I looked specifically at their weatherproof ratings, build quality, and size.
Ingress Protection
A higher IP rating indicates better protection, making the camera more suitable for outdoor use. Among the Lorex models I researched, most featured high IP ratings, such as IP65, IP66, and IP67. In comparison, Arlo models were mostly rated as “weather-resistant,” with only the Go 2 LTE/Wi-Fi model having an IP65 rating. This suggests that Lorex cameras may generally be more suitable for outdoor use.
Materials Used
There’s more information available on the materials used in Lorex cameras. A variety of materials were found across their camera range, from metal, heavy-duty metal, and aluminum alloy, to polycarbonate. This signifies a range of durability options to choose from.
Temperature resistance
Lorex camera models generally have a wider operating temperature range, with most cameras capable of operating at temperatures as low as -22°F and some even going down to -40°F. Arlo models typically had a narrower operating temperature range, going as low as -4°F for most models. Hence, Lorex models appear to be better suited for more extreme weather conditions.
Weight
If lightweight and easy installation is a priority, Arlo models might be more suitable. Lorex cameras’ weights varied across models, with some weighing as little as 190 grams, while others reached up to a hefty 5300 grams. In contrast, Arlo camera models were generally lighter, with weights ranging from 113 grams to 650 grams.
Dimensions
While both Lorex and Arlo have a range of sizes, Lorex models spanned a wider size range, from compact options such as the LNE9292B to larger models like the LNZ81P25. Arlo's size range was more consistent, with their camera dimensions mostly falling within a smaller range.
Night Vision
Both Lorex and Arlo offer night vision functionality across their product range. They both use infrared technology to provide visibility in low-light conditions. However, some models use full-color night vision via low-light sensor technology and spotlights.
Infrared Distance Coverage
Lorex security cameras generally offer better coverage in total darkness, with many models providing a range of up to 98 feet, or even up to 300 feet for specific models, like the LNZ44P12B. On the other hand, Arlo cameras offer coverage in total darkness mostly in the range of 20-25 feet.
Spotlights and Lumens
Some Lorex models come with built-in spotlights, offering up to 1 or 2 spotlight pieces, while some Arlo models also feature spotlights, like the Pro series and the Go 2 LTE/Wi-Fi offering up to 4 spotlight pieces.
The spotlight lumens vary as well. Lorex models, such as the W452ASDB-E and the V261LCD-E, offer powerful 2400 and 4000 lumens, respectively. Arlo’s Go 2 LTE/Wi-Fi model has 850 lumens, while the Pro 3 model has an even brighter capacity of 3000 lumens.
Active Deterrence Technology
This feature helps scare away intruders with alarms, lights, or other built-in measures. Some Lorex and Arlo models employ this technology, such as the Lorex W881AAD-E, E896AB, and the E893DD-E, as well as the Arlo Go 2 LTE/Wi-Fi.
Minimum Illumination for Color
Lorex provides more information about the specific minimum illumination levels for many of its models, ranging from 0.004 to 0.2 lux, which can offer greater color visibility in low-light scenarios.
Lorex vs Arlo: Camera Models Included in Research
| Lorex | Arlo |
| U424AA-E W881AAD-E W452ASDB-E LNZ44P4BW LNZ44P12B LNE9383 E896AB E893DD-E E893AB-E C883DA-Z C883DA-WA LNZ81P25 F461AQD-E W461ASC-E V261LCD-E B451AJD-E LZV2925SC U471AA-E LNE9292B E841CD-E E841CA-E E892ABW | Pro 5S 2K Essential Wireless Essential Wired Essential Indoor Go 2 LTE/Wi-Fi Pro 3 Essential Pro 4 Ultra 2 |