Lorex and Arlo both specialize in high end smart security cameras. In this head to head, I compare two different camera types, namely their wire-free and floodlight cameras. Read on!
Battle 1 – Battery Powered Cameras
Lorex 2K Wire-Free Security Camera System
The two-way audio models come with two cameras and one Lorex hub. The Lorex hub alerts the homeowner when the camera detects movement in its field of view.
Arlo Ultra 2 Wireless Security Camera
The rechargeable battery takes a relatively short time to charge completely and you may not need to recharge it within six months.
Pros
- Installation does not require power cables as the product is wire-free
- Deter intruders with a motion-enabled LED warning light and a noisy siren
- Users can view real-time or recorded video in 2K resolution as opposed to the regular 1080p
Cons
- Lorex does not offer professional installation services
Pros
- Provides crystal clear video using its 4K HDR camera
- The camera captures an ultra-wide view of 180 degrees
- Boasts of a six-month battery life per charge
Cons
- Requires additional monthly payments to access premium services
- Arlo smart services are not accessible to users outside the USA and UK territories
Lorex vs Arlo: Decision Factors
Image Sensor, Resolution & FPS
The Lorex image sensor has a 2K resolution, which is really all you need. However, if you want a 4K resolution camera, the Arlo battery powered camera is a better option. With Lorex, you can capture events and also use less of the SD card or cloud storage. The Lorex camera is a great option for users who do not want to pay a monthly fee for unlimited cloud storage services, as a 4K resolution recording may require a lot more storage space.
The Arlo camera has a 4K HD resolution which captures clear and detailed videos of the focal area.
Field of View, Zoom & Movement
The Lorex camera offers you a diagonal (140 degrees) field of view. Compared to Arlo, the Lorex camera covers a smaller area. Also, the quality of recordings after zooming in depends on the resolution of the camera. Given that the resolution of an Arlo camera is higher than the Lorex camera, you may prefer the former to the latter.
Arlo gives you a wider view. The 180-degree view eliminates the fisheye effect possessed by other cameras. The fish eye effect is associated with ultra-wide-angle lenses. It creates a visual distortion in a bid to display a panoramic view. The Arlo camera prevents visual distortion with auto-image correction. You can zoom in to get a clearer view of an event.
Power Options, Model Type & Build Quality
The Lorex device is powered by a rechargeable battery and requires no wire connection. The battery life span depends on its activities including motion detection, live-streaming, and many more.
The Arlo camera is powered by two lithium polymer batteries. The batteries are rechargeable and can last for 6 months per charge.
Night Vision, Motion Detection & Audio
Communicate with visitors in real-time with two-way audio tech. The Lorex camera turns night to day with the aid of night vision. Events recorded by the Lorex camera in the night retain the color under bright light. The configurable siren and warning light comes on once movement is detected within the field of view.
Arlo has color night vision, a feature that gives the recorded data more clarity and quality even in the dark. One way to ward off intruders is to let them know you are aware of their movements. Arlo allows you to ward off intruders using the two-way audio feature. You can also communicate in real-time with the delivery person or visitors via the camera.
Storage, Streaming, Device Compatibility & Other Features
The Lorex 2K wire-free camera comes with a 32 GB SD card, and the maximum amount of SD card compatible with the device is 256 GB. You can turn the lights on or perform other activities using voice assistants such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. To see what’s happening in the monitored area on a big screen, connect it to the FireStick or Chromecast toggle. The hub also has an SD card.
Visual data recorded by the Arlo camera can be stored on an SD card without any payment. However, with an Arlo smart subscription, you can use premium cloud storage. The two-way audio system allows users to communicate when streaming, meaning you can hear the person on the other end and vice versa.
Battle 2 – Floodlight Cameras
Lorex 1080p Wi-Fi Floodlight Camera
The Lorex floodlight camera is the best option for people with conventional homes, as it is compatible with existing light fixtures. You can power the floodlight camera round the clock without having to recharge its battery.
Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera
The events recorded via the Arlo Pro 3 floodlight camera retain their details and color regardless of the time of the day.
Pros
- Offers a two-way audio system
- Requires no mandatory monthly subscription
- Compatible with existing light fixtures
Cons
- Bulbs not replaceable once damaged
Pros
- Colored night vision
- Provides users a wire-free experience
Cons
- No fish-eye cancellation technology
- The LED lights are not replaceable once damaged
- When the lights are low, the color night vision becomes colorless
Lorex vs Arlo: Decision Factors
Image Sensor, Resolution & FPS
The Lorex floodlight camera has a high definition 1080p HD resolution which records live events at 30 frames per second (FPS). The field of view of the passive infrared motion detector (270 degrees) is wider than that of the camera (137 degrees). This motion sensor works with or without light.
Arlo Pro 3 comes with a 2K resolution. The HDR video recording functionality allows zooming and the elements in the video retain their quality when the user zooms in. You can record the video in three video modes—2K, 1080p, and 720p. The image sensor is 4MP while its sensor size is 1/3″.
Field of View, Zoom & Movement
The Lorex floodlight camera possesses a 137-degree diagonal field of view, enabling the camera to function well in large areas, garages, and doorways. You can zoom in to get more details of car plate numbers and other elements. The camera is able to distinguish between a tree and a human being.
The Arlo Pro 3 covers a field of view of 160 degrees diagonally, which is higher than the field of view of the Lorex device. The device sends you an alert via the phone app when an intruder is on your property. Its motion detector is not dependent on light.
Power Options, Model Type & Build Quality
The Lorex floodlight camera was built with weather-resistant materials. The device design makes it suitable for outdoor use. The water rating is IP65. The Lorex floodlight camera is not battery-powered. It is dependent on a constant light supply. The 7.3-inch floodlight camera has a model number V261LCD-E.
You don't have to bother with the compatibility of the Arlo Pro 3 with your existing light fixture since the device is totally wire-free. It uses a rechargeable battery that can last for about six months depending on its usage. Arlo offers more charging options such as a solar panel or magnetic outdoor charging cable. These two additional options provide undisturbed power to your floodlight camera, but they are not included with the device. You will have to make an extra purchase, if interested.
Night Vision, Motion Detection & Audio
You can initiate two-way audio communication with your visitors using the Lorex home app. This feature is made possible via the microphone and in-built speaker designed with the floodlight camera. The infrared night vision can capture events occurring at a distance of 50 ft in the dark.
With the Arlo Pro 3, you can go live at any time. The two-way audio tech makes it possible to interact with your visitors. The device comes with color night vision, which ensures that the recorded video quality is not affected by nighttime.
Storage, Streaming, Device Compatibility & Other Features
The Lorex floodlight camera comes with a 32 GB SD card but has a maximum capacity of a 256 GB SD card. The device is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing you to control it through voice assistants. Brightness output is 4,000 lumens.
The Arlo Pro 3 floodlight camera is compatible with your smart home devices such as Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Assistant. You can control the devices using voice assistants. It has features like Zoom, H.264, and H.265 encoding. Its luminous flux is 2000, but it can achieve 3000 lumens with a charging cable.