Arlo Pro 5S 2K
VERDICT
Hardware-wise, this camera is a beast. It offers dual-band Wi-Fi for rock-solid connections and industry-leading Color Night Vision. However, Arlo's heavy reliance on a monthly subscription makes it a costly long-term commitment compared to competitors.
The Big Picture
Most wireless cameras struggle with two things: grainy night video and poor Wi-Fi connection. The Arlo Pro 5S 2K tackles both. It integrates a powerful spotlight to turn night into day, and it supports 5GHz Wi-Fi (most cams only use slower 2.4GHz), ensuring your video stream loads instantly when you get a notification.
🌈 Color Night Vision
The Spotlight: When motion is detected at night, a bright LED spotlight activates.
The Result: Instead of ghostly black-and-white footage, you get full color. You can tell if the intruder was wearing a red hoodie or a blue one. This detail is crucial for police reports.
🔒 Arlo Secure (The Subscription)
This is the controversial part.
The Features: With the subscription, the app is fantastic. It highlights people, packages, and vehicles. It even has an "Emergency Response" button to call 911 directly.
The Catch: Without the subscription, you lose cloud recording and smart detection. It becomes very basic.
✅ The Pros
- 2K HDR video quality is excellent.
- Dual-Band Wi-Fi (2.4 & 5GHz) minimizes lag.
- Integrated spotlight acts as a deterrent.
- Best app interface in the security industry.
❌ The Cons
- Expensive Subscription: Essential features are behind a paywall.
- Battery life (3-6 months) is shorter than Eufy.
- No local storage unless you buy an expensive SmartHub separately.
🤔 Should you buy it?
YES if you want the highest quality cloud app and don't mind paying $10/month for peace of mind.
NO if you prefer a one-time purchase. Get the EufyCam S330 instead.
See the showdown: Arlo Pro 5S 2K vs. EufyCam S330 Comparison