Arlo Pro 720p 2 Camera Wire-Free CCTV Kit: Review

I’ve often thought about getting a CCTV kit for the home, I guess the idea formed after some vandals used my car as a trampoline, which left me feeling uneasy. However, I’ve never really got around to doing much about it, after all, I assumed they would need a lot of work to install thanks to needing to be wired into the electric. However, I was wrong, thanks to advancements in technology you can now get wire-free CCTV kits and I was kindly sent the Arlo Pro 720p wire-free kit to try.

Arlo Pro 720p 2 Camera Wire-Free CCTV Kit

I found the Arlo 2 camera system very easy to set up, the main hub connects to your internet router, so it needs a spare port and of course somewhere to be plugged in, while the two cameras are powered by rechargeable batteries. You will also need either the Arlo app on your phone, or to use the website to fully set up and view your cameras.

Connecting the camera’s to the hub is simple, you just needed to bring them close together and follow the instructions shown either on your app or on the computer. It is all done via pressing a couple of buttons on both pieces of equipment.

The hardest part is, of course, installing the cameras, if you are using them inside you could just place them on a flat surface. For outside, however, you need to drill a hole for the screw which holds the magnetic “dot” which your camera is going to be held up by.

I guess this is the first bit that got me scratching my head a little, your camera’s are attached by just a magnet, and while it is pretty strong, it isn’t going to stop someone walking off with them if they so wish. Though you may just get a good shot of them beforehand.

Once your cameras are in place, you are ready to go. They offer a HD quality video recording and night vision which can see up to 25 feet.

Arlo works by motion detection, rather than being continuously on, however you can choose to have it ready for action all the time or if you are using the app on your phone, just once you are outside a certain radius of your home. Personally we just have it on all the time, after all it can be a night when you are at home, that people hit your home.

Another point to take into consideration when thinking about getting Arlo for your home is wifi strength, I can easily get a signal on my phone down into the garden, however our camera positioned outside the back door kept running out of battery overnight and it was only when we did some playing around we realised it wasn’t getting a good enough wifi signal. So we have had to get a booster in the kitchen and *touch wood* since installing that we have had no further issues.

Other features of the Arlo cameras include a two way microphone, so not only can you hear what’s going on when watching your camera, but you can also speak to anyone who maybe at the door. Great if you miss the postman.

While an alarm is fitted, which you can set off to scare anyone anyway and believe me it is LOUD.

Overall I think Arlo is a pretty good system to have around your home, it takes clear videos and even a cat wandering past the car will set it off. However, the two issues mentioned definitely need taking into account before buying, if you were in a high crime area, for example, I would be worried about the fact the cameras are so easy to remove.

If you fancy getting yourself an Arlo Pro 720p 2 Camera Wire Free CCTV Kit then they can be bought from Maplin where they cost £499.99.

What do you think of the sound of the Arlo Pro, is it something that could help you in keeping your home safe? 

*I received an Arlo Pro to help with this review.