The biggest problem with video doorbells is that they can produce distorted, fish-eye-like video. Nobody wants to see this. Arlo was able to solve the problem using an HD camera with a 180-degree field of view and a 1:1 aspect ratio.

The video has a slightly rounded look, but you can see a lot more of the area around your porch and yard, which can give you added peace of mind that no one is lurking off to the side in the bushes. . People can’t duck under the doorbell and hope not to be seen as Arlo takes over the area underneath it as well as in front of it.

While the Arlo Video Doorbell has many great features and I love how thin and sleek it looks, there is one major design issue: the button. If I walked up to someone’s house, I wouldn’t know what to press to make the doorbell ring. Other video doorbells, like Ring or SkyBell Trim Plus, have obvious buttons.

The doorbell button on Arlo literally isn’t even shaped like a button. It’s concave. I’m pretty sure I would have thought it was a design feature rather than a functional button. The good thing is that Arlo has a motion sensor, so even if your visitors don’t know that that dip in the camera is a button, you’ll still be alerted to their presence.

False notifications can actually make you decide not to use any type of security device. To counteract notifications that are less than helpful, Alro has developed artificial intelligence (AI) that can determine whether the item in your first step is a pet, a package, or a person. You can set the app to alert you when these things are on your porch. Additionally, you can set up activity zones to prevent motion alerts from areas you don’t want, such as the sidewalk in front of your house.

Watch the footage now

While other security apps force you to open the app to view the footage, Arlo doesn’t. You can view your footage directly on your lock screen. This feature can be very useful in emergency situations as you can immediately see intruders or packet stealers so that you can take action as soon as it happens.

Overall, the Arlo Video Doorbell is a great addition to any home security system line. It has stunning video, smart AI features to help keep your family safe, and a modern, sophisticated look. It also costs less, at $149.99, than most other high-end video doorbells on the market. The biggest disadvantage is that you need an existing doorbell system or hire a professional installer to set it up.

If you want a doorbell that’s super easy to set up and doesn’t require wiring, I’d go with the Ring Video Doorbell 2 instead, although you’ll pay a little more for Ring.

The Arlo is nice to look at, but it’s made of thin plastic. I don’t think it will hold up well against an intruder with a brick or hammer, but it will send you alerts if it gets hacked. It likewise accompanies a restricted guarantee.