We've taken a close look at the Arlo Video Doorbell, and it's proving to be quite the contender in the smart home space. This doorbell offers HD video quality and has a weather-resistant design, making it reliable for year-round use. We were particularly impressed with its 180-degree viewing angle, which lets us see a wide area, from visitors to packages left at our doorstep.
The two-way audio feature allows for clear communication with guests, even when we're not at home. Plus, receiving motion alerts directly to our smartphones has added an extra layer of convenience and security. The night vision capability is a significant advantage, enabling us to monitor activity after dark.
Though it does have some limitations, like a few connectivity issues we've experienced, the Arlo Video Doorbell truly makes up for them with its user-friendly app and reliable performance. Its smart features integrate well with other services like Alexa, enhancing the smart home experience.
Bottom Line
If you're in the market for a smart doorbell that combines HD video, effective motion detection, and easy communication, the Arlo Video Doorbell deserves a spot on your shortlist.
Its solid performance and additional features make it a worthwhile investment in home security. Ready to enhance your front porch security? Click here to purchase the Arlo Video Doorbell.
Overview of the Arlo Video Doorbell AVD1001
Recently, we explored the Arlo Video Doorbell, and it proved to be an interesting addition to our home security setup. With its 180-degree viewing angle, we were able to see visitors from head to toe, capturing details that smaller cameras might miss. The HD video quality is impressive, both during the day and at night thanks to the built-in night vision.
The two-way audio feature allowed us to communicate easily with anyone at the door, which was especially useful when we weren’t home. While we appreciated the motion detection capabilities, it occasionally picked up passing cars, which could be annoying. Overall, this doorbell's functionality is solid, but some users might find connectivity issues with their home networks.
Crisp HD Video Quality
We have found that the video quality of this doorbell is impressive, capturing clear HD footage both during the day and at night. The wide 180-degree viewing angle allows us to see a comprehensive view of our front porch, making it easy to spot packages or visitors.
At night, the night vision feature works reasonably well, offering decent visibility without requiring additional lighting. However, we did notice some occasional issues with motion detection, particularly with vehicles triggering the alerts when we were primarily interested in human movement. Overall, the clarity and detail of the video stream enhance our sense of security, making it a solid choice for monitoring our entryway.
180 Degree Viewing Angle
After using the Arlo Video Doorbell, we were impressed by its wide 180-degree viewing angle. This feature allows us to see a broad area, capturing not just the person at the door but also anyone approaching from the sides. The clarity is notable, ensuring that we can identify visitors easily.
One downside we noticed was that the extreme edges of the footage could appear slightly distorted. This is minor considering the advantage of such a wide field of vision, especially for monitoring deliveries or unexpected visitors. Overall, the 180-degree viewing angle enhances our home security experience, providing peace of mind without significant blind spots.
In our opinion, it's a solid feature for anyone looking to improve their home monitoring setup.
Night Vision & Smart Siren
With the night vision feature, we can easily see who’s at the door, even in complete darkness. The clarity is impressive, allowing us to be aware of visitors at any hour without relying on external lighting. It's a reassuring aspect, especially for nighttime deliveries or unexpected guests.
The smart siren adds another layer of security. We appreciate being able to activate it remotely, deterring potential intruders. However, its effectiveness can vary. Sometimes, it triggers during false alarms, which can be a bit frustrating. Overall, both features enhance our confidence in home monitoring, making it easier to stay informed and secure, day or night.
Voice Message Feature
We found the voice message feature to be particularly useful. When we weren't able to answer the door, guests could leave voice messages, ensuring we stayed connected even when busy. The ability to listen to these messages later adds a layer of convenience that we appreciate.
On the downside, there were times when the quality of the voice playback was not as clear as we hoped. Occasional background noise during the recording made it a bit challenging to understand messages fully. Despite this minor setback, the capability to communicate without needing to be at the door delivers a great sense of flexibility in managing our home security. It enhances the overall practicality of the doorbell in our daily lives.
Easy Integration with Smart Home Devices
Integrating this video doorbell with our smart home setup proved to be straightforward. It connects seamlessly with devices like Alexa, allowing us to use voice commands for notifications and video feeds. We appreciated that the doorbell works effectively with our existing ecosystem, making it easier to monitor activity directly from our smart speakers or displays.
The ability to receive motion alerts on our smartphones is another plus, ensuring we stay informed no matter where we are. However, setting it up initially required a bit more time than we expected, particularly when syncing with our Wi-Fi network. Once that hurdle was cleared, though, the device functioned without a hitch, blending smoothly into our daily routines and enhancing our home security.
Pros and Cons
When considering the Arlo Video Doorbell, several aspects stand out based on our experience using the device.
Pros
Wide Viewing Angle: The 180-degree lens provides a broad view of the front door area, allowing us to see full-body shots of visitors and packages on the ground.
Two-Way Audio: We appreciated the ability to interact with guests through clear audio. This feature is handy when we're not at home, making it easy to communicate without opening the door.
Motion Alerts: Instant notifications keep us informed of any activity at the door. This feature is essential for security, as we can quickly assess any situation via our smartphone.
Night Vision: The night vision capability works well, ensuring visibility even in low light. This offers added peace of mind during night hours.
Visitor Messaging: Guests can leave voice messages if we’re unavailable, which we found convenient for times when we can't answer right away.
Cons
Connection Issues: Some users, including us, faced challenges with maintaining a stable network connection, especially since it operates only on 2.4GHz.
Motion Detection Limitations: The motion detection is overly sensitive at times, leading to alerts for vehicles when we only wanted notifications for people or packages.
Installation Difficulty: While some found the setup easy, we experienced some challenges, particularly with older doorbell wiring that didn’t work seamlessly with the device.
Subscription Limitations: Although the doorbell functions without a subscription, features were noticeably reduced. For those wanting full access, a subscription is necessary.
Overall, while the Arlo Doorbell has many notable positives, it’s important to consider the drawbacks that could impact your experience.
Customer Reviews
After exploring various feedback on the Arlo Video Doorbell, we found a mix of opinions that might help prospective buyers. Many users appreciate the clear HD video quality and the convenience of two-way audio, especially when they need to communicate with visitors remotely.
On the downside, some face connectivity issues, particularly when using the 2.4GHz band. The motion detection feature has received both praise and criticism; while it captures significant activity, some users report false alerts from vehicles instead of just people.
Installation typically receives positive remarks for being straightforward. However, there are mentions of challenges with pairing and setting up, especially if existing doorbell wiring is insufficient. Overall, while the doorbell offers great functionality, potential buyers should weigh its strengths against the occasional connectivity issues and mixed experiences.
Conclusion
After using the Arlo Video Doorbell, we have mixed feelings. The setup was relatively straightforward, and it integrates well with other Arlo products, enhancing our overall security system. The video quality is impressive, giving us a clear view of visitors.
However, we encountered connectivity issues, especially with our 5GHz network. The motion detection can be overly sensitive, picking up vehicles instead of just people. While the doorbell functions without a subscription, many features are limited, prompting us to consider if the monthly fee is worthwhile for added functionality.
If convenience and video quality are priorities for us, this doorbell shines. Yet, the connectivity problems and motion sensitivity might give us pause when deciding whether it meets our needs effectively.
