A video doorbell can tell you who is standing outside without requiring you to get off the couch. Arlo’s latest models add a choice of four colors and a $79.99 price, although buyers should pay attention to which features require an ongoing subscription.
The company has announced the Arlo Video Doorbell (3rd Gen), which uses a rechargeable battery, and the Arlo Wired Video Doorbell (3rd Gen), which requires a hardwired connection. Both are available for preorder, with shipments expected in late November. Each comes in White, Black, Greystone, and Sand Dune.
Having more color choices is welcome, even if matching a doorbell to your siding is hardly the most pressing issue in home security. More useful is that Arlo is offering two power configurations at the same hardware price, letting buyers choose based on their home and recording needs.
The battery-powered model offers installation without needing an existing doorbell power connection. It also supports an optional trickle-charge connection and in-home chime support, giving households with compatible wiring another way to use it.
The hardwired version gets its power through an existing doorbell connection, and its recording capabilities provide a more compelling reason to choose it. Arlo says the wired model supports Foresight, which captures the seconds before motion detection, plus optional 24/7 Continuous Video Recording with an Ultra Secure plan.
That difference matters when comparing the two products. A rechargeable battery can make installation more convenient, but buyers who want continuous footage should look at the hardwired model and factor the required subscription into their budget.
Both doorbells offer 2K video, up to 12x zoom, and a 180-degree field of view with head-to-toe coverage. That wider view should help when checking both the person ringing the bell and a package sitting near their feet, although actual image quality will need to be judged through testing.
Video Call and two-way audio let users answer a doorbell ring and speak with visitors from their phones. Night vision is included, along with an integrated siren that users can trigger through the Arlo Secure app.
Arlo also lists dual-band Wi-Fi, saying the doorbells automatically switch to the strongest available connection to help maintain connectivity. That could be useful for a device mounted outside, where the location is largely determined by the front door rather than where wireless reception happens to be best.
The company describes both models as built to withstand heat, cold, rain, and sun. Its announcement does not provide a specific weather-resistance rating or operating temperature range, so those details deserve a check before installation somewhere exposed to harsh conditions.
Smart home compatibility includes Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings, and IFTTT. Buyers can also add the optional Arlo Chime 2 for audible doorbell and motion alerts inside their homes.
The bigger purchasing consideration is Arlo’s subscription service. Its Secure Early Warning System offers Smart Aware, Smart Secure, and Ultra Secure tiers, with AI features advertised across the service including person, animal, vehicle, and package detection, plus Fire Detection, Event Captions, Arlo Summary, and Threat Assessment.
Those features promise more context than a basic motion notification, but buyers should check the specific tier requirements before ordering. Arlo’s announcement does not spell out subscription pricing or provide a complete breakdown of which features come with each plan.
There is also a difference between an AI system flagging something as concerning and reliably identifying an emergency. Arlo’s claims about assessing threats are worth examining in actual use, particularly when everyday activity and something more serious might look similar on camera.
At $79.99 each, the new Arlo doorbells offer a reasonably accessible starting price and a useful choice of power options. Just make sure the features attracting you are included in the setup you plan to pay for, because the purchase price alone does not tell the whole story.
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