Ranked #4 in Best Video Doorbells
Arlo Essential Video Doorbell (2nd Gen)4.2
2 sourcesall derived$49.99as of Aug 1Buyers who care most about field of view should look at the Arlo Essential Video Doorbell 2nd Gen, which also has the squarest 1:1 framing in the category. Its 180 degree lens and HDR handling are genuinely best-in-class on wide porches, and the on-device AI is mature. Like Ring, it gates the recording features most people expect behind a subscription, here Arlo Secure, so budget for the monthly cost.
Strengths
- — 180 degree field of view captures the widest porch coverage in the category, with 1:1 aspect ratio for full head-to-toe framing
- — 1536 by 1536 resolution with HDR holds up in high-contrast doorways
- — AI-powered detection differentiates people, vehicles, animals, and packages with low false-positive rates
Watch-outs
- — Arlo Secure subscription at 7.99 a month required for video recording, smart alerts, and activity zones
- — Battery life drops noticeably under heavy event load per reviewer testing
- — Two-way audio can sound thin compared to Ring or Eufy
