In the world of home security, two heavy hitters always get a mention: Ring and Arlo.
After establishing that both brands have a lot to offer, you then have to figure out which has everything you’re looking for in a smart security suite, which can be a little harder to do.
Which is better, Ring or Arlo?
Both are DIY home security systems that let you combine a number of different cameras to set up your home’s protection as you need. There are both free and paid plans available, and wired and wireless cameras, so it’s up to the individual to decide whether Ring or Arlo meets their security needs best.
If you’re on the hunt for your home’s next protector, there’s a good chance you’ve been trying to differentiate between Arlo and Ring’s offerings.
We’re here to un-muddy the waters with a detailed look into their similarities and differences, so you can pick the perfect smart defense.
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What is Ring?
With a parent company like Amazon, it’s no wonder that Ring has reached the heights it already has.
This DIY security system brand is one of the most popular for people who like to keep it simple and cheap, and they offer basic products like doorbell cameras to entire security suites with professional monitoring.
Ring has a reputation for doing things cheaply but making home security accessible to more people.
The company started with a simple doorbell camera and grew to something great, and they’re one of the most popular choices for DIY home security, and with good reason.
What is Arlo?
Arlo is another heavy-hitting DIY security camera with a key focus on wireless cameras to suit just about any scenario.
Within the Arlo range, you’ll also find extras like lighting and solar chargers, but their key focus tends to be on cameras and cameras only.
Arlo is an affordable brand with high-quality hardware and they have a great reputation among the other smart security systems.
All of their cameras can be installed and monitored yourself, and they have various plans depending on how much control you want to have over the footage.
How These Security Systems Are the Same
At first glance, it’s easy to assume that Arlo and Ring are the same things, and you can see how people get confused because of all their similarities.
These are some of the ways that these smart security brands offer the same thing to their customers.
Affordable Pricing
Arlo and Ring have some of the better price security cameras on the market, as well as their other accessories. The latest generation doorbell camera from Arlo is around $200, as is the Ring version, so they’re much the same here.
Their plans are also affordable, with Ring’s professional monitoring plan costing $10 a month or $0 for self-monitoring, and Arlo’s self-monitoring plans ranging from $3 to $15 a month depending on the video storage option you choose.
Indoor and Outdoor Cameras
You can get complete home surveillance with Ring and Arlo thanks to their massive selection of cameras made for inside and outside use.
Within their range are interior cameras, spotlight cameras, external weatherproof cameras, smart doorbells, and more. They’re easily mounted to the wall and come with all of the parts needed to get them installed.
Self-Monitoring
While some smart home security systems out there still only offer professional monitoring, Arlo and Ring stand out from the pack.
With the chance to self-monitor your home’s security setup you save money and know exactly what’s going on at your house at all times.
These systems send push notifications, keep an activity log, and store video for a certain number of days, depending on what plan and device you have.
No Long Term Contracts
Commitment issues are normal when you’re splurging on something big like a security system, and thankfully, you won’t have to test them because Arlo and Ring won’t force you to lock into any contracts.
Their plans are just one month at a time, and they both have a free option when self-monitoring, and to use their extra features you pay a fee each month.
DIY Installation
The easy installation that Arlo and Ring both offers is part of what makes them such popular options. Both brands let you do the whole process yourself and they make it easy, so even if you’re technically challenged, you’ll still get it done.
The easiest approach is to use their wireless cameras but wired installation is still possible, and there’s no need to pay a professional to do it.
Wired and Wireless Cameras
Unlike other security systems, Arlo and Ring have a selection of wired and wireless cameras in their lineup.
Both brands tend to focus more on the wireless variety as this is more popular with customers but they also have interior and exterior types available with a wired connection.
WiFi Systems and Cellular Backup
You’ll need a wireless network at home to make these brands work, and they both run on a WiFi system.
However, if that should fail, they also offer cellular backup that uses your smartphone’s network to stay online. This way, there’s no risk of going offline when the internet drops out or the power goes, because Arlo and Ring have a way around it.
Emergency Response Time
In tests for emergency response time, both Arlo and Ring scored highly, and if you rely on their emergency assist services you can be guaranteed they’ll be there as quickly as possible.
Even with self-monitoring systems like this, it’s good to know you can rely on real help when you need it.
Smart Home Integration
Ring belongs to Amazon and because of that, it seems a lot more compatible with other smart home devices. However, Arlo has made some recent updates that put it pretty much at a tie.
Both of these security systems work with Z-Wave, Zigbee, IFTTT, Google, Alexa, and other third-party providers so you can get the fully integrated smart home of your dreams.
Arlo and Ring Key Differences
The best way to find out whether Arlo or Ring is right for you is to look at what each of them offers that the other doesn’t.
These are their most obvious differences so you can figure out which of them has what your home needs from a smart security system.
Product Range
Ring is the clear winner when it comes to the product range and they have so much more than just cameras, unlike Arlo.
Within Ring’s security suite are doorbell cameras, internal and external cameras, motion sensors, window and door sensors, panic buttons, control panels, yard signs, and more.
Professional Monitoring
Arlo offers no option for professional monitoring and everything is done yourself at home. Ring has some plans that include 24/7 professional monitoring so a third-party service can watch over your home and act in an emergency.
Neither is the better option, so it depends on what the homeowner wants, and if you don’t require professional monitoring you can get this with either brand for a much cheaper price.
Camera Quality
The quality of the hardware is exceptional from both Arlo and Ring, but Arlo comes out on top purely for their outdoor cameras.
They’re built to take a beating and can withstand all kinds of weather so if you’re looking for something tough or regularly experience extreme weather conditions, Arlo is the better option.
When looking overall, some may argue that Arlo is superior because they have a wider range of products but it depends on what you plan on using.
Image Quality
Arlo’s cameras come in either 720p, 1080p HD, or 4K HDR image quality, which beats out the capabilities of Ring’s cameras. Although Ring still creates HD quality imagery, they’re still not the best.
Features and Technology
Both Arlo and Ring offer a lot of features and utilize various technologies to make their systems smarter, but Ring appears to have more on offer.
They both feature infrared night vision, customized zones, live streaming, and notifications, but because Ring has other products you also get extras like motion sensors and customized zones that you can check on.
Packages and Products
Most of Arlo’s products are sold separately and customers can mix and match to create the security system they need.
Ring also sells products separately but also has packages that include things like sensors, cameras, and motion detectors. You can save money with one of these packages but if you only have minimal needs, the single products that Arlo sells will be best.
Which One Do You Need?
Arlo and Ring have proven their worth time and time again, and they’re always at the top of everyone’s list when it comes to home security.
Although they offer their own thing, they’re quite similar in costs, installation, and quality, which is what makes the final decision so hard.
Ultimately, the Arlo range of cameras have the superior picture, so if you want to see the finer details, we suggest using them. However, Ring comes with options like professional monitoring and a more comprehensive security system, which might be more up your alley.
You’ll also have to think about what you require from a security system and let that point you towards the right choice. Some homes only require cameras and motion sensor lights to keep them safe whereas others want the full suite of monitoring, window sensors, and complete surveillance.
If you require this type of advanced protection, only Ring can offer it, but Arlo is a great choice for camera-only coverage.
A Smarter Way to Stay Safe
There’s a good reason why Arlo and Ring have continued to dominate the smart security market, and it’s evident when you look at what each of these brands has to offer.
Finding the best smart security setup is about meeting the needs of your home and getting some peace of mind, and confidence that Arlo and Ring have the goods to do just that.
Related Questions
Today’s smart security camera is an effective way of staying aware of what’s going on at your home, whether you’re there or not.
Smart security systems like this have changed the way we protect our houses and given us back control, and if you want a better understanding of how they achieve it, we’ve answered a few FAQs to guide the way.
How Does a Smart Home Security System Work?
A wireless security system operates on a wireless network and connects with a range of sensors, cameras, and motion detectors, as well as the command hub of the home.
Using these systems, you can be notified instantly of any activity or have it professionally monitored by a third party, and then use other features like an emergency response or two-way communication to act on it.
Are Smart Home Systems Safe?
A well-developed smart home system will have adequate protection, but as they’re often connected through your home’s wireless network, can still be vulnerable to cyber-attacks and hacking.
For this reason, you should choose devices with a solid reputation for safety and security features that can protect your data from being breached.
Is Ring Better Than ADT?
Ring and ADT are both popular choices for home security, with Ring being the more affordable and easier to install option compared to ADT that is expensive but with a reputation for quality.
There’s no definitive security system suited to every type of home so it needs to be assessed on a case-by-case basis to determine which is best.
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