If your Arlo cameras cover the driveway or yard but miss the person and package at your front door, an Arlo Video Doorbell is a useful addition. Arlo’s current second-generation model comes in HD and 2K versions, supports wired or wireless installation, and can sit in the same Arlo app as your cameras. The main caveat is cost: live view and motion notifications can work without a paid plan, but recorded history and several advanced detection features may require one.
What a doorbell adds to an Arlo camera setup
Outdoor cameras are usually positioned to watch the driveway, garage, yard, or side passage. A doorbell covers a different point: the place where visitors arrive and deliveries are left. Its close, near-square view is intended to show a visitor and the package area near the threshold in one frame. A doorbell press also gives you a reason to answer with two-way audio, rather than treating every event as another motion alert.
This can be more useful than relying on a camera mounted farther away, where a visitor’s face may be small or obscured. It does not replace cameras covering the side, rear, or driveway; it fills the front-entry gap.
It may add little if the entrance is already clearly covered at close range, the porch geometry blocks the view, or Wi-Fi is unreliable at the door. Consider the likely view before buying: a 180-degree field of view cannot see through a wall, overhang, storm door, or badly chosen mounting angle.
#1 Best Overall
- Video Doorbell Camera for Complete Front Door and Entryway Protection: Monitor your front door with 2K video, person recognition, package detection, two-way audio, and IP65 weather resistance. Wired or wireless installation options.
- Arlo Secure Early Warning System Unlocks Advanced Features: Get 60-day video history, AI detection, and emergency response. A paid plan is required after trial. Live streaming and basic alerts work without a subscription.
- Smart Alerts That Keep You Informed: Get notifications for package and pet detection, along with person and vehicle recognition. Intelligent detection helps reduce false alerts and keeps you connected wherever you are.
- Only Get Alerts That Matter: Set custom activity zones to monitor areas like your front door and pathway, and use privacy zones to block sensitive spaces while reducing unnecessary motion alerts for more meaningful notifications.
- Flexible Power for Easy Installation: Choose a wire-free setup with a rechargeable doorbell or hardwire to existing wiring for trickle charging and uninterrupted security.
Which Arlo doorbell and installation type should you choose?
Current second-generation model: HD or 2K
Arlo’s current second-generation Video Doorbell is sold in HD and 2K variants. Arlo lists a 180-degree field of view, near-square framing, motion alerts, infrared night vision, two-way audio, and an integrated siren. It connects directly to Wi-Fi, with optional SmartHub or Base Station use subject to the model-specific compatibility process below. See Arlo’s current second-generation doorbell page for the model details and current availability.
Choose 2K if the added image detail matters to you and your network can support it; HD is the lower-resolution option. The framing and mounting position matter at least as much as resolution: neither version can correct a view that misses the visitor or package drop zone.
Wireless installation
Wireless is the straightforward choice when suitable doorbell wiring is absent, a reversible installation matters, or wiring the entry is impractical. It avoids connecting to existing doorbell wiring, but the unit must be charged periodically. Arlo says battery life varies with settings, activity, temperature, Wi-Fi conditions, and the surrounding environment, so do not plan around a fixed number of months. Follow Arlo’s wireless installation instructions.
Wired installation
Choose wired when suitable existing wiring is available and you prefer not to remove the doorbell for charging. “Wired” should not be taken to mean every Arlo model or configuration is battery-free; check the exact model’s electrical requirements and manual. Arlo instructs users to switch off power at the circuit breaker before disconnecting existing doorbell wiring. If the transformer, chime, or wiring is unclear or unsafe, use an electrician rather than guessing. See Arlo’s wired installation instructions.
Rank #2
- 2K Video Doorbell Bundle for Entryway Protection: See faces and packages in sharp 2K from an IP65 doorbell built to withstand the elements, talk to visitors from your phone, and hear every ring anywhere with the included Arlo Chime 2.
- Arlo Secure Early Warning System Unlocks Advanced Features: Get 60-day video history, AI detection, and emergency response. A paid plan required after trial. Live streaming and basic alerts work without a subscription.
- Smart Alerts That Keep You Informed: Get notifications for package and pet detection, along with person and vehicle recognition. Intelligent detection helps reduce false alerts and keeps you connected wherever you are.
- Only Get Alerts That Matter: Set custom activity zones to monitor areas like your front door and pathway, and use privacy zones to block sensitive spaces while reducing unnecessary motion alerts for more meaningful notifications.
- Flexible Power for Easy Installation: Choose a wire-free setup with a rechargeable doorbell or hardwire to existing wiring for trickle charging and uninterrupted security.
Older Arlo doorbells
Arlo still lists older products, including Essential wired and wire-free doorbells. Do not assume their hub support, app features, or installation requirements match the second-generation model. Check the exact product name and its support documentation before buying an older unit or trying to connect one to an existing hub. Arlo’s support product list identifies its product families.
Will the doorbell work with your existing Arlo cameras and hub?
The current second-generation doorbell can be added to the same Arlo account and location in the Arlo Secure app. It connects directly to Wi-Fi. SmartHub and Base Station compatibility is a separate, model- and firmware-dependent question—not a blanket property of every Arlo doorbell.
Arlo’s current second-generation product FAQ says SmartHub and Base Station use is supported after firmware is updated if needed, the doorbell is removed from the app and added again, and the Base Station connection option is selected during re-onboarding. An older Arlo doorbell page still says second-generation models are not compatible. Because those pages conflict, use the current model-specific product instructions and verify the procedure for your hub before relying on it.
Having all devices in one app does not guarantee identical recording or alert behavior across camera generations. Arlo says its plans can cover multiple devices; its unlimited-camera plan applies to cameras, doorbells, and floodlights at one residential location on the same account. Check the current plan terms for your devices and location at Arlo Secure plans. Do not assume this creates a synchronized local recording system.
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- Respond quickly: Hear and speak to visitors at your door with clear two-way audio or respond with pre-recorded quick reply messages when you are busy
- See a clearer picture: Detailed video in HD with HDR ensures you see the details even in low light or bright conditions
- Weather resistant: Built to withstand the heat, cold, rain, or sun
- Ward off unwanted guests: Set the built-in siren to trigger manually or automatically during an event
How to add and test the doorbell
Arlo describes setup as two phases: adding the doorbell to the account and physically mounting it. The precise screens can vary by model and app version; use the in-app prompts and the model-specific instructions.
- Update the Arlo Secure app and select the correct Arlo Location.
- For wireless installation, charge the doorbell before mounting. For wired installation, switch off power at the circuit breaker before working on existing wiring.
- In the app, go to Devices, tap the add-device control, select the correct doorbell model, then follow the pairing and Wi-Fi prompts.
- Mount the doorbell so the visitor’s face and the package drop area are in view. Check that a porch ceiling, wall, or storm door does not block the image.
- Test a doorbell press, motion alerts, live view, two-way audio, night vision, and any existing mechanical or digital chime. Test Arlo Chime 2 too if you bought it.
- Adjust motion zones and notification settings after checking which parts of the street, sidewalk, and entry trigger alerts.
Arlo’s setup references are wireless installation instructions, wired installation instructions, and its Arlo Secure app setup guide.
What works without an Arlo Secure subscription?
Arlo says the second-generation doorbell can continue to provide live video and motion notifications after its 30-day trial ends without a paid plan. The features that make recorded events easier to review or classify are more likely to depend on a subscription. Arlo’s plan comparison is the authority for the current feature matrix; availability can vary by plan, device, and region.
| Capability | Without paid plan | With a qualifying plan |
|---|---|---|
| Live view | Available, according to Arlo’s doorbell FAQ | Available |
| Motion notifications | Available, according to Arlo’s doorbell FAQ | Available |
| Cloud video history | Not included after the trial unless the plan provides it | Available on qualifying plans |
| Person, vehicle, package, or animal detection | Plan- and device-dependent; check current terms | Available on qualifying plans and supported devices |
| Interactive notifications and video-call features | May be limited or unavailable after the trial | May require a qualifying plan |
Before choosing a plan, check whether your existing subscription already covers the doorbell at the same residential location. Arlo lists different plan types and billing options, but prices and included features can change; consult the current Arlo Secure comparison rather than treating an old price or feature list as permanent. The practical trade-off is simple: if you want only live viewing and basic motion alerts, a subscription may not be necessary; if you expect searchable recorded events or richer detection, budget for the qualifying recurring plan.
Rank #4
- Video Doorbell Camera for Complete Front Door and Entryway Protection: Monitor your front door with 1080p HD video, person recognition, package detection, two-way audio, and IP65 weather resistance. Wired or wireless installation options.
- Arlo Secure Early Warning System Unlocks Advanced Features: Get 60-day video history, AI detection, and emergency response. A paid plan is required after trial. Live streaming and basic alerts work without a subscription.
- Smart Alerts That Keep You Informed: Get notifications for package and pet detection, along with person and vehicle recognition. Intelligent detection helps reduce false alerts and keeps you connected wherever you are.
- Only Get Alerts That Matter: Set custom activity zones to monitor areas like your front door and pathway, and use privacy zones to block sensitive spaces while reducing unnecessary motion alerts for more meaningful notifications.
- Flexible Power for Easy Installation: Choose a wire-free setup with a rechargeable doorbell or hardwire to existing wiring for trickle charging and uninterrupted security.
Placement, Wi-Fi, chimes, and privacy
- Frame faces and parcels: Aim to see a visitor’s face rather than only the top of their head, and include the usual package drop area.
- Check obstructions and light: Inspect the view with the door open and closed. Avoid a position where a porch ceiling, wall, or strong direct sunlight undermines the view.
- Confirm Wi-Fi at the door: Test connectivity where the unit will sit, not just inside the house. Poor signal can interfere with setup and reliable alerts.
- Limit unnecessary motion: Use activity zones where available and narrow detection to avoid repeated alerts from roads or sidewalks. Some zone and object-specific functions depend on plan and device.
- Plan an audible alert: A phone notification is easy to miss. Check whether your existing mechanical or digital chime works with the exact setup, and test it throughout the house. Arlo Chime 2 is an optional accessory; Arlo says it can provide alerts for doorbell presses, motion, or audio detected by compatible Arlo devices. Details appear on the Arlo doorbell listing.
- Respect nearby privacy: Avoid aiming into neighbors’ private areas when the view can be adjusted, and consider local expectations and building rules before installing an exterior camera.
Arlo also advertises integrations including Alexa and Google Assistant, with compatibility varying by model, region, and platform. Treat smart-speaker announcements or display views as a bonus to confirm for your devices, not a reason to assume every feature works in every configuration. The Arlo Essential Video Doorbell manual is model-specific and should not be used as a universal compatibility promise.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When an Arlo doorbell is not the right upgrade
- You require local-only recording and do not want cloud-dependent history or a recurring plan.
- Wi-Fi is weak at the front door and cannot be improved reliably.
- You cannot or do not want to charge a wireless unit, while suitable wired power is unavailable.
- Existing wiring is uncertain or unsafe and you do not want to arrange professional help.
- Your landlord, building, or HOA restricts exterior camera installation.
- You need continuous recording at the door; do not assume a battery model provides 24/7 recording.
- Your priority is a conventional chime rather than video coverage, or the entrance is already well covered at close range.
If local storage or a different smart-home ecosystem is more important than keeping one Arlo app, compare those categories before buying. Switching may mean another app and account; staying with Arlo is most compelling when the entry is a real blind spot and the existing cameras and plan already suit your household.
Fix common setup and alert problems
The doorbell will not pair
Confirm the correct Arlo Location, update the app, charge the doorbell, and connect your phone to the intended Wi-Fi network. Grant Bluetooth or local-network permissions if the app requests them, and check Wi-Fi strength at the mounting point. If the unit is already registered to another Arlo account, resolve that before trying again. Follow Arlo’s setup support and model-specific reset steps rather than deleting unrelated cameras.
The Base Station option does not appear
For the second-generation model, update firmware if needed, remove the doorbell from the app, add it again, and select the Base Station connection option during setup, as directed by Arlo’s current product FAQ. This procedure does not establish compatibility for every older model.
Best Value
- Stay connected - Receive instant audible notifications for a doorbell ring from your Arlo doorbell or motion alert from any of your Arlo surveillance cameras
- Deter unwanted guests - Use the 80 plus decibel smart siren to automatically sound when motion or audio is detected, or trigger it manually from the Arlo app to make the Chime 2 into a door alarm
- Customize alerts - Personalize the door chime by selecting from a variety of melodies, adjusting the volume, or setting the door chime into silent mode to stay notified the way you want
- Wire-free setup- Easily plugs into an outlet and connects directly to Wi-Fi to make your doorbell a smart doorbell. No base station required.
- Arlo certified accessory.
Motion alerts are excessive
Narrow the activity zone, exclude sidewalks or roads, reduce sensitivity, and recheck the camera angle. Object-specific alert controls depend on the device and plan.
A doorbell press is missed
Test press alerts separately from motion alerts. Confirm phone notifications are enabled, check Focus or Do Not Disturb and battery-saving settings, and test the indoor chime. Also verify that the doorbell remains connected to Wi-Fi.
Recorded history disappears after the trial
Cloud history may stop when the trial ends if you do not have a qualifying plan. Basic live view and motion notifications can remain available; check the current plan terms if you need recorded events.
A wired installation does not work
Turn off power at the breaker before inspecting wiring. Confirm the transformer and chime requirements for the exact model; do not guess at electrical compatibility. If the wiring is unclear or unsafe, stop and contact an electrician. Use Arlo’s wired installation guidance for model-specific steps.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
