Arlo Doorbell 2K (2nd Gen), AVD4001

Name: Arlo Doorbell 2K (2nd Gen), AVD4001 - Expert Reviews
Brand: Arlo

3.9

(8)

Verdict

Arlo’s 2K Video Doorbell (2nd gen) is a top pick if you want sharp 2K video, a very wide 180 degree view, strong app experience and deep compatibility with voice assistants and Arlo’s own security system. It does depend heavily on a paid Arlo Secure plan and the hardware is a bit bulkier than some rivals, so it is best for buyers who are comfortable with ongoing subscription costs and do not mind a larger doorbell body.

Pros

Field of view & framing ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 7 reviews 4.8
Notifications ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 6 reviews 4.7

Arlo’s doorbell delivers some of the most reliable, fast alerts in testing, often sending motion or button-press notifications within a couple of seconds and even placing a phone-style call when someone rings so you can respond almost immediately.
Installation & Mounting ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 reviews 4.7
Phone call integration ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.7

When someone presses the doorbell, the system can trigger a phone call-style connection, making it quicker and less laggy to start talking than waiting solely for the standard app live view to load.
Power Options & Compatibility ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 reviews 4.5
Design aesthetics ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.5

Reviewers describe the black-on-white Arlo 2K doorbell as sleek and modern-looking, with sturdy-feeling hardware that presents well on most door frames even if the body is somewhat chunkier than some slimmer rivals.
Quick-reply / pre-recorded message usefulness ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.5

Pre-recorded quick responses such as busy or leave the package outside make it easy to handle visitors when you cannot or do not want to start a full two-way conversation, and they can help deter unwanted or suspicious callers at the door.
Weather & temperature tolerance ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.5
System completeness ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.3

Reviewers describe the Arlo 2K doorbell as a broadly feature-complete, platform-agnostic security solution with strong video, audio and smart integrations, so long as you are willing to pay for the Arlo Secure subscription that unlocks its full capabilities.
Smart-home integration (Alexa, Google, Siri, HomeKit, Matter, Thread) ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 7 reviews 4.3

The Arlo 2K doorbell integrates smoothly with Google and Alexa smart displays and ties into IFTTT automations for announcements and routines, but it notably lacks native support for Apple HomeKit and Samsung SmartThings.
App, software & firmware ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 6 reviews 4.2
Motion-detection customization ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3 reviews 4.2

Customizable motion detection zones let owners fine tune where the Arlo doorbell looks for activity to cut down on nuisance alerts from streets or sidewalks while focusing on the porch, though creating and adjusting these smart activity zones requires an active Arlo Secure subscription.
Object & person detection ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 4.1
Battery & Charging ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 reviews 4.1
Siren loudness (if built-in) ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3 reviews 4.1

A built-in siren can be triggered from the app or automations to add an audible deterrent at the front door, with adjustable volume that gets quite loud, though some reviewers feel it can be a more aggressive warning than necessary for casual visitors.
Motion detection performance ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 reviews 4.1

Motion detection reliably records clips whenever people come and go at the front door, with fast accurate triggers that can also result in frequent recordings of household members unless settings are adjusted, though default sensitivity prioritizes cutting false alerts and can register visitors a bit slower than some competing doorbells.
Price & value ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 4.0

The Arlo Video Doorbell 2K is often discounted well below its list price, and many reviewers describe it as a well-priced, affordable pick that pairs crisp video and strong smart features with higher ongoing subscription costs than some bare-bones rivals.
Audio ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 reviews 3.9

Most reviewers find two-way audio clear and strong enough for short conversations at the door, noting natural, life-like voices and effective noise reduction, though a few comparisons still rate its microphone and speaker performance just shy of the very best competitors.
Video resolution & detail ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 8 reviews 3.9
Low-light & Night vision ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 6 reviews 3.8
Reliability (general) ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 3.5

Testing describes the doorbell as a generally solid performer with dependable alerts and integrations once installed, though some reviewers mention occasional app freezes or cloud clips that fail to load until it is restarted.
Zones & activity areas ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 3.5

Cons

Storage ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 6 reviews 2.8

The doorbell relies entirely on Arlo Secure cloud recording for saved video, offering up to 30 days of rolling history through subscription plans with no built-in local storage, which some reviewers view as meagre versus rivals that keep clips for longer on similarly priced plans.
Size & form factor ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 2.8
Chime ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 2.5

The 2K doorbell does not include an interior chime module in the box, so owners must either wire it to an existing mechanical chime or add a separate Arlo Chime 2 if they want audible doorbell sounds inside the house.
Subscription ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 7 reviews 2.4

A paid Arlo Secure subscription is effectively required to unlock cloud recording, smart detection, zones, animated alerts and emergency response, with plans typically starting around five dollars per month and long-term costs higher than some budget rivals, and reviewers note that without a subscription the camera is reduced to a very basic live view and motion sensor.
Lens distortion handling ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 2.0

Reviews note that the Arlo 2K’s extremely wide 180 degree lens heavily distorts the scene at the doorway, giving visitors and surroundings a somewhat bulbous, stretched look that can feel distracting even though it helps capture more of the entry area.