Arlo Essential Video Doorbell

Pros

• Complete kit in box ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.8
• Delivery package monitoring ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.8
  Package detection reliably alerts when parcels are dropped off and is highlighted as one of the doorbell’s most genuinely useful security and convenience features.
• Field of view & framing ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 reviews 4.7
  The doorbell’s tall, wide 1:1 view does a good job capturing visitors and packages on the doorstep, though it still trims roughly the first foot at the base of the doorframe.
• Installation & Mounting ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 4.7
  Reviewers find the Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell easy to install, whether using it as a battery-powered unit or wiring it into an existing doorbell circuit.
• Phone call integration ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.6
• Conversation recording completeness ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.5
• Security ecosystem integration ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.5
• Weather & temperature tolerance ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.5
• Object & person detection ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3 reviews 4.3
  Smart detection can distinguish people, vehicles, animals, and packages, providing flexible targeted alerts when used with an Arlo Secure subscription.
• Battery & Charging ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.3
  The removable battery helps avoid downtime by letting owners swap in a charged spare, though reaching the battery requires taking most of the doorbell off its mount.
• Controls & indicators ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.3
• Snapshot capture ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.2
• Zones & activity areas ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3 reviews 4.2
  Customizable activity zones help limit nuisance notifications to specific areas, though zones are restricted to simple rectangular shapes unlike the more flexible polygon-based zones on some rivals.
• Chime ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3 reviews 4.1
• Video resolution & detail ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3 reviews 4.0
  Daytime video looks decent but tends to be darker, muddier, and less detailed than footage from higher-end Nest and Ring doorbells, so overall sharpness trails the best competitors.
• Quick-reply / pre-recorded message usefulness ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.0
• Quiet-time / do-not-disturb scheduling ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.0
• Theft & Tamper ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.0
• Notifications ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 3.9
• Design aesthetics ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 3.9
  The doorbell has a clean, unobtrusive rectangular design with a black face and white sides, but it looks a bit bulkier on the wall than some slimmer rivals.
• App, software & firmware ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 3.8
  The Arlo app is generally easy to use for live viewing, alerts, and two-way talk, but some settings like activity zones, package detection, and smart notifications are split between device menus and global settings, which can feel confusing to navigate.
• Price & value ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3 reviews 3.8
  At around $200, the doorbell can offer decent value, especially for Arlo users willing to add a low-cost Secure plan, but its softer video and reliance on paid features mean some competing models may deliver better overall value for certain buyers.
• Power Options & Compatibility ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 reviews 3.8
  The doorbell can run on its built-in battery or be wired into an existing doorbell circuit, giving homeowners flexible power options.
• Motion detection performance ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 3.8
• System completeness ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 3.8
• Siren loudness (if built-in) ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 3.8
• Audio ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3 reviews 3.7
• Smart-home integration (Alexa, Google, Siri, HomeKit, Matter, Thread) ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3 reviews 3.5
• Low-light & Night vision ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 3.5
  Night vision is generally good and usable for identifying people and activity, though fine detail and clarity are softer than what leading rival models deliver in low light.
• Peace of mind ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 3.5
• Recommendation for new buyers ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 3.5
  Reviewers often recommend the doorbell to buyers who already own or plan to build an Arlo camera system and are comfortable with a small monthly fee, while shoppers who prioritize sharper video, free storage, or avoiding subscriptions may find better options among rival brands.