Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera Expands Your Security Camera System with a Bright Light and Tracking

Gear Diary is independently owned and operated. We receive compensation through advertising and from the companies whose products we review, usually in the form of the reviewed product. We test the products supplied to us, and the opinions expressed are our own.

Gear Diary is also reader-supported. When you buy through links posted on our site, we may earn a commission at no cost to you.

You can learn more by clicking here.

Last year, I reviewed the Arlo Pro 3 2K QHD Wire-Free Security Camera System, which is still going strong. One of the best things about the Arlo wireless system is how easy it is to set up and how customizable the app has been over time as my specific needs have changed. The Arlo system is, of course, expandable, and I recently added the new Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera.

The Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera is a wireless surveillance device that can be added to your existing Arlo system. Unlike the single bright LED that the Pro 3 wireless security cameras have, the Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight has a massive LED array that can brightly illuminate a much larger area. The floodlight’s integrated 2K HD camera captures video when it’s tripped that you can watch live on your mobile device when you are alerted. These video clips can be stored on a memory card inserted in your Arlo SmartHub base station, or you can access them through an optional Arlo Smart subscription, their cloud-based backup service that saves video clips for 30 days.

 

Included in the box are the Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera, an XL rechargeable battery (it’s much bigger than the battery in the Arlo Pro 3 cameras), a wall charger with a USB port, a USB Type-1 to microUSB cable, a wall plate and screw kit, a quick start guide, and an Arlo video monitoring window decal.

The floodlight measures approximately 8.6″ wide by 7.5″ long by 3.1″ thick. The body is made of matte white all-weather plastic that is both UV and water-resistant. Depending on your needs, you can set the floodlight to show a constant bright light or a pulsating one — which would likely scare away deer if it were pointing at your garden, for instance. The camera also has full-duplex 2-way audio, so if you need to yell at a raccoon getting into your trash. Can you tell that I live in the country? 😉

The base of the floodlight has an adjustable 360º ball so that the camera can be mounted and pointed exactly where you need it, which makes your mounting location selection a bit more flexible and forgiving if you need it to be.

On the back of the floodlight, there is a mounting bracket that will fit into the wall plate once installed.

This is the underside of the floodlight; it has the same magnetic conductive charging port as the Arlo 3 security cameras had. Having the magnetic charging port option is very handy if you want to run a power cable (or an optional solar charger) to your floodlight that will always stay connected. But if that isn’t feasible, it is easy enough to press the round button by the magnetic charging port to release the front of the floodlight camera from its body for charging.

When you have released the floodlight camera from its body, you’ll note that there is a microUSB charging port on the left side.

The silver screw on the mounting base will attach to the wall plate for security.

Now it’s time to add the Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera to your Arlo app. Click on the first picture below, and it will open up a slideshow with comments on several of the steps.

Now you’re in. The Arlo app will walk you through everything you need to know to get your Pro 3 Floodlight Camera installed and online.

Now it’s time to mount the floodlight camera.

Kev gave me a hand with the install portion, as I am a klutz and tend to fall off of ladders (misjudging the last step). I wish I were joking.

Now you’ll check to make sure that the floodlight is properly working. Do not look at the floodlight when it is on; it will blind you.

All systems are GO! The floodlight camera is installed and working!

Now the app will walk you through some screens that give you an idea of the floodlight camera’s capabilities.

And now, you’ll have the floodlight camera listed on your main page of Arlo devices.

This is as good a time as any to point out that red shield with the exclamation point in it at the top right of the Arlo screen. Clicking that will bring up options to Call 911 (if you set it up), call a friend (if you set it up), or activate the siren.

Included with the Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera is a three-month trial to Arlo Smart, which I’ll cover in just a moment; first, let’s go over options available for this particular floodlight camera.

Allow me to digress for just a moment to talk about Arlo Smart.

Kev and I had already subscribed to the 2K Arlo Smart after our trial period was up from my Arlo Pro 3 camera review. That plan is priced at either $2.99 per month per camera or $9.99 per month for up to five cameras with an option of going to 4K for $4.99 per month per camera or $14.99 per month for up to five cameras. We are still in our three months trial period with the floodlight, and we will be adding the floodlight to our existing plan when the trial is over. Here are the features that you get with Arlo Smart:

• 2K and 4K cloud-based video storage for your video clips.

• 30 days of saved video history, so you can go back and check if you realize you might have missed something.

• Advanced object detection, where Arlo lets you know if the object spotted is a vehicle, person, or animal when it sends camera movement detection alerts.

• Package Detection notifies you when a package has been delivered to your door.

•  Customized activity zones allow you to set specific areas that you want Arlo to monitor (and name them).

• And finally, intelligent alerts that will enable you to quickly see what is going on and decide if you need to take any action.

Our cameras are operating on battery power, but if you have hard-wired your cameras to a power source, you can also opt for Arlo’s Continuous Video Recording (CVR) plan, which gives continuous video recording. Priced at 14 days for $9.99 per month or 30 days for $19.99, it’s only something I would opt for if I were guarding something with one particular (powered) camera, but you might need it.

So now, the camera is set up, zones are active, and I’m receiving notifications on my device when there is movement.

 

Here’s an example of the video tracking in action (this option is also available on the Arlo Pro 3 security cameras). I love this feature because it tracks — or follows — whatever is moving so you can get a better look. When the object that was being tracked is gone, the camera adjusts back to the full view.

Living in the middle of a ranch, miles from the closest town, you would think that a video security system wouldn’t be so crucial to Kev and me. But it’s actually because we are so isolated that it is doubly essential for us to keep an eye on as much as possible — not only when we are away but also when we are at home. The Arlo wireless camera system has proven to be perfect for our needs, and the new Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight has quickly become an integral part of our setup. Getting immediate notifications when something is happening has been extremely helpful. The cameras have notified us of deliveries and tracked other visitors that we would have never known about if we didn’t have such an excellent security system in place. We have yet to capture anything wilder than a turkey or deer on camera, but I’m still expecting to see a feral hog video one of these days. :shudder:

If you also need help keeping an eye on what’s going on around your home, whether you are there or away, you should take a look and see the solutions at Arlo.

The Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera retails for $249.99, and it is available directly from the manufacturer as well as from other retailers, including Amazon [affiliate link]. 

Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample

What I Like: The reassurance of a constant video eye on our home and yard; We are never in the dark about who has been to or around our house and yard (no pun intended); The floodlight was easy to install and easy to add to the app; Setup was straightforward; The LED light is bright and covers a large area; The tracking feature is an excellent way to keep an eye on animals or people who are in the camera zones; Two-way communication is possible through the floodlight (as it is with the Arlo Pro 3 cameras already on our system); 2K video recording; There is a siren you can activate if needed

What Needs Improvement: I have zero complaints

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Thanks for your support!


About the Author

Judie Lipsett Stanford
Judie is the co-owner and Editor-in-Chief of Gear Diary, which she founded in September 2006. She got her start in 1999 writing software reviews at the now-defunct smaller.com; from mid-2000 through 2006, she wrote hardware reviews for and co-edited at The Gadgeteer. A recipient of the Sigma Kappa Colby Award for Technology, Judie has written for or been profiled by nationally known sites and magazines, and she has served on multiple industry hardware and software award panels. She is best known for her device-agnostic approach, enjoyment of exploring tech, gadgets, and gear, and her deep-diving, jargon-free reviews.