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.
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.
- Click the “+ Add Device” bar near the bottom of the screen.
- Select “Lights.”
- Select “Pro 3 Floodlight Cameras.”
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.
- It’s very important to not manhandle the floodlight when opening the battery compartment; the button is on the bottom, just remember that.
- If you already have an Arlo system, you’ll be pairing the floodlight camera with your existing SmartHub.
- You’ll be walked through separating the battery containing frontend of the floodlight camera from the body for initially installing the battery.
- It’s recommended that you keep the two parts of the floodlight camera separate for the initial mounting (it won’t be as heavy).
- Now the app will look for your new floodlight.
- Tap on the new floodlight camera that you are about to install.
- Now give the new floodlight camera a name, and press Continue.
Now it’s time to mount the floodlight camera.
- My internet was being weird; the signal was actually strong, as you’ll see shortly.
- I’m going to assume you’ve already charged your floodlight camera, but if not, you’ll be reminded to do it.
- Select the place you’d like to mount the floodlight camera and get ready to screw it in. If you are mounting it in something soft, like dry-wall, there are included wall anchors that you’ll need to drill holes for.
- We drilled directly into a wood wall so the wall anchors were unnecessary.
- The floodlight camera housing twists securely into the wall mount.
- And you will further secure it to the mount using the little attached screw.
- You simply side the floodlight camera into the body housing until you hear a click.
- You can tighten the grip at the base of the ball mount to make sure your camera doesn’t move.
- Double-check your WiFi signal; as you can see, everything is good.
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.
- This is one of the coolest features, in my opinion.
- The wide angles possible make for better tracking.
- You can turn on a siren if you spot someone who shouldn’t be there.
- You can also hold a two-way conversation: “Honey, don’t forget the eggs!”
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.
- Click the three green dots on the app to access a specific camera’s timeline (a paid CVR feature) or that specific device’s settings.
- Yeah, not today. 😉
- This screen shows you the battery power left for a specific device as well as other options.
- Device Utilities include a motion detection test and a camera positioning window.
- You can set how sensitive you want the motion sensor to be.
- The Help section contains these topics.
- Floodlight Settings (under light Settings) allows you to adjust the various functions.
- The Dusk to Dawn sensor allows you to adjust the ambient light sensitivity so your light isn’t coming on before it’s dark (which wastes your battery).
- You can select whether you would like the floodlight to be on as a constant light when activated, or if you would prefer it to pulse under the Behavior setting.
- You can set the duration for the floodlight to stay activated. 5 minutes is the default, but you can also set one minute or up to 20.
- Under video settings, you can adjust various settings including one of my favorites — Auto Zoom and Tracking.
- You can set your camera to capture the Best Video, Optimized, or Best Battery Life.
- And you can set your video angles as Wide, Standard, or Full.
- Under activity zones, you can separate the areas that you want to be labeled when videos pop up for easier monitoring.
- And under Audio settings, you can adjust speaker volume and whether or not you want the microphone or speaker to be active.
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