Introduction

We would like to thank Netgear for supplying the review sample.



I am sure anyone would want to avoid leaving their home or business unprotected, but not everyone has the money to pay a security company, so most opt for a security kit that can be installed without an expert. The truth is that the fewer cables someone has to deal with, the easier the installation, and a wireless security system means you won't have to drill any holes into your walls, which leads to less complaints from the housewife (or landlord). IP cameras are also becoming more affordable should one want to buy one or two to cover key areas of the home. Yet monitoring an area without having the option to store recordings is pretty useless, and the SD card slots some IP cameras feature aren't enough since SD cards in those are prone to theft (a thief can easily remove and destroy the SD card to leave you without any clues). If you have a NAS with a surveillance application, you can use it to store the recordings and control the cameras over the net, but most NAS servers only come with one camera license, so you would have to buy additional licenses, which is money out of your pocket. Wouldn't it, as such, be cool, especially for novice users, if there were a kit with all the essentials, one you didn't have to wire up to power its cameras? One with cloud features and great image quality in the dark? Well, Netgear apparently took all the above to heart and released the Arlo solution we will evaluate in this review.

Two years ago, Netgear acquired a company named Avaak. The company produced an indigestible diagnostic pill that could send video like that of a wireless camera. Avaak also introduced us to a small wireless security camera called the Vue. Those cameras evolved into the VueZone system. Today, Netgear is announcing their Arlo Smart Home Security System. With configurations that can include up to three bases, support for up to fifteen cameras, all while wireless, the Arlo looks like a winner already.

You will find the technical specifications of the Arlo Smart Home Security System below:

The VMS3230 comes in a nice box with its two cameras behind a transparent plastic shell.


With $199.99 (with one camera) for the smallest kit, we have a wireless and weatherproof surveillance system with a camera that has a motion sensor. Today, we will review the VMS3230, Netgear's Arlo kit with two cameras. It contains the following:

• (2) HD, 100% wire-free, indoor/outdoor cameras with night vision
• (1) Smart home-base station with power adapter
• (1) Ethernet cable
• (4) Magnetic camera mounts
• (4) Mounting screws
• (8) Batteries
• (1) Quick start guide
• (1) Window decal


The PSU is only compatible with 115VAC input, which is a shame. Netgear should provide a universal PSU instead since the price difference to do so would be negligible. The EU and other regions with 230VAC mains will obviously get a compatible PSU; however, a universal one for all regions would have been preferable.


The quick start guide will help you with configuring and quickly installing an Arlo kit.

Arlo Camera(s)

An additional camera costs $159.99. Weighing in at 0.25 lbs, the camera is 2.5×1.6×2.8 inches (HxWxD) big. It is small, stylish, glossy-white, oval-shaped and comes with a flat bottom base that makes placing it on a flat surface a breeze. We installed our cameras inside the house and played a treasure-hunting game with our kid. He found it hard to spot the two cameras that were scattered about. The fact that the cameras are wireless makes changing their position every now and then fun and easy and even helpful as those who might spot them—potential thieves—won't know where the cameras are after you've moved them.


This kit also includes mounts with a magnetic ball, each, which allows for the cameras to be placed onto a wall or a tree, for instance. The magnetic ball allows you to turn the camera by 360 degrees, although the camera can also be stolen once spotted since it is only attached (bracket) to the mount via its magnetic ball; place yours high or out of sight in an attempt to keep them safe. You may also purchase another adjustable mount (VMA1000 for $19.99) and screw the camera onto it instead.


Each camera has motion sensors and is IP65 waterproof. At the front are twelve infrared LEDs, and the SYNC button can be found on top. There is no microphone or speaker on the camera, so there is no way to record sound or to communicate, which is a pity since many cameras available on the market today are equipped with a microphone and a speaker to allow for a two-way communication. We would like to see the Arlo kits integrate such a system as well.

These cameras produce a curved image for a larger field of vision. The displayed image has a high definition (HD) resolution you can increase to 1280×720p in a H.264 format, along with a 130 degrees field of vision. We also have 850nm LEDs that illuminate everything at up to 25 feet and IR cut off-filtering capabilities that result in a bright, clear, and crisp image at night. The camera's motion sensor also detects movement at up to approximately 15 feet, and its sensitivity can be adjusted to your needs. Its 100% setting will even have a small breeze that tips flowers over slightly trigger the email-alert function and a recording. Yet you will have to move your hands around in front of the camera to trigger the sensor if it is set to 1%.


There is no port for a power source on the camera, which makes Netgear's included lithium batteries the only option. Every camera uses four CR123a (3V) batteries. Netgear states these batteries to approximately last six month at roughly four minutes of daily use so long as some rather energy savvy settings are used. Use its advanced video setting and these batteries will most likely last four months. With a price of $5 (on average) for each battery, such would amount to $120 annually. But you may also use rechargeable batteries in order to reduce the amount of money spent per year. What matters here is a battery's mAh rating since a higher mAh will result in longer run times based on how much current is drawn. Note that rechargeable batteries might not last as long as non-rechargeable ones because of the reduced voltage they produce. Rechargeables might produce inaccurate power readings with these cameras.


The cameras are water- and weatherproof as they can withstand tough conditions of cold (down to 14 F) and heat (up to 122 F), which, as has already been mentioned, makes them suitable candidates for the outdoors. Each camera has a battery status bar should you want to figure out how much juice a battery has left. The problem here is that the status bar will lie by stating a battery to almost be dead if its surroundings are extremely cold. Netgear is aware of this problem and is said to be working on a solution. The cameras also come with a standard female ¼ adapter if you want to mount them to a tripod.

Base Station

The base is white, its dimensions are 6.5×8.5×2.25 inches (HxWxD), and it weighs in at around 0.25 lbs. It uses Wi-Fi 802.11n at 2.4 GHz and is equipped with a LAN port and two USB 2.0 ports. On it are also a Power button and a Reset switch, along with the SYNC button and power jack in the rear. On its front are several LED-specific status indicators for Power, Internet, Camera, Smart Home, and USB. Netgear says the Smart Home and USB LEDs to be reserved for future use, as compatibility with other smart-home standards is introduced.


Netgear Arlo is also a member of the AllSeen Alliance. The AllSeen Alliance has made it its purpose to make Internet of Everything real. Internet of Everything is an open-source project that currently counts a total of 50 members. The AllSeen Alliance wants to drive connectivity with smart homes and cars, all while focusing on the security among different devices, systems, and services and the people they serve it to on demand.