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What’s more reliable between Eufy vs Arlo security cameras? What happens to each system when the internet is out? Or which security company can build a better smart home ecosystem? These questions are some we’ve been trying to answer in several home tech community forums. The two brands are very similar in a number of ways, but each has unique strengths and also limitations you must be aware of before buying.
From our survey, however, the highest percentage of users have been jumping ship to Eufy cameras. This is sad for Arlo, considering the US brand popularized battery-powered wireless security cameras.
The #5 Top Reasons People Are Going For Eufy Cameras:
- Eufy cloud is slightly affordable than Arlo’s
- Eufy security cameras kit is more affordable than the Arlo system
- Eufy security cameras can still record when the internet is down
- Eufy cameras have a much convenient Apple Homekit smart integration
- Eufy security cameras include all features, whether you subscribe to the cloud or not
Eufy vs Arlo: A summary on the Security Camera Brands:
Arlo Security Camera
Arlo has been one of the most-talked brands of rechargeable CCTV. A few weeks ago, we had a comprehensive Arlo Security camera discussion, whereby we mentioned how it started and reach the top charts.
As a US brand, Arlo security camera didn’t have a hard time penetrating the American market. Its then parent company, NETGEAR, was also a celebrated networking company from California. So, we can agree Arlo kind of had an existing market even before launching.
Long story short, the glorious days of Arlo and its line of wireless security camera systems have been drowning to the bed in recent years. Many competitive companies have sprung up with not only more affordable security solutions but also that don’t necessarily need to subscribe to the cloud. A good example that we can say is Eufy Technologies, a home automation brand by Anker Innovations.
Eufy Security Camera
As was mentioned, the Eufy security camera has been becoming a favorite of many people, with some even switching from Arlo and Ring Stickcam. Surprisingly, some cameras from the brand are like the direct inspiration of Arlo cameras, including the configuration with a base hub.
However, Anker, the parent company, has been a leading provider of consumer electronics and knew the magic to excite the fans. So, instead of forcing the users to subscribe to cloud storage, the engineers designed a local storage system that can be accessed via a phone app. Even better, the used EMMC (Embedded MultiMediaCard) storage is integrated into the camera’s circuit board. So, one necessarily doesn’t need to purchase a card unless you would want to expand the storage space.
Eufy vs Arlo: Comparing the Various Security Camera Features and Capabilities
While shopping for a wireless or even wired security camera system, there are so many things you should consider. In this part, we’re going to compare Arlo vs Eufy security cameras as per the seven crucial features to determine which could be a better investment.
Pricing and Availability
Pricing is one powerful factor when deciding between different security cameras, or any other electronic gadget for that matter. It helps you assess whether what you have at hand is enough and also if the equipment in question is totally worth it.
As for Eufy and Arlo cameras, they both are pretty expensive to say. The simplest Arlo Pro 2 two-camera kit costs around $365 during the regular days. If you would want a single add-on camera, you’ll need to pay the price of a half kit at either $128 (VMS4120P) or $191 (VMC4030P).
Meanwhile, the simplest Eufy camera (Eufycam 2C) sells around $170 for a 2-cameras kit. Then, if your home demands more eyes, you can get an extra add-on camera at about $85. So, we can say the Anker creations will be better off if you don’t want to spend heavily.
As we shall see later in the article, both the Arlo Pro 2 and EufyCam 2C have a 1080p video resolution. So, why else is the Arlo price double?
Camera Type:
In general, Arlo and Eufy are both home automation companies. As such, they primarily focus on smart home devices to complete a simplified, fun, and efficient smart home experience. In other words, the brands are not the kind to go for if you need a security camera system with a DVR. They only offer standalone wireless security cameras, either battery-powered or that need to be plugged into the power outlet.
Furthermore, the two companies have both outdoor and indoor security cameras, plus video doorbells to keep watch of your doorstep.
Nonetheless, Arlo has been in the industry a bit longer and includes more camera options to choose. This includes the floodlight cameras line that came earlier last year as a variation of the Arlo Pro 3.
Even so, the Eufy 1080p Security Floodlight Camera was first in the stores in the last quarter of the year 2018. So, it kind of outshone Arlo in that part of the technology. But again, Eufy currently has eight security camera models without including baby monitors and video doorbells. Thus, Arlo has a slightly longer list to choose from, including 4K Ultra-HD quality.
Video Quality:
Arlo camera is the clear winner here as it supports up to 4K Ultra-HD resolution. However, the company has employed cunning stratagems to see to it that one subscribes to cloud service. Otherwise, the quality of the recording drops to 2K resolution, which many users have actually complained to be less than that of Arlo Pro 2.
The Pro 2 has the industry-standard resolution, 1080p Full HD, which forms the majority category. But if you would prefer, there’s also the Arlo Pro 3 (with and without floodlight) that delivers 2K Super HD video quality. Also, the inclusion of the lighting helps illuminate the area for crispier and colored recordings at night.
Similarly, you can get the Eufy floodlight camera or EufyCam 2C for colored night vision. However, the brand only supports up to 2K video quality for now, but unlike Arlo, the resolution remains the same with/ without cloud subscription.
Storage:
Eufy cameras and even video doorbells lead in this category as you can opt to use the cloud, local storage, or both. While the camera doesn’t give a free cloud, the inbuilt local storage (EMMC or MicroSD card) can be accessed via the phone app while away. Even better, the device continues to record when WiFi is down, then syncs with the phone app when the connection returns.
For sure, it’s no easy to find a security camera with a memory card or drive that supports this kind of feature. Even for Arlo cameras, specifically Arlo Ultra, you have to manually remove the SD card so that you can view the videos on your phone or computer. This is more or less time-consuming or unreliable if you didn’t want to pay for cloud storage.
Speaking of cloud, by the way, Eufy is a bit generous compared to Arlo. The company has not yet created a page on their website with the details, but you can see the two available plans from the phone app.
Here is a summary of the applicable cloud fees for both Arlo and Eufy:
Eufy Cloud Plan
[su_table]
| Facts | Basic | Premium |
| Cost/ Month | $2.99 | $9.99 |
| Cost/ Year | $29.99 (Save $5.89) |
$99.99 (Save $19.89) |
| Recording Resolution | Up to 2K HD | Up to 2K HD |
| Video History | Up to 30 days | Up to 30 Days |
| Live Streaming | YES | YES |
| Notifications | YES | YES |
| Smart AI features | YES | YES |
| No. of Cameras | 1 camera | Up to 10 cameras |
| Supported Devices | EufyCam 2 EufyCam 2C EufyCam E Eufy Security Floodlight Indoor cam 2K Indoor Cam 2K Pan Tilt |
EufyCam 2 EufyCam 2C EufyCam E Eufy Security Floodlight Indoor cam 2K Indoor Cam 2K Pan Tilt |
| Local Storage | Free | Free |
[/su_table]
Arlo Cloud Storage Plans
[su_table]
| Facts | Premier | Elite |
| Cost/ single Camera | $2.99/ month | $4.99/ month |
| Cost/ 5 Cameras | $9.99/ month | 14.99/ month (Save $19.89) |
| Recording Resolution | Up to 2K HD | Up to 4K HD |
| Video History | Up to 30 days | Up to 30 Days |
| Live Streaming | YES | YES |
| Notifications | YES | YES |
| Smart AI features | YES | YES |
| Supported Devices | Arlo Q Arlo Pro Arlo Pro 2 Arlo Pro 3 Arlo Pro 4 Arlo Essential Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight |
Arlo Ultra |
[/su_table]
Special Notes:
- Arlo Cameras before Pro 3 (Arlo Q, Pro, & Pro 2) has a free 7-day rolling of free cloud recordings. The latter models, start with Arlo Pro 3 no longer have free cloud storage, rather a limited trial period.
- Arlo cameras do support continuous video recording to the cloud, with 14-day history at $9.99/ month or 30-day history for $19.99. Nonetheless, the particular camera needs to plug into the electrical outlet to enable the 24/7 recording feature.
- You can add multiple cameras to your Eufy Homebase hub, but for obvious reasons, the storage consumption will increase.
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Mobile App:
With both Arlo and Eufy, the mobile app is everything for your security camera. You can use it to watch your CCTV cameras from anywhere, receive activity notifications, playback video history, and control different functions. For Arlo, the Android app rates pretty awesome 3.7, whereas the iOs app store has 4.2 ratings. Funny enough, Arlo’s Apple app has like 48,000 more reviews than the Android, which means HomeKit integration is very crucial.
To make it more exciting, the Eufy security app also leads on iOS devices, with a 4.7 score from roughly 10,900 votes. The Android app is also pretty impressive as it stands at 4.4 ratings from about 7,400 votes. So, Arlo definitely has a larger fan base than Eufy.
However, the Eufy mobile app can live stream, view video history (cloud or local storage), and control various camera features.
Furthermore, the app behaves like a real DVR system in that you can “schedule” your camera to record and send notifications at specific times. Hence, enabling you to monitor what matters most while at the same time maximizing the storage.
Home Automation Options:
While the two brands now support Apple Homekit integration, some cameras still don’t support or work well with the feature. However, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa are compatible with either camera. So, you can still have some sweet moments and convenient control via voice commands.
As for the Eufy cameras, the HomeKit Secure video support ensures all the smart AI functions (human, vehicle, and animal detection) perform locally. So, no unencrypted video uploads to someone’s server.
For Arlo and many other security camera brands, the recordings first upload to the cloud and carry out the analysis there. Hence, why you’ll lose the smart AI privileges when you fail to renew your cloud subscription (even those with local storage onboard).
Installation & Setup:
All wireless security camera systems are effortless to install as you need not wiring and drill through walls. Our two brands also require a Home base station, which helps strengthen the WiFi signal and also enables local storage. So, you’ll first need to connect the Homebase to the internet, then configure with the mobile app using the onscreen instructions.
Another thing, Eufy and Arlo cameras have multiple ways you can secure them, including using magnetic mounts and screw-on brackets. So, the pair will share points in this category, albeit Eufy HomeKit Setup is pretty quick to do.
Eufy vs Arlo Comparing the Various Cameras from the Manufacturers
As we stated earlier, both Eufy and Arlo Technologies have various security cameras to choose. So, you need to pay attention to every detail if you’re to find the right system for your property.
Some of the security cameras from the two companies that you can check out include:
EufyCam 2 pro vs Arlo Pro 3 Security Camera
Summary:
While it lacks a free cloud, the Arlo Pro 3 wins over the Eufy Cam 2 pro in every other aspect. It delivers crisp 2K super-HD images that are twice higher than the 1080p HD resolution.
Also, unlike the Eufy with only H.264 encoding, the Arlo security camera supports both H.264 and H.265 video compression technology. You can also choose to record 24/7 to the cloud, albeit with an active subscription plan.
Eufy Cam 2 vs Arlo Pro 2 Security Camera
Summary:
Both the Eufy Cam 2 and the Arlo Pro have various amazing features to appreciate. While the Arlo camera has a free 7-day cloud recording, the Eufy model feels more exciting to have at home.
For one, the camera has a human detection function that works in hand with the PIR sensor and activity zones to give you the only alerts that matter. Second and most importantly, the CCTV has a built-in 16GB EMMC that you can store your footage without having to subscribe monthly fee. The best part about the built-in card is that the camera continues to record when the internet is down, then sends to the phone app once the connection resume.
Eufy Evercam vs Arlo Pro 2 Security Camera
Summary:
The Evercam was the name Anker gave to the first Eufycam while crowdfunding on Kickstarter. While many features are similar to its second generation, EufyCam 2, the camera doesn’t support HomeKit integration. This is a major blow, considering many users are iOS owners. Hence, one of the reasons we recommend the Arlo Pro 2 camera since it has HomeKit, Alexa, Google Assistant, and Smart Things integration.
The other beauty of having the Arlo include enjoying 7-day free cloud recording, optional 24/7 CVR (continuous video recording), and 3-second look back function.
Eufy Cam 2c vs Arlo Pro 2 Security Camera
Summary
The Eufy Cam 2C is the clear winner here without a question. True, both security cameras record in 1080p HD and even Arlo get free 7-day cloud recording. But then, the Eufy device has extra beauty to love, especially if you plan to mount at the front door. For instance, there’s a built-in spotlight to illuminate and enable crispier recording at nighttime.
Also, the security camera has human detection and smart detection zones to help minimize unwanted alerts.
Final Thoughts
While technology made here at home feels trusty, Arlo today holds our second position after Eufy cameras. Of course, the brand has amazing products for home security, but the daughter of Anker Innovation has a bit better offer on the table. The Consumer Technology Association even recognized the EufyCam 2 Pro as the “most advanced battery camera security system” in the CES 2021 Innovation Awards. So, we can agree it’s a worthwhile provider to bank on if you don’t need a CCTV with DVR.
But again, the major selling point of Eufy security cameras is the built-in local storage. Through the phone app, you can stream and playback video history without having to subscribe to cloud. And since this storage isn’t linked to anyone else’s servers, you can still have evidence after the internet is down. Furthermore, you can access the various smart AI features at no cost, unlike other companies, including Arlo, that will “force” you to subscribe to the cloud.
