The Arlo Ultra 3 4K is presented as one of the best wireless security cameras for shooting high-quality 4K footage. This latest version features a USB-C charging method and a higher-density battery intended for improved longevity.
The camera maintains the general platform quality of Arlo, which is described as packed with intelligence. However, potential buyers should note that subscribing to the highest tier is necessary to access 4K footage. Furthermore, the reviewer observes that the jump in improvement from Arlo’s 2K to 4K cameras may not be as significant as anticipated.
Externally, the Arlo Ultra 3 resembles other cameras in Arlo’s lineup, sharing casing and mounting options with the Arlo Pro 6, which makes swapping older cameras convenient. Like other Ultra cameras, the Ultra 3 4K requires connection via the Smarthub VM5000. Purchasing the camera requires buying it in at least a two-pack along with the Smarthub, making the initial system investment expensive.
While the Smarthub includes a microSD card slot for offline recording, this method eliminates many advanced features provided by subscribing to Arlo Secure. For optimal performance, the content suggests a cloud subscription is necessary, with the highest tier, Arlo Secure Plus, being required specifically for 4K cloud recording. This subscription service costs £19.99 a month (£219.99 a year) and offers 14 days of history and advanced AI features.
In terms of functionality, the Arlo app allows users to view live feeds via widgets, enabling two-way talk, and provides quick access to three configurable modes: Arm Away, Arm Home, and Standby. The system can be scheduled or automated using location data. With an Arlo Secure Plus plan, users gain sophisticated control over motion detection, allowing them to set motion zones and choose to receive alerts and record based on specific subjects like people, animals, or vehicles.
When comparing the Arlo Ultra 3 to older models, while 4K provides 66% more pixels than 2K, the Arlo Ultra 3 records at the same bitrate as the Arlo Pro 6 (55kbit/s), leading to more compression on the 4K camera. During the day, the image is described as very sharp and detailed. A key physical difference noted is the Ultra 3’s wider 180° field of view compared to the Arlo Pro 6’s 160°.
In nighttime conditions, the Ultra 3 can shoot full-colour footage using a spotlight, although the image may appear softer and moving images blur more than during the day. The review suggests the gap between the Pro 6 and Ultra 3 is narrower in these conditions. Battery life is stated by Arlo to be up to six months, though the reviewer found four months plus to be a more realistic duration in their garden.
Ultimately, the device is acknowledged as a capable security camera with high-quality footage and a great app experience. However, the author points out that the increased cost of the camera over the 2K Pro 6 does not correlate with a proportionally better viewing experience, especially given the requirement for the highest-tier cloud subscription to fully utilize the 4K capability.
Source: Trusted Reviews