Arlo Pro 4 Vs Arlo Pro 5S – What is the Difference?

Compromise is not an option whenever the security of your home is concerned. Several home security systems are used to strengthen surveillance of your property. From a long list of home security devices, outdoor security cameras are popularly used for their performance. Brands like Arlo have developed an innovative range of such outdoor cameras.

The camera range from Arlo is known for their high definition recording capabilities. Combine this with other features and you will get a reliable security system. Arlo has been introducing various cameras in its Pro range. Models like Pro 4 and Pro 5S have been the face of Arlo’s professional outdoor cameras. Both units offer a blend of functionality and innovation. Hence, confusions arise for the user while selecting between these two models.

To address this confusion, we will discuss Arlo Pro 4 and Pro 5S security cameras. Taking help from certain features, we will explore the differences between both cameras.

Arlo Pro 4 Security Camera: An Overview

Arlo introduced the Pro range to offer state-of-the-art features to the users. These compact devices are wireless and offer better surveillance. The Arlo Pro 4 is one of the most successful models from the Arlo Pro range. This unit came equipped with higher resolution capture ability, improved battery life, and many essential features that improved surveillance.

Arlo 4 has been a successful model due to its compatibility with modern homes. It can be paired with smart home integrations where the user gets improved control of the home surveillance. Released in 2020, Arlo Pro 4 still feels updated due to its performance. Being an Arlo device, the camera quality is undeniably good. The pricing of the Arlo Pro 4 has been in the premium segment but its reliability and versatility make your investment worthy.

Pros of Arlo Pro 4 Security Camera

• Arlo Pro 4 offers a higher definition lens, capable of recording in 2K resolution. This level of resolution is not available in some of its competitors
• The camera is capable of capturing videos in wider angles, to gather more information at a given time
• It also comes equipped with a multifunctional spotlight. The spotlight illuminates the area around the camera in case a motion is detected
• It offers a hybrid storage option for the recorded videos. Users can locally store the files in SD cards or directly in the cloud storage

Cons of Arlo Pro 4 Security Camera

• The major con of the Arlo Pro 4 unit is its premium pricing, making it more expensive than the competitors
• The users are charged additional charges for the cloud storage option
• Being almost 4 years old, the Pro 4 model will enter the “end of life” phase. Users of specific regions will no longer receive hardware, software, and other support for the model

Arlo Pro 5S Security Camera: An Overview

As the name suggests, the Arlo Pro 5S is a successor to the Pro 4 Model. Known as Arlo Pro 5 or Pro 5S in some regions, this model does include various improvements over the Pro 4 model. It offers a better battery backup to keep surveillance running for an extended time. The video-capturing ability also shows improvement with the colors and the details. Users will also notice a refined video in the night vision mode.

The Pro 5S has also improved in the zooming capability which helps in reviewing details of a recorded video, with zero distortion. While most features remain similar to the Pro 4 model, the tuning can be felt when the camera is working. Motion detection is divided into various zones to reduce false triggers. These improvements are available to the users with a price hike of only $50.

Pros of Arlo Pro 5S Security Camera

• The capturing resolution is still the same for the Pro 5S model but the quality is noticeably improved
• The camera uses HDR technology which retains the quality of the video after recording. All the details captured in low light conditions can be replayed without losing frame or experience distortion
• The wide angle of this camera is accurate and doesn’t create a fisheye effect
• The night vision mode has been tuned to record details in colored mode. The color accuracy remains constant even in the lowest light condition
• Being a newer model, the Pro 5S will keep receiving hardware and software support for at least 4 years
  

Cons of Arlo Pro 5S Security Camera

• Even with an upgraded battery, the camera sometimes offers lower battery backup compared to its competitors
  
• It needs a separate Arlo SmartHub that is a centralized hub for other devices. This adds additional expense at the user’s end
• Some features are only available when a user has an active subscription plan
  

Features Comparison: Arlo Pro 4 and Arlo Pro 5S Security Camera

If we want to compare Arlo Pro 4 and Pro 5S, we must be aware of certain features. The features are crucial for the performance of these security cameras. By discussing them one by one, we will form a base for the comparison between both models. Before we move to the comparison, we advise you to go through the following features.

1. Resolution

The overall clarity of the video recording or streaming depends on the resolution offered by the camera. A higher resolution helps in fetching details in a captured video. Even if the footage or image is zoomed, the quality remains constant with zero distortion. Outdoor security cameras must offer a good resolution to identify intruders, vehicles, and other objects. Both Arlo Pro 4 and Pro 5S offer a maximum resolution of 2K. However, the Pro 5S offers better clarity along with high-definition processing.

2. Field of View

The field of view is another crucial feature of an outdoor security camera. This feature refers to the maximum areas covered by the camera lens while recording. The wide angle helps in reducing blind spots around the installed location. The enhanced visibility also helps in reducing the total number of cameras for a large area. Both Arlo Pro 4 and Pro 5S come equipped with a lens offering a 160-degree field of view. The Pro 5S has lowered the fish-eye effect, experienced by the wide-angle cameras.

3. Motion Detection

Motion detection becomes the main pillar of surveillance when camera lenses reach their limit. Unlike the lens, motion detection depends on the vibrations caused by objects or living beings. The motion sensor senses even the smallest change in these vibrations and alerts the system. This feature is useful in low light conditions, for blind spots around your house, and for many other applications. Both units can detest motions within 5 to 25 feet.

4. Night Vision

Night vision feature improves the surveillance of the house in lower visibility conditions. Some cameras struggle to record video after evening, as a very small amount of light is captured by the lenses. The night vision sensor captures these lower amounts of light rays and converts them into graphical data. The night vision is usually offered in a monochrome format but some night vision sensors are capable of creating colored data. Both the units feature color night vision up to a range of 30 feet.

5. Storage Options

Apart from streaming live, the security camera also offers recording of the captured videos. The recorded files are stored in the storage to access them in the future. To store these fields, the camera offers a local storage option like an SD card. In case the user has opted for the subscription plan, they will also get a cloud storage option. As both cameras feature 2K resolution, the recorded videos take up more space for storage. Hence a higher capacity of storage is preferred. The Arlo Pro 4 offers both SD card and cloud storage options. The Arlo Pro 5S misses out on an SD card slot but gets dedicated cloud storage.

6. Audio

Audio is essential for communication as well as helps in notifying the users. Video will be recorded by the camera but the user should also get hold of the audio recordings. Hence, an outdoor security camera comes equipped with a built-in microphone. This unit can capture audio within a set distance. Besides this, audio is also used for two-way communication between the user and the visitors. The microphone will help in transferring the voice of the visitor to the owner. The Pro 4 and Pro 5S models offer this functionality in two-way voice communication.

7. Smart Home Integration

Since the majority of homes are adapting to the smart home layout, home security products should stay relevant. The security cameras work with smart home integrations to get improvised control and automation. This integration acts as a centralized system for all the connected devices including the security cameras. To successfully pay for the security camera, it must be compatible with a smart home integration. The Pro 4 models run well with SmartThings, Alexa, and other integrations. The Pro 5S units are also compatible with Google Home, IFTTT, and other integrations.

8. Weather Resistance

Outdoor cameras are mounted outside your houses, hence the name. The outdoor conditions are rough in the longer term which might damage the camera. To ensure the safety of cameras, they come with weatherproofing features. It consists of various protective layers like the UV-ray coat, dustproof seals, water resistance, etc. These features improve the camera’s overall life while ensuring 24×7 surveillance.

9. Connectivity

Without connectivity, the security camera will not be able to operate effectively. Some tasks like live streaming, cloud storage, etc are network-based features. With connectivity, the device can transfer all the necessary data to the servers and the user. Therefore Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity is popularly used for security cameras. The cellular connectivity is also offered as a backup for any Wi-Fi-related problems. Both model uses Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity but the Pro 5S offers support for higher audio quality,

10. Warranty(Customer Service)

The real test of a home security camera starts after the user buys it. In real-life operations, these cameras undergo many hardships and wear. As a result, some units might get internally or externally damaged. Since Arlo Pro cameras are premium units, you cannot endure their repair or replacement charges. The warranty period comes to your rescue in such scenarios. It acts as a quality guarantee for the product under which all the repairs or replacements are free. Users can approach customer support to troubleshoot their devices or talk through the warranty claim process. Users can check their 1-year warranty by contacting customer support via mail number. Etc.

Comparison Table: Arlo Pro 4 and Arlo Pro 5S

After discussing these features for Arlo Pro 4 and Pro 5S, we can proceed towards the main discussion. The comparison will be done by keeping the already-discussed factors in mind. Even though both models are almost identical, they are slightly different from each other. We will put Arlo Pro 4 vs Arlo Pro 5S below.

As we can notice, both models are almost identical to each other in terms of their technical configuration. In real-life operating conditions, the Arlo Pro 5S surely outshines the Pro 4 model.

Arlo Pro 4 Vs Arlo Pro 5S – FAQs

Conclusion

Security cameras are the reliable eye for your home security setup which provides real insights by capturing video evidence of an intrusion. Arlo is one of the most trusted brands and hence its Pro range has been created for the ultimate surveillance. The Pro 4 and Pro 5S, both units are equipped with segment-leading features. Naturally, confusion arises while selecting an ideal option between these two units. This article explores various features of both the camera and puts them against each other. This comparison helps in selecting an ideal camera for your needs.