Arlo Essential Indoor Camera

Arlo Essential Indoor Camera – Wired (review)

The Arlo Essential Indoor camera – wired is part of the Arlo Essential value range. We use the term ‘wired’ because it has no battery and must be near a convenient 240V outlet.

And it costs $159 making the Arlo Essential Indoor camera – wired easily the lowest cost camera in teh range your you get 1080p recording, an automated privacy shield, IR night vision and it can connect either to the Arlo SMart Hub or W-Fi and controlled via the Arlo app.

The Arlo Essential range meets many needs.

  • Arlo quality
  • It is affordable (yes, there are lots of cheap security cameras that are a security joke)
  • Uses Wi-Fi to access the Arlo app (instead of a more costly base station like the Pro 3 and Ultra)
  • Does everything you expect an indoor security camera to do
  • Has the unbeatable ‘Privacy as a Pledge’ – Arlo will not sell your data

Arlo Essential Indoor Camera – wired Model VMC2040-100AUS

  • Website here
  • From: Major CE retailers like JB Hi-Fi, Amazon, Bunnings, Catch.com.au and more
  • Automated privacy pop-up shield (on-demand or scheduled)
  • 1080p video, 130° FOV, 12X zoom
  • IR night vision
  • Full-duplex 2-way audio and siren
  • Powered from any 5V/2A/10W USB charger (included) and 2m USB-A to micro-USB cable
  • Wi-Fi connection or via the Arlo Smart Hub
  • 12 months warranty
  • Arlo app Works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Samsung Smart Things and IFTTT
  • Works with Arlo Smart cloud for additional storage and feature like zone detection (extra cost)

What is it best at – and not?

It is perfect for an indoor security camera or a baby monitor. It uses Infrared for night vision. If you need spotlights there are others in the Arlo Essential Wireless Security camera range.

It has perfect images during the day – you can make out facial features and clothing. But the IR at night needs to be within 2m of the subject.

Set-up and placement

Download the Arlo app. Establish an account and there is three months Arlo Smart (cloud) trial included. You can opt for a free basic account after that.

There is a catch 22 with indoor cameras. Depending on placement it may catch your naked body running to the toilet or a midnight raid on the fridge – sprung. Apart from baby monitor use we strongly suggest that you place it close to and facing an outside window or door where a thief may gain access – there are privacy provisions you need to observe. It can be wall or stand mounted and works over Wi-Fi N 2.4Ghz for up to 60 metre range from the router.

Privacy

Arlo has an unbeatable Privacy as a Pledge that no other security camera maker has matched. Avoid at all costs generic Asian made cameras with clouds in China.

Arlo holds user privacy in the highest regard and the all-new Essential Indoor Camera further supports that commitment. Unlike competitive indoor monitoring solutions, we designed the Essential Indoor Camera with a clearly visible privacy shield, easily differentiating it from the camera face so users can distinguish at a glance when the privacy mode is activated. This thoughtful design element provides added peace of mind, so users can quickly identify whether or not the camera is capable of recording.

Brad Little, Arlo Vice President & Managing Director APAC.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera – Wired
Perfect low cost way to add indoor security to any home. Ideal as a baby monitor.
Features
8.5
Value for money
9
Performance
9
Ease of use
10
Design
8
Positives
Wired means no battery to recharge
Excellent day/office light images
Negatives
Placement is critcial to its effectiveness
8.9