A reliable upgrade for indoor home security that balances quality and simplicity.
buy from amazonFor many years, Arlo cameras have been protecting our home. We’ve got several wireless cameras scattered around our property, but I recently had the opportunity to add cameras to our setup when the 2nd generation of the Arlo Essential Indoor camera was released. Unlike other Arlo cameras, this one is a wired connection, which can be more reliable and you never have to worry about charging them. A few years ago, I tried out the first generation version of this camera and I’m happy to say that the improvements that were made are worth the upgrade.
About Arlo Essential Indoor Camera 2nd Generation
The Arlo Essential Indoor Camera (2nd Generation) is a smart, privacy-focused home security solution designed to monitor your indoor spaces with clarity and control. Offering either 1080p HD or 2K resolution, it captures detailed video with a wide 130-degree field of view to reduce blind spots. A standout feature is its automated privacy shield, a physical cover that automatically closes over the lens when the camera is disarmed, providing peace of mind when surveillance isn’t needed. It includes two-way audio, allowing you to hear and speak through the camera using the Arlo Secure App, and infrared night vision ensures continuous monitoring even in low-light conditions.
Motion and sound detection alerts are sent in real time, while a built-in siren can be triggered manually or automatically to help deter intruders. The camera connects directly to a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network, eliminating the need for a hub and making setup straightforward. It also integrates with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control and smart home automation. While basic features are available without a subscription, an Arlo Secure plan unlocks cloud video storage, advanced detection features, and customizable activity zones. Whether you’re checking in on pets, kids, or your home while away, the Arlo Essential Indoor Camera (2nd Generation) combines simplicity, privacy, and reliable performance in one compact device.
Main Features
Maximum Video Resolution: Up to 2560×1440 (2K) Image Sensor: 4 Megapixels Video Modes: 2K, 1080p, 720p Video Features: Black & white night vision Lens Field of View: 130-degree diagonal Digital Zoom: 12x Sensor Size: 1/2.7 inch Spotlight: No Motion Detection: Image-based motion detection Night Vision: Single 850nm LED Audio: Yes, Full Duplex 2-way Audio Microphone: Yes Siren: Yes Status Lights: Yes, RGB Connectivity: 2.4GHz Wi-Fi Indoor or Outdoor Use: Indoor use only Camera Mount Type: Table stand or Wall mount Minimum Operating Temperature: 32°F (0°C) Maximum Operating Temperature: 113°F (45°C) Minimum Home Upload Speed: 2 MbpsDifference between 1st and 2nd Generation
The 2nd Generation Arlo Essential Indoor Camera builds on the solid foundation of its predecessor with several meaningful upgrades. Most notably, it introduces a higher-resolution 2K video option for sharper, more detailed footage, backed by a 4-megapixel image sensor and 12x digital zoom. The camera maintains the same wide 130-degree field of view but now offers improved hardware performance for faster responsiveness and better heat management. While the core features like two-way audio, night vision, motion detection, and a privacy shutter remain, they’ve been refined for greater reliability. These enhancements make the 2nd Gen model a smarter, more capable choice for indoor home monitoring.
Feature1st Generation2nd GenerationVideo Resolution1080p HD only1080p HD or upgraded 2K model availableField of View130°130° (same)Privacy ShieldYes (manual or automatic via app)Yes (same, but slightly improved responsiveness)Connectivity2.4 GHz Wi-Fi2.4 GHz Wi-Fi (improved setup process)PowerWiredWired (no major changes)Smart FeaturesMotion/sound detection, two-way audio, night visionAll previous features + 2K resolution option and improved firmware for quicker responseSmart Home IntegrationAlexa, Google AssistantAlexa, Google Assistant (same)DesignSlightly larger and older stylingMore compact, modernized look with better heat and airflow managementSirenYesYesApp SupportArlo SecureArlo SecurePricing & Availability
The Essential Indoor camera has a list price of $79.99 for one camera. It is currently on sale for $29.99 on arlo.com and Amazon (at the time of publishing). You can also purchase the cameras in bundles of two or three.
Compatibility with Apple Home
One of the most appealing features of the 2nd generation devices from Arlo is that they have been updated to be compatible with Apple Home. Some devices — including the Essential Indoor Camera — were not compatible with Apple Home (HomeKit) due to a mix of technical limitations and strategic decisions. Apple’s HomeKit certification process requires strict adherence to security and performance standards, including end-to-end encryption and the use of specialized authentication hardware.
Many early Arlo devices, especially those in the Essential line, were designed for Arlo’s own ecosystem and did not include the necessary hardware or firmware support to meet these requirements. Additionally, the first-generation Essential cameras connected directly to Wi-Fi and did not support Arlo’s SmartHub or base stations, which were originally required for HomeKit integration. This direct-to-Wi-Fi approach limited compatibility with Apple’s system.
As of April 15, 2025, Arlo made an update that included Apple Home integration for Arlo Essential Second-generation devices — including the Indoor camera. Now, I want to specify that the box for the Essential Indoor camera does not show that the camera works with Apple Home. It shows Alexa, Ok Google, and IFTTT. This is because the Apple Home connection comes from the Arlo Smart Hub, which is not included in the box for the Essential camera.
So, as a stand-alone device, they are not compatible with Apple Home, but if you connect them to an Arlo Smart Hub, they are. This can be confusing because it still states that the 2nd Gen model is not compatible with Apple Home in the device’s FAQs on arlo.com (see below). Rest assured – they can be viewable in Apple Home with the addition of a Smart Hub.
Is this camera compatible with Apple Home?
Not yet. The Arlo team is working to support Apple Home compatibility for Essential 2nd Gen cameras.
Setup & Use
The setup process for the Arlo Essential Indoor Camera (2nd Generation) is straightforward and user-friendly. After downloading the Arlo Secure app, the app guides you step-by-step through pairing the camera via Bluetooth, connecting it to your 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network, and installing any necessary firmware updates. From there, the camera links to your Arlo account, and the entire setup took me only a few minutes per device. NOTE: If you are connecting the camera to your Smart Hub, you will select “Connect to Smart Hub” instead of “Connect to WiFi”.
In terms of video quality, the camera supports up to 2K resolution, and the video feed is crisp and clear. I currently have the two cameras set up in windows and pointing outside. The areas they are covering have previously been blind spots because the wireless cameras haven’t had a strong enough signal to our Smart Hub or WiFi to be useful. So, I thought I could place the indoor cameras in a place that points to the outside areas.
The upgraded 2K resolution keeps the video clean enough for me to see what is going on outside. This is true, even when zoomed in. The footage remained usable with only minor quality loss, enough to easily make out people or objects in the frame. Even with this type of placement, motion and audio detection work as expected, reliably picking up activity and sending timely alerts. The Arlo Secure app itself is intuitive, making it easy to manage settings, view live feeds, and review recordings without a steep learning curve.
One of my favorite features is the built-in privacy shield, which adds a level of comfort and control, especially for indoor use. For example, I felt comfortable placing one in my office without worrying about being monitored when it wasn’t needed. When the shield is down, it completely covers the lens, and unlocking it requires opening the app and using Face ID or a passcode, reinforcing a sense of privacy and security.
The 2nd Generation Indoor Camera comes with a free trial of Arlo Secure, Arlo’s AI and computer vision-powered service. This is an add-on service that delivers 30-day video history, cloud storage, and sophisticated detection of people, vehicles, packages, and animals. The plans for this service start at $7.99 per month (billed annually) for a single camera. It’s a great service that works well, but the cost of it is a bit hefty.
Conclusion
The Arlo Essential Indoor Camera (2nd Generation) is a strong upgrade over its predecessor, offering improved video quality, faster responsiveness, and smart design enhancements—all while retaining the trusted features that made the original useful. Its wired setup ensures consistent power without the hassle of recharging, and its 2K resolution delivers excellent clarity, even in more creative placements like window views of outdoor areas. All in all, this compact camera balances affordability, reliability, and smart features in a way that makes it a great fit for most indoor monitoring needs.
For more information, visit arlo.com
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