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8 min readArlo and Nest each make some of our favourite security cameras, so we compared them head-to-head to see which is better. Based on our testing experiences with these brands, Arlo's excellent video quality clinches the win, but Nest's features and cloud services put up some fierce competition.
Honestly, either brand is an excellent option for your home, so we put together an in-depth comparison of Arlo and Nest cameras to help you decide what works best for you.
Prices are accurate as of post date. Read full disclaimer.
Arlo and Nest security cameras have a lot in common in terms of pricing, mobile apps, and installation. Here's a quick look at their shared features:
Although there are many shared features, Arlo and Nest take different approaches in several areas like paid features, video storage, video performance, and smart home features.
Arlo puts video quality front and centre by offering various models supporting 2K and 4K resolutions. Based on our testing with Arlo Pro 4 and Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight, we can confirm that Arlo's video looks crisper than Nest's. While there's not a huge bump in quality compared to Nest, it's enough to declare Arlo the better option for video performance.
Aside from video quality, Arlo also stands out for the breadth of its smart home integrations and a huge selection of cameras.
2K and 4K video available
Best smart home integration in a security camera
Larger camera selection than Nest
Attractive equipment
Easy to install indoors and out
Tons of battery-powered options 
Pricier cloud storage than Nest
Pricey 4K models
Required base station for some models While most smart security cameras work with a smart home platform or two, Arlo works with a staggering five platforms:
Not every Arlo camera works with these smart home ecosystems, but we love that Arlo offers so many choices. This means you can link Arlo to any number of smart home hubs and speakers to arm your Arlo camera when you lock the front door.
Arlo has one of the most diverse lineups among wireless security camera brands. While Arlo doesn't have the broad selection of Ring, its seven models easily best Nest's offerings. Let's explore how each Arlo camera measures up to its Nest competition.
Arlo Essential Indoor (about $140) is Arlo's cheapest security camera and costs essentially the same as the Nest Cam (Wired). While it doesn't boast the wire-free operation that's Arlo's bread and butter, it comes with a physical privacy shield that covers the lens for extra protection. The shield closes when you disarm your camera and requires a password before opening again.
Arlo Essential Spotlight (about $160) is an entry-level wireless outdoor camera offering 1080p video and a 130º field of view, which match the camera specs of the Nest Cam (Battery). The ace up its sleeve is a lower starting price, but it can't compete with Nest's long-term affordability. There's also an XL variant for around $225 that doubles the Essential Spotlight cam's six-month battery life to a full year.
Arlo Pro 4 (about $300) is the best Arlo camera because it balances excellent video quality with strong smart home features. Arlo's other high-resolution cameras all cost at least around $300. While Nest Cam (Battery) is a better value for video storage and smart detection, Arlo Pro 4 holds its own with effective motion detection (as long as you pay a monthly fee).
Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera (about $250) is our top pick for the best floodlight camera. We love its wire-free installation and blindingly bright LED panels. It's also considerably cheaper than the Nest Cam with Floodlight. But you might find Arlo’s camera accessory options eating up the savings. Plus, you can't adjust the direction of the panels away from the lens.
If you want an Arlo camera that Nest can't rival, the Ultra 2 is a good example.
Arlo Ultra 2 (from $860ish for three cameras) adds 4K video to an impressive camera roster. Unfortunately, 4K video isn't worth the hassle if you're not already a devoted Arlo fan. Here's where it falls apart. Arlo Ultra 2's high purchase price compounds the requirement to pay for Arlo Secure Plus—Arlo's most expensive cloud plan—to save videos in 4K. If you want a cheaper plan, you lose the camera's best feature and may as well get the Arlo Pro 4 instead.
Arlo Essential Wired Doorbell (about $230) is around $30 cheaper than a similar model from Nest, making it a better choice for folks wanting a wired doorbell. The Nest Doorbell (Wired) lacks the local storage and internal smart detection of Nest's newer models, so you need a Nest Aware subscription anyway.
Arlo Essential Wireless Doorbell (about $230) has two advantages over the Nest Doorbell (Battery). First, its 180º field of view means it can spot action better from the side. Second, it comes with a higher video resolution, which helps it capture more detail overall—although you can argue that Nest's narrower field of view won't spread pixels too thin. Still, we think the Nest Doorbell (Battery) is the best of the lot because it doesn't require a subscription.
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Nest scores an easy win for video storage because it offers free options that Arlo abandoned long ago. You can store video locally and in the cloud for a few hours, which covers what most folks need daily. Plus, you don't even need a paid plan to unlock smart detection on the Google Nest Cam (Battery)—more on that later.
But if you need more storage and features, paid Nest Aware plans are more affordable and offer better features than Arlo Secure plans. Beyond that, smart detection and streamlined camera selection are terrific feathers in Nest's cap.
Best smart motion detection
Affordable cloud storage
Video storage doesn't require subscription
Generally better value than Arlo
Excellent video quality
Attractive designs
Cameras have only 1080p video
Face and sound detection require cloud plan
Older cameras lack free storage Nest and Arlo both have these smart motion detection features to categorise videos and notifications:
Overall, Nest's motion detection is better because most of its smart alerts work without a paid plan. Only smoke alarm sound detection requires a fee from Nest. Arlo ties all of these features to a subscription.
Oh, and did we mention that Nest offers two smart detection types that Arlo doesn't? Granted, you need to pay for Nest Aware to unlock these, but we love the smarts they add to your Nest cam:
While not every one of Nest's smart detection features works without a subscription, most of the ones that overlap with Arlo do, giving you incredible tools pro bono.
While the Nest camera lineup doesn't have as many options as Arlo's, it covers the four major types of security cameras: indoor cameras, outdoor cameras, doorbell cameras, and floodlight cameras.
Nest Cam (Wired) (about $143) is Nest's budget camera offering. There's no weatherproofing or battery-powered operation, so it's strictly an indoor camera. While it boasts similar specs to the Arlo Essential Indoor—1080p video and 135º field of view— it comes with Google's excellent smart detection.
Nest Cam (Battery) (about $320) is Google's first battery-powered security camera, and we think it sticks the landing. Once again, smart detection and video storage steal the show and make it a better value than Arlo Pro 4, but it's not as affordable as the Arlo Essential Spotlight. Arlo Pro 4 wins in terms of video quality, field of view, and colour night vision since Nest Cam (Battery) doesn't have a spotlight.
Nest Cam with Floodlight (about $530) bundles the Nest Cam (Battery) with a set of powerful LED floodlights. We like that you can adjust each light to fit your yard, and it's brighter than the Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight's battery-only mode. Plus, there aren't any pricey accessories to buy. Still, Arlo's way cheaper, easier to set up and produces better video quality overall.
Nest Doorbell (Battery) (about $263) is our top pick for the best video doorbell because its smart detection steals the show again. We also love the free video storage options, portrait-oriented videos, and excellent integration with Nest Hub smart displays. Still, its 145º field of view is narrow compared to Arlo's 180º. But this didn't affect its effectiveness much in our testing.
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The battle between Arlo and Nest cameras ultimately boils down to this: Do equipment or services matter most to you? Arlo's an easy choice if powerful tech specs are your priority. But if you want better services, Nest is a natural pick. We lean slightly toward better equipment for now, so Arlo ekes out the win.
Arlo Pro 4: 2K video quality and built-in spotlight for better video performance any time of day.
Nest Cam (Battery): Powerful smart motion detection and better video storage options and costs.
We've tested most of the Arlo cameras and all of the Nest cameras on this list over the years, giving us a strong foundation for recommending one brand or model.
We summarised individual camera models based on the closest equivalent from the other brand for a slightly deeper dive. We cover camera models currently for sale and leave discontinued products off the list.
Beyond hands-on testing, we do our homework by scouring product pages, customer reviews, and customer support resources to flesh out our conclusions. Learn more about how SafeWise tests and reviews products in our full methodology.
