NETGEAR Arlo Go 4G LTE Portable Security Camera Review

TweakTown's Rating: 91%

The Bottom Line

If you've got to have it, Arlo Go can provide you with a 4G LTE portable security camera, capable of HD video and 100% wireless.

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Since NETGEAR launched the first Arlo solution in 2015, they have doubled and tripled down on the Arlo brand. Earlier in the year, we were pleased with the upgraded Arlo Pro utilizing rechargeable lithium packs, and today we get our first look at Arlo Go, the latest in the lineup.

Arlo Go shares that familiar shape, although a bit heftier in size to pack in much more technology. At its heart, this is a 100% wire free solution and of course weatherproof and IP65 rated for obvious reasons. Viewing angle has been increased for this solution up to 130 degrees while housing many of the default features we find on cameras such as night vision, two-way audio, and motion detection.

Connectivity is completed via 4G LTE and is available in several flavors including a Verizon Wireless and Arlo Wireless Model all with a microSD slot for local storage and of course battery powered with the new lithium packs.

The MSRP of the Arlo Go comes in at $429.99 with a one-year warranty. Do note that Arlo 4G LTE plans start at $4.99 per month.

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Packaging is quite nice. We have the camera up top and plenty of detail below.

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The back of the packaging has a specifications list

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The scope of delivery includes the battery, camera, and mounting options. We also have screws and the charging adapter.

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The batteries are 3660mAh 7.2v Lithium Ion packs.

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The charging adapter pushed 9V at 2.2A.

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The front of the camera doesn't look much different from past Arlo solutions. We have the sensor centered and IR LEDs surrounding with the motion sensor below.

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The top of the camera houses the battery compartment latch at the top and setup button at the bottom.

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The backside of the camera houses the micro USB charging port.

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Inside the compartment, we have two slots at the top. One on the left is for your SIM card and the right onboard microSD storage.

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The app for controlling Arlo is the same we use with Arlo and Arlo Pro.

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Setup is simple and only takes a few steps, above we add a device.

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We then click the button on top of the camera and scan this QR code.

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Once complete, we have access to our camera. Above we have a night vision shot.

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We follow the last image up with a daylight shot at the same angle.

Arlo Go is quite a unique system. In fact, digging around, no other company in the consumer market provides a solution like this. There are a few hunting cameras that offer cellular coverage, but I'm not sure its 4G LTE. Build quality of the Arlo Go is top notch inside and out with rugged plastics and o ring seals on all surfaces that interact with the outside. And I was pleasantly surprised to see microSD storage onboard, but it was certainly a needed upgrade.

The performance was acceptable. I was able to see what was on the camera quite well but it wasn't stunning HD video by any means. As you could see in the images, the picture was blurry even living in a town with a Verizon tower six blocks south of my house. This leaves me to believe Arlo Mobile is bouncing off ATT network rather than VZW. With that said, I was able to test the microSD functionality with success and battery life in the 45 days I have had this setup is still quite good.

In closing, Arlo Go will leave much of us with sticker shock as the MSRP comes in at $429.99 for one camera. NETGEAR does have an amazing accessory lineup for the Arlo Go including camo skins, solar panels, and more. With the success of Arlo and Arlo Pro, it has no doubt pushed NETGEAR in the direction of hunting cameras, and I think that's the demographic they are trying to tackle with Arlo Go.

This area of the market is accustomed to paying big money for cameras they stick on trees, load an SD memory card, and come back later. With Arlo Go, those same people can check in on their hunting camera anytime, day or night, and that's certainly a benefit one can't overlook.