There are dozens of security camera manufacturers on the market that promise outstanding, unique and well-built devices. Unfortunately, not all companies deliver on their promises, and many of the security cameras don’t live up to the hype.
Consequently, we need to be careful when choosing a security camera so that we don’t end up with a broken, nonfunctional product. Luckily, two popular companies are well-known for creating reliable and durable products.
Ring and Arlo are well respected and highly rated manufacturers that have released several best-selling devices. In this article, we’ll be comparing Arlo Pro and Ring Stick Up Cam to find out how they compare and which one takes the top spot.
Arlo Pro vs Ring Stick Up Cam: Pros & Cons and Verdict
Arlo Pro and Ring Stick Up Cam are popular cameras that have unique features and amazing capabilities. These two are best-selling products with thousands of satisfied customers.
In this Ring vs Arlo comparison article, we’ll review the most critical aspects of both security cameras, rate their designs and discuss their advantages and disadvantages. Lastly, we’ll come up with a reasonable verdict and name one as the leading product.
1. Installation
The first topic we need to write about is the installation process. Today, people don’t want to buy devices that require professional assistance and are hard to install. So it’s important to know if Ring and Arlo are easy to set up.
Arlo Pro
Setting up an Arlo Pro security camera is super easy. Arlo is a well-known DIY camera that takes 5 minutes to activate. I won’t write a step-by-step guide since Arlo has uploaded a fantastic guide that perfectly explains the whole setup process.
If you still don’t understand the simplicity of the installation process, don’t worry: Arlo Pro’s package includes a detailed user manual that perfectly explains how to set up your security camera. As a last resort, reach out to the support team of Arlo. Those guys are superb and will help with anything you think is relevant.
Ring Stick Up Cam
Like the Arlo Pro, Ring Cam is a DIY camera that requires just minutes to activate it. There’s no point in writing a detailed guide since Ring uploaded an excellent vid that’ll guide you through the whole process.
The installation process of Ring Cam is so natural that there’s no chance of messing up. If you somehow do get lost, make sure to check the user manual. Alternatively, reach out to Ring’s support team. Their customer care area is flawless.
2. Design
Having a beautiful design is essential for a modern security camera. Modern smart home shoppers rarely purchase devices that are unattractive and poorly-built. For Ring Stick Up Cam and Arlo Pro to be successful, it’s essential for them to look charming and eye-catching.
Arlo Pro
Visually, Arlo Pro is the most beautiful security camera on the market. It’s simple, minimalistic, attractive and eye-pleasing. I own this security camera and can say from experience that it’s extraordinary.
Since both Arlo and Arlo Pro look nearly identical, it’s safe to say that the design of the security camera is a huge success. Otherwise, Arlo would’ve focused on changes to make it more attractive and eye-pleasing.
Besides being visually attractive, it’s essential for a security camera to have proper dimensions to fit specific places. The dimensions of Arlo Pro are 2.8 x 1.9 x 3.1 inches, and it weighs about 1 pound.
Ring Stick Up Cam
Ring Cam is another beautifully designed security camera that looks quite attractive. Some of my friends own this product, and when I saw how it was mounted, it caught my eye.
If we compare Ring’s design with other security cameras, it surely exceeds the majority of the competitors. If you’ve ever seen Ring’s other products, all of them have similar designs. As it looks, Ring follows a particular route, and they’re doing it quite successfully.
The dimensions of Ring Stick Up Cam are 2.43 x 1.45 x 4.98 inches, and it weighs 9.1 ounces. Those dimensions are pretty good, and Ring Cam can fit any place.
3. Features
When people decide to purchase a security camera, the decision will, to a large extent, be based on the device’s features and performance capabilities.
If Ring or Arlo weren’t able to meet our expectations and needs as a working security camera, there would be no incentive to purchase. So that we can be informed about the main features – and hence the abilities – of Ring Stick Up Cam and Arlo Pro, we’ve created a detailed chart that lists the features of both models.
Both Arlo Pro and Ring Cam are wireless, DIY security cameras that have similar features. But there are significant differences in quality where Arlo Pro exceeds Ring in every aspect.
Both of them are capable products but Ring Stick Up Cam lacks the crucial features that would’ve made the security camera a powerful stand-alone device.
4. Performance
This part of our comparison article is the most important since if Ring Cam and Arlo Pro can’t perform at an acceptable level, there’s no reason for us to invest in such products. So it’s essential to know how well these security cameras perform and if they can meet our needs and expectations.
Arlo Pro
Arlo Pro is the complete security camera on the market. Arlo’s performance rate is terrific, and it delivers sharp and precise results. Lots of buyers report that Arlo exceeds any other security camera in terms of performance.
Still, some people complain about Arlo’s drawbacks and state that it can be problematic. One of such famous topics is the 24/7 recording feature. Due to the fact that Arlo doesn’t record in 24/7 mode, people think that they can’t rely on Arlo Pro’s sensors to detect activity. If for some reason Arlo fails to identify someone trespassing our property, it can lead to serious problems.
Suggested Read: Arlo vs Arlo Pro: Pros & Cons and Verdict
Well, to avoid such a scenario, Arlo’s motion sensors are quite sensitive, and you can adjust it to minimise the chances of Arlo Pro missing someone. When you appropriately adjust the sensitivity levels, Arlo becomes more effective and human movement oriented.
Arlo Pro Security Camera records in 720p HD quality and the vids are crystal clear. Some might argue that 720p camera isn’t enough to deliver sharp results, but Arlo might’ve deliberately left it to 720p. A security camera that records in 1080p quality takes up more memory space. Since Arlo offers free cloud storage, 720p clips take less space, and it’s more efficient.
If you’re interested how well Arlo Pro can record, I’ve dropped a fantastic sample video that perfectly demonstrates the camera capabilities of this security camera.
The 130-degree viewing angle of Arlo Pro is slightly narrow and, at first, I was afraid it would cause problems. Luckily, the angle was quite wide. If you didn’t pay attention, rewatch the video posted above, and you’ll see clearly that the width is more than acceptable.
One of the main reasons Arlo Pro turned out as a huge success is the two-way audio feature. Arlo allows you to speak with your visitors using the security camera. You can use the feature for different purposes. For instance, you can tell a courier that you’re on your way, and you’ll be there in a minute to sign the document.
Popular Read: Blink XT vs Arlo Pro: Pros & Cons and Verdict
If someone trespasses your property and you’re not home, you can scare them off by alerting that you’ve spotted them. It’s kinda cool that the feature is accessible even when you’re far away.
Your voice might sound a bit robotic due to the wireless aspect and power saving, but you’ll get used to it quickly. The extended Wi-Fi coverage of Arlo Pro is superb. We’ve estimated that Arlo Pro works fine within the range of 250 feet.
Ring Stick Up Cam
The main idea behind the Ring Stick up Cam was it to complement your Ring Video Doorbell so that it guards your front door and the Ring Cam covers the additional ground. Let’s make this clear: Ring Stick Up Cam is weak if used as a standalone security camera.
While the features of Ring Cam are comparable with other security cameras, you might wonder why it can’t function as a standalone device.
First of all, Ring Cam fails on several key DIY security camera aspects. The majority of popular devices that are top-rated and best-selling offer some free cloud storage plans with an option of upgrading to a paid one.
On the other hand, Ring charges every customer $3 per month or $30 per year for its event-based cloud service. While $30/yearly isn’t much, it’s still nice for a company that big to offer free services to its loyal customer base.
While some buyers consider the 130 field of view narrow, Ring offers us an unexpected 80-degree field of view. That’s pretty narrow if you think of others having trouble controlling their front yards with security cameras like Arlo Pro and Nest Cam Outdoor.
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Ring stated that the quality of the live feed depends on the Wi-Fi signal. The mobile application showed the signal’s health as ‘very good’, but the 720p camera of Ring Cam seemed like a 640×480 VGA SD feed.
The two-way talk feature turned out to be a total failure. While the visitors were able to hear what we had to say, I didn’t have a clue what the other person was communicating.
If you’re interested how well can Ring Cam record, I’ll drop a picture below taken from the live feed. It’ll give you a brief idea what to expect from your security camera.
As you see, the night vision is somewhat blurry, low quality and narrow. If someone wanted to get in without the camera noticing, I’m sure they’d do it with minimal planning.
As for the third-party integration friendliness, Ring Cam can integrate with other Ring products and IFTTT. Lastly, the good thing about the security camera is that it instantly sends notifications. If you prefer to receive notifications via IFTTT, don’t worry, it works smoothly.
5. Mobile Application
It’s essential for modern smart home products to have functional mobile applications since it’s what we use to control our security cameras. We need to be sure that both Ring Cam and Arlo Pro have quality mobile applications. Otherwise, the user experience will be quite low.
Arlo Pro
The mobile application is clean, comfortable to use and intuitive. It offers some nice features and insights. While the app is close to perfect, it still has bugs, and Arlo Pro owners reported cases when the app froze or refused to load. I have had instances of unexpected freezes where the application required reloading to start functioning again.
Luckily, over the past months, after updating the mobile app, all those problems are gone, and I’ve never once encountered a similar problem. If you’re interested how the mobile application looks on the inside, let’s take a look.
As you see from the pictures above, we have three main sections that are used to control, check and monitor your security camera’s activities. Let’s find out the purposes of these sections:
- Mode – Arlo Pro has three modes to use – Armed, Disarmed and Geofencing. For instance, if your security camera is in ‘Armed’ mode, whenever it detects activity, Arlo Pro will record a 5-second clip and send a notification on your smartphone.
- Devices – This section shows the current statuses of our security cameras, battery life, connectivity, a screenshot of the latest feed and the ability to sound the siren.
- Library – This one is pretty easy. In this section, you have access to all the recorded clips, and you can select footage for review.
The geofencing is pretty good since it offers a unique tracking system. Here’s how it works:
- Arlo Pro’s mobile application uses your phone’s location to determine whether to stay in ‘Armed’ or switch to ‘Disarmed’ mode. For example, if you leave your home, Arlo will know it and automatically activate the ‘Armed’ mode.
In brief, Arlo Pro’s mobile application is superb. It’s the closest one to perfect. To make it more attractive, you’re allowed to create custom modes if the ones mentioned above do not meet your needs.
Ring Stick Up Cam
Ring Cam’s mobile application is the same as other Ring products use. It’s pretty smooth, easy to navigate and well-built. Ring’s mobile application never bugs, crashes or glitches. I’ve rarely seen an app this good.
If you’re interested in the structure of the mobile application, I’ll drop a few pics that show every vital aspect and section.
So whenever you click your device, more features become accessible, including ones that allow the owner to configure motion settings, check device health, history, access live, etc.
Another cool thing about the Ring Stick Up Cam is that it allows you to set motion zones to receive minimal amounts of false alerts. The zones are mapped out in the app, and if vehicle movement or any other activity is causing triggers, you can deactivate the zone to make Ring Cam more capable and focused.
Also Read: Arlo Pro vs Nest Cam Outdoor: Pros & Cons and Verdict
As for the notifications, you can receive them on your iOS or Android device. Alternatively, if you purchase a Ring Chime, you can receive notifications there. Lastly, you have the two-way audio feature which allows you to speak with your visitors.
6. Advantages and Disadvantages
Before we move forward, it’s essential to know the advantages and disadvantages of both security cameras to avoid any misunderstandings before any purchase decision. Hence we’ve created two charts that list all the pros and cons of Arlo Pro and Ring Cam.
Ring Stick Up Cam
PROS | CONS | |
---|---|---|
Motion Zones | Cloud Storage Subscription Required | |
720p HD Video | 80-degree Field of View | |
Rechargeable Batteries | Weak Two-Way Audio | |
Flexible Mobile Application | Weak Camera Capabilities | |
Two-Way Audio | ||
Motion Detection | ||
Mobile Notifications | ||
Live Stream | ||
Night-Vision | ||
Easy to Install | Purchase Ring Cam |
Arlo Pro Security Camera
PROS | CONS | |
---|---|---|
Two-Way Audio | Mobile Application Lag & Bugs | |
720p HD Video | Expensive | |
130° Field of View | ||
Flexible Mobile Application | ||
Several Modes | ||
Rechargeable Battery | ||
Email & Mobile Notifications | ||
Live Stream | ||
Sharp Night Vision | ||
Works Well Over 200 Feet Distance | Purchase Arlo Pro |
So both security cameras have great advantages with a few cons. If we compare Ring and Arlo, the difference is visible. Arlo Pro exceeds Ring Cam in every aspect, and people consider it the superior security camera.
7. Support
It’s essential for security camera manufacturers to have a caring customer service just in case people get confused during the setup processes and other activities. After failing to find answers on their own, as a last resort they reach out to support teams to find solutions.
Luckily, both Arlo and Ring have superb customer care areas. I’ve talked with both and always received professional answers and tips. So you can rest assured that both companies are ready to help with any issues you might be facing.
8. Comparison Chart: Ring Stick Up Cam vs Arlo Pro
Before concluding our article, the last thing we want to present is a detailed chart where we compare these two products in every critical aspect.
So both security cameras have outstanding features and are best-selling products with high ratings and positive reviews. If we compare them, Arlo Pro exceeds Ring in every important aspect. It’s more reliable, functional and durable.
The Bottom Line
So both security cameras have good features, they’re best-selling and highly-rated products. Ring and Arlo have thousands of satisfied buyers, and the numbers are still rising. Depending on your needs, both can meet your expectations, but if you want to purchase the industry-leading security camera, Arlo Pro is the way to go.
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Today, many consider Arlo Pro as the complete security camera on the market. With its compelling features and unbelievable capabilities, Arlo can meet and even exceed your expectations. So, if you want to own a capable security camera, Arlo Pro is the best option on the market.
I absolutely loathe Ring stick up cams compared to Arlo. Even law enforcement said they hear it all the time when I complained that I could not read a license plate (in my own driveway) on 2 Ring cameras when my Arlo camera (much further away) clearly showed the plate number. I would never recommend Ring. Arlo is a far superior product and I regret trusting Costco to purchase the Ring stick up cams.
Arlo out performs Ring on every level. I absolutely regret buying Ring. Don’t waste your time or money.
Both of my uncles have the ring system that I set up for them they work Great whuz so good about this Arlo 📷 ?
I bought both the cameras (Arlo Pro and Ring Flash) at Costco last week.
It took less than 15 mins to install and set up the Ring Flash (installed at the front door)and it is Awesome!
I went back to buy one more today and it is gone as it was on sale last week!
Well – Arlo I installed it at the office it is very good but no comparison to Ring Flash.
Thanks for sharing, Sena! By ‘Ring Flash’, do you mean the Floodlight or the Stick Up Cam?