Arlo vs Hikvision: What Is Best Surveillance for Home

The fast-paced world and its technological advancements have created many new opportunities for businesses and homes. We can explore more without losing connections to our people and properties.

CCTV Systems keep us tied to our locations and work. They provide us with security and certainty. When we go for a global search, we get many good CCTV brands from different countries. Among them, the two most prominent names that stand out are Arlo and Hikvision.

The Arlo vs Hikvision Brand Comparison and feature breakdowns are analysed to understand the brand in a better way. The brand comparison improves our perception of them, and we make better decisions to use them as per the requirements.

Arlo vs Hikvision- Comparison Between Power and Simplicity

Here, we give a detailed comparison between these two brands. The purpose behind comparison is to know the brand better and use it depending on our needs and budgets.

1- Brand Overview- Arlo vs Hikvision
2- Brand Pros & Cons
3- Brand CCTV Products
4- Brand Image and Night Vision Quality
5- Brand AI Features
6- Storage Options & Capabilities
7- Mobile App, UI & Remote Access
8- Pricing & Target Market
9- Connectivity Options
10- Privacy & Cybersecurity
11- Installation & Configuration
We study here the features and functions of these brands for comparison.

1. Brand Overview- Arlo vs Hikvision

Arlo

Arlo is a world-renowned American brand that originated in 2014. When the company started, it was associated with Netgear. But in 2018, the company evolved into security surveillance products.

The Arlo brand’s Advanced technology-designed cameras are for smart homes and enterprises. Its products are wire-free, DIY type, and portable. Its cameras are intelligent and superior.

The Arlo brand specialises in battery-powered and wireless cameras. The brand targets smart homeowners, renters, DIY users, and small-scale business units.

The Arlo devices support the cloud, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit. Its cameras are not scalable. They are flexible and easy to install.

Hikvision

Hikvision is the most popular CCTV brand globally. Every other brand tries to emulate Hikvision products and brand styles. The brand was instituted in 2001 in China, and since then it has been expanded in over 160 countries.

The company sets a landmark in revenue generation, and its quality and durability are world-renowned. The brand has wired and wireless both kinds of CCTV products. But, its wired systems are the most popular in the World.

Its wired cameras have such an extensive range that they can be used for all locations and customers. Its cameras are used in homes, offices, industries, commercial places, and government projects.

Hikvision products are known for their quality and are a bit costly. Hikvision eyes the premium and upper-middle-class market segments.

2. Arlo vs Hikvision- Brand Pros & Cons

Arlo- Pros

• Arlo products are DIY type. They are portable and easy to install.
• The brand has battery-operated and plug-and-play cameras.
• The company produces cameras for premium segments. Its basic home cameras are costlier than Hikvision cameras.
• The Arlo cameras have smart features with a cloud facility.
• If users want complete smart features, they have to subscribe to a plan.
• Due to paid subscriptions, the ongoing cost of Arlo devices in the long run is high.
• Its smart cameras detect motion and differentiate between humans, animals, and pets. Supports two-way conversations and pushes alert notifications, sensing threats.
• No privacy issues with this American brand.
• The devices give clean images. Its cameras have resolutions between 1080p and 4K.
• The Arlo App is simple. It is easy to install and operate.

Arlo- Cons

• Arlo cameras are costlier. Its basic cameras are meant for premium users.
• If you want to avail yourself of smart AI features, you have to subscribe to a monthly or yearly plan.
• Arlo cameras are less durable than Hikvision cameras.
• Arlo brand systems are not expandable. Hikvision systems can be expanded.
• Arlo battery cameras discharge easily compared to Blink battery cameras.
• Arlo solar and battery-operated models require frequent recharging.

Hikvision- Pros

• Hikvision brand has the most extensive CCTV range of products.
• The brand deals in basic home cameras to the most advanced cameras for different enterprises.
• Hikvision image quality is superb. Its cameras have 1080p, 2k, 4k and 8k resolutions.
• The company provides good night vision quality. Its premium cameras give colour night vision. Cameras have IR LEDs, spotlights or floodlights.
• Its ColorVu technology is the best in the night vision camera segment.
• Its AI features include facial recognition, object tracking, motion detection, and alert notifications.
• Its mid-range products for homes and small businesses are moderate in price and excellent in performance.
• Hikvision devices are robust and durable.
• Supports third-party products, as the Hikvision brand is ONVIF-compliant.

Hikvision- Cons

• Hikvision premium cameras are costy.
• Hikvision brand has privacy concerns.
• Its cloud option is very limited compared to the Arlo brand.
• Hikvision brand’s lower models don’t support the two-way audio feature.

3. Arlo vs Hikvision- Brand CCTV Products

Arlo

• Arlo has different types of cameras. They are mainly DIY, plug-and-play, and battery-operated.
• Arlo Essential Series has wired & wireless cameras. The series is popular because of its simple cameras, which are easy to install.
• Arlo Pro Series cameras are advanced. Its AI features require a subscription plan for full functionality.
• Arlo Ultra Series cameras are more popular in North America.
• Arlo Go Series with LTE-enabled features is popular in places where users face network issues.
• Arlo Floodlight Cameras and Arlo Video Doorbell cameras are popular with smart homeowners and renters.

Hikvision

• Hikvision has cameras for homes, businesses, commercial places, government projects, and industrial units.
• The Turbo HD series is basic. It deals in analogue and HD cameras.
• IP Cameras are PoE supported. They are good cameras with mid-range prices. Their quality is good, and these cameras are extensively used.
• AcuSense Series cameras are intelligent. They have basic and advanced AI features based on camera models.
• ColorVu Series cameras are supported with spotlights. They give colour night vision in dark and low light conditions.
• Thermal Cameras are popular these days. They sense heat and behave accordingly.
• DeepinView Series cameras have advanced AI analytics. These cameras are suitable for sensitive areas.
• NVRs and DVRs- Support up to 4k and 8k resolutions. Users can internally record

4. Arlo vs Hikvision- Brand Image and Night Vision Quality

Arlo

• The Arlo brand cameras are for small locations.
• Its cameras have resolutions between 1080p and 4k. 4K is its premium range with colour night vision.
• Supports HDR in higher Pro and Ultra series cameras. They give clear night vision in low light and dark backgrounds.
• The Arlo cameras capture wide ranges between 130 and 180 degrees.
• Users can digitally zoom up to 12x.
• Connects to Wifi signals easily. Supports 2.4 GHz. A few higher-end devices support dual bands. They also support 5 GHz.
• It has built-in spotlights in Essential Spotlight, Pro 4, and Ultra 2 series cameras.

Hikvision

• Hikvision cameras are known for their image quality and night vision standards.
• The brand has cameras with resolutions of 1080p, 2k, 4k, and 8k.
• Hikvision has superior lens options with adjustable apertures.
• Its models support WDR and DNR features. Gives excellent views in the darkness and twilights.
• IR LED-studded cameras.
• DarkFighter technology camera performances are superb.
• ColorVu series cameras give colour night vision.
• Thermal cameras are available for no-light and long-distance detection.
• Hikvision brand offers more cameras with better image quality, and its night vision is unparalleled for professional-grade cameras. Arlo doesn’t have a match.

5. Arlo vs Hikvision- Brand AI Features

Arlo

• Arlo cameras are smart. They are rich in smart features. If you want to utilise all its AI capabilities, you have to subscribe to a paid plan for that.
• Its cameras can differentiate between people, packages, pets, and vehicles.
• Arlo devices sense motion and detect suspicious moves. They send alert notifications to owners and alert them of impending threats.
• You can set alert zones to safeguard your places. Any transgressor is warned through alarm bells and messages.
• It supports voice assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri.

Hikvision

• Hikvision AI features are more pronounced.
• Hikvision cameras detect motion. They have the potential to differentiate between humans, animals, and vehicles.
• Its AcuSense cameras, DeepIn View AI cameras, and DarkFighter cameras are full of AI features.
• They can recognise faces, count heads, read number plates, and make motion analyses.
• It tracks activities and pushes alert notifications whenever it detects threats.
• Its advanced cameras have Video Content Analytics capacities.
• Supports voice commands like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
• Line crossing and Geofencing monitoring supported cameras.
• ONVIF-compliant devices.

6. Arlo vs Hikvision- Storage Options & Capabilities

Arlo

• The Arlo brand cameras support internal and external recordings.
• The internal data is stored on micro SD cards. You have to support it with Smartub for data storage.
• Users can store data on Cloud servers.
• They have to subscribe to a monthly or yearly plan. Subscription plans start at $4.99 to 17.99$.

Hikvision

• The Hikvision devices are known for their internal storage.
• They store data on NVRs and DVRs.
• Some cameras have slots for SD cards.
• The cloud storage option is very limited. Users don’t require it. But if you want to store data on the cloud, you can do it via the Hik-Connect App.

7. Arlo vs Hikvision- Mobile App, UI & Remote Access

Arlo

• The Arlo Secure App is smooth and good for home security.
• It adds devices in real time, and users get live streaming from remote locations.
• The app detects motions and sends alert notifications, sensing dubious activities.
• You can playback from anywhere. You can even take snaps.
• The user interface is minimal. It is not complex.
• If you want to enjoy full features, then subscribe to a plan.

Hikvision

• Hik-Connect app is a good software for Hikvision CCTV remote surveillance.
• It gives users live streaming of events.
• Hik-Connect App is available for Android and iOS users.
• For Windows and Mac OS, we use the iVMS-4200 App.
• These apps are richly featured. They can recognise faces, detect motions, sense intruders, and warn suspects.
• The user interface is complex, as it has many security and surveillance features.
• The mobile app is more comprehensive than the Arlo Security App.

8. Arlo vs Hikvision- Pricing & Target Market

Arlo

• Arlo cameras are for mid-range and premium clients.
• Arlo cameras are for smart homes, offices, and shops.
• They have cameras that fall between $100–$400 per unit.
• The Arlo systems come in the range of $250–$1000.
• Users have to subscribe to a plan for full smart features. Plans come in the range between $4.99 and $17.99/month.

Hikvision

• Hikvision cameras have a wide range of products.
• Its cameras are used in homes, offices, industries, and government units.
• Hikvision brand is expandable. You can scale up its systems to any number of cameras.
• Basic Cameras begin at $60, and advanced models go as high as $1000+
• System bundles prices come between $300 to $5000+
• Its cameras require professional installation.
• Generally, no requirement for Cloud plans.

9. Arlo vs Hikvision- Connectivity Options

Arlo

• Arlo devices are mainly connected through Wifi, 2.4GHz & 5GHz, depending on camera models.
• It has wireless LTE cameras for seamless functioning.
• SmartHub option for data.
• Connectivity through Bluetooth for initial setup.

Hikvision

• It has PoE cameras. The data and power can be passed through the same cables.
• Some limited models support Wifi dual bands.
• It has some 4G cameras for remote surveillance.

10. Arlo vs Hikvision- Privacy & Cybersecurity

Arlo

• Arlo brand is a safe and secure American brand.
• It has end-to-end encryption.
• The brand supports regular firmware updates
• It follows US-based data policies
• For stronger privacy, it supports two-factor authentication

Hikvision

• Hikvision brand has a Chinese government association.
• It has some privacy issues.
• The brand faced challenges in European and American countries.
• Post-2017, it has adopted multiple cybersecurity improvements.

11. Arlo vs Hikvision- Installation & Configuration

Arlo

• Arlo cameras are DIY type.
• The installation is easy and simple. No technical knowledge is required for its installation.
• It has a magnetic mounting system. The camera is designed for easy installation. Minimal tools are required to fix cameras.

Hikvision

• Hikvision has PoE cameras.
• They are designed for wired cameras.
• Only limited options for wireless devices.
• Its devices are complex. You are required to have professional support for the installation.
• Ethernet cables are required for NVR configurations.

Conclusion- Which Brand to Choose? Arlo vs Hikvision

Both brands are good in their categories. Your needs and requirements make them more or less useful.

Choose Arlo

• If you want wire-free cameras
• If you want smart home cameras
• If you want to store data on cloud servers
• If you have no issues with purchasing subscriptions
• If you are looking for solar or battery-powered cameras
• If you want standalone cameras only
• If you want easy-to-install cameras

Choose Hikvision

• If you want to install medium to large-scale security surveillance systems.
• If you want to have highly advanced professional-grade cameras.
• If you want long-term data storage internally.
• If you want high-quality ColourVu, DarkFighter night vision cameras, and AcuSense, like highly smart AI cameras.
• If you want to scale up the system in the future.
• If you want a strong and sturdy high-quality camera.

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Thank You.