Skip to main content

Netgear's Arlo Go is a 100-percent wire-free, mobile smart security camera

Netgear launched the Arlo Pro, an update to its highly successful line of smart home security cameras, in October. Now, the company has taken all of the features of the Arlo Pro — motion and audio detection, weatherproof design, and two-way audio communication — and built them into the Arlo Go, which adds 3G and 4G LTE connectivity for a 100-percent wireless and remote security solution.

Due to the cellular modem, the Arlo Go’s battery life is rated at two to three months, compared to six months for the Arlo Pro. However, users can opt for a solar charger that can keep remote cameras powered indefinitely in the right conditions (the solar panel needs two to three days of sunlight to fully charge a battery).

Even without the solar charger, rechargeable batteries and an optional dual-battery charger make it easy to keep a spare battery topped up and ready to go at all times.

Local on-board storage in the form of a MicroSD card ensures uninterrupted video recording even in the event of a network failure. As with all Arlo security cameras, Arlo Go users will also get seven days of cloud-based storage.

arlo_gen4_lte_version-viewset-photomatch-2307
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Arlo Go makes sense for monitoring remote locations that don’t have Wi-Fi coverage, such as a barn, boat dock, or driveway. But it’s also geared for users who just want the extra security of an LTE connection. According to Netgear, 47 percent of its Arlo customers reported missing security notifications due to internet or power outages, and Arlo Go provides a solution to that problem.

Beyond personal use, Netgear sees potential in the Arlo Go for commercial applications. On a construction site, for example, it would allow monitoring of materials and equipment that are left unattended at night, without the need for power or Wi-Fi. It can also be used during the day to monitor workers and watch out for safety hazards, or just to observe the progress of construction.

Similar opportunities exist for law enforcement, with police departments able to set up a camera to monitor a location rather than stationing an officer there. This could potentially take officers out of harm’s way while more efficiently utilizing department resources.

Netgear is making the the Arlo Go available this year to commercial customers first through online speciality retailers. The camera will be available to the general public if the first quarter of 2017. The price is listed at $450.

Editors' Recommendations

Daven Mathies
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Daven is a contributing writer to the photography section. He has been with Digital Trends since 2016 and has been writing…
Pawport brings security (and smarts) to your existing pet door
A dog sitting next to the Pawport pet door.

Of all the wild smart home gadgets on display at CES 2024, few are as quirky as Pawport. This unique gadget is a motorized pet door cover that's programmable via an accompanying smartphone app and works in conjunction with a collar tag -- allowing it to automatically open when your pet approaches.

Pawport is built to bring added security to your home, giving you a simple way to monitor your existing pet door. Using the app, you can control the door remotely, set curfew times, schedule when the port can open or close, and even issue voice commands with Alexa, Siri, or Google. Other cool features include pet tracking and usage data, letting you know exactly when your pet is walking into (and away from) your home.

Read more
Do smart home security cameras record all the time?
A hand adjusts a Ring Indoor Security Camera mounted on a wall.

There's an abundance of smart home security cameras available today, featuring everything from tiny indoor cameras to large outdoor floodlights. Products from Ring, Arlo, Wyze, and other major brands do a great job of protecting your property and giving you peace of mind -- but do security cameras record all the time?

The answer's not as straightforward as you'd expect. Here's a look at which types of products are likely to offer continuous video capture, and which only record when motion is detected.
Battery-powered units typically don't record all the time

Read more
Why is my Arlo camera offline?
The Arlo Pro 5S installed outside on a wall.

Many of the best security cameras are produced by Arlo, which includes a variety of products designed for both indoor and outdoor use. They've grown increasingly popular over the years thanks to their easy installation process, impressive resolutions, and versatile smartphone app -- allowing users to quickly get them placed on their property and working exactly as needed. However, some users have been running into an issue that puts their Arlo camera offline, essentially rendering it unusable.

If you've run into the issue, here's how to figure out why your Arlo camera is offline, along with a few tips on how to fix the problem.
Start with the basics

Read more