Arlo makes some of the most democratic smart dwelling house cameras . They ’re reliable , gentle to set up , and supported by chopine such asApple Home , Google Home , andAmazon Alexa . Many of its best devices return into the Essential family , which includes the all-important XL , Essential 2 K , Essential Indoor 2 K , and Essential Video Doorbell .

Alongside these products , Arlo offers something known as a Smart Hub . This is available in two formats ( Ultra Smart Hub and Pro Smart Hub ) , and both make it easy to connect your Arlo devices to the internet . But do you want an Arlo Smart Hub to use Arlo Essential television camera ? Or can you get them online without purchase the lower-ranking hub ?

Here ’s a face at everything you require to get laid about Arlo Essential cameras and Smart Hubs .

What is an Arlo Smart Hub?

An Arlo Smart Hub serves as a central location for all your Arlo machine . Cameras can synchronise with the Smart Hub to cursorily get online or provide you with the option for local storage of your telecasting files . In other lyric , a Smart Hub serve as the brains of your fresh home .

Arlo offers two type of SmartHubs — the Arlo Pro Smart Hub and the Arlo Ultra 2 Smart Hub . These two devices solve in much the same style , but there are a few notable conflict . For one , the Ultra supports microSD cards for local store , while the Pro apply USB Type A. For a elaborate rundown of on the nose what ’s offer by each Smart Hub model , be indisputable to check out the officialArlo comparison page .

Do Arlo Essential cameras require the Arlo Smart Hub?

No , Arlo Essential cameras do not need an Arlo Smart Hub . Arlo notes that all Essential product are capable of straight connecting to your Wi - Fi mesh , negating the motivation for a Smart Hub . However , a Smart Hub is still useful if you ’re concerned in local storage . Using a Smart Hub may improve the battery life of barrage - power equipment or offer long - range connectivity — but there ’s no essential to purchase the twist to habituate the basic features of your Essential tv camera .

Here ’s a look at a few Arlo Essential cameras that do not require an Arlo Smart Hub , along with a few product outside the Essential home :

What devices can connect to the Arlo Smart Hub?

remember about picking up a Smart Hub for your Arlo gadget ? Here ’s a spirit at which one can get in touch to the base place .

Be trusted to ascertain the exact specs of your model , as there are some pocket-sized differences between the Arlo Pro and Arlo Ultra 2 Smart Hubs . And while you ’re free to connect your Essential cameras to the Smart Hub , commend there ’s no requirement to do so . Most people will witness it to be easier ( and cheaper ) to at once connect their photographic camera to Wi - Fi , but those that want to habituate local storage as a backup might require to deal investing in a Smart Hub .