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On its website, security camera manufacturer Arlo says they “build trusted, lifelong customer relationships by creating innovative, smart security solutions that deliver an exceptional user experience.” That philosophy isn’t ringing true for many users this week, as Arlo recently notified customers it would be discontinuing support for certain models of security cameras.
Arlo is retiring two of its older security cameras
As reported by Android Police, Arlo is dropping two of its legacy cameras, the Arlo Gen 3 and the first-gen Arlo Pro. After April 1, Arlo will end software support and firmware updates for the devices, as well as certain integrations with the Arlo ecosystem, including seven-day cloud storage and notifications.
These cameras aren’t brand new, by any means. The Arlo Gen 3 is eight years old, while the Arlo Pro is six. But while many companies drop support for their devices within this timeframe (and some well before), security cameras aren’t like most devices. As long as a camera can record video, detect motion, and communicate with the apps or servers, you don’t have much reason to replace it. Arlo customers likely expect their cameras to last longer than six or eight years, and with Arlo ready to sunset more devices in 2024, it’s not a good look.
You can continue to use these Arlo cameras for the basics
That being said, Arlo isn’t killing these cameras. You’ll still be able to access live stream video feeds, receive notifications when the cameras detect motion, and save your video clips to an Arlo base station. If you’re an Arlo Secure subscriber, you can also continue to store those clips in the cloud. If you can stand losing access to the above features, there’s nothing stopping you from keeping your Arlo Gen 3 or first-gen Arlo Pro. They’ll still do what most of us need from a security camera, so there’s no need to rush out and buy a new one.
If you want to upgrade, however, you wouldn’t be blamed for looking for an option elsewhere. The problem is, Arlo makes some good security equipment. Their cameras frequently make the top spot on outdoor security camera roundups, with critics lauding the high quality video and selection of smart features. But for those of us who like to hold onto our tech for as long as possible, it feels weird to buy an Arlo camera knowing the company might drop it while the device is still perfectly functional.
Leave Arlo behind with these outdoor security cameras
Lucky for you, there are plenty of great alternatives on the market if you’re looking to break out of the Arlo ecosystems. Wyze’s cameras, such as the Wyze Cam v3 and Wyze Cam v3 Pro, make plenty of best-of lists, known for packing high quality into a small form factor at an affordable price. TP-Link’s Kasa cameras are another great option, prioritizing both video quality and data privacy. If you’re entrenched in the Google ecosystem, a Google Nest outdoor cam is an easy choice, as is a Ring Stick Up cam if you already have the smart doorbell. The now-owned-by-Amazon Blink camera line is also a popular choice.
The one company to watch out for, though, is Eufy. While their cameras and software are often praised, the company has been dealing with a host of security issues, such as cameras being accessed by media players, cameras accessed by non-owners, and uploading unencrypted video data to cloud servers.
