Any links to online stores should be assumed to be affiliates. The company or PR agency provides all or most review samples. They have no control over my content, and I provide my honest opinion.
I reviewed the Arlo Essential XL back in November. It is basically identical to the Arlo Essential Spotlight I am reviewing today. It is just physically much larger as it accommodates a larger battery.
In my Arlo Essential XL review, I did explicitly state that I’d buy the XL over the standard model because there was a small price difference while providing double the battery life.
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Arlo Essential Security Camera Outdoor, 1080p, Wireless... | £137.99 | Buy on Amazon | |
|
Arlo Essential XL Security Camera Outdoor, 1080p HD,... |
£216.35 |
Buy on Amazon |
Arlo Essential vs Arlo Essential XL Specification
| Arlo | Essential Spotlight | Essential Spotlight XL |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1080p | 1080p |
| HDR | No | No |
| Field of View | 130° | 130° |
| Spotlight | Yes | Yes |
| Two way audio | Yes | Yes |
| Microphone | Single | Single |
| Night Vision | Colour | Colour |
| Privacy Shield | No | No |
| Battery Life | 6 Months | 12 months |
| WiFi | 2.4GHz | 2.4GHz |
| Smart Hub | Optional | Optional |
| Dimensions | 89 x 52 x 78.4 mm | 77.4 x 116.3 x 51.6 mm |
| Weight | 236 g | 375g |
| Price | RRP: £129.99 | RRP: £149.99 |
Arlo Essential vs Arlo Essential XL Design
Everything about the cameras is essentially the same. It is just that the XL has an elongated body to accommodate the larger battery.
I find it mildly annoying that both cameras are charge via microUSB. I think USB-C should be standard on everything, but these were launched two years ago, and competing devices like Eufy 2C also use microUSB (Eufy 3C has been upgraded).
Due to the elongated design of the XL, it has a threaded mounting hole on the rear of the camera and on the base of the camera, so you have a bit more flexibility for installation compared to the standard camera.
Arlo Essential vs Arlo Essential XL Battery
Basically, the only reason for this review is to compare how the battery performs on each camera.
In two weeks, it has dropped down 14%. I check most days, and it does drop down about 1% points per day.
This is actually better than I was getting with the XL, but I then realised that I had reviewed the XL in a completely different location which triggered more events.
So, I reset the XL and set it up side by side and ran that for a few days. Both cameras were running the default settings with no motion zones.
I haven’t tested it for a long period, but the XL drops by about 1% point every other day.
In this scenario, there are only around 10 events recorded per day.
For this review, I should get three months from the Arlo Essential and hopefully six months from the Arlo Essential XL.
Page 2 for motion detection, footage samples, price and conclusion
Originally posted on mightygadget.co.uk
I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.
As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.
In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.
I’m proud to share that Vuelio has consistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of the top technology blogs in the UK. With my dedication to technology and drive to share my insights, I aim to continue providing my readers with engaging and informative content.
Last update on 2024-12-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
