ConsFirst / Pet cameras

Arlo

Arlo Essential Pan Tilt Indoor Camera 2K: the downsides first

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#4 of 8
$CameraScore 3.3/5
9%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)Small sample (711 ratings), pooled with the 2-camera pack.

PCMag's best affordable security cam for pets (Editors' Choice): sharp 2K video, smooth pan and tilt, and AI alerts that work well. But there's no local storage, so you must pay for Arlo Secure to record anything, and Tom's Guide thinks rivals offer more for the money.

Subscription: Required for any recording and AI alerts (no local storage): Arlo Secure Plus $9.99/mo or $95.88/yr for one camera, $19.99/mo unlimited (Tom's Guide); PCWorld cites $7.99/mo billed annually

Top complaints

  • No recording without a subscription

    No microSD slot and no base-station support, so video storage and person or audio recognition need Arlo Secure (Tom's Guide, PCMag, PCWorld).

    Source: Tom's Guide review, PCMag (best pet cameras), PCWorld review
  • No HDR or color night vision

    Tom's Guide says it struggles with bright windows and dark rooms at once and has infrared-only night video; PCWorld says night clarity trails pricier Arlo models.

    Source: Tom's Guide review, PCWorld review
  • Tracking overshoots; base-station hiccups

    PCWorld says tracking tends to overshoot its stopping point. Amazon owners are mostly positive, but some report issues with their Arlo base station.

    Source: PCWorld review, Amazon.com product page (Customers say)

What owners love

Good for
  • Arlo households
  • Following a pet around a room
  • Smart home users on Alexa, Google or SmartThings

Scores (tap for why)

What experts say

  • PCMag: Best affordable security cam, Editors' Choice 4.5 (added 2026-07-10). Cons: recorded video and AI alerts need a subscription; no local recording.
  • Tom's Guide: Good for Arlo owners, but the Wyze Cam Pan v4 and eufy S350 offer more at a similar price.
Check price on AmazonWe don't list prices — they change daily. Paid link.

If that catch is a deal-breaker

Highly ranked pet cameras whose biggest complaint is something else.

#1 in pet camerasTP-Link Tapo C120

Wirecutter's top pet camera: a cheap security camera that reliably detects pets and is the only one it tested that also detects barking and meowing, with free local storage. No treats or panning, owners report Wi-Fi drops, and TP-Link owners need a 2026 security firmware fix.

Its catch: wi-fi drops for some owners#2 in pet camerasGoogle Nest Cam Indoor (Wired, 3rd Gen)

Wirecutter's runner-up pet camera: it detects pets as well as the Tapo, is heavy enough that pets won't easily knock it over, and fits neatly into Google Home. But it costs more, has no microSD slot, and isn't very useful without a $10-a-month plan.

Its catch: not very useful without a plan#3 in pet camerasFurbo 360° Dog Camera

PCMag's best camera for dogs (Editors' Choice): sharp video, 360-degree panning, color night vision, a reliable treat tosser and free barking alerts. The catches: recordings need a Furbo Nanny plan, there's no local storage, and Amazon owners say disconnections are common.

Its catch: frequent disconnections

Head-to-head

See all 8 pet cameras ranked →