Gabe Turner: Hey, folks.
This is Gabe at Security Baron.
Today, we're putting two very versatile cameras indoor/outdoor Arlo Pro 2 and Blink XT head
to head.
Let's get started.
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Gabe: In today's comparison of the Arlo Pro 2 and Blink XT, we're going to go over the
key similarities and differences using the Security Baron Necessary Features Test before
jumping into the mobile application so that you can know all the right info to make the
right decision.
If you'd like to see a list of our favorite home security cameras, Google "Security Baron
best home security cameras."
If you have a question about today's comparison, leave us a comment and I'll get back to you.
Diving right into the first element of the comparison of the Arlo Pro 2 and Blink XT
is video quality, a Security Baron Necessary Feature.
Fortunately, both of these cameras had 1080p HD, but that's where the similarities end.
The Arlo Pro 2 has a much superior zoom to the Blink XT, and it has 130-degree field
of view to the Blink XT's 110 degree.
We generally like to see at least 120 degrees, so it's easy for us to give the nod to Arlo
Pro 2 when it comes to the Security Baron Necessary Feature of video quality.
The next element of comparison here is two-way audio.
This is really easy because the Blink XT doesn't have two-way audio.
The winner here, when it comes to Security Baron Necessary Feature of two-way audio,
is the Arlo Pro 2.
The next element of comparison between Arlo Pro 2 and Blink XT is night vision, a fun
Security Baron Necessary Feature, at least in terms of shooting for us.
When it came to shooting Arlo Pro 2 and Blink XT, it wasn't as fun because they both have
infrared LED sensors but definitely are not the top of the line when it comes to night
vision.
They both have infrared, so you're not letting people know that you're watching them.
Each one was a little bit blurry and probably could be a bit better and could use a few
more infrared LED sensors.
When it comes to the night vision on the Arlo Pro 2 and the Blink XT, we give them a tie.
The next element that we'll compare between the Arlo Pro 2 and Blink XT is local and cloud
storage.
When it comes to local and cloud storage, only the Arlo Pro 2 is performing.
There is no local storage on the Blink XT.
Additionally, the Arlo Pro 2 has a superior cloud storage because it has up to seven days
of cloud storage.
Whereas, the Blink XT will begin to rewrite after two hours.
When it comes to local and cloud storage, we once again have to give the nod to Arlo
Pro 2 for its local storage and superior cloud storage.
Smart platform integration is the next element of comparison for us in our Security Baron
Necessary Features Test between Arlo Pro 2 and Blink XT.
Blink was acquired by Amazon, and fortunately, it works out for them because they do integrate
with Amazon Alexa.
They have that smart platform on lock, but when it comes to the Arlo Pro 2, you've got
Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, and things like IFTTT.
When it comes to what you can do with your Arlo Pro 2 just with your smart platform and
your Blink XT, we have to give the nod to Arlo Pro 2.
It has more integrations and there's a little bit more you can do with each one.
When it comes to smart platform integrations Security Baron Necessary Features Test, we
give the nod to the Arlo Pro 2.
AI is not only a fame Sixers' point guard but also the next point of comparison using
the Security Baron Necessary Features Test.
The Arlo Pro 2 and the Blink XT don't have a ton of artificial intelligence elements,
no real package detection or vehicle detection or facial recognition technology.
However, with the Arlo Pro 2, you can buy with the Arlo Smart Home person detection,
which means that we give it the slight nod over the Blink XT when it comes to artificial
intelligence.
Convenience is the next element of comparison of the Arlo Pro 2 and Blink X using the Security
Baron Necessary Features Test.
The Arlo Pro 2 and the Blink XT are pretty easy to set up.
In terms of the installation process, it was simple.
I probably did the Arlo Pro 2 in about 15 minutes, and maybe a little bit longer with
the Blink XT using the app connecting the hub, and I was ready to go.
When it comes to battery life, the claim to life for the Blink XT is two years and six
months on a rechargeable battery charge for the Arlo Pro 2.
Neither of these cameras is generally going to last that long, but you could probably
assume that your Blink XT will last longer.
The next question is, what about using the app to do the things we do with our app?
If you like to meet, you may want to live stream.
Both of those apps can do it, but with the Blink XT, you're going to have to click, "Yes,
I'm still watching," every five seconds.
I know you're familiar with that from Netflix where it's like, "Are you still watching?
Are you still watching?"
Imagine if it wasn't that for every three or four show but every five seconds, that's
going to be your experience to the Blink XT.
Whereas, with the Arlo Pro 2, once you set that live stream, it'll keep live streaming
until you tell them not to.
When it comes to overall convenience between the Arlo Pro 2 and the Blink XT, we give the
slight nod to the Arlo Pro 2.
All right.
Hold on.
Quick break.
I wanted to ask how you all felt about the monthly subscriptions that you typically have
to get with your Smart Home security cameras.
Do you feel a particular aversion to them or do you feel like they come with the territory?
Leave us your comments below.
I'd love to hear them.
Thanks.
Let's get back to the video.
The final Security Baron Necessary Feature that we're going to use to compare the Arlo
Pro 2 and Blink XT is value.
I want to remind you that each of these cameras is indoor/outdoor, which gives you a lot of
versatility, a lot of flexibility when it comes to where you can put them outside, inside,
winter or summer, it doesn't matter.
The Arlo Pro 2 has in the head-to-head battles today.
One, most of the time, it has better video quality.
It has two-way audio.
It has a little bit of AI functionality and it costs more.
It's $219.99.
Whereas, the Blink XT does fine and most of the categories and hitting most of what we'd
like to see in a home security camera, but it's markedly cheaper at about $129.99.
Overall, you're getting a lot from each respectively between the Arlo Pro 2 and Blink XT, and considering
what they give you and the price point we're going to rule it a draw when it comes to value.
Now that we've compared the Arlo Pro 2 and the Blink XT using the Security Baron Necessary
Features Test, let's jump into the mobile applications.
Right off the bat, we should point out that the Arlo Pro 2 offers a host of features in
this mobile application with something called the Arlo Smart Home.
That's an optional monthly subscription plan that gives you extra features.
It ranges in price from $2.99 for 1 camera to $40.99 for up to 20 cameras and a lot of
permutations in between.
If you want superior notifications and this extra features with the Arlo Smart Home app,
that's something you should look at.
You can find that full review of the Arlo Pro 2 at securitybaron.com.
When it comes to the actual mobile applications themselves, they both do quite well in terms
of ratings.
The Arlo Pro 2 gets a 3.9 in the Apple App Store and a 4 out of 5 star in the Google
Play Store.
Blink XT gets a 3.5 in the Apple App Store and a 3.7 in the Google Play Store.
Those are both solid scores for having a mobile application.
Of course, we've been comparing these all day.
Once again, we have to give Arlo Pro 2 the nod because of its 3.9 and 4 out of 5 stars
respectively in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
To point out, the Blink XT scores are nothing to sneeze in.
Let's do a recap of how the Arlo Pro 2 compares with the Blink XT according to the Security
Baron Necessary Features Test.
Video quality, the Arlo Pro 2 wins here because while they both have 1080p high-definition
video, the Arlo Pro 2 has 130-degree field of view and superior zoom capabilities.
Two-way audio, the Arlo Pro 2 wins because it has two-way audio.
The Blink XT does not have that option to talk to someone and hear them talking back.
Night vision, here we ruled it a draw because both cameras do suffer from a little bit of
blurriness when it comes to night vision.
Local and cloud storage, Arlo 2 wins.
The Arlo Pro 2 has local and cloud storage with cloud storage of up to a week while the
Blink XT does not have local storage and only has two hours of cloud storage.
Smart platform integration, we give the nod to Arlo Pro 2.
While the Blink XT doesn't integrate with Amazon Alexa, Arlo Pro 2 integrates with Amazon
Alexa and Google Assistant.
Artificial intelligence, we give a slight edge to Arlo Pro 2.
Neither camera has facial recognition technology, but the fact that you can pay for person detection
with the Arlo Pro 2, lets it edge out the Blink XT.
Convenience, here we have to go with Arlo Pro 2.
The Arlo Pro 2 is a little bit easier to install and get up and running than the Blink XT,
even though the Blink XT has a longer battery life, which of course, is a nice thing to
have.
The reason we ultimately give it to Arlo Pro 2 is because when you decide to do a live
stream with Arlo Pro 2, you set it up and you're ready to go.
The Blink XT, once you set up that live stream, you're to continuously tap to make sure that
it continues to stream if you want to keep watching.
Value, we call it a draw between the Arlo Pro 2 and the Blink XT.
While the Arlo Pro 2 is almost $100 more than the Blink XT, it does come with a host of
features that you're not going to find with a lot of other cameras out there.
While the Blink XT has a impressive battery life and holds its own with a lot of the other
cameras found at that $130 price point.
All right.
We've come a long way with our buddies Arlo Pro 2 and Blink XT, and you're wondering,
Gabe, which way should I go, which way are you leaning?
If you've been watching, you've seen that the Arlo Pro 2 and every way is a superior
indoor and outdoor camera.
The Blink XT wins in battery life, but I do want to say that it holds its own because
once you buy the Blink XT, you're done.
You don't have to do much else.
You get the app setup and that's it.
Whereas, if you want to get the most out of your Arlo Pro 2, you're going to need to sign
up for Arlo Smart Home.
You're going to be paying something each month to make sure that you get everything out of
your Arlo Pro 2.
I bring that up because the Arlo Pro 2 is already about $100 more expensive than the
Blink XT.
In short, if you feel like you've got a few more dollars in your pocket and you feel like
you're going to keep your money long for a long time, then go with the Arlo Pro 2, but
if you want a one-time purchase, that's going to do most things that you need out of your
home security camera, then you can go to Blink XT.
That concludes today's comparison of the Arlo Pro 2 and Blink XT home security cameras.
If you appreciated today's video, give us a like and hit that subscribe button.
As always, this is Gabe at Security Baron.
Be secure.
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