Arlo Q vs. Arlo Q Plus: Which should you buy?

Arlo Q

The Arlo Q is an excellent stand-alone security camera for most needs. The video is clear, the app is easy to use, and setup is a breeze. You'll need a strong Wi-Fi signal and have to manage saved video through the app or cloud service, though.

Arlo Q

Standalone security

1080p video
No base station needed
Two-way audio
Zoom and Pan
Night vision
No local storage
No Ethernet connection
Single user only
Indoor only

Arlo Q Plus

The Arlo Q Plus takes what's great about the original and adds two features: Power over Ethernet and local storage via an SD card slot. You pay a lot more for those features, of course.

Arlo Q Plus

Connection and power options

1080p video and night vision
No base station needed
Two-way audio, with zoom and Pan
Local storage
PoE
Single user only
More expensive
Indoor only

Know what you need

Both versions of the Arlo Q are the same when it comes to video and audio quality. They both use the same app and have the same controls, yet have a fairly large difference in price. This is because of the two extra features in the Plus model that you might not even need: Power over Ethernet (PoE) and local storage. Whether you need them or not, and whether you're willing to spend the extra cash, will determine which Arlo model is right for you.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Header Cell - Column 0 Arlo QArlo Q Plus
Resolution1080p1080p
Two-way audioYesYes
Stand-aloneYesYes
24/7 recordingYesYes
Pan and Zoom1080p1080p
WeatherproofNoNo
ConnectivityWi-FiWi-FiEthernetPower over Ethernet
Local storageNoYes

Both models of Arlo Q are great indoor security cameras, especially if you don't want or need a base station or complete security system. They use the app for Android, iOS, or Amazon's FireOS and are easy to connect and place just about anywhere you might need them.

There are a few drawbacks — I wish you could share your camera controls and view with another user, and they both aren't good products if you need something for outside of the house. The Arlo Q Plus does add two features that many will find necessary: PoE and local storage.

PoE means you won't have to hire an electrician if you don't have an outlet handy.

Power over Ethernet adds two options. The first, and most important for a lot of us, is that you don't have to have an AC plug nearby to use them. PoE is exactly what it sounds like: you can power small devices over an Ethernet cable. That means no hiring an electrician to add a plug when you can run the Cat 6 cable yourself. It also means you'll have a fast connection even in places where your Wi-Fi router won't reach.

Local storage is a big plus because the Arlo Q can be operated as a 24/7 continuous security cam. Without that storage, you'll either need to have the app open and watching 24/7 or pay for extra cloud storage (you get seven days worth of storage for free and other packages are available) to keep all the footage. That can be expensive, and having local storage allows the Arlo Q Plus to act as an inexpensive stand-alone 24/7 camera without buying any DVR device or being in dire need of cloud storage.

Both models are great, but buying the Arlo Q Plus is wise if you think you'll ever need a 24/7 camera or want to use the Power over Ethernet option. If not, save the $75!

Jerry Hildenbrand
Senior Editor — Google Ecosystem

Jerry is an amateur woodworker and struggling shade tree mechanic. There's nothing he can't take apart, but many things he can't reassemble. You'll find him writing and speaking his loud opinion on Android Central and occasionally on Threads.