Guide To Arlo Batteries

The Essential Arlo Battery Guide

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Mathew R Reed
November 30, 2021
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There’s nothing like the peace of mind that a smart security camera can bring your home, but there’s also a lot to learn about these devices.

If you have an Arlo camera set up, figuring out the basics on how to keep it powered up is probably one of the biggest tasks you’ve had.

Do Arlo cameras use batteries?

Arlo manufactures wired and wireless cameras for home security, with the wireless versions using rechargeable and disposable batteries. These batteries come included with the camera when you purchase it and generally last up to 500 recharges, so they should work for as long as the camera does.

If you’ve chosen the wireless route, you’ll need to know how to get the most out of your Arlo battery.

This guide walks you through some of the most common questions asked about them and how you can ensure your home’s security system is always powered up and ready for action.

How Much Power Does Arlo Use?

how much power Arlo use

Arlo’s home security cameras come in all shapes and sizes, with different capabilities and features in every model.

The biggest difference is the wired and wireless cameras, with the former being connected to your household electricity and the latter running on rechargeable or disposable battery power.

Depending on the model of your Arlo camera and whether it comes with a base or other add-ons, its power draw will be different. If your camera has a base station, used for both Arlo and Alro Pro models, these are low power and use less than 10 watts of electricity when plugged in.

If your cameras don’t connect to the smart hub base station and are wireless, these will only use battery power. You’ll need to recharge the batteries as needed, or if they’re indoor cameras, they can be left plugged into an outlet to charge continuously, as recommended by Arlo.

What Batteries Are Needed for an Arlo Camera?

batteries for Arlo cameras

All Arlo models use different batteries and when you purchase a new camera, it will come with these included.

If you have a wireless camera, these batteries will lose power over time and need to be recharged or replaced accordingly. Arlo provides all of the necessary parts to do this, and depending on the model, it can take a few hours or a whole day to do to recharge completely.

The specific batteries used for each camera differ depending on its purpose. The standard Arlo Wire-Free Camera has four CR123 lithium 3-volt photo batteries, but the Arlo Essential and Arlo Essential Spotlight Cameras use a 3.63V 5080mAh 18.44 Wh lithium-polymer battery.

Finding Replacement Batteries

If your Arlo camera is a wireless model, you might be wondering how to replace batteries should anything go wrong.

First, check with the manufacturer and see whether the device is under warranty, as the batteries will usually be covered by this as well.

Those with an Arlo Wire-Free camera will find that they use the CR123 lithium batteries and these cameras ship with a non-rechargeable battery.

However, they’ve been upgraded to allow non-rechargable batteries of the same size. Arlo recommends using the Tenergy brand that they ship with but there may be alternatives available if you speak with a battery sales specialist.

According to Arlo, the rechargeable batteries included with their cameras should last around 500 recharges which will be a few years depending on how much they go through. The chance that you’ll have to replace them during the life of the camera is slim, but still possible, so knowing how to get one fast is important.

The best place to start is checking the manual to see which specific batteries your camera takes and then contacting Arlo directly for a replacement.

Otherwise, if your camera doesn’t take rechargeable batteries, you can consult the manual again and find a match at a retail store that sells batteries. The new one can be easily installed by removing the old battery from the camera housing and placing the new into the battery compartment.

Tips for Maximizing Arlo Battery Life

replacement battery in Arlo security camera

A smart security camera without any power is a useless one, and if you have an Arlo that relies on batteries to power up, you’ll want to make the most of every charge.

Check out these tips for maximizing the battery life of your Arlo security camera:

  • Keep the firmware of your Arlo cameras and apps up to date and download updates when they come out, and consider switching to the automatic update setting. This will ensure the camera is running as efficiently as possible and not wasting power on old systems.
  • Check out the settings of your camera to see what power management style it’s set on. If you’re happy for it to run with limited functions, using the Optimized or Best Battery Life can help you do just that.
  • For cameras that work at night, use an additional spotlight or keep the porch light on. When your Arlo camera has to use its own light or relies heavily on infrared sensors, it will drain the battery faster.
  • Change the settings so that the Arlo only records short videos, especially if there are no people detected. If you prefer a camera that can record continuously, switching to a wired model is best.
  • Be mindful of where your camera is pointed and what areas it’s recording. Those with their cameras also capturing a sidewalk or busy street will find the battery wears down a lot sooner. Keep the camera pointed just at your front door or home’s entrance to avoid this.
  • Check out the range of solar panels that Arlo makes for use with their cameras and take advantage of a natural energy source. Some users find that having a solar panel means they never have to charge their camera with electricity again which makes the price worth it. For the solar effect to work though, your camera will need to be positioned in the sunlight which may not be possible in all homes.
  • Keep the Arlo base station or separate cameras as close as possible to your wireless router. If they don’t have to work as hard to get access to the internet, that battery can be kept for other uses.
  • Having a camera with a weak signal will drain its battery so make sure it’s positioned somewhere with a stronger one. Aim for higher than two bars of signal to prevent this draining from happening.
  • If you have to replace the batteries of your Arlo camera, use the ones recommended by the brand. These have been proven to be the most efficient and even if they are slightly higher priced, the quality means they’ll last a lot longer.
  • Batteries need to be kept at the ideal temperature to allow them to run efficiently, so if you live somewhere with 32 degrees Fahrenheit or below weather, you’ll want to upgrade to a wired model. Arlo batteries will generally read as low power in the cold and may render the camera useless.

Smart Security and Smarter Batteries

Pro Rechargeable Station

With some background information on your Arlo battery, you’ll be able to run them more efficiently and get the most out of each charge.

For something a serious as home security, having a wireless camera that’s powered up is and ready for the task is the best peace of mind you can ask for.

Arlo cameras are some of the best selling in the smart home security market and offer a modern way to monitor your home.

If you still have questions about these smart camera systems and what they’re capable of, read on for a few FAQs and simple answers that can give you a better understanding.

Do Security Cameras Use a Lot of Electricity?

Do Security Cameras Use a Lot of Electricity?

A standard wired CCTV camera used for home security will consume between 4 and 15 watts of power, and if it’s connected to a DVR, this will consume another 40 watts.

However, the energy consumption depends on the model of the camera and how it’s used, but generally, they are quite efficient.

Do Wireless Cameras Record All the Time?

Wired and wireless smart security cameras are generally motion activated and will start recording once they sense movement.

Some cameras come with the option for continuous recording which is more common in wired models as they don’t rely on limited battery power to stay on.

Which Is Better Wired or Wireless Cameras?

There are benefits to both wired and wireless cameras so it depends on the homeowner and what they prefer.

Wired cameras are reliable and don’t need charging but wireless cameras can be moved as needed and are easier to install, so there’s good and bad to consider with both types.

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Mathew R Reed

Mathew R Reed is a professional gun seller who runs a dedicated gun store in the suburbs of Oakland, CA. A hardcore hunting enthusiast since childhood, Reed has ample experience with guns and accessories. He is the founder of ArmorHoldings.com and creates some of the most helpful gun-buying guides and explainers. If not in the gun shop, you can find him on the nearest hiking trail or nearby hunting spot.