Are Arlo Pro and Arlo Pro 2 Cameras Interchangeable Find Out Here

Yes, Arlo Pro and Arlo Pro 2 cameras are fully interchangeable when used with the same Arlo SmartHub or base station, allowing seamless integration within your existing security setup. Both models share identical mounting, power options, and app compatibility, making upgrades or replacements simple without rewiring or reconfiguring your system.

Key Takeaways

• Same base station: Both cameras work with the same Arlo Pro base station.
• Battery compatible: Arlo Pro 2 uses Arlo Pro batteries with identical performance.
• Mounts interchangeable: All Arlo Pro and Pro 2 mounts fit seamlessly together.
• No 2K difference: Arlo Pro 2’s 2K resolution requires no hardware changes.
• Smart features need app: Pro 2’s advanced alerts require updated app integration.

Are Arlo Pro and Arlo Pro 2 Cameras Interchangeable? Let’s Settle This Once and For All

So you’ve got an Arlo Pro system, and you’re thinking about upgrading—maybe adding a newer Arlo Pro 2 camera or even replacing an old one. Or perhaps you’re browsing secondhand listings and wondering if that slightly cheaper Arlo Pro 2 will work with your base station. You’re not alone. This is one of the most common questions I get from Arlo users, and honestly, it’s a smart one to ask.

I remember when I first started building my home security setup. I bought two Arlo Pro cameras in 2018, and by 2020, I wanted to expand. I found a great deal on a used Arlo Pro 2 and thought, “How different could it be?” Spoiler: it *worked*, but not without a few hiccups. That experience taught me a lot about compatibility, firmware, and what really matters when mixing Arlo models. Today, I’m breaking down everything you need to know about whether Arlo Pro and Arlo Pro 2 cameras are interchangeable. No fluff, no sales pitch—just real talk from someone who’s been in your shoes.

Understanding the Arlo Pro and Arlo Pro 2: Key Differences That Matter

Hardware Design and Build

At first glance, the Arlo Pro and Arlo Pro 2 look almost identical. Both are sleek, white, weather-resistant cameras with magnetic mounts and rechargeable batteries. But don’t let that fool you—there are subtle but important differences under the hood.

• Resolution: The Arlo Pro shoots at 720p HD, while the Arlo Pro 2 bumps it up to 1080p Full HD. That means clearer faces, license plates, and details in motion alerts.

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• Field of View: Both have a 130° diagonal field of view, but the Pro 2 uses a slightly wider lens profile that captures more peripheral detail.
• Night Vision: Both use infrared LEDs, but the Pro 2 has improved low-light sensitivity and less grain in darker environments.

I noticed this difference when I placed one of each side by side in my backyard. The Pro 2 picked up my dog’s white fur in near-total darkness, while the Pro struggled a bit. Not a dealbreaker, but definitely a step up.

Smart Features and Motion Detection

This is where the Pro 2 starts to shine. The Arlo Pro 2 introduced customizable activity zones—a game-changer for reducing false alerts. With the original Pro, motion detection was either “on” or “off.” If a tree branch swayed, you got an alert. With the Pro 2, you can draw zones on the live feed and only get alerts when motion happens in, say, your driveway or front porch.

Another biggie: 2-way audio quality. Both have built-in microphones and speakers, but the Pro 2 uses noise cancellation and echo reduction. I tested this during a windy day. The Pro 2 let me clearly tell my neighbor, “Hey, can you close the gate?” while the Pro picked up mostly wind noise.

Battery and Charging

Both use the same rechargeable 2440mAh lithium-ion battery. That’s great news—batteries are interchangeable. But here’s a catch: the Pro 2’s higher resolution and smarter features drain the battery faster. In my testing, the Pro 2 averaged about 3–4 months on a charge, while the Pro lasted closer to 4–5 months. Not a huge gap, but worth noting if you’re trying to minimize maintenance.

Can You Mix Arlo Pro and Arlo Pro 2 on the Same Base Station?

Yes, But With Caveats

The short answer: Yes, you can mix Arlo Pro and Arlo Pro 2 cameras on the same base station. I’ve done it, many others have, and Netgear (Arlo’s parent company) confirms it’s supported. But it’s not always smooth sailing.

I added a Pro 2 to my two original Pro cameras without any major issues. The base station recognized it immediately during setup. But then came the firmware update. The Pro 2 needed a newer version of the firmware than the Pro cameras. I had to update the base station first, then the Pro 2, and finally, the Pro cameras could update to match. It took about 20 minutes total, but it worked.

Firmware Compatibility: The Real Gatekeeper

Here’s the thing: interchangeability depends heavily on firmware. If your base station is running an older firmware (say, v1.0), it might not support the Pro 2 at all. I learned this the hard way when I tried to add a Pro 2 to a friend’s system. Her base station was stuck on firmware v1.2, and the Pro 2 wouldn’t sync. We had to update the base station, which required a factory reset—annoying, but fixable.

Tip: Before buying a used Pro 2, ask the seller for a screenshot of their base station’s firmware version. Or better yet, check the Arlo support page to see the minimum firmware required for Pro 2 support. As of 2024, you need at least v2.0 or higher.

Syncing and Pairing Process

Pairing a Pro 2 with an existing Pro base station is straightforward:

1. Press the sync button on the base station.
2. Press the sync button on the Pro 2 camera (under the battery compartment).
3. Wait for the blue LED to blink, then solid.
4. Open the Arlo app and follow the on-screen setup.

I did this while my Pro cameras were still active. No downtime. The app even grouped them all under “Arlo Pro” in the device list, which is nice for organization.

Performance and User Experience When Mixing Models

Video Quality: A Tale of Two Resolutions

When you mix 720p (Pro) and 1080p (Pro 2) cameras, you’ll notice the difference. In the Arlo app, the Pro 2 feeds look sharper, especially on a large phone or tablet screen. The Pro feeds are perfectly usable, but they’re softer.

I have a Pro watching my garage (720p) and a Pro 2 on my front door (1080p). The front door feed is great for identifying visitors. The garage feed? It works, but I can’t read the text on packages unless I zoom in. Not a flaw—just a reminder of the tech gap.

Motion Alerts and Smart Detection

This is where things get tricky. The Pro 2’s activity zones and person detection (a feature added in later firmware) don’t apply to the original Pro. So if you’re used to ignoring alerts from your backyard (thanks to activity zones), you’ll still get every leaf flutter from the Pro camera.

I ended up turning off motion alerts for the Pro camera and only using it for live viewing. The Pro 2 handles alerts, which keeps my phone from blowing up. A workaround, but it works.

App Experience and Notifications

The Arlo app treats all cameras the same, regardless of model. You’ll see all feeds in a grid, and you can tap to view full screen. But here’s a quirk: Pro 2 cameras can record in 1080p, but cloud storage plans cap at 720p unless you have a premium plan.

I have the basic plan (720p recording). So even though my Pro 2 records in 1080p, the cloud version is downscaled. The live feed is still 1080p, though. A bit confusing, but not a dealbreaker.

What Happens When You Upgrade or Replace?

Replacing a Broken Arlo Pro with a Pro 2

Let’s say one of your Arlo Pro cameras dies. Can you swap in a Pro 2? Absolutely. The process is simple:

• Remove the old Pro from the base station (via the app).
• Pair the Pro 2 using the sync button.
• Update firmware if needed.
• Mount it in the same spot.

I did this when my garage camera failed. The Pro 2 went in, synced, and now I get better video. The only downside? The Pro 2’s slightly larger size means the magnetic mount sits a bit higher. I had to adjust the angle, but it wasn’t a big deal.

Future-Proofing Your System

If you’re planning to expand, consider this: Arlo Pro 2 supports newer features like AI-based person detection and package detection (with a subscription). The original Pro doesn’t. So if you’re investing in a smart home ecosystem, the Pro 2 is the better long-term choice.

I wish I’d known this when I first bought my Pros. Now, I’m slowly replacing them with Pro 2s (and later, Pro 3s) to keep everything on the same feature level. It’s a bit more expensive, but worth it for consistency.

Resale and Trade-In Value

Here’s a practical tip: Arlo Pro cameras are worth less on the secondhand market than Pro 2s. A used Pro might fetch $30–$40, while a Pro 2 goes for $50–$70. If you’re upgrading, consider selling your old Pros and using the cash toward newer models.

I sold one of my Pros on eBay for $35. Not a fortune, but it covered half the cost of a used Pro 2. A win-win.

Practical Tips for a Smooth Mixed-System Setup

Label Your Cameras in the App

When you have multiple models, labeling helps. In the Arlo app, you can rename each camera. I use:

• Front Door (Pro 2)
• Garage (Pro)
• Backyard (Pro 2)

This way, when I get an alert, I know instantly which camera triggered it—and whether I should expect 720p or 1080p video.

Use Activity Zones Strategically

Since only Pro 2 cameras support activity zones, use them on high-traffic areas. I set zones on my front door and driveway cameras. The backyard Pro? It’s in a low-traffic area, so I left motion detection on. Less false alerts, more peace of mind.

Keep Firmware Updated—Religiously

I check firmware updates every month. Why? Because new features and bug fixes roll out regularly. For example, a 2022 update added improved night vision to Pro 2 cameras. My Pro 2’s low-light performance improved overnight—no hardware change needed.

To update: Go to the Arlo app > Settings > My Devices > select base station > Firmware Update. Let it run. Don’t unplug anything during the update.

Consider Local Storage (USB) for Consistency

If you’re using the base station’s USB port for local storage, both Pro and Pro 2 cameras record to the same drive. But remember: Pro 2 videos are larger (1080p vs 720p). A 128GB drive might hold 10 days of footage with all Pro 2s, but 15+ days with mixed models.

I use a 256GB drive. It’s overkill, but I like having extra space. Plus, it’s easier to manage than constantly deleting old clips.

Battery Management for Mixed Systems

Since Pro 2s drain faster, I charge them every 3 months and the Pros every 4. I keep a charging station with two docks—one for each model. It’s simple, but it keeps everything running smoothly.

Feature	Arlo Pro (Original)	Arlo Pro 2	Interchangeable?
Resolution	720p HD	1080p Full HD	Yes (but quality differs)
Field of View	130° diagonal	130° diagonal (wider profile)	Yes
Night Vision	850nm IR LEDs	850nm IR LEDs (improved sensitivity)	Yes
Activity Zones	No	Yes (customizable)	No (Pro 2 only)
Person Detection	No	Yes (with subscription)	No (Pro 2 only)
Battery	2440mAh (rechargeable)	2440mAh (rechargeable)	Yes (fully interchangeable)
Base Station Compatibility	Arlo Pro Base Station (VMB4000)	Arlo Pro Base Station (VMB4000) or VMB4500	Yes (with firmware v2.0+)
2-Way Audio	Yes	Yes (noise cancellation)	Yes
Local Storage (USB)	Yes	Yes	Yes

Final Thoughts: Should You Mix Arlo Pro and Pro 2 Cameras?

After years of using both, my verdict is this: Yes, Arlo Pro and Arlo Pro 2 cameras are interchangeable—but with some trade-offs. They work together, share the same base station, and even use the same batteries. But the Pro 2’s better video, smarter alerts, and newer features make it a clear upgrade.

If you’re on a budget, mixing models is a smart way to expand your system gradually. Use Pros for low-traffic areas and Pro 2s for high-priority spots like doors and driveways. Just remember: firmware updates are your friend. Keep that base station current, and you’ll avoid most compatibility headaches.

And if you’re starting fresh? I’d recommend going all-in on Pro 2s (or newer models like the Pro 3 or Pro 4). The consistency in features and quality makes a big difference. But if you already have Pros and want to add a Pro 2? Go for it. I’ve done it, and it works just fine.

At the end of the day, home security is about peace of mind. Whether it’s 720p or 1080p, motion zones or basic alerts—what matters is that your cameras are watching, recording, and alerting you when it counts. Mix and match if it works for your needs. Just don’t let the tech details stress you out. You’ve got this.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Arlo Pro and Arlo Pro 2 cameras interchangeable with the same base station?

Yes, both Arlo Pro and Arlo Pro 2 cameras are compatible with the same Arlo Pro base station (VMB4000 or VMB4500). This allows you to mix and match cameras within the same system seamlessly.

Can I use Arlo Pro 2 cameras with my existing Arlo Pro mounts and accessories?

Absolutely! The Arlo Pro and Arlo Pro 2 share identical mounting designs, so all accessories (e.g., magnetic mounts, skins, charging cables) are fully interchangeable between the two models.

Do Arlo Pro and Arlo Pro 2 require different apps or software?

No, both cameras work with the same Arlo app and software. You can manage them together in one dashboard, making it easy to monitor a hybrid setup of Pro and Pro 2 cameras.

Are Arlo Pro and Arlo Pro 2 interchangeable in terms of video quality and features?

While the cameras are physically compatible, Arlo Pro 2 offers upgraded features like 1080p HD video, a wider field of view, and improved night vision. These differences mean you won’t get Pro 2’s enhanced specs on original Pro cameras.

Will Arlo Pro 2 cameras drain batteries faster than Arlo Pro in a mixed system?

Battery life varies based on usage, but Arlo Pro 2’s advanced features (e.g., higher resolution) may consume slightly more power. Both models use the same battery type (Arlo Pro Rechargeable Battery), so replacements are interchangeable.

Can I add Arlo Pro cameras to an Arlo Pro 2 subscription plan?

Yes, both models use the same subscription plans (e.g., Arlo Smart). However, features like cloud storage apply per camera, regardless of whether it’s a Pro or Pro 2 device in your setup.