Can Arlo Cameras Sync With Arlo Pro Base Station Explained

Yes, Arlo cameras can sync with the Arlo Pro Base Station, enabling seamless integration for enhanced security and centralized control. This compatibility supports local storage, reduced Wi-Fi congestion, and improved camera performance, making it an ideal setup for expanding your Arlo ecosystem reliably and efficiently.

Key Takeaways

• Yes, Arlo cameras sync seamlessly with the Arlo Pro base station for centralized control.
• Use the Arlo app to pair cameras and base station in minutes.
• Pro base station boosts range and reduces Wi-Fi interference for stable connections.
• Supports up to 15 cameras per base station for scalable security setups.
• Local storage option available via base station’s USB port for backup recordings.
• Firmware updates are automatic when connected, ensuring optimal performance.

Why You Might Be Wondering About Arlo Cameras and Base Stations

If you’ve ever set up a home security system, you know that the details matter. You want everything to work smoothly, without hiccups or confusion. I remember when I first bought my Arlo camera system—I was excited but also a little nervous. I had the Arlo Pro 3 cameras and an older Arlo Pro base station, and I kept asking myself, “Can Arlo cameras sync with Arlo Pro base station?” It’s a question I’m sure many people have, especially since Arlo has released so many models over the years. You don’t want to invest in new cameras only to find out they don’t work with your existing hardware.

That’s exactly why this guide exists. Whether you’re upgrading your system, adding new cameras, or just trying to understand compatibility, knowing whether your Arlo cameras can sync with the Arlo Pro base station is crucial. In this post, we’ll dive into the ins and outs of Arlo device compatibility, walk through the setup process, and share real-life tips to make your life easier. No fluff, no hype—just honest, practical advice from someone who’s been in your shoes.

Understanding Arlo Base Stations: What the Arlo Pro Base Station Is and How It Works

What Is the Arlo Pro Base Station?

The Arlo Pro base station is a central hub designed to connect and manage your Arlo Pro series wireless cameras. Think of it as the brain of your system. It handles video streaming, stores footage locally (if you use an SD card), and connects to your home Wi-Fi network so you can access your cameras remotely via the Arlo app. It’s a small, white box with Ethernet ports and indicator lights, and it’s essential for many Arlo Pro models.

Launched alongside the Arlo Pro and Arlo Pro 2 cameras, this base station was built to support up to five cameras at once. It uses a secure 2.4 GHz wireless connection to communicate with the cameras, which helps reduce interference and improves reliability compared to Wi-Fi-only setups. It also has a built-in siren, which can be triggered manually or automatically when motion is detected—great for deterring intruders.

How the Base Station Communicates With Cameras

Here’s how it works: your Arlo Pro base station creates a private, encrypted wireless network between itself and your cameras. This means your cameras don’t connect directly to your home Wi-Fi. Instead, they “talk” to the base station, which then connects to your router. This setup helps reduce Wi-Fi congestion and can improve performance, especially in homes with lots of smart devices.

One thing to note: the base station needs to be connected to your router via an Ethernet cable. It doesn’t support Wi-Fi backhaul, so you can’t place it just anywhere. I learned this the hard way when I tried to hide it behind a bookshelf—no connection! Once I moved it near my router and plugged it in, everything worked like a charm.

• Key features: Local storage (via microSD), siren, secure wireless link, supports up to 5 cameras
• Connectivity: Ethernet to router, 2.4 GHz wireless to cameras
• App control: Full access via Arlo app on iOS and Android

Can Arlo Cameras Sync With Arlo Pro Base Station? Compatibility Breakdown

Arlo Pro and Pro 2: A Perfect Match

Let’s start with the obvious: the original Arlo Pro and Arlo Pro 2 cameras are fully compatible with the Arlo Pro base station. These were designed as a system, so they work seamlessly together. If you already have this base station, adding more Arlo Pro or Pro 2 cameras is straightforward. Just press the sync button on the base, press the button on the camera, and you’re done in under a minute.

I’ve added three Arlo Pro 2 cameras to my system this way, and each time, the sync process took less than 30 seconds. The base station even gives you a little beep when it recognizes a new camera—super satisfying!

Arlo Pro 3 and Arlo Pro 4: The Compatibility Catch

Now, here’s where things get tricky. The Arlo Pro 3 and Arlo Pro 4 cameras are not officially supported by the Arlo Pro base station. Arlo introduced a new base station—the Arlo SmartHub—specifically for these newer models. The Pro 3 and Pro 4 use a different wireless protocol and require the SmartHub to function properly.

So, can you sync an Arlo Pro 3 with an Arlo Pro base station? Technically, no. The Arlo app will even warn you that the device is incompatible. I tried it once out of curiosity, and the app just showed a red error message: “This camera requires an Arlo SmartHub.” Bummer, but fair enough—technology evolves.

That said, if you already own a Pro 3 or Pro 4 and an older base station, you’re not out of luck. You can either:

• Use the Arlo SmartHub (sold separately or in bundles)
• Connect the newer cameras directly to Wi-Fi (they support Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), but you’ll lose local storage and some features

For example, my neighbor wanted to use his old Pro base station with his new Pro 4. He ended up buying the SmartHub, and now he gets full functionality—local storage, siren, and better battery life. It was a small investment, but worth it for peace of mind.

Arlo Ultra and Ultra 2: A Different Ecosystem

The Arlo Ultra and Ultra 2 are high-end 4K cameras that also require the Arlo SmartHub. They’re not compatible with the Arlo Pro base station at all. These models have advanced features like color night vision, 12x zoom, and built-in spotlights, but they rely on the newer hub for processing and connectivity.

If you’re upgrading from an older system and want Ultra cameras, you’ll need to switch to the SmartHub. It’s a bit of a pain, but it’s part of Arlo’s strategy to phase out older hardware and push users toward newer, more capable systems.

Step-by-Step: How to Sync Arlo Cameras With the Arlo Pro Base Station

What You’ll Need

Before you start, make sure you have:

• An Arlo Pro base station (connected to your router via Ethernet)
• Compatible Arlo Pro or Arlo Pro 2 cameras
• Fully charged camera batteries (or a power source if wired)
• The Arlo app installed on your smartphone or tablet
• A stable Wi-Fi connection

I always recommend charging your cameras fully before syncing. I once tried to sync a camera with a low battery, and it kept disconnecting halfway through. Not fun.

Syncing Process: A Simple Walkthrough

1. Power on the base station. Plug it into a power outlet and connect it to your router with an Ethernet cable. Wait for the lights to stabilize (usually 1–2 minutes).
2. Open the Arlo app. Log in to your Arlo account. If you don’t have one, create it first.
3. Press the sync button on the base station. It’s a small, recessed button on the back. Use a paperclip or pen to press it. The LED will start blinking blue.
4. Press the sync button on the camera. On Arlo Pro and Pro 2 models, this is a small button near the battery compartment. Press and hold it for about 5 seconds until the camera’s LED flashes blue.
5. Wait for confirmation. The base station will beep, and the app will show a “Camera added” message. This usually takes 30–60 seconds.
6. Name your camera and set preferences. Give it a meaningful name (like “Front Door” or “Backyard”) and adjust motion settings, alerts, and recording options.

Pro tip: Do one camera at a time. I once tried to sync two cameras at once, and the base station got confused. It’s like trying to talk to two people at the same time—things get mixed up. Sync one, then move to the next.

Troubleshooting Common Sync Issues

Even with the right setup, things can go wrong. Here are a few common issues and how to fix them:

• Camera not syncing: Make sure both devices are within 30 feet of each other. Obstacles like thick walls or metal objects can block the signal.
• Base station not connecting to Wi-Fi: Double-check the Ethernet cable. Try a different port on your router or a new cable.
• App not recognizing the base station: Restart the base station and your phone. Sometimes a simple reboot fixes everything.
• Battery drain during sync: If the camera shuts off mid-process, charge it fully and try again.

I had a camera that refused to sync for days. Turned out, the battery was slightly loose. Once I reseated it, the sync worked on the first try. Little things matter!

Arlo Base Station vs. SmartHub: What’s the Difference?

Hardware and Design

The Arlo Pro base station and the newer Arlo SmartHub look similar—both are small, white boxes with Ethernet ports. But the SmartHub is slightly larger and has a more modern design. It also supports USB storage (for larger local backups) and has better processing power for handling high-resolution video from Pro 3, Pro 4, and Ultra cameras.

Camera Support and Features

The key difference is compatibility:

• Arlo Pro Base Station: Supports Arlo Pro, Arlo Pro 2, and Arlo Go (with limitations). Max 5 cameras.
• Arlo SmartHub: Supports Arlo Pro 3, Pro 4, Ultra, Ultra 2, Arlo Essential, and newer models. Max 15 devices (cameras and sensors).

The SmartHub also enables features like AI-powered person, vehicle, and package detection—something the older base station can’t handle.

Local Storage and Siren

Both hubs support local storage, but the SmartHub takes it further:

• Pro Base Station: microSD card (up to 256GB), 100 dB siren
• SmartHub: microSD card (up to 256GB) + USB drive support (up to 8TB), 90 dB siren (slightly quieter but more focused)

I use a 256GB microSD in my Pro base station, and it holds about 3 weeks of footage. With the SmartHub, I could use a USB drive for months of storage—great if you want to keep long-term archives.

Real-World Tips: Making the Most of Your Arlo System

Optimize Camera Placement for Better Sync

Even if your camera is compatible, placement matters. I’ve found that cameras placed more than 50 feet from the base station (with walls in between) tend to have weaker signals. For best results:

• Keep cameras within 30–40 feet of the base station
• Avoid placing the base station in a basement or attic if possible
• Use the Arlo app’s signal strength indicator to test placement before mounting

My backyard camera was spotty until I moved the base station to a central location. Now, I get 90%+ signal strength.

Use the App to Monitor and Manage Devices

The Arlo app is your best friend. Use it to:

• Check battery levels and signal strength
• Adjust motion zones (so you don’t get alerts for passing cars)
• Enable/disable the siren remotely
• View live feeds and recorded clips

I set up a motion zone that ignores my driveway but alerts me when someone approaches the front door. It cut my false alarms by 80%.

When to Upgrade Your Base Station

If you’re adding newer Arlo cameras (Pro 3, Pro 4, Ultra), upgrading to the SmartHub is worth it. It unlocks features like:

• 2K and 4K video streaming
• Advanced AI detection
• Longer battery life (newer cameras use the hub more efficiently)
• Support for more devices

Think of it like upgrading from an old phone to a new one—you get better performance, new features, and peace of mind knowing your system is future-proof.

Data Table: Arlo Base Station Compatibility at a Glance

Camera Model	Arlo Pro Base Station	Arlo SmartHub	Wi-Fi Direct (No Hub)
Arlo Pro	✅ Yes	❌ No	❌ Not supported
Arlo Pro 2	✅ Yes	❌ No	❌ Not supported
Arlo Pro 3	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes (2.4/5 GHz)
Arlo Pro 4	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes (2.4/5 GHz)
Arlo Ultra	❌ No	✅ Yes	❌ Not supported
Arlo Essential	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes (2.4 GHz)

Note: Wi-Fi direct mode works for newer models but disables local storage, siren, and some advanced features.

Final Thoughts: Making the Right Choice for Your Home Security

So, can Arlo cameras sync with Arlo Pro base station? The answer is: it depends. If you have Arlo Pro or Pro 2 cameras, yes—they sync perfectly and are designed to work together. But if you’re using newer models like Pro 3, Pro 4, or Ultra, you’ll need the Arlo SmartHub. There’s no workaround that preserves all features.

This isn’t a flaw—it’s a reflection of how technology advances. The Pro base station was great in its time, but newer cameras demand more processing power, better connectivity, and advanced features. Upgrading to the SmartHub isn’t just about compatibility; it’s about getting the most out of your security system.

My advice? If you’re happy with your current setup and only use Pro or Pro 2 cameras, stick with the Arlo Pro base station. It’s reliable, simple, and does the job. But if you’re adding new cameras or want better video quality, AI detection, and more storage, invest in the SmartHub. It’s a small price to pay for a smarter, safer home.

At the end of the day, the goal is peace of mind. Whether you’re syncing old cameras or building a new system, understanding compatibility helps you make informed choices. And now, you know exactly what works—and what doesn’t.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Arlo cameras sync with Arlo Pro base station?

Yes, most Arlo cameras—including Arlo Pro, Pro 2, Pro 3, and Ultra—can sync with the Arlo Pro base station. This allows centralized control and local storage options when connected to the same network.

Which Arlo cameras are compatible with the Arlo Pro base station?

The Arlo Pro base station supports Arlo Pro, Pro 2, Pro 3, Pro 4, Ultra, and Essential series cameras. Older models like the original Arlo (VMC3030) may require a firmware update for full functionality.

Do I need an Arlo Pro base station to use my Arlo Pro camera?

While not strictly required, using an Arlo Pro base station enhances your setup by enabling local storage, reducing Wi-Fi congestion, and improving device management. Some features may be limited without it.

How do I sync my Arlo camera to an Arlo Pro base station?

To sync, open the Arlo app, select “Add Device,” and follow the on-screen prompts. Ensure both the base station and camera are powered on and within range during the sync process.

Can I mix different Arlo camera models with one Arlo Pro base station?

Yes, the Arlo Pro base station supports mixed setups. For example, you can pair Arlo Ultra and Arlo Pro 3 cameras together, though recording settings and features may vary per camera model.

Does syncing Arlo cameras with Arlo Pro base station affect video quality?

No, syncing doesn’t reduce video quality. The base station acts as a hub, preserving the camera’s native resolution. However, local storage via the base station may offer more stable performance than cloud-only setups.