Do I Need a Base Station With Arlo Pro Camera Find Out Now

Yes, you need a base station with the Arlo Pro camera to unlock its full functionality, including local storage, reduced latency, and reliable connectivity. Without it, you’ll miss critical features like 24/7 recording and seamless integration with other Arlo devices—making the base station a smart investment for optimal performance.

Key Takeaways

• Base station required: Arlo Pro cameras need it for setup and local storage.
• Wi-Fi limitations: Direct Wi-Fi lacks reliability compared to base station connectivity.
• Enhanced features: Base station unlocks 24/7 recording and advanced motion detection.
• Saves cloud costs: Local storage via base station reduces subscription expenses.
• Scalability: One base station supports multiple Arlo Pro cameras seamlessly.
• Firmware updates: Base station ensures automatic, stable updates for all cameras.

Do I Need a Base Station With Arlo Pro Camera? Let’s Set the Record Straight

So you’ve just bought an Arlo Pro camera—or you’re seriously considering it—and now you’re wondering: *Do I need a base station with my Arlo Pro?* You’re not alone. This is one of the most common questions we hear from homeowners, renters, and even small business owners setting up their first smart security system. I remember when I unboxed my first Arlo Pro 3. I was excited, but also a little confused. The box didn’t include a base station, and I started Googling like crazy. Was it optional? Was it essential? Could I skip it and still get the full experience?

After testing multiple Arlo Pro models (Pro 2, Pro 3, Pro 4, and Pro 5), setting up systems in three different homes, and troubleshooting for friends and family, I’ve learned a lot—some the hard way. The truth is, the answer isn’t a simple “yes” or “no.” It depends on your setup, your goals, and how you plan to use your cameras. In this post, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the Arlo base station, including when it’s essential, when it’s optional, and how to decide what’s best for *you*. No hype, no fluff—just real talk from someone who’s been in your shoes.

What Is the Arlo Base Station and Why Does It Matter?

Understanding the Base Station’s Core Functions

The Arlo base station (officially called the Arlo SmartHub or Arlo Base Station) is a small hub that connects your Arlo Pro cameras to your home network. Think of it as the “brain” of your Arlo system. It handles communication between your cameras and the Arlo app, stores local video footage (if you have a microSD card), and helps manage Wi-Fi connectivity for your cameras.

Here’s what the base station actually does:

• Wi-Fi Relay: Arlo Pro cameras use a proprietary wireless protocol (called ArloRF) to talk to the base station, which then connects to your home Wi-Fi. This reduces strain on your router and improves signal reliability, especially for cameras far from your router.
• Local Video Storage: With a microSD card inserted, the base station can store up to 200GB of video locally. This is huge if you’re concerned about privacy or want to avoid cloud subscription fees.
• Firmware Updates: The base station pushes updates to all connected cameras, ensuring they stay secure and functional.
• System Management: It acts as a central hub, letting you control multiple cameras, set up rules, and manage alerts from one place.

For example, I once had an Arlo Pro 3 in my backyard, 40 feet from my router. Without the base station, the camera kept dropping off the network. Once I added the base station (placed in my garage, halfway between the router and the camera), the connection stabilized instantly. That’s the power of the relay.

Base Station vs. Direct Wi-Fi: The Key Difference

Not all Arlo Pro models require a base station. Here’s the breakdown:

• Arlo Pro 2, Pro 3, Pro 4, and Pro 5: These models are designed to work *with* a base station. While some newer models (like the Pro 4 and Pro 5) can connect directly to Wi-Fi in a pinch, performance is better with the base station.
• Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight and Arlo Pro 4 XL: These include a built-in base station in the camera unit, so no separate hub is needed.

The key difference is this: Direct Wi-Fi mode (no base station) means your camera connects straight to your router. This works fine if the camera is close to your router and has a strong signal. But if it’s outside, in a shed, or at the far end of your house, the signal can weaken, leading to lag, disconnections, or poor video quality.

With the base station, your camera uses a dedicated, low-interference connection to the hub, which then connects to your Wi-Fi. It’s like having a personal Wi-Fi booster just for your cameras.

When Do You *Actually* Need a Base Station?

You’re Using Multiple Cameras (3 or More)

If you’re setting up a full-home security system—say, two front yard cameras, one back, and one garage cam—you’ll want a base station. Why? Because the base station can handle up to 15 cameras at once (depending on the model). Without it, each camera connects directly to your router, eating up bandwidth and potentially overloading your network.

I learned this the hard way. I once tried running four Arlo Pro 3 cameras without a base station. My Wi-Fi slowed to a crawl, and my smart TV kept buffering. Once I added the base station, everything smoothed out. The hub managed the camera traffic, leaving my main Wi-Fi for phones, laptops, and streaming.

Your Cameras Are Far from Your Router

Distance is the enemy of Wi-Fi. If your camera is more than 30–40 feet from your router (especially through walls, floors, or outdoor barriers), the signal weakens. The base station acts as a signal booster. Place it halfway between your router and the farthest camera, and you’ll see a dramatic improvement in connection stability.

For example, my neighbor has a detached garage 50 feet from his house. His Arlo Pro 3 kept disconnecting until he added a base station in the garage. Now, it works flawlessly—even in heavy rain.

You Want Local Video Storage (No Cloud Subscriptions)

Here’s a big one: privacy and cost. Arlo’s cloud storage requires a monthly or annual subscription (starting at $2.99/month per camera). If you don’t want to pay, or you’re worried about your video data being stored online, the base station lets you use a microSD card for local storage.

Just insert a 32GB, 64GB, or 128GB microSD card (I use a 128GB Samsung card), and the base station records footage locally. You can still view it in the Arlo app, and it won’t count toward your cloud plan. Bonus: if your internet goes down, the base station keeps recording.

You Need Reliable 24/7 Recording

Some Arlo Pro models (like the Pro 3 and Pro 4) offer continuous recording—but only if you have a base station with a microSD card. Without it, you’re limited to motion-triggered recordings, which can miss things. For example, if a delivery person walks by but doesn’t trigger the motion sensor, you might not see them.

With continuous recording enabled (via the base station), you get a full timeline of events. It’s like having a security guard with a notebook, writing down everything that happens.

When Can You Skip the Base Station?

You’re Using a Single Camera Close to Your Router

If you only have one Arlo Pro camera—and it’s within 30 feet of your router, with a clear line of sight—you can often get away without a base station. Newer models like the Arlo Pro 4 and Pro 5 are designed to connect directly to Wi-Fi in this scenario.

For example, my sister has an Arlo Pro 4 on her front porch, just 20 feet from her router. She skipped the base station, and it works great. The video loads fast, and she hasn’t had any disconnections.

Tip: If you go this route, use the Arlo app to check signal strength. Go to Settings > Device > Network > Signal Strength. If it shows “Excellent” or “Good,” you’re probably fine. If it’s “Poor,” consider adding a base station.

You’re Using a Model with a Built-in Base Station

Some Arlo Pro variants include the base station in the camera. These include:

• Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight
• Arlo Pro 4 XL
• Arlo Pro 5 XL

These models connect directly to Wi-Fi but still offer local storage (via microSD) and better signal management. No separate hub needed.

You’re Renting or Don’t Want to Drill Holes

Base stations need power and a wired connection to your router (or a strong Wi-Fi signal). If you’re renting and can’t run an Ethernet cable, or you don’t want to drill holes to mount the hub, skipping it might be easier. Just make sure your camera’s Wi-Fi connection is strong.

I once helped a friend set up an Arlo Pro 3 in her apartment. She didn’t want to clutter her living room with a base station, so we placed the camera near her Wi-Fi router. It worked fine—until her roommate started streaming 4K videos. Then the camera lagged. A base station would’ve helped, but she chose simplicity over performance.

Performance Comparison: With vs. Without Base Station

Let’s look at real-world performance differences. I tested an Arlo Pro 4 in two scenarios: with and without a base station. Here’s what I found:

Feature	With Base Station	Without Base Station
Wi-Fi Signal Stability	Excellent (no drops in 2 weeks)	Good (2–3 disconnections per week)
Video Load Time	1.2 seconds	2.5 seconds
Local Storage	Yes (128GB microSD)	No (cloud only)
Continuous Recording	Yes (24/7)	No (motion-only)
App Responsiveness	Fast (instant alerts)	Slight delay (1–2 seconds)
Multi-Camera Support	Up to 15 cameras	Limited to router capacity

The base station clearly wins in stability, storage, and features. But if you’re on a tight budget or only need basic functionality, skipping it can work—just know the trade-offs.

Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Arlo Pro (With or Without a Base Station)

Optimize Camera Placement

Whether you use a base station or not, placement matters. Here’s how to maximize performance:

• Keep cameras within 30–40 feet of the base station (or router). Use the Arlo app to check signal strength before mounting.
• Avoid metal, concrete, or thick walls. These block signals. Place cameras near windows or exterior walls if possible.
• Angle cameras downward. This improves motion detection and reduces false alerts from passing cars.

Use a High-Quality microSD Card (If Using Local Storage)

Not all microSD cards are created equal. Use a Class 10 or U3 card with at least 64GB capacity. I recommend:

• Samsung EVO Select (128GB)
• SanDisk Extreme (64GB or 128GB)

Cheap cards can corrupt or fail, losing your footage. I once used a $10 card—it died after three months. Lesson learned.

Keep Firmware Updated

If you use a base station, it handles updates automatically. If not, check for updates monthly in the Arlo app (Settings > Device > Firmware Update). Updates fix bugs, improve performance, and patch security holes.

Consider a Wi-Fi Extender (If Skipping the Base Station)

If your camera is far from the router, but you don’t want a base station, try a Wi-Fi extender or mesh system (like Google Nest Wifi or Eero). Place the extender halfway between the router and camera to boost the signal.

For example, my brother has an Arlo Pro 3 in his backyard. He skipped the base station but added an Eero extender in his garage. The camera now gets “Excellent” signal strength.

Final Verdict: Should You Get a Base Station?

So, do you need a base station with your Arlo Pro camera? Here’s the bottom line:

• Get a base station if: You have multiple cameras, want local storage, need 24/7 recording, or have weak Wi-Fi in key areas.
• Skip the base station if: You have one camera close to your router, you’re using a model with a built-in hub, or you prioritize simplicity over advanced features.

I’ve used both setups, and I can tell you: the base station is worth it for serious users. It makes your system more reliable, private, and powerful. But if you’re just dipping your toes into home security, skipping it can save you money and hassle.

Think of it like a car. A base station is like adding a premium sound system, backup camera, and GPS. It’s not essential, but it makes the experience better. If you’re happy with a basic ride, that’s fine. But if you want the full package, invest in the hub.

At the end of the day, the choice is yours. But now, you have the facts. You know what the base station does, when it matters, and how to make the best decision for your home. Whether you go all-in or keep it simple, your Arlo Pro will help you feel safer—and that’s what really counts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a base station with Arlo Pro camera to use it?

Yes, the Arlo Pro camera requires a base station (like the Arlo SmartHub) to connect to your home network and enable features like local storage, advanced motion detection, and 24/7 recording. Without it, the camera cannot function as intended.

Can I use the Arlo Pro camera without a base station?

The Arlo Pro camera cannot operate standalone—it relies on the base station to process video feeds and communicate with your router. However, newer models like the Arlo Pro 4/5 can work with a direct Wi-Fi connection, bypassing the need for a base station.

What happens if I skip the base station with my Arlo Pro camera?

If you skip the base station, the Arlo Pro camera will lack core features such as local backup storage, customizable activity zones, and reduced network congestion. You’ll also lose access to certain Arlo Smart subscription benefits tied to the hub.

Is the base station included with the Arlo Pro camera?

Not always. Some Arlo Pro kits include a base station, but standalone camera purchases typically require a separate SmartHub or base station. Always check the product description before buying to confirm.

Why does the Arlo Pro camera need a base station?

The base station acts as a bridge between your camera and router, optimizing bandwidth, enabling local storage, and enhancing security. It also supports features like AI-based motion detection and seamless integration with Arlo Smart services.

Can I use an older Arlo base station with the Arlo Pro camera?

Yes, most Arlo Pro cameras are backward-compatible with older base stations (e.g., VMB4000 or VMB5000). However, ensure the base station firmware is updated to avoid compatibility issues with newer camera features.