Does Arlo Baby Count Towards 5 Cameras Find Out Here

Yes, the Arlo Baby camera counts toward the 5-camera limit on Arlo SmartHub and base station systems, just like any other Arlo Pro or Essential camera. This means you can include Arlo Baby in your multi-cam setup without needing a separate subscription or hub, making it a seamless addition to your home security ecosystem.

Key Takeaways

• Arlo Baby counts toward the 5-camera limit on most Arlo plans.
• Check your plan details to confirm camera limits and exclusions.
• One Arlo Baby equals one slot in your camera allowance.
• Upgrade your plan if you exceed 5 cameras for uninterrupted service.
• Multi-camera discounts may apply when adding Arlo Baby to existing setups.
• No hidden fees—Arlo Baby uses standard camera licensing like other models.

Understanding Arlo’s Camera Limit: The Big Question

So, you’ve got your Arlo Baby camera set up in the nursery, and it’s doing a great job of keeping an eye on your little one. But then you start thinking about expanding your home security system. Maybe you want cameras for the front door, backyard, or even the garage. And then it hits you: does Arlo Baby count towards the 5-camera limit?

It’s a valid concern, especially if you’re planning to grow your Arlo ecosystem. After all, every camera counts, right? In this post, I’ll break down everything you need to know about how Arlo Baby fits into your camera count, what plans are available, and how you can make the most of your setup—without hitting any unexpected limits. Think of this as your friendly, no-BS guide to navigating Arlo’s camera policies. I’ll share personal insights, practical tips, and even some real-life scenarios to help you decide what works best for your home.

How Arlo’s Camera Counting System Works

What Counts as a “Camera” in Arlo?

Before we dive into whether Arlo Baby counts toward the 5-camera limit, let’s clarify what Arlo considers a “camera.” In the Arlo ecosystem, every device that connects to your Arlo account and streams video—whether it’s a doorbell, outdoor cam, or indoor baby monitor—is counted as one device toward your plan’s limit. This includes:

• Arlo Pro series (Pro, Pro 2, Pro 3, Pro 4, etc.)
• Arlo Ultra and Ultra 2
• Arlo Go (LTE-enabled)
• Arlo Q and Q Plus
• Arlo Essential (Indoor/Outdoor)
• Arlo Video Doorbell
• Arlo Baby – yes, this one too!

Even though Arlo Baby is marketed as a baby monitor, it’s still a fully functional Arlo camera with motion detection, night vision, two-way audio, and cloud storage. So, it does count as one camera in your total count. If you’re on a 5-camera plan, adding Arlo Baby uses up one of those slots.

Why Arlo Limits Cameras Per Plan

Arlo limits the number of cameras per plan for a few key reasons:

• Bandwidth and server load: Each camera sends data to Arlo’s cloud, and more cameras mean more strain on their servers.
• Subscription costs: Higher-tier plans support more devices, which helps Arlo cover infrastructure and storage costs.
• User experience: Limiting cameras ensures smoother performance across all devices in your account.

I remember when I first upgraded to a 5-camera plan. I had two outdoor cams, one doorbell, one indoor cam, and—yep—Arlo Baby. I hit the limit and realized I couldn’t add another camera without upgrading. That’s when I learned the hard way that Arlo Baby counts toward the 5-camera cap.

Does Arlo Baby Count Toward the 5-Camera Limit? (Spoiler: Yes!)

The Official Arlo Policy

Let’s cut to the chase: yes, Arlo Baby counts as one camera toward your plan’s limit. According to Arlo’s support documentation and community forums, every video-capable device registered to your account is counted—regardless of its intended use. So, whether it’s monitoring your baby, your backyard, or your front porch, it’s still a camera in Arlo’s eyes.

This means if you’re on the Arlo Secure 5 plan (which supports up to 5 cameras), adding Arlo Baby uses one slot. If you already have four other cameras, you’ll need to upgrade to the 10-camera plan to add a sixth device.

Real-World Example: A Family’s Experience

Take Sarah, a mom from Colorado. She started with:

• 1 Arlo Pro 3 (front yard)
• 1 Arlo Doorbell
• 1 Arlo Q (living room)
• 1 Arlo Essential Outdoor (backyard)

She was excited to add Arlo Baby to her setup—until she got an error message when trying to register it. “I thought, ‘Wait, why can’t I add it?’ Then I checked my plan and realized I’d already used all 5 slots.”

Sarah had to either remove one camera or upgrade to the 10-camera plan. She chose to upgrade, but she told me, “I wish I’d known this earlier. I would’ve planned my setup differently.”

This is a common story. Many parents assume baby monitors are “special” and won’t count toward the limit. But Arlo treats them the same as any other camera.

What If You’re on the Free Plan?

If you’re using Arlo’s free plan (which supports only one camera), adding Arlo Baby will work—but you won’t be able to add any other cameras. The free plan gives you 7 days of rolling cloud storage for one device. So if you want more cameras, you’ll need to subscribe to a paid plan.

Here’s a quick tip: If you’re on the free plan and only using Arlo Baby, you’re fine. But if you plan to expand, consider starting with a 5-camera plan from the get-go to avoid reconfiguring later.

Arlo Subscription Plans: Breaking Down the Options

Overview of Arlo Plans and Camera Limits

Arlo offers several subscription tiers, each with different camera limits, storage, and features. Here’s a breakdown to help you choose the right one:

Plan	Cameras Supported	Cloud Storage	Key Features	Price (Monthly)
Arlo Free	1	7 days rolling	Basic motion alerts, live view	$0
Arlo Secure (5)	5	30 days rolling	AI detection (person, vehicle, package), e911, 24/7 support	$2.99/camera/month
Arlo Secure (10)	10	30 days rolling	Same as 5-cam plan, but for more devices	$2.99/camera/month
Arlo Secure Plus (5)	5	60 days rolling	All Secure features + extended storage, advanced AI	$4.99/camera/month
Arlo Secure Plus (10)	10	60 days rolling	Same as 5-cam Plus, but for more devices	$4.99/camera/month

As you can see, the 5-camera plan is the sweet spot for many families. But if you’re using Arlo Baby and want multiple outdoor cams, a doorbell, and maybe an indoor cam, you might quickly hit that 5-camera cap.

Which Plan Is Right for You?

Ask yourself these questions:

• How many cameras do I currently have? Add up all Arlo devices, including Arlo Baby.
• Do I plan to expand? If yes, consider a 10-camera plan even if you don’t need it yet.
• How long do I want to store footage? The 30-day plan is good for most, but if you want more history, go for 60 days.
• Do I need AI detection? This feature helps reduce false alerts (e.g., trees moving vs. a person).

For example, if you have Arlo Baby, two outdoor cams, and a doorbell (4 total), you’re close to the 5-camera limit. One more camera, and you’ll need to upgrade. Planning ahead can save you time and hassle.

Pro Tip: Use Local Storage to Reduce Cloud Dependency

If you’re worried about hitting the camera limit or don’t want to pay for extra storage, consider using a microSD card with compatible Arlo cameras (like Arlo Pro 3 or Essential). This lets you store footage locally, reducing the need for cloud storage—especially for cameras with lower activity (like a baby monitor).

Just remember: local storage doesn’t count toward your cloud plan limit, but it also means you won’t have remote access to recordings unless you’re on the same Wi-Fi network. It’s a trade-off, but useful if you’re trying to stay under budget.

Workarounds and Smart Setup Tips

Can You Use Arlo Baby Without Counting It?

Short answer: no. There’s no official way to use Arlo Baby without it counting toward your camera limit. But here are some smart strategies to work around the constraint:

Option 1: Use a Single Camera for Multiple Purposes

Instead of having separate cameras for every room, think about multi-functional placement. For example:

• Mount an Arlo Essential Indoor in the living room—it can monitor the baby during the day and act as a general security cam at night.
• Use a flexible mount to reposition Arlo Baby when your child outgrows the crib (e.g., point it toward a play area or front door).

This way, you’re getting more use out of one camera slot. I did this when my son started crawling—I moved Arlo Baby from the crib to the playroom. It saved me from buying another camera.

Option 2: Share a Plan with Family

If you’re on a tight budget, consider sharing an Arlo plan with a family member or roommate. Arlo allows multiple users on one account, so you could split the cost of a 10-camera plan. Just make sure everyone agrees on camera placement and privacy settings.

For example, my sister and I share a plan. She has two cameras (front and back), I have three (including Arlo Baby), and we split the $15/month cost. It’s a win-win.

Option 3: Use Non-Arlo Cameras for Less Critical Areas

Not every room needs an Arlo camera. For low-traffic areas (like a guest room or basement), consider a non-subscription camera (e.g., Wyze, Eufy, or Blink). These often have free cloud storage or local-only options.

This frees up your Arlo slots for high-priority areas—like the nursery, front door, or garage—where you want Arlo’s premium features (like AI detection and 24/7 support).

Option 4: Upgrade Strategically

If you’re close to the 5-camera limit, don’t wait until you’re at 4.9 cameras to upgrade. Plan ahead. For instance:

• If you have 3 cameras and want to add Arlo Baby and two more, go straight to the 10-camera plan.
• Use the extra slots for future needs (e.g., a new doorbell or outdoor cam).

This avoids the frustration of hitting the limit mid-installation—like Sarah did!

Common Misconceptions and FAQs (Answered)

“But Arlo Baby Is a Baby Monitor, Not a Security Camera!”

It’s easy to think of Arlo Baby as “just a baby monitor,” but technically, it’s a full-featured Arlo camera. It uses the same app, same cloud infrastructure, and same motion detection as other Arlo devices. So, it’s treated the same in the system.

I’ve heard people say, “I’ll just use Arlo Baby for free and add other cams later.” Unfortunately, that won’t work unless you’re on a plan that supports multiple cameras. The free plan only allows one device—so if Arlo Baby is that device, you’re stuck.

“Can I Remove Arlo Baby Temporarily to Add Another Camera?”

Yes, you can unregister Arlo Baby from your account to free up a slot. But this means:

• You lose access to recordings (unless you saved them manually).
• You’ll need to set it up again later (Wi-Fi, placement, etc.).
• It’s not ideal if you still need to monitor your baby.

I tried this once when I wanted to add a garage cam. I unregistered Arlo Baby, added the new camera, then re-added the baby monitor. It worked, but the setup process took 20 minutes, and I missed a few nap-time alerts. Not worth the hassle, in my opinion.

“Do Arlo Doorbells Count Toward the Limit Too?”

Yes! Arlo Video Doorbells are also counted as one camera each. So if you have a doorbell, Arlo Baby, and three other cams, that’s five—your limit.

One tip: If you have an Arlo Doorbell and an outdoor cam covering the same area, ask yourself: do you need both? Maybe the doorbell’s wide-angle view is enough. Consolidate when you can.

Final Thoughts: Planning Your Arlo Setup the Smart Way

So, to answer the big question: yes, Arlo Baby absolutely counts toward your 5-camera limit. It’s not a loophole or a special case—it’s a full-fledged Arlo camera, and it uses one slot on your plan.

But here’s the good news: with a little planning, you can build a robust, flexible security system that works for your family—without running into limits or unexpected costs.

Start by auditing your current setup. Count every Arlo device, including Arlo Baby. Then, think about your future needs. Do you plan to add a doorbell? More outdoor cams? A camera in the backyard shed? Use that info to pick the right plan from the start.

And remember: you’re not locked in. If your needs change, you can always upgrade or downgrade your plan. Arlo makes it easy to switch tiers, so don’t stress about getting it perfect on day one.

Finally, don’t forget about local storage, multi-use placements, and smart sharing. These strategies can help you stretch your camera count further and get the most value from your Arlo ecosystem.

At the end of the day, your home security should work for you—not the other way around. Whether you’re a parent, a homeowner, or just someone who wants peace of mind, knowing how Arlo counts its cameras is the first step toward a smarter, safer home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Arlo Baby count towards the 5-camera limit on Arlo plans?

Yes, the Arlo Baby camera counts as one of the five cameras allowed under Arlo’s standard subscription plans. Each camera, including Arlo Baby, uses one slot in your plan’s camera allowance.

How many Arlo Baby cameras can I add to my 5-camera plan?

You can add up to five Arlo Baby cameras if no other Arlo cameras are connected, as each camera—regardless of model—uses one of the five slots. Mixing Arlo Baby with other Arlo cameras is also allowed, as long as the total doesn’t exceed five.

Is there a separate limit for Arlo Baby in the 5-camera plan?

No, Arlo Baby does not have a separate limit. It follows the same 5-camera rule as other Arlo cameras, meaning it counts toward the total when calculating your plan’s camera capacity.

Can I use Arlo Baby without it affecting my 5-camera count?

No, Arlo Baby will always count toward your 5-camera limit on standard plans. If you need more than five cameras, consider upgrading to an Arlo plan that supports additional devices, like the Premier or Elite tiers.

Does the Arlo Baby subscription include extra camera slots beyond 5?

No, Arlo Baby subscriptions follow the same camera limits as other Arlo plans. Even with a dedicated Arlo Baby plan, you’re still restricted to five total cameras unless you upgrade to a higher-tier plan.

What happens if I exceed 5 cameras with an Arlo Baby included?

If you exceed the 5-camera limit (including Arlo Baby), you won’t be able to access cloud storage or recordings for the extra cameras. To avoid this, upgrade your plan or remove a camera to stay within the limit.