How Many Arlo Cameras Can I Have A Complete Guide

You can have up to 15 Arlo cameras on a single account, depending on your subscription plan and base station model, with higher-tier plans supporting more devices and advanced features. SmartHub or Arlo Base Station users can connect even more cameras locally, making it easy to scale your home security system without sacrificing performance.

Key Takeaways

• Arlo supports up to 15 cameras per account for seamless multi-camera monitoring.
• Check your subscription plan—higher tiers allow more cameras and advanced features.
• Wi-Fi bandwidth matters; ensure your router handles all camera streams without lag.
• Use Arlo SmartHub to expand connectivity and improve camera performance.
• Sync cameras in groups for easier management and bulk settings adjustments.
• Local storage options reduce cloud dependency but require compatible base stations.

How Many Arlo Cameras Can I Have? A Complete Guide

Imagine this: You’re sipping your morning coffee, scrolling through your phone, and suddenly you get a notification. A motion alert from your Arlo camera. You tap the app, and there’s your neighbor’s dog doing zoomies in your backyard. You smile, feeling a little safer knowing your home is under watch. But then it hits you—what if you want to cover more areas? The front porch, the side gate, the garage, and maybe even the kids’ playroom? How many Arlo cameras can I have without things getting messy?

You’re not alone. Whether you’re building a full smart home security system or just want to keep an eye on your pets while you’re away, the question of how many Arlo cameras can I have is one of the most common—and important—questions for Arlo users. The answer isn’t a one-size-fits-all. It depends on your setup, your internet, your power source, and your budget. But don’t worry—I’ve been down this road. I’ve tested different Arlo systems, talked to Arlo support, and even ran into a few hiccups along the way. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to figure out the perfect number of Arlo cameras for your home, without overloading your system or your sanity.

Understanding Arlo’s Ecosystem and Camera Types

Before we dive into numbers, it’s key to understand that not all Arlo cameras are the same. Arlo offers a range of devices, from basic indoor cameras to high-end outdoor models with night vision, 4K video, and advanced AI detection. Knowing the differences helps you plan your setup wisely.

Types of Arlo Cameras

Arlo’s lineup includes several camera models, each with unique features and limitations:

• Arlo Essential (Indoor & Outdoor): Budget-friendly, 1080p resolution, battery-powered, Wi-Fi only. Great for basic monitoring.
• Arlo Pro 4 & Pro 5S: 2K resolution, color night vision, spotlight, rechargeable batteries. Ideal for outdoor coverage.
• Arlo Ultra 2: 4K HDR, dual-band Wi-Fi, built-in spotlight and siren. Best for high-detail surveillance.
• Arlo Go 2: LTE-powered, perfect for remote areas with no Wi-Fi (like cabins or construction sites).
• Arlo Wire-Free & Floodlight Cameras: Battery-powered with motion-activated floodlights—great for driveways and dark yards.
• Arlo Baby: Designed for nurseries with lullabies, air quality sensors, and two-way audio.

Hubs, Base Stations, and Connectivity

Most Arlo cameras (except the Essential and Go series) use a base station or hub to connect to your network. The base station acts as a bridge between your cameras and your router, improving signal strength and reducing Wi-Fi congestion.

For example, the Arlo SmartHub (VMB5000) supports up to 15 cameras. Older models like the VMB4540 support fewer—usually around 5–7. The hub also stores video locally if you’re using an Arlo Secure plan with local storage (a feature I’ll touch on later).

Here’s a tip: If you’re planning to go beyond 5–7 cameras, invest in a SmartHub. It gives you more headroom and better reliability. I learned this the hard way when my older base station started dropping connections with just 6 cameras.

How Many Cameras Can One Arlo Account Support?

This is the big one: How many Arlo cameras can I have on a single account? The short answer: Up to 15 cameras per account—but with caveats.

Account-Level Limits

Arlo’s official policy allows a maximum of 15 cameras per account. This limit applies across all Arlo devices, regardless of model. So whether you have 10 Pro 4s and 5 Essentials, or 15 Ultras, the cap is 15.

But here’s the catch: This limit is tied to your Arlo account, not your physical hardware. That means if you hit 15, you can’t add another camera unless you remove one or create a new account.

I once tried adding a 16th camera—a gift from my brother—and got a clear error: “Maximum number of cameras reached.” No workarounds. No “just this once.” It’s a hard cap.

Workarounds and Family Sharing

If you need more than 15 cameras—say, for a large property or a multi-family home—there are smart solutions:

• Create a second Arlo account: Use a different email (like your spouse’s or a dedicated family email). You can manage both from the same phone, but you’ll need to switch between accounts in the app.
• Use Arlo’s Family Sharing: Share access to your account with up to 4 family members. They can view and manage cameras, but you still only have 15 slots. It’s great for shared homes but doesn’t increase your camera limit.
• Use a business account (Arlo for Business): If you’re running a small business, Arlo offers commercial plans with higher limits (up to 50 cameras per account). These come with advanced admin controls, user roles, and integration with access control systems.

Real-World Example

My friend Sarah runs a bed-and-breakfast with 8 guest rooms, a kitchen, a parking lot, and a garden. She needed 20 cameras. Her solution? Two Arlo accounts—one for guest areas (10 cameras) and one for staff and back-of-house (10 cameras). She uses a shared family email for both and switches between them in the app. It’s not seamless, but it works. And she’s happy knowing every corner is covered.

Technical Limits: Wi-Fi, Bandwidth, and Power

Even if your account allows 15 cameras, your home network and power setup might not. Here’s what you need to watch out for.

Wi-Fi Bandwidth and Network Load

Each Arlo camera uses bandwidth to send video to the cloud or your hub. The more cameras, the more data—and the more strain on your Wi-Fi.

• 1080p cameras: ~1–2 Mbps per camera (live stream or motion recording)
• 2K cameras: ~2–3 Mbps
• 4K cameras (Ultra 2): ~4–5 Mbps

So, 15 Ultra 2 cameras could use up to 75 Mbps during active recording. That’s a lot if you’re also streaming Netflix, gaming, or working from home.

Tip: Use a dedicated Wi-Fi network (a second SSID or a guest network) for your Arlo cameras. This keeps your main network free for other devices. I set up a “Security” network on my router, and it made a huge difference in stability.

Router and Hub Capacity

Most modern routers can handle 15–20 devices easily. But if you have an older router (pre-2018), it might struggle with multiple high-bandwidth cameras. Look for:

• Dual-band or tri-band Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz for range, 5 GHz for speed)
• Support for Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) or Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
• MU-MIMO technology (lets your router talk to multiple devices at once)

Also, remember: If you’re using a SmartHub, it connects to your router via Ethernet. This offloads Wi-Fi traffic and improves performance. I recommend hardwiring your hub if possible.

Power and Battery Management

Wire-free Arlo cameras run on rechargeable batteries. The more cameras, the more batteries you need to charge or replace.

• Arlo Pro 4/5S: ~3–6 months per charge (varies with activity)
• Arlo Essential: ~2–4 months
• Arlo Ultra 2: ~3–5 months

With 15 cameras, you’re managing 15 batteries. That’s a lot of charging cycles. I keep a charging station with 5–6 extra batteries so I can rotate them easily. Also, consider solar panels—they extend battery life significantly, especially in sunny areas.

For indoor or wired setups, Arlo offers AC power adapters for most models. These are a game-changer if you don’t want to deal with batteries.

Storage, Cloud, and Subscription Limits

Now let’s talk about what happens after your cameras record something. Where does the video go? And how many cameras can your storage handle?

Free vs. Paid Storage Plans

Arlo offers a free plan with 7 days of cloud storage for the last 30 days of footage—but only for one camera. Yes, just one. If you have 10 cameras, you’ll need a subscription to see all their recordings.

Here’s the current (2024) Arlo Secure subscription tiers:

Plan	Cameras Covered	Cloud Storage	Price (Monthly)	Best For
Arlo Secure (Single Camera)	1	30-day cloud	$2.99	One-camera setups
Arlo Secure (Multiple Cameras)	Up to 5	30-day cloud	$9.99	Small homes, 2–5 cameras
Arlo Secure (Unlimited Cameras)	All 15	30-day cloud + e911	$14.99	Full-home coverage
Arlo Secure Plus	All 15	60-day cloud + AI detection + local storage	$19.99	High-security needs

Note: The “Unlimited Cameras” plan covers all cameras on your account—up to 15. If you have more (via a second account), you’ll need another subscription.

Local Storage Option

If you don’t want to pay for cloud storage, use local storage with a SmartHub. You can insert a microSD card (up to 256GB) for continuous or event-based recording. This is great for privacy and avoiding monthly fees.

But: Local storage doesn’t support AI features (like person or package detection) unless you’re on the Secure Plus plan. And if your hub is stolen or damaged, you lose the footage.

Pro tip: Use both. Subscribe to the base Arlo Secure plan (30-day cloud) and use local storage as a backup. That way, you’re covered even if the cloud fails.

Planning Your Ideal Arlo Camera Setup

So, how many Arlo cameras should you have? It depends on your home, habits, and security goals. Let’s break it down.

Assess Your Coverage Needs

Start by walking around your property. Ask:

• Where are the entry points? (doors, windows, garage)
• Are there blind spots? (back alley, side yard, basement stairs)
• Do you want indoor monitoring? (nursery, living room, home office)
• Is there a high-risk area? (pool, driveway, shed)

For a typical suburban home, 4–8 cameras are usually enough: 2–3 outside (front, back, side), 1–2 inside (main living area, hallway), and 1–3 for specific zones (garage, porch, backyard).

Prioritize Camera Placement

Not all areas need high-end cameras. Use this strategy:

• Front door & garage: Arlo Pro 5S or Ultra 2 (high detail, package detection)
• Backyard & driveway: Arlo Pro 4 or Essential (good range, motion alerts)
• Indoor: Arlo Essential or Baby (no need for 4K inside)
• Remote areas: Arlo Go 2 (LTE, no Wi-Fi needed)

This saves money and avoids overkill. I once put an Ultra 2 in my laundry room—overkill. Now I use an Essential, and it works perfectly.

Scale Smartly

Start with 3–5 cameras. Test your network, power, and storage. Then expand gradually. This helps you catch issues early—like Wi-Fi drops or battery drain—before you’re stuck with 15 cameras that don’t work well together.

Also, label your cameras in the app (e.g., “Front Door – Ultra 2”) so you know which is which. Trust me, after 10 cameras, they all start to look the same.

Final Thoughts and Real-World Recommendations

So, how many Arlo cameras can I have? The technical answer is 15 per account. But the practical answer depends on your needs, budget, and setup.

For most people, 5–10 cameras strike the perfect balance between coverage and manageability. You get full visibility without overwhelming your Wi-Fi or wallet. If you need more, use a second account or upgrade to Arlo for Business.

Here’s my final checklist before expanding:

• ✅ Use a SmartHub for 5+ cameras
• ✅ Set up a dedicated Wi-Fi network
• ✅ Subscribe to the right Arlo Secure plan (Unlimited or Plus)
• ✅ Use solar panels or AC power for high-activity cameras
• ✅ Test battery life and charging routines
• ✅ Label cameras and organize in the app

Remember: More cameras don’t always mean better security. It’s about smart placement, reliable connectivity, and consistent monitoring. I’ve seen homes with 20 cameras that miss break-ins because they’re poorly placed—and homes with just 4 that stop thieves in their tracks.

Your Arlo system is a tool. Use it wisely. Start small, learn what works, and grow from there. And if you ever hit that 15-camera wall? Now you know your options.

Stay safe, stay smart, and happy monitoring!

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Arlo cameras can I have on a single account?

You can connect up to 15 Arlo cameras to a single Arlo account, regardless of whether they’re wired or wireless. This limit applies to most Arlo subscription plans, including the free tier.

Does the number of Arlo cameras I can have depend on my subscription plan?

Yes, while the base account supports up to 15 cameras, higher-tier Arlo Secure plans allow for more advanced features like extended video history and multi-camera detection. However, the 15-camera limit remains consistent across most plans.

Can I use more than 15 Arlo cameras by creating multiple accounts?

Technically, yes—you can create additional Arlo accounts to exceed the 15-camera limit, but managing multiple accounts isn’t ideal. Consider upgrading to Arlo’s business solutions for larger-scale deployments.

How many Arlo cameras can I have on one base station or hub?

Most Arlo base stations (like the Arlo SmartHub or VMB4000) support up to 15 cameras. Older models may have lower limits, so check your hardware specifications before expanding your system.

Is there a limit to how many Arlo cameras I can view at once in the app?

The Arlo app lets you view up to 4 cameras simultaneously in multi-camera mode. If you have more than 4 cameras, you can switch between groups or use the timeline feature to review footage.

How many Arlo cameras can I have without a subscription?

You can still have up to 15 Arlo cameras without a subscription, but you’ll miss out on cloud storage and advanced features. Local storage via a USB drive is an option for basic recording needs.