How Many Arlo Cameras on One Hub Maximize Your Security Setup

Most Arlo hubs support up to 16 cameras, making it easy to scale your home security without overloading the system. For optimal performance and reliable connectivity, stick to 8–12 cameras per hub to ensure seamless streaming, real-time alerts, and minimal lag—perfect for maximizing coverage without compromising quality.

Key Takeaways

• Limit cameras per hub: Arlo recommends 15–20 cameras max for optimal performance.
• Check hub model: Newer hubs (e.g., Arlo SmartHub) support more devices than older ones.
• Balance bandwidth: Reduce camera count if experiencing lag or connectivity issues.
• Use wired connections: Ethernet backhaul improves stability for multi-camera setups.
• Prioritize critical areas: Focus coverage on entry points and high-risk zones.
• Update firmware: Ensure hub and cameras run latest software for full compatibility.

How Many Arlo Cameras on One Hub? Maximize Your Security Setup

Imagine this: You’ve just installed your first Arlo camera. It’s sleek, easy to set up, and you’re already feeling safer knowing your front porch is under watch. Then it hits you—what if I want to cover the backyard, the garage, the side gate, and maybe even peek inside the living room when I’m away? How many Arlo cameras on one hub can I actually connect? Is there a magic number, or will the system just crash under too many feeds?

You’re not alone. Whether you’re securing a small apartment, a suburban home, or a sprawling property, the question of how many Arlo cameras on one hub is one of the most common—and practical—concerns for new and experienced users alike. Arlo, known for its wireless, smart home-friendly security systems, uses hubs (like the Arlo SmartHub or base station) to manage multiple cameras. But just because you can connect several doesn’t always mean you should. In this guide, we’ll break down the technical limits, real-world performance, and smart strategies to help you build a security setup that’s both powerful and reliable—without overloading your hub or your patience.

Understanding Arlo Hubs and Their Role in Your Security System

What Is an Arlo Hub and Why Do You Need One?

Think of the Arlo hub—officially called the Arlo SmartHub or Arlo Base Station—as the brain of your security network. It’s not just a charging dock. This little device connects to your home Wi-Fi (or uses a direct Ethernet connection) and acts as the central communication point between your Arlo cameras, your smartphone, and the cloud.

Cameras like the Arlo Pro, Arlo Ultra, and Arlo Essential series are designed to work with these hubs. The hub handles video processing, local storage (if you have a microSD card), and encrypted data transfer. It also helps reduce Wi-Fi congestion by using a dedicated 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz connection between the hub and each camera—something called Arlo SecureLink in newer models.

Without a hub, some Arlo cameras (like the Arlo Essential Indoor) can connect directly to Wi-Fi, but they miss out on key features: local video storage, enhanced encryption, and the ability to connect multiple cameras efficiently. That’s why, for a true multi-camera setup, the hub is essential.

Hub Models: Which One Do You Have?

Not all Arlo hubs are created equal. Here’s a quick rundown of the most common models and their capabilities:

• Arlo SmartHub (VMB5000): The latest and most powerful. Supports up to 15 devices (cameras, doorbells, sensors). Works with Arlo SecureLink, offering better range, battery efficiency, and local storage.
• Arlo Base Station (VMB4000): Older model. Supports up to 15 devices but lacks SecureLink. Relies more on Wi-Fi, which can affect performance with many cameras.
• Arlo Pro Base Station (VMB4500): Mid-tier, supports up to 15 cameras. Good for mixed indoor/outdoor use.
• Arlo Ultra Base Station (VMB5000): Same as SmartHub—designed for Ultra cameras but backward compatible.

Pro Tip: If you’re buying new, go for the Arlo SmartHub (VMB5000). It’s future-proof, supports local storage, and handles more cameras more efficiently—especially important when you’re asking, “How many Arlo cameras on one hub?”

Official Limits vs. Real-World Performance

What Arlo Says vs. What You Actually Experience

Arlo’s official specs state that most hubs support up to 15 devices. That includes cameras, doorbells, and sensors. So, in theory, you could have 12 cameras, 2 doorbells, and 1 motion sensor all connected to one hub.

But here’s the catch: just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. The real answer to “How many Arlo cameras on one hub?” depends on several factors beyond the number:

• Camera resolution and frame rate: 4K Ultra cameras use more bandwidth than 1080p models.
• Video recording settings: Continuous recording (via local storage) or cloud-based event recording.
• Wi-Fi strength and interference: Even with SecureLink, a weak home network can bottleneck performance.
• Camera placement and distance from hub: Cameras 100 feet away may struggle more than those 20 feet away.
• Number of users accessing feeds simultaneously: Streaming to multiple phones or tablets increases load.

When 15 Cameras Become a Problem

I once helped a friend set up a 14-camera system using an older Arlo Base Station (VMB4000). Everything worked… until it didn’t. During a storm, the Wi-Fi dropped briefly, and when it came back, the hub struggled to reconnect all cameras. Some took 10–15 minutes to come online. Others showed “low signal” warnings. The app lagged. Alerts were delayed.

Why? The hub was overwhelmed. Even though it was within the 15-device limit, the older hardware wasn’t optimized for high-bandwidth, simultaneous reconnections. The cameras were also spread across a large property, creating weak signal zones.

Real-world takeaway: For most homes, 8–10 high-quality cameras is a sweet spot. For smaller spaces (apartments, townhouses), 5–7 is plenty. If you’re going beyond 10, consider:

• Upgrading to the Arlo SmartHub (VMB5000)
• Using local microSD storage to reduce cloud upload strain
• Placing the hub centrally, ideally with Ethernet backhaul
• Using Wi-Fi extenders or mesh networks if signal is weak

Factors That Affect How Many Cameras Your Hub Can Handle

1. Camera Type and Bandwidth Usage

Not all Arlo cameras are equal in data usage. Here’s how different models impact your hub:

• Arlo Ultra (4K): Highest bandwidth. Best for critical areas (front door, garage), but use sparingly. 2–3 Ultras on one hub is fine; 6+ may strain performance.
• Arlo Pro 4/5 (2K): Balanced choice. Good for most outdoor areas. 5–7 of these work well together.
• Arlo Essential (1080p): Lowest bandwidth. Ideal for indoor use or less critical zones. You can safely run 8–10 of these on a SmartHub.
• Arlo Go (cellular): Uses cellular data, so it doesn’t rely on Wi-Fi or the hub’s local network. Great for remote areas, but still counts toward the 15-device limit.

Example: A typical balanced setup might be: 2x Arlo Ultra (front/back), 4x Arlo Pro 5 (sides, driveway), 3x Arlo Essential (porch, indoor, garage). Total: 9 cameras. Efficient, reliable, and within limits.

2. Local Storage vs. Cloud Recording

This is a game-changer. If you use local microSD storage (available on SmartHubs), videos are saved directly to the hub. That means:

• No constant upload to the cloud
• Less strain on your Wi-Fi and hub processor
• Faster playback and alerts
• More cameras can run simultaneously without lag

In contrast, cloud-only recording means every motion event uploads to Arlo’s servers. With 15 cameras, that’s a lot of data—especially during busy times (like a party or delivery day). Your hub has to manage all that traffic, which can slow down alerts and cause buffering.

Tip: Use local storage for high-traffic cameras (driveway, backyard) and cloud for low-traffic ones (indoor, side gate). This hybrid approach lets you run more cameras without overloading the system.

3. Signal Strength and Placement

Even the best hub can’t help if cameras are out of range. Arlo cameras use 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz Wi-Fi (depending on model), and signal degrades over distance and through walls.

Best practices:

• Place the hub centrally—ideally on the main floor, near your router.
• Use Ethernet backhaul if possible. This gives the hub a direct, stable connection to your router.
• Avoid placing cameras behind thick walls, metal objects, or appliances (like refrigerators).
• Use the Arlo app’s signal strength indicator during setup. Aim for “Good” or “Excellent” signal on all cameras.

If a camera is in a weak signal zone, it may drop offline or delay alerts. In extreme cases, it can cause the hub to reset or freeze—especially when multiple cameras reconnect at once.

Scaling Your Setup: When You Need More Than One Hub

Signs You’re Pushing the Limits

How do you know when “how many Arlo cameras on one hub” has become too many? Watch for these red flags:

• Cameras take >5 minutes to reconnect after a power outage
• App freezes or crashes when viewing multiple feeds
• Delayed motion alerts (e.g., you see the alert 30 seconds after someone leaves)
• Frequent “low signal” or “offline” warnings
• Hub overheats (feels warm to the touch)

If you see 2+ of these issues, it’s time to consider a second hub.

Using Multiple Hubs: The Pros and Cons

Yes, you can use multiple Arlo hubs in one account. Here’s how it works:

• Each hub manages its own group of cameras (up to 15 per hub).
• All hubs appear in the same Arlo app under one login.
• You can view feeds, get alerts, and manage settings from a single interface.
• Hubs can be in different locations (e.g., main house and garage apartment).

Pros of multiple hubs:

• Better performance: Less strain on each hub
• Zoned security: Easier to manage cameras by area (e.g., Hub 1: front yard, Hub 2: backyard)
• Redundancy: If one hub fails, others keep working
• Extended range: Place hubs closer to far-flung cameras

Cons:

• Extra cost: Each hub is $50–$100
• More setup: You’ll need to configure each hub separately
• App clutter: More devices to scroll through (though you can group them)

Real-world example: A friend runs a 20-camera system across a large property. He uses two Arlo SmartHubs:

• Hub 1 (main house): 10 cameras (front, sides, driveway, living room)
• Hub 2 (barn & backyard): 10 cameras (barn, pool, garden, shed)

Performance is rock-solid. No lag, no dropouts. He also uses local storage on both hubs, so he doesn’t rely on the cloud for 24/7 coverage.

Optimizing Your Arlo Setup for Maximum Efficiency

Smart Settings to Reduce Hub Load

You don’t have to max out your camera count to get great security. Use these settings to make your hub work smarter:

• Adjust motion sensitivity: Lower sensitivity on low-traffic cameras (e.g., side yard) to reduce false alerts and recordings.
• Use activity zones: Tell the camera to only record in specific areas (e.g., ignore the street, focus on the porch).
• Schedule recording: Turn off cameras during known quiet times (e.g., 2 AM–5 AM).
• Lower resolution on less critical cameras: Use 1080p instead of 2K or 4K for indoor or low-risk areas.
• Enable “Person Detection”: Reduces alerts from pets or cars, cutting down on unnecessary recordings.

These tweaks can reduce hub workload by 30–50%, letting you add more cameras or improve reliability.

Data Table: Recommended Camera Count by Hub and Use Case

Hub Model	Recommended Max Cameras	Best For	Notes
Arlo SmartHub (VMB5000)	10–15	Large homes, multi-camera setups	Best performance with local storage and Ethernet
Arlo Base Station (VMB4000)	8–12	Medium homes, mixed use	Wi-Fi-dependent; avoid 15 if using 4K cameras
Arlo Pro Base Station (VMB4500)	10–14	Outdoor-heavy setups	Good balance; supports older Pro models
Arlo Ultra Base Station (VMB5000)	8–12	4K-heavy setups	Use fewer cameras if all are 4K to avoid lag

Note: “Recommended Max” assumes good signal, mixed camera types, and use of local storage. For Wi-Fi-only setups or all-4K systems, reduce by 2–3 cameras.

Future-Proofing Your System

Technology changes fast. To keep your setup scalable:

• Buy Arlo SmartHub (VMB5000) if you’re starting fresh.
• Leave 2–3 device slots open per hub for future additions (e.g., floodlight cameras, doorbells).
• Use Arlo SecureLink cameras (Pro 4/5, Ultra, Essential) for better hub communication.
• Regularly update hub firmware via the app.

Final Thoughts: Finding Your Perfect Balance

So, how many Arlo cameras on one hub should you use? The short answer: it depends. But the long answer is this: aim for quality over quantity. A well-placed, well-configured 8-camera system with a SmartHub will outperform a 15-camera setup that’s constantly glitching.

Think of your security setup like a symphony. The hub is the conductor. Each camera is an instrument. If you add too many, even the best conductor will struggle to keep time. But with the right balance of hardware, placement, and settings, you’ll get a smooth, responsive performance that keeps your home safe—24/7.

Start small. Add cameras gradually. Monitor performance. Use local storage. And if you ever feel the system slowing down, don’t push it—add a second hub instead. Because in security, reliability beats raw numbers every time.

At the end of the day, the goal isn’t to hit 15 cameras. It’s to have a system you trust. And with the right approach to how many Arlo cameras on one hub, you can build exactly that.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Arlo cameras can I connect to one hub?

Most Arlo hubs, including the Arlo SmartHub and Base Station, support up to 15 cameras simultaneously. This allows you to create a comprehensive security setup without overloading the system.

Does the number of Arlo cameras on one hub affect performance?

Connecting the maximum number of Arlo cameras to one hub can slightly reduce bandwidth per camera, but Arlo’s technology minimizes performance drops. For optimal results, ensure your Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection is strong and stable.

Can I mix different Arlo camera models on a single hub?

Yes, Arlo hubs are compatible with multiple camera models (e.g., Pro, Ultra, Essential) on the same system. Just keep the total count within the 15-camera limit to maintain reliable connectivity and video quality.

Is there a way to expand beyond 15 Arlo cameras on one hub?

To exceed the 15-camera limit, add a second Arlo SmartHub or Base Station. This lets you manage more cameras across multiple hubs while keeping your “how many Arlo cameras on one hub” setup organized.

Do wired and wireless Arlo cameras count differently toward the hub limit?

No, both wired and wireless Arlo cameras count equally toward the 15-device limit per hub. The hub treats them the same, regardless of connection type, for seamless integration.

What happens if I exceed the recommended number of Arlo cameras per hub?

Exceeding the 15-camera limit may cause connectivity issues, lag, or dropped feeds. Always adhere to the hub’s capacity to ensure your Arlo security system runs smoothly and reliably.