How Many Cameras Arlo Premier Offers for Home Security

The Arlo Premier plan supports up to 10 cameras, making it ideal for comprehensive home security coverage. This flexible, scalable solution allows homeowners to monitor multiple areas seamlessly with professional-grade video and cloud storage.

Key Takeaways

• Arlo Premier offers 4 cameras: Ideal for small to medium homes.
• Expand coverage with add-ons: Supports up to 10 cameras total.
• Wire-free design: Easy DIY installation with no drilling required.
• 1080p HD video: Crisp footage day and night with motion alerts.
• Cloud storage included: 30-day video history for all 4 cameras.
• Smart home integration: Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT.

How Many Cameras Does Arlo Premier Offer for Home Security?

Imagine this: You’re sipping coffee in your backyard, watching your kids play, when you suddenly realize you forgot to lock the side gate. Your heart skips a beat—what if someone sneaked in while you weren’t looking? That moment of panic is why many of us turn to home security systems like Arlo Premier. But here’s the big question: How many cameras does Arlo Premier really offer, and is it enough to keep your entire home safe?

Home security isn’t just about cameras—it’s about peace of mind. And when it comes to smart home security, Arlo has built a solid reputation. Their Arlo Premier subscription service is designed to enhance your existing Arlo cameras with advanced features, but it doesn’t actually sell the hardware itself. That means the number of cameras you use depends on your setup, not the subscription. Still, knowing how many cameras work best with Arlo Premier, how they integrate, and what the service actually offers can make all the difference in your home’s safety. In this post, we’ll break down everything you need to know—from how many cameras you can use, to how to get the most out of your Arlo Premier experience.

What Is Arlo Premier and How Does It Work?

Understanding the Arlo Ecosystem

Before we dive into how many cameras Arlo Premier supports, let’s get clear on what Arlo Premier actually is. Think of it like a “smart upgrade” for your Arlo cameras. You buy the physical cameras separately—whether they’re the Arlo Pro 5, Arlo Ultra 2, or even the budget-friendly Arlo Essential—and then subscribe to Arlo Premier to unlock advanced features. It’s not a camera package or a bundle. Instead, it’s a cloud-based service that enhances what your cameras can do.

Arlo Premier sits between the free tier (Arlo Smart) and the premium tier (Arlo Secure). It offers a sweet spot for homeowners who want more than basic motion alerts but don’t need the full suite of features like emergency response or unlimited camera support. It’s like having a personal security assistant for your home—just not quite a full-time bodyguard.

Key Features of Arlo Premier

So what do you actually get with Arlo Premier? Here’s what makes it worth considering:

• 30-day cloud storage: Every video clip is saved for a full month. That’s a big upgrade from the free tier’s 7 days.
• Person, vehicle, and animal detection: No more false alerts from a passing squirrel or a neighbor walking their dog.
• Activity zones: You can draw custom zones on your camera feed so you only get alerts for specific areas (like your front porch, not the busy street).
• Rich notifications: Instead of a plain “motion detected,” you get a thumbnail and a label (e.g., “Person at front door”).
• Emergency call button: One tap in the app connects you to local authorities (available in select regions).

I remember setting up my first Arlo camera and getting 20 alerts in an hour because a tree branch was swaying in the wind. After switching to Arlo Premier, those alerts dropped to just two—both of which were actual visitors. The difference was night and day.

How Cameras Connect to Arlo Premier

Here’s the important part: Arlo Premier supports up to 5 cameras per subscription. That’s the magic number. Whether you have five Arlo Pro 4s or a mix of Arlo Ultra and Arlo Essential cameras, the limit is five. This is a critical detail because it shapes how you plan your home security layout.

For example, if you live in a small apartment with a front door, back door, and one hallway, five cameras might be overkill. But for a two-story house with a backyard, driveway, side gate, and garage, five cameras could be just right—or even tight. We’ll get into smart placement later, but the takeaway is: Arlo Premier is designed for small to medium-sized homes with up to five camera points.

How Many Cameras Can You Use with Arlo Premier? The Real Limit

The 5-Camera Limit: What It Means for You

Yes, the number is firm: Arlo Premier supports a maximum of 5 cameras. This isn’t a technical limitation of the cameras themselves—it’s a subscription-based cap. If you try to add a sixth camera, the Arlo app will prompt you to upgrade to Arlo Secure, which supports up to 10 cameras (and costs more).

Why five? Arlo designed Premier as a mid-tier option. It’s affordable (around $12.99/month or $129.99/year) but still powerful enough for most homes. Think of it like a “Goldilocks” plan—not too basic, not too expensive. The 5-camera limit encourages users to think strategically about camera placement rather than just covering every inch of their property.

Real-World Examples: Homes That Fit the 5-Camera Limit

Let’s look at a few real-life setups to see how the 5-camera limit plays out:

• Urban Townhouse: Front door, back patio, garage, side alley, and basement entrance. Five key points, all covered. This is a perfect fit.
• Suburban Ranch Home: Front porch, back deck, driveway, side yard, and garage. Again, five zones—ideal for Premier.
• Two-Story House with Pool: Front, back, driveway, pool gate, and side gate. Still works, but you might need to prioritize. For example, skip the side gate if it’s rarely used.
• Large Family Home (6+ Entry Points): This is where the limit becomes a challenge. You’ll need to choose between upgrading to Arlo Secure or using local storage (like a microSD card) for extra cameras without cloud features.

My friend Sarah lives in a 3-bedroom suburban home with a fenced backyard. She uses three Arlo Pro 4 cameras: front door, back door, and driveway. She’s thinking about adding two more—one for the side gate and one for the garage. With Arlo Premier, that’s totally doable. But if she wanted a camera in the backyard shed and one on the second-floor window, she’d hit the limit and need to upgrade.

What If You Need More Than 5 Cameras?

Life doesn’t always fit into neat categories. If you have a large property, a business, or just want more coverage, you have options:

• Upgrade to Arlo Secure: Supports up to 10 cameras, includes emergency response, and offers 24/7 professional monitoring (in some areas).
• Use local storage: Some Arlo cameras support microSD cards. You can record footage locally without cloud storage, but you’ll miss out on smart alerts and cloud backups.
• Mix subscriptions: Technically, you can have one Arlo Premier plan for 5 cameras and a second plan for another 5, but that’s expensive and not officially supported. Arlo doesn’t allow multiple subscriptions per account easily.

My take? If you’re serious about security and have more than 5 entry points, go for Arlo Secure. But for most people, five cameras are enough—especially if you’re smart about placement.

Smart Camera Placement: Maximizing the 5-Camera Limit

Prioritize High-Traffic and High-Risk Areas

With only five cameras to work with, every placement counts. Here’s how to make the most of your Arlo Premier setup:

• Front door (Priority #1): This is where deliveries happen, guests arrive, and potential intruders might try to enter. A camera here also helps with package theft—a growing issue.
• Back door or patio: Often overlooked, but a common entry point for break-ins. Especially if it’s hidden from the street.
• Driveway: Great for spotting cars, deliveries, or visitors. Also helps with parking disputes.
• Garage or side gate: These are often used by family or service workers. A camera here can catch unauthorized access.
• Backyard or pool area: Important for families with kids or pets. Also deters trespassers.

One mistake I made early on was putting a camera on my second-floor window. It looked cool, but it rarely caught anything useful. Meanwhile, my side gate—where the trash bins are—was completely uncovered. After a neighbor reported a suspicious person near the bins, I realized I needed to rethink my layout.

Use Activity Zones to Reduce False Alerts

Even with smart detection, cameras can get overwhelmed. That’s where activity zones come in. With Arlo Premier, you can draw custom boxes on your camera feed to define where motion should trigger alerts.

For example, if your camera faces a busy street, draw a zone only around your front porch. That way, a passing car won’t set off an alert. Or, if your backyard camera sees a tree branch, exclude that area. This feature alone can cut your false alerts by 70% or more.

Pro tip: Use the “test zone” feature in the Arlo app to see exactly what’s included before saving. Walk through the zone yourself to make sure it covers the right spots.

Mix Camera Types for Better Coverage

Not all cameras are the same. With Arlo Premier, you can mix and match different models:

• Arlo Ultra 2: 4K HDR video, color night vision, and a spotlight. Best for front/back doors.
• Arlo Pro 5: 2K video, weather-resistant, great for driveways or side gates.
• Arlo Essential: Budget-friendly, 1080p, good for low-risk areas like a garage.

I use an Arlo Ultra 2 at my front door (for crisp facial recognition), a Pro 5 in the driveway (for wide-angle coverage), and an Essential in the garage (since it’s rarely accessed). This mix keeps costs down while maximizing coverage.

Arlo Premier vs. Other Arlo Plans: Is It Worth It?

Comparing Arlo Smart, Premier, and Secure

Arlo offers three main subscription tiers. Here’s how they stack up:

Feature	Arlo Smart (Free)	Arlo Premier	Arlo Secure
Cloud Storage	7 days	30 days	30 days (up to 10 cameras)
Smart Detection	Person only	Person, vehicle, animal	Person, vehicle, animal, package
Activity Zones	Yes	Yes	Yes
Emergency Response	No	Yes (1 tap)	Yes (24/7 monitoring)
Cameras Supported	Unlimited (but limited features)	Up to 5	Up to 10
Cost (Monthly)	$0	$12.99	$24.99

As you can see, Arlo Premier is the best value for most users. It gives you 30-day storage, smart detection for three types of motion, and emergency calling—all for less than $13/month. The free tier feels limited after a week, and Arlo Secure is overkill unless you have a large property or want professional monitoring.

When to Upgrade (and When to Stay)

Here’s my rule of thumb:

• Stay on Arlo Premier if: You have 1–5 cameras, want smart alerts, and don’t need 24/7 monitoring. It’s perfect for families, renters, or small homes.
• Upgrade to Arlo Secure if: You have 6+ cameras, live in a high-crime area, or want peace of mind with professional monitoring. Also great for businesses or vacation homes.
• Stick with free if: You only have 1–2 cameras and are okay with basic alerts and 7-day storage. Not ideal for long-term security.

I started with the free plan, then switched to Premier after a package was stolen. The 30-day storage let me review footage and report it to the police. That one incident paid for a year of Premier.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Arlo Premier Setup

Optimize Your Wi-Fi and Sync Modules

Arlo cameras rely on Wi-Fi or a sync module (like the Arlo SmartHub) to send data to the cloud. If your Wi-Fi is weak, you’ll get delayed alerts or lost footage. Here’s how to fix it:

• Use the Arlo SmartHub: It creates a dedicated network for your cameras, reducing interference.
• Check signal strength: In the Arlo app, look at the signal icon for each camera. If it’s low, move the sync module or use a Wi-Fi extender.
• Place cameras within 300 feet of the hub (or router) for best performance.

Schedule Recordings and Use Modes

Arlo Premier lets you create “modes” like “Away,” “Home,” and “Night.” You can set different recording schedules or alert preferences for each.

For example:

• Away mode: All cameras record continuously and send alerts.
• Home mode: Only outdoor cameras record. Indoor ones are off.
• Night mode: Spotlight turns on for motion, but no alerts for family members.

This saves battery life and keeps your notifications relevant.

Review Footage Regularly (Even When Nothing Happens)

It’s tempting to ignore your Arlo app when you don’t see alerts. But checking footage weekly helps you:

• Spot blind spots
• Test camera angles
• Notice patterns (e.g., a delivery person always comes at 2 PM)

I once caught a raccoon trying to open my trash bin at 3 AM. Not a security threat, but definitely a funny moment I’d have missed otherwise.

Final Thoughts: Is Arlo Premier Right for Your Home?

So, how many cameras does Arlo Premier offer? The answer isn’t about hardware—it’s about strategy. You can use up to five cameras, and that’s enough for most homes if you plan wisely. Whether you live in a cozy bungalow or a suburban two-story, Arlo Premier gives you powerful tools: 30-day cloud storage, smart detection, activity zones, and emergency response—all without breaking the bank.

It’s not perfect. The 5-camera limit can be restrictive for larger properties, and the lack of unlimited camera support might frustrate power users. But for the average homeowner, it strikes the right balance between cost, convenience, and capability.

My advice? Start with three cameras (front, back, driveway), add Arlo Premier, and see how it feels. If you need more coverage, you can always upgrade. But for most of us, five cameras—used smartly—are all we need to feel safe, secure, and in control of our homes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many cameras does Arlo Premier support per subscription plan?

The Arlo Premier plan supports up to 10 cameras per subscription, making it ideal for medium to large homes. This tier is designed to balance coverage and affordability for comprehensive home security.

Can I add more than 10 cameras to an Arlo Premier plan?

No, the Arlo Premier plan has a hard limit of 10 cameras. If you need more coverage, consider upgrading to the Arlo Elite plan, which supports up to 20 cameras.

Is there a minimum number of cameras required for Arlo Premier?

No, Arlo Premier doesn’t require a minimum number of cameras—you can start with just one. However, the plan’s value shines when using multiple cameras for whole-home monitoring.

Does Arlo Premier include cloud storage for all cameras?

Yes, the Arlo Premier subscription includes 30-day rolling cloud storage for video footage from all 10 supported cameras. Each camera’s recordings are securely stored and accessible via the Arlo app.

How does Arlo Premier compare to other plans for camera limits?

Arlo Premier sits between the basic Secure plan (5 cameras) and Elite plan (20 cameras). It’s a cost-effective choice for those needing more coverage than the entry-level plan but not requiring maximum capacity.

Can I mix different Arlo camera models with the Premier plan?

Absolutely! The Arlo Premier plan works with all Arlo camera models, including Pro, Ultra, and Essential series. You can customize your setup with indoor, outdoor, or doorbell cameras within the 10-device limit.