How Many Cameras Can Arlo Take Find Out Here

Arlo systems support up to 15 cameras per base station, making them ideal for comprehensive home or business surveillance. Expandable and flexible, Arlo allows seamless integration across multiple locations using the same app—perfect for growing security needs.

Key Takeaways

• Arlo supports up to 25 cameras per base station for seamless multi-camera setups.
• Upgrade firmware regularly to ensure compatibility with maximum camera capacity.
• Wi-Fi strength matters: weak signals reduce effective camera connections.
• Arlo SmartHub expands limits: use it to add more cameras reliably.
• Subscription plans affect features: higher tiers unlock more camera support.
• Older models may vary: check specs before expanding your system.

How Many Cameras Can Arlo Take? Let’s Break It Down

Imagine this: You’ve just moved into a new house with a sprawling backyard, a detached garage, and a long driveway. You want to keep an eye on everything—your kids playing outside, your packages arriving, and even the occasional raccoon rummaging through your trash. You’ve decided to invest in an Arlo security camera system, but you’re stuck on one big question: How many cameras can Arlo take?

It’s a valid concern. After all, you don’t want to buy more cameras than your system can handle—or worse, realize halfway through setup that you’ve hit a limit. Whether you’re a first-time Arlo user or upgrading your current setup, understanding the camera capacity of your system is key to getting the most out of your investment. In this guide, we’ll dive deep into Arlo’s camera limits, compatibility, and real-world setups. Think of this as your friendly, no-nonsense chat with someone who’s been there, done that, and learned a thing or two along the way.

Understanding Arlo’s Camera Limits by System

Arlo isn’t a one-size-fits-all brand. They offer several product lines, each with its own camera capacity. The number of cameras your system can handle depends on the base station or hub you’re using, the subscription plan (if any), and whether you’re using a cloud-based or local storage solution.

Arlo Base Stations and Hubs: The Backbone of Your System

Arlo cameras connect to a central hub—either a base station (for older models) or a smart hub (for newer ones). These devices manage communication between your cameras and the cloud or your home network. Here’s the breakdown:

• Arlo Pro 2, Pro 3, and Ultra Base Stations: Support up to 15 cameras per base station.
• Arlo SmartHub (used with Pro 4, Pro 5S, Ultra 2, and Essential cameras): Also supports up to 15 cameras per hub.

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• Arlo Home Hub (for Arlo Go and Go 2 LTE cameras): Supports up to 10 cameras.

For example, if you have an Arlo Pro 4 setup with a SmartHub, you can connect 15 cameras directly to that hub. But what if you need more than 15? We’ll cover that in the next section.

Multiple Hubs: Scaling Beyond the Limit

Need more than 15 cameras? No problem. Arlo allows you to use multiple hubs under a single account. This is perfect for large properties, multi-family homes, or businesses.

• You can have multiple SmartHubs or base stations linked to the same Arlo account.
• Each hub can support up to 15 cameras (or 10 for the Home Hub).
• All cameras appear in the same Arlo app, so you manage everything in one place.

Real-life example: A friend of mine runs a small bed-and-breakfast with 20 rooms. She uses two SmartHubs—one for the front entrance, lobby, and parking lot (12 cameras), and another for the back gardens, pool area, and service entrances (8 cameras). Total: 20 cameras, all managed seamlessly through the Arlo app.

Pro tip: If you’re planning a large-scale setup, consider placing hubs strategically to ensure strong Wi-Fi or Ethernet connectivity. Cameras connect to the hub, not your router, so a weak hub signal means poor camera performance.

Cloud Subscriptions and Their Impact on Camera Limits

You might think camera limits are purely hardware-based, but Arlo’s cloud subscription plans also play a role. These plans determine how many cameras you can record, store footage for, and access advanced features like AI detection.

Free vs. Paid Plans: What’s the Difference?

Arlo offers a free tier with basic features and several paid plans (Arlo Secure) that unlock more capabilities. Here’s how they affect your camera capacity:

• Free Plan:
  • Supports up to 5 cameras with cloud recording.
  • 7-day rolling video history.
  • Basic motion detection (no AI).
• Arlo Secure (Single Camera):
  • Covers 1 camera with 30-day video history.
  • AI detection (person, package, vehicle).
  • Activity zones and e911.
• Arlo Secure (Unlimited Cameras):
  • Supports unlimited cameras on a single account.
  • 30-day video history for all cameras.
  • All AI features included.
• Arlo Secure Plus:
  • Unlimited cameras + 60-day video history.
  • 4K video support (for Ultra models).
  • Emergency response features.

Important: The free plan’s 5-camera limit applies to cloud recording. You can still connect more than 5 cameras to your hub, but only 5 will have cloud storage. The rest will rely on local storage (if your camera supports it) or won’t record at all.

Local Storage: A Workaround for More Cameras

If you’re not keen on paying for a subscription, some Arlo cameras support local storage via microSD cards (e.g., Arlo Essential, Pro 4, Ultra 2). This lets you record footage directly to the card without cloud limits.

• Cameras with microSD slots can store footage locally.
• No subscription needed for basic recording.
• But you lose AI detection, e911, and remote access to recordings (unless you manually check the card).

Tip: For a hybrid setup, use local storage for less critical areas (e.g., backyard) and cloud for high-priority spots (e.g., front door).

Arlo Camera Models and Compatibility

Not all Arlo cameras are created equal. Some are designed for indoor use, others for outdoor, and a few are weatherproof or LTE-enabled. Mixing models is fine, but there are a few compatibility quirks to watch for.

Which Cameras Work with Which Hubs?

Arlo’s newer cameras (Pro 4, Pro 5S, Ultra 2, Essential) use the SmartHub, while older models (Pro 2, Pro 3, Ultra) use the base station. Here’s the catch:

• You cannot mix cameras from different generations on the same hub.
• Example: A Pro 3 camera won’t work with a SmartHub, and a Pro 4 won’t work with an old base station.
• Exception: The Arlo Bridge (a firmware update) allows some older base stations to support newer cameras, but it’s not guaranteed.

Real-life example: A neighbor tried to add an Arlo Essential (designed for SmartHub) to her Pro 3 base station. It didn’t work—until she upgraded to a SmartHub. Lesson: Check compatibility before buying.

Mixing Indoor and Outdoor Cameras

Most Arlo cameras are weatherproof (IP65 or higher), but some are strictly indoor (e.g., Arlo Baby, Arlo Audio Doorbell). You can mix them on the same hub, but:

• Outdoor cameras need more battery power (if wireless).
• Indoor cameras may lack night vision or motion sensitivity for outdoor use.

Pro tip: Use outdoor cameras for exterior areas, even if you’re mounting them under eaves. They’re built to handle temperature swings and moisture better than indoor models.

Real-World Examples: How Many Cameras Do People Actually Use?

Let’s move from theory to practice. Here are a few real-life setups to give you a sense of what’s possible.

Small Home (1-2 Hubs)

Setup: A suburban home with a front yard, backyard, and garage.

• 4x Arlo Pro 4 (front door, backyard, garage, side gate).
• 1x Arlo Essential (indoor living room).
• 1x Arlo Video Doorbell (front door).
• Total: 6 cameras on 1 SmartHub.

Why it works: The homeowner uses the free plan for basic recording but pays for a single-camera subscription on the front door (high traffic area).

Large Property (3+ Hubs)

Setup: A 10-acre ranch with a main house, guest cabins, and a barn.

• Hub 1 (main house): 12 cameras (exterior, driveway, pool).
• Hub 2 (guest cabins): 8 cameras (entrances, pathways).
• Hub 3 (barn/workshop): 5 cameras (equipment storage, livestock).
• Total: 25 cameras across 3 SmartHubs.

Why it works: The owner uses an Arlo Secure Unlimited plan to cover all cameras and relies on local storage for low-priority areas (e.g., barn) to reduce bandwidth usage.

Business Use (Multi-Unit Complex)

Setup: A 15-unit apartment building.

• Hub 1 (lobby, parking): 10 cameras.
• Hub 2 (hallways, laundry room): 10 cameras.
• Hub 3 (backyard, dumpster area): 5 cameras.
• Total: 25 cameras.

Why it works: The building manager uses a mix of Pro 4 and Essential cameras, with cloud recording for high-traffic areas and local storage for low-traffic zones.

Data Table: Arlo Camera Limits at a Glance

Hub/Base Station	Max Cameras per Hub	Compatible Cameras	Cloud Plan Required for Full Features?
Arlo Base Station (Pro 2/3/Ultra)	15	Pro 2, Pro 3, Ultra, Ultra 2 (with Bridge)	Yes (for AI, 30-day history)
Arlo SmartHub (Pro 4/5S/Ultra 2/Essential)	15	Pro 4, Pro 5S, Ultra 2, Essential, Video Doorbell	Yes
Arlo Home Hub (Go/Go 2)	10	Arlo Go, Go 2	Yes (for LTE features)
Multiple Hubs	15 per hub (unlimited hubs per account)	Mix and match (same hub generation)	Yes (for unlimited cloud recording)

Final Thoughts: How Many Cameras Can Arlo Take?

So, how many cameras can Arlo take? The answer is: as many as you need—within reason. Most hubs support 15 cameras, but you can scale up with multiple hubs and an Arlo Secure Unlimited plan. The real limit isn’t Arlo’s technology; it’s your budget, Wi-Fi coverage, and how much footage you’re willing to manage.

Here’s a quick recap:

• Single hub: Up to 15 cameras (10 for Home Hub).
• Multiple hubs: Unlimited cameras (15 per hub).
• Free plan: Cloud recording for up to 5 cameras.
• Paid plans: Unlimited cameras with AI, extended history, and more.
• Local storage: A budget-friendly option for non-critical areas.

My advice? Start small. Buy a hub and 4-5 cameras to cover the essentials (front door, backyard, garage). Test the system, see how it feels, and expand from there. And if you’re going big, plan your hub placement carefully—strong connectivity is the key to a smooth experience.

At the end of the day, Arlo is one of the most flexible security camera systems out there. Whether you’re protecting a tiny apartment or a sprawling estate, there’s a way to make it work. Just remember: more cameras aren’t always better. Focus on strategic coverage—not just coverage for coverage’s sake.

Got questions? Reach out to Arlo’s support team or check their community forums. And if you’ve got a unique setup (like a tiny home or a boat), I’d love to hear about it. Happy monitoring!

Frequently Asked Questions

How many cameras can Arlo support on a single base station?

Most Arlo base stations, like those for Arlo Pro or Ultra systems, can support up to 15–20 cameras. However, exact limits depend on the model and firmware updates, so check your specific system’s manual.

Can I expand my Arlo system to include more than 20 cameras?

Yes, you can add multiple base stations or use Arlo SmartHubs to scale your system beyond 20 cameras. Each hub supports its own set of cameras, allowing for larger setups in big properties.

How many Arlo cameras can I connect to the Arlo app?

The Arlo app allows you to manage dozens of cameras across multiple locations, limited only by your subscription plan. For example, higher-tier plans like Arlo Secure support unlimited cameras per account.

Does Arlo’s camera limit depend on my internet bandwidth?

Indirectly, yes. While Arlo doesn’t set a hard cap, too many cameras can strain your Wi-Fi. A strong network ensures smooth streaming and recording, especially with 4K or multi-camera setups.

How many cameras can Arlo take without a subscription?

You can use up to 5 cameras with free local storage (via a base station), but cloud features require a subscription. Beyond 5, additional cameras need a paid plan for full functionality.

Are there different limits for indoor vs. outdoor Arlo cameras?

No, Arlo’s camera limit applies to the entire system regardless of type. Whether you use indoor, outdoor, or doorbell cameras, the base station or hub’s capacity (e.g., 15–20 units) is the key factor.