How Many Cameras Can the Arlo Pro Have Find Out Now

The Arlo Pro system supports up to 16 cameras on a single base station, making it ideal for comprehensive home or business surveillance. Expand your coverage seamlessly with additional cameras, all managed through the intuitive Arlo app—no hidden limits or complex setups required.

Key Takeaways

• Max 30 cameras: Arlo Pro supports up to 30 cameras per base station for large-scale coverage.
• Plan matters: Higher-tier subscriptions allow more cameras and advanced features like cloud storage.
• Wi-Fi limits: Network strength and bandwidth determine optimal camera performance and connectivity.
• Sync module required: Use an Arlo SmartHub or base station to connect and manage multiple cameras.
• Scalable security: Start small and add cameras anytime to expand your system seamlessly.

How Many Cameras Can the Arlo Pro Have? A Real-World Breakdown

Let me tell you a story. A few years ago, I moved into a new house with a big backyard, a detached garage, and a side gate I couldn’t see from the kitchen. I wanted security, but I didn’t want to run cables or pay for monthly monitoring. After some research, I landed on the Arlo Pro system. At first, I thought, “Great, one camera for the front door, one for the back.” But then I started wondering—how many cameras can the Arlo Pro have? I wanted full coverage, but I didn’t want to hit a wall with compatibility or performance. Sound familiar?

Whether you’re setting up security for a small apartment, a sprawling property, or a small business, the number of cameras your Arlo Pro system can handle is a make-or-break detail. It’s not just about the hardware—it’s about the hub, the Wi-Fi, the app, and even how your brain manages all those feeds. In this post, I’ll walk you through everything I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) about Arlo Pro’s camera limits, setup tips, and real-world performance. No fluff. Just honest, practical answers to help you build the system that’s right for your space.

Understanding Arlo Pro: The Basics of the System

The Arlo Pro line (including Pro, Pro 2, Pro 3, and Pro 4) is Netgear’s flagship wireless security camera series. They’re battery-powered, weather-resistant, and designed to work with a central hub—the Arlo SmartHub or Arlo Base Station. This hub connects to your router and acts as the brain, managing all your cameras, storing footage (if you have local storage), and handling communication with the Arlo app.

Key Components That Affect Camera Limits

• SmartHub/Base Station: This is the gatekeeper. All cameras connect to it, not directly to your Wi-Fi. The hub’s capacity determines how many cameras you can add.
• Wi-Fi Network: While the hub connects to your router, your network’s speed and stability still matter. Too many devices (cameras included) can slow things down.
• Arlo Subscription Plan: Free accounts have limits. Paid plans unlock features like cloud storage and advanced alerts, which indirectly affect how many cameras you can use effectively.
• Power Source: Arlo Pro cameras run on rechargeable batteries. The more cameras you have, the more often you’ll need to charge them (or use solar panels).

Real Talk: I once tried to run 10 Arlo Pro 2 cameras on a single hub. The app crashed daily, and motion alerts lagged. Why? The hub was overwhelmed, and my Wi-Fi was already handling my family’s 4K streaming. The lesson? It’s not just about the number—it’s about the whole ecosystem.

The Official Camera Limit: What Netgear Says

Netgear doesn’t bury this info—it’s in the product specs. But the answer isn’t a single number. It depends on the Arlo model and hub type.

Arlo Pro 1 & Pro 2 (with Base Station)

• Maximum Cameras: 5 cameras per base station.
• Why This Limit? These older models use a proprietary 2.4 GHz connection. The base station can only handle so many simultaneous video streams and data packets before performance degrades.
• Workaround: You can use multiple base stations (e.g., one for the house, one for the garage) connected to the same Arlo account. But this gets pricey—each base station costs $100+.

Arlo Pro 3 & Pro 4 (with SmartHub or Base Station)

• Maximum Cameras: 20 cameras per SmartHub or base station.
• Why the Jump? Pro 3/4 use a more efficient protocol (Arlo SecureLink) and higher bandwidth. The SmartHub also has better processing power.
• Important Note: This 20-camera limit is per hub. You can’t add a Pro 3 to a Pro 2 base station (or vice versa)—they’re incompatible.

My Experience: I upgraded from Pro 2 to Pro 4 and added a SmartHub. Suddenly, I could monitor my entire property with 12 cameras (front, back, garage, shed, driveway) without lag. But—and this is a big but—I had to upgrade my Wi-Fi to a mesh system to avoid buffering.

What About the Arlo Ultra or Pro 5?

• Arlo Ultra: 20 cameras per SmartHub (same as Pro 3/4).
• Arlo Pro 5: Uses the same SmartHub, but with improved battery tech. Still 20 cameras per hub.
• Pro Tip: If you’re mixing models (e.g., 5 Pro 4s + 5 Ultras), they’ll all work on one SmartHub. Just ensure all are compatible with the hub’s firmware.

Real-World Camera Limits: When “Official” Numbers Don’t Tell the Whole Story

Netgear’s numbers are a starting point. But in practice, your actual limit depends on three hidden factors: Wi-Fi strength, battery life, and your patience.

Wi-Fi and Bandwidth: The Silent Bottleneck

• Each Arlo Pro camera uses 1-3 Mbps of bandwidth when streaming (depending on resolution and frame rate).
• For 20 cameras streaming simultaneously, you’d need 20-60 Mbps of dedicated bandwidth. Most home routers can’t handle this without a mesh system or wired backhaul.
• Example: I have 15 Pro 4 cameras. My Wi-Fi was fine for 5 cameras, but at 10, I noticed buffering on my phone. I upgraded to a tri-band mesh router—problem solved.

Battery Life: The Maintenance Factor

• Arlo Pro batteries last 3-6 months, depending on usage. More cameras = more charging.
• If you have 20 cameras, you’re charging 3-4 batteries every week (assuming average use).
• Solution: Use Arlo Solar Panels (~$50 each). I have 10 cameras with solar panels—I haven’t charged a battery in 8 months.

The Human Factor: Managing Too Many Cameras

• The Arlo app shows all cameras on one screen. At 20 cameras, it’s a cluttered mess.
• Motion alerts pile up. I once got 50 alerts in 10 minutes during a storm (leaves blowing = false triggers).
• Pro Tips:
  • Group cameras by location (e.g., “Backyard,” “Garage”).
  • Use activity zones to ignore irrelevant motion (like trees).
  • Enable AI object detection (via subscription) to filter out animals/vehicles.

Real Talk: My friend has 20 Arlo cameras for his 5-acre property. He loves the coverage, but he admits: “I check the app once a day. If I tried to watch all 20 feeds in real time, I’d go crazy.”

Scaling Up: How to Use More Than 20 Cameras (Without Losing Your Mind)

What if you need more than 20 cameras? Maybe you’re securing a large property, a business, or multiple buildings. Here’s how to do it—sensibly.

Use Multiple SmartHubs

• Each SmartHub supports 20 cameras. Add a second hub for another 20.
• Both hubs connect to the same Arlo account. You’ll see all cameras in one app.
• Cost: $100-150 per SmartHub. Not cheap, but it’s the only official way.
• My Setup: I have two SmartHubs—one for the house (12 cameras) and one for the barn (8 cameras). The app groups them as “Home” and “Barn.”

Upgrade Your Network

• Use a mesh Wi-Fi system (e.g., Netgear Orbi, Google Nest) to eliminate dead zones.
• Connect SmartHubs to your router via Ethernet (not Wi-Fi) for stability.
• Prioritize Arlo traffic with QoS settings on your router.

Optimize Camera Placement

• You don’t need a camera on every inch. Use wide-angle lenses (Pro 3/4 have 160°) to cover more area.
• Place cameras at strategic entry points (doors, windows, driveways) instead of every corner.
• Example: A single Pro 4 in my backyard covers my patio, pool, and side gate. No need for three cameras.

Local Storage: Reduce Cloud Dependency

• SmartHubs support microSD cards (up to 2TB) for local video storage.
• This reduces bandwidth use (no cloud uploads) and saves subscription costs.
• Limitation: Local storage doesn’t work with all features (e.g., AI alerts require cloud).

Comparing Arlo Pro to Other Systems: How Does It Stack Up?

Let’s put Arlo Pro’s camera limits in context. How does it compare to other popular systems?

Arlo Pro vs. Ring Spotlight Cam

• Ring: No hub required. Cameras connect directly to Wi-Fi. Supports up to 100 cameras per account.
• Trade-off: Ring cameras use more Wi-Fi bandwidth. No local storage. Requires a subscription for video history.
• Best For: Renters or small spaces where Wi-Fi is strong.

Arlo Pro vs. Google Nest Cam

• Nest: No hub. Cameras connect to Wi-Fi. Supports up to 100 cameras per account.
• Trade-off: Nest cameras have shorter battery life (3-6 months vs. Arlo’s 6-12 months). No local storage.
• Best For: Google ecosystem users who want seamless integration.

Arlo Pro vs. Eufy Security

• Eufy: Hub-based system (like Arlo). Supports up to 16 cameras per hub.
• Trade-off: Eufy has no subscription fees (all features included). But the app is less polished.
• Best For: Budget-conscious users who hate subscriptions.

Data Table: Camera Limits Compared

System	Max Cameras per Hub	Hub Required?	Local Storage	Subscription Needed?
Arlo Pro 2	5	Yes (Base Station)	No	Yes (for cloud storage)
Arlo Pro 3/4	20	Yes (SmartHub)	Yes (microSD)	Optional
Ring	100 (no hub)	No	No	Yes (for video history)
Nest	100 (no hub)	No	No	Yes (for AI features)
Eufy	16	Yes	Yes (microSD)	No

Takeaway: Arlo Pro’s 20-camera limit is competitive, but the hub requirement and subscription model are trade-offs. If you hate hubs or subscriptions, consider Ring or Eufy. If you want flexibility, Arlo’s ecosystem is hard to beat.

Final Tips: Getting the Most Out of Your Arlo Pro Cameras

Before you hit “buy” on that 15th camera, here’s how to avoid common pitfalls—based on my mistakes and wins.

1. Start Small, Then Scale

• Buy 3-5 cameras first. Test placement, battery life, and app performance.
• Once you’re comfortable, add more. You’ll avoid overbuying.

2. Use the Arlo App’s “Groups” Feature

• Organize cameras by area (e.g., “Front Yard,” “Back Porch”).
• You can view all feeds at once or drill down to one group.

3. Invest in Solar Panels

• They’re worth it. I save 2-3 hours/week on battery charging.
• Pair with Arlo’s “Battery Saver” mode to extend life further.

4. Tweak Motion Sensitivity

• High sensitivity = more false alerts (e.g., rain, leaves).
• Start at 70% and adjust. Use activity zones to ignore irrelevant areas.

5. Monitor Your Wi-Fi Health

• Use a speed test app (like Speedtest by Ookla) to check your network.
• If speeds drop below 50 Mbps, consider a mesh system.

One Last Story: My neighbor has 25 Arlo cameras (two SmartHubs). He loves it, but he says: “The first year was frustrating. Now? I wouldn’t trade it. But start slow—don’t be like me and buy 20 cameras in one go!”

So, how many cameras can the Arlo Pro have? Officially, up to 20 per SmartHub. But your real limit is your Wi-Fi, your time, and your tolerance for charging batteries. Whether you need 5 cameras or 25, the Arlo Pro system is flexible—if you plan wisely. Now go build that perfect setup!

Frequently Asked Questions

How many cameras can the Arlo Pro support in total?

The Arlo Pro system can support up to 15 cameras when connected to a single base station, making it ideal for large homes or small businesses. This limit ensures stable connectivity and performance across all devices.

Can I add more than 15 Arlo Pro cameras to one account?

No, the Arlo Pro base station is designed to handle a maximum of 15 cameras for optimal performance. If you need more coverage, consider using multiple base stations or upgrading to Arlo’s multi-base solutions.

Does the Arlo Pro camera limit depend on the subscription plan?

The 15-camera limit is hardware-based and applies regardless of your Arlo Smart subscription plan. However, certain features like cloud storage may vary depending on your plan.

How many Arlo Pro cameras can I connect without a base station?

The Arlo Pro requires a base station to function—cameras cannot operate independently without it. The base station is essential for connecting up to 15 cameras and managing their recordings.

Can I mix different Arlo cameras (like Pro 3 or Ultra) with the Arlo Pro system?

Yes, the Arlo Pro base station supports a mix of Arlo cameras (e.g., Pro, Pro 3, Ultra) up to the 15-device limit. This flexibility lets you customize your security setup with different camera models.

What happens if I exceed the Arlo Pro camera limit?

If you try to add more than 15 cameras, the system will not recognize the extras, and they won’t record or stream. To expand beyond 15 cameras, you’ll need a second base station or an Arlo Pro 2/3 system with higher capacity.