How Many Cameras Can You Add to Arlo Base Station Explained

You can connect up to 15 Arlo cameras to a single Arlo base station, making it ideal for comprehensive home or business surveillance. This limit applies across most Arlo base station models, including the Arlo Pro and Ultra systems, ensuring seamless integration and centralized control for your entire security setup.

Key Takeaways

• Arlo base stations support up to 15 cameras for seamless multi-camera monitoring.
• Check model compatibility—older bases may support fewer cameras than newer versions.
• Wi-Fi extenders can help maintain signal strength with more cameras added.
• Reduce camera resolution to improve performance with a full camera load.
• Use wired cameras first to optimize bandwidth for wireless camera additions.
• Firmware updates matter—keep base station updated for maximum camera support.

Understanding Arlo Base Stations and Their Role in Your Home Security

When I first set up my home security system, I remember staring at the sleek little box—the Arlo base station—wondering just how many cameras it could handle. I wanted full coverage: the front porch, backyard, garage, and side gate. But could one base station really support all that? That’s the question I’m answering here: how many cameras can you add to Arlo base station?

Arlo, a leader in wireless home security, offers a range of base stations designed to connect and power your smart cameras. These hubs aren’t just glorified Wi-Fi repeaters—they’re the brain of your Arlo ecosystem. They manage video storage, handle firmware updates, and keep your cameras communicating with your home network. But like any hub, they have limits. Whether you’re a homeowner, renter, or business owner, knowing these limits helps you plan your setup without overloading the system or wasting money on extra gear you don’t need.

How Many Cameras Can You Add to Arlo Base Station? The Official Numbers

The short answer to “how many cameras can you add to Arlo base station” depends on the specific model of your base station. Not all Arlo hubs are created equal. Some are built for small apartments; others are designed for sprawling homes or even small businesses. Let’s break it down by model.

Arlo Pro, Pro 2, and Pro 3 Base Stations (VMB4000 Series)

The original Arlo Pro and its successors—Pro 2 and Pro 3—use the VMB4000 base station. This is one of the most popular models, and it supports up to 5 cameras simultaneously. I know—5 doesn’t sound like a lot if you’re planning to cover every angle of your property. But here’s the thing: you can pair more than 5 cameras to the same base station. The limit isn’t on pairing; it’s on active streaming.

What does that mean? Let’s say you have 8 Arlo Pro cameras. You can pair all 8 to the VMB4000. However, only 5 can stream live video or record at the same time. The others will go into standby mode. This is perfect if you don’t need all cameras active 24/7—like if your backyard camera only triggers when motion is detected at night.

Tip: Use motion zones and schedules to prioritize which cameras record when. For example, set your driveway camera to record from 6 PM to 6 AM, and your front door to record all day. That way, you stay within the 5-camera active limit without sacrificing coverage.

Arlo Ultra and Ultra 2 Base Station (VMB5000)

The Arlo Ultra and Ultra 2 use the VMB5000 base station, which is a step up in both performance and capacity. This hub supports up to 10 cameras actively streaming at once. That’s double the capacity of the older VMB4000. If you’re serious about full-home or small-business coverage, this is a game-changer.

With 10 active streams, you can cover multiple floors, outdoor zones, and even a detached garage without worrying about bottlenecks. I upgraded to the VMB5000 when I added cameras to my basement and shed, and the peace of mind was worth it. The base station also supports 4K video streaming and has built-in local storage (a microSD card slot), which reduces reliance on the cloud.

Arlo Pro 4 and Pro 5S: The Shift to Direct Wi-Fi

Here’s where things get interesting. The Arlo Pro 4 and Pro 5S do not require a base station. These cameras connect directly to your home Wi-Fi, bypassing the need for a hub. This means you can add as many as your router and internet plan allow—often 20 or more, depending on bandwidth.

But wait—what if you want to use a base station? You can. Arlo still sells the VMB4540 (a variant of the VMB4000) and VMB5000 for Pro 4/5S users who prefer local storage or enhanced security. If you do, the same rules apply: VMB4540 supports up to 5 active cameras; VMB5000 supports up to 10.

Pro tip: Even if you use direct Wi-Fi, consider adding a base station if you want local backup. It’s a safety net if your internet goes down—your cameras will still record to the microSD card in the hub.

Arlo Essential Series: Simplified Setup, Fewer Limits

The Arlo Essential cameras (like the Essential Spotlight and Essential Outdoor) are budget-friendly and Wi-Fi-only. No base station needed. You can connect as many as your network handles—Arlo doesn’t impose a hard cap. In practice, most home routers can support 15–20 cameras without issues, as long as your upload speed is decent (5 Mbps or higher).

But here’s a caveat: without a base station, you lose local storage and some advanced features like AI-powered object detection (unless you subscribe to Arlo Secure). For basic monitoring, this is fine. For comprehensive security, a base station adds value.

Factors That Affect Camera Capacity Beyond the Official Limits

So, the official numbers are clear—but real-world performance isn’t always so tidy. Several factors can impact how many cameras you can effectively add to your Arlo base station. Let’s explore the hidden variables.

Bandwidth and Internet Speed

Your base station connects to your home Wi-Fi, and every camera streams data through it. The more cameras you have, the more bandwidth they use. Here’s a rough estimate:

• 1080p video: 1–2 Mbps per camera
• 2K video: 2–3 Mbps
• 4K video: 4–6 Mbps

Multiply that by the number of active cameras, and you’ll see why internet speed matters. I learned this the hard way when I tried to run 8 Arlo Pro 3 cameras (all 2K) on a 10 Mbps upload connection. The app lagged, recordings failed, and my wife got frustrated when she couldn’t check the front door cam.

Solution: Test your upload speed (use speedtest.net). Aim for at least 10 Mbps upload if you have 5+ cameras. Upgrade your plan or use a Wi-Fi extender if needed.

Wi-Fi Signal Strength and Interference

Even if your base station supports 10 cameras, weak Wi-Fi can ruin the experience. I live in a two-story house with thick walls. My base station is on the first floor, and my attic camera kept disconnecting. The signal was just too weak.

To fix this, I added a Wi-Fi mesh system (Eero, specifically). Now, all cameras connect reliably. You can also:

• Place the base station near your router
• Use Ethernet backhaul if your mesh system supports it
• Avoid placing the base station near microwaves, baby monitors, or other 2.4 GHz devices

Pro tip: The VMB5000 has a 5 GHz Wi-Fi band, which is faster and less crowded than 2.4 GHz. Use it if your router supports dual-band.

Power and Battery Life (for Wireless Cameras)

Most Arlo cameras are battery-powered. The more cameras you add, the more often you’ll need to charge them. I have 7 cameras, and I spend about 1–2 hours every 2–3 months recharging. That’s manageable—but if you have 15 cameras, it becomes a chore.

Solutions:

• Use Arlo Solar Panels to keep cameras charged (I use them for my backyard and driveway cams)
• Set lower video quality or shorter recording times to extend battery life
• Opt for wired cameras (like the Arlo Essential Wired) in high-traffic areas

Local Storage vs. Cloud Storage

The base station’s microSD card (if it has one) stores footage locally. This is great for privacy and reduces cloud costs. But the card has a finite capacity. A 32GB card holds about 3 days of 1080p footage from 5 cameras. A 256GB card holds 20+ days.

If you have 10 cameras recording 24/7, even a 256GB card fills up fast. Without cloud storage, you’ll need to manually offload or overwrite old footage.

Tip: Use motion-activated recording instead of continuous recording to save space. Also, enable “Smart Alerts” to reduce false alarms (like leaves blowing in the wind).

Can You Use Multiple Base Stations? Scaling Your Arlo System

What if you need more than 10 cameras? Or you have a multi-story home with weak Wi-Fi on one floor? Can you use multiple base stations? The short answer: yes, but with caveats.

Pairing Multiple Base Stations to One Account

Arlo allows you to add multiple base stations to a single account. I have two: a VMB5000 in my main house and a VMB4540 in my detached garage. Both appear in the Arlo app under the same account. I can view, manage, and receive alerts from all cameras in one place.

How to set it up:

• Plug in the new base station
• Open the Arlo app → Settings → My Devices → Add Device
• Follow the on-screen instructions to pair it to your account

The app treats each base station as a separate “group,” but you can rename them (e.g., “House,” “Garage”) for easy navigation.

When to Use Multiple Base Stations

Multiple hubs make sense in these scenarios:

• Large properties: A single base station can’t reach all areas. Place one hub per zone (e.g., front yard, backyard, basement).
• Weak Wi-Fi: If one base station struggles to connect all cameras, add a second in a central location.
• Redundancy: If your main base station fails, the secondary one keeps some cameras active.
• Business use: Retail stores or offices might need separate hubs for different departments.

Limitation: Each base station counts as a separate “device” in your Arlo subscription. If you pay for cloud storage, you’ll need a plan that covers all hubs. Arlo Secure Plus, for example, supports up to 10 devices (cameras + base stations).

Example: A 12-Camera Setup with Two Base Stations

Let’s say you have:

• 6 Arlo Ultra cameras (4K, 2K) for main house
• 6 Arlo Pro 3 cameras for detached garage and backyard

You could use:

• VMB5000 (main house): 6 Ultra cameras (under the 10-camera limit)
• VMB4540 (garage): 6 Pro 3 cameras (under the 5-camera limit)

Both hubs connect to your home Wi-Fi and appear in the Arlo app. You get full coverage without overloading a single base station.

Real-World Examples: How People Use Arlo Base Stations

Let’s look at real setups to see how the numbers play out in practice. These examples show how to balance camera count, performance, and budget.

Example 1: Small Apartment (3 Cameras)

User: Sarah, a renter in a 1-bedroom apartment

Setup:

• 1 Arlo Essential Indoor (front door)
• 1 Arlo Essential Outdoor (balcony)
• 1 Arlo Pro 3 (living room)
• No base station (cameras use direct Wi-Fi)

Why it works: Sarah doesn’t need local storage or advanced features. The cameras connect directly to her router. She uses the free Arlo Secure plan (7-day cloud storage). Total cost: ~$250.

Example 2: Suburban Home (8 Cameras)

User: Mark, a homeowner with a 2-story house

Setup:

• 4 Arlo Pro 4 cameras (front door, driveway, backyard, basement)
• 4 Arlo Pro 3 cameras (side gate, garage, attic, porch)
• VMB5000 base station
• 256GB microSD card for local storage
• Arlo Secure Plus subscription (10-device plan)

Why it works: Mark uses the base station for local backup and enhanced AI detection. The 8 cameras stay under the 10-camera limit. He uses motion zones to reduce false alerts. Total cost: ~$800.

Example 3: Small Business (15 Cameras)

User: Lisa, owner of a coffee shop

Setup:

• 8 Arlo Ultra 2 cameras (inside: counter, kitchen, storage)
• 7 Arlo Essential Outdoor cameras (parking lot, dumpster, side alley)
• Two VMB5000 base stations (one inside, one outside)
• 512GB microSD cards in each hub
• Arlo Secure Pro subscription (unlimited cameras)

Why it works: Lisa needs 24/7 coverage. The two base stations ensure redundancy and strong Wi-Fi. She uses continuous recording for high-risk areas and motion-only for others. Total cost: ~$2,000.

Data Table: Arlo Base Station Camera Capacity Comparison

Base Station Model	Max Active Cameras	Local Storage	Wi-Fi Bands	Best For
VMB4000 (Arlo Pro/Pro 2/Pro 3)	5	microSD card (up to 256GB)	2.4 GHz only	Small homes, renters
VMB4540 (Arlo Pro 4/Pro 5S)	5	microSD card (up to 256GB)	2.4 GHz only	Users who want local backup for Wi-Fi cameras
VMB5000 (Arlo Ultra/Ultra 2)	10	microSD card (up to 2TB)	2.4 GHz & 5 GHz	Large homes, small businesses
No Base Station (Pro 4/5S, Essential)	Limited by router/internet	None (cloud-only)	2.4 GHz or 5 GHz	Budget setups, renters

Final Thoughts: Planning Your Arlo Setup for Maximum Efficiency

So, how many cameras can you add to Arlo base station? The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all. It depends on your base station model, internet speed, Wi-Fi strength, and how you use your cameras. The VMB4000 holds up to 5 active cameras; the VMB5000 handles 10. Wi-Fi-only cameras bypass the limit but sacrifice local storage and some features.

Here’s my advice: Start small. Add 3–4 cameras first, test the performance, and scale up. Use motion zones, schedules, and solar panels to reduce maintenance. If you need more than 10 cameras, use multiple base stations—it’s a smart way to ensure reliability.

Remember, a security system is only as good as its weakest link. A base station with 10 cameras might be “officially” supported, but if your Wi-Fi is spotty or your internet slow, you’ll face frustration. Plan with your home’s layout, usage patterns, and budget in mind.

At the end of the day, Arlo gives you flexibility. Whether you’re securing a studio apartment or a multi-building property, there’s a base station and camera combo that fits. Just pick the right hub, understand the limits, and build a system that works for you—not just the specs on a box.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many cameras can you add to Arlo base station?

The number of cameras you can connect to an Arlo base station depends on the model. Most Arlo base stations support up to 5–15 cameras, with newer models like the Arlo Pro 3/4 and Ultra supporting up to 15 devices. Always check your base station’s specifications for exact limits.

Can I connect more than 15 cameras to an Arlo base station?

No, Arlo base stations have a maximum capacity of 15 cameras per unit. If you need to monitor more areas, you can link multiple base stations to a single Arlo account for expanded coverage.

Does adding more cameras to Arlo base station affect performance?

Yes, adding more cameras can slightly reduce bandwidth or responsiveness, especially if your Wi-Fi or internet connection is weak. Arlo recommends a strong 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi connection for optimal performance with multiple cameras.

How many Arlo cameras can I add to one account?

While a single base station supports up to 15 cameras, you can manage multiple base stations (and dozens of cameras) under one Arlo account. This is ideal for large properties or businesses requiring extensive surveillance.

Is there a limit to how many Arlo cameras I can add per room?

There’s no per-room limit, but the total number of cameras is capped by your base station’s capacity (e.g., 15 cameras). For larger setups, consider using additional base stations to avoid overloading a single unit.

Do older Arlo base stations support fewer cameras?

Yes, older models like the original Arlo base station may only support up to 5–10 cameras. Newer base stations, such as the Arlo SmartHub, are designed to handle more devices (up to 15), so check your model’s compatibility before expanding.