![Arlo Essential XL 2nd Gen: Battery Life That Actually Lasts [Review]](https://img.hipsterpixel.co/arlo-essential-xl-outdoor-camera-review-543.jpg "Arlo Essential XL 2nd Gen: Battery Life That Actually Lasts [Review]")
Arlo Essential XL 2nd Gen: Battery Life That Actually Lasts [Review]
Arlo Essential XL 2nd Gen: Battery Life That Actually Lasts [Review]
Wireless security cameras promise convenience and flexibility, but too often deliver the headache of frequent recharging. Arlo tackles this pain point head-on with the Essential XL 2nd Gen, boasting an impressive 16-month battery life. But is this extended power enough to make it a must-have for your home security setup? Let’s find out.
Design
The Essential XL 2nd Gen maintains Arlo’s familiar aesthetic - a clean, modern design that doesn’t scream “security camera” like some of its more industrial-looking competitors. Available in white, it blends reasonably well with most home exteriors. The camera is slightly larger than the standard Essential model, which makes sense given the expanded battery capacity.
The integrated spotlight sits above the camera lens, and the entire unit feels solid and well-built. It comes with an adjustable wall mount that provides good flexibility for positioning. The weatherproofing is substantial, with operating temperatures ranging from -4°F to 113°F (-20°C to 45°C), making it suitable for most climate conditions.
One design decision worth noting is the non-removable battery. While this enables the sleek form factor, it means you’ll need to take down the entire camera for charging. Not ideal, but the extended battery life makes this less of an issue than with previous generations.
Features
- Available in 2K (2560x1440) or HD (1080p) resolution
- 4X extended battery life (up to 16 months)
- 130° diagonal field of view
- Integrated spotlight (6200K, 42Lux@1M)
- Color night vision
- Two-way audio with built-in microphone and speaker
- Built-in siren
- PIR motion detection
- 12x digital zoom
- Wi-Fi connectivity (2.4GHz)
- Indoor and outdoor use
- 300-foot range (line of sight)
Performance
The Essential XL 2nd Gen comes in two flavors: 2K and HD. I tested the 2K model, which delivers impressively clear footage. The 4-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to easily identify visitors or potential intruders. The 130° field of view offers good coverage of entryways without excessive fisheye distortion. You have options to keep the best possible video quality, or strike a balance with quality and battery life.
Night vision is a highlight thanks to the color capabilities and integrated spotlight. When motion is detected in darkness, the spotlight activates automatically, enabling color recording instead of the typical grayscale night vision. This makes a significant difference in identifying details like clothing colors or vehicle makes.
Motion detection works reliably with the PIR (passive infrared) sensor, which detects body heat rather than just movement in the frame. This reduces false alerts from things like blowing leaves or shadow changes. The detection range is good but not extraordinary - expect reliable alerts within about 20-25 feet of the camera. The two-way audio is clear enough for basic conversations with delivery personnel or visitors. The built-in siren is surprisingly loud for its size and would definitely startle anyone not expecting it.
Connectivity was stable during testing, with the camera maintaining a solid connection to my Wi-Fi router across two rooms without issues. Arlo claims a 300-foot line-of-sight range, though real-world performance will vary based on your home’s construction and potential interference.
Video Quality
In order to last longer, you can update the settings of the camera and strike a better balance to lower a little bit the quality and have the battery last longer. Here is the difference that a balanced setting versus the highest quality setting.
Battery Life
The standout feature here is undoubtedly the battery life. Arlo claims up to 16 months between charges, a bold assertion in a category where 3-6 months is typically considered good. Of course, this depends heavily on usage patterns - frequent motion events, live viewing, and using the spotlight will drain the battery faster.
In my testing over several weeks with moderate activity (10-15 motion events daily and occasional live views), the battery level decreased by only about 5%, putting it on track for at least a year of use. This is genuinely impressive and addresses one of the biggest pain points of wireless security cameras. I have also hooked the camera to my tree in front of the home, where it pointed to the street with over 100 vehicule passage per day. After 24h, it only dropped by 3%. Even in this very rough situation, the battery seem to be able to last over a month without being charged!
When it does come time to charge, you’ll need to remove the camera from its mount and use the included charging cable. It’s a minor inconvenience given the infrequency, but worth noting. For those wanting truly maintenance-free operation, Arlo offers a compatible solar panel that can keep the battery topped up indefinitely. This camera is ideal for situation where there are not that many movement in front of it. Point it to the backyard, and it could last over a year easily!
Nighttime
You have a choice of using either the colour or black and white mode for the Essential XL. Using the colour mode, it will use the spotlight to light the subject. This allows for a much better quality video and it also acts as a deterrent for any unwelcomed visits. Let’s compare both video results. It was taken at the same time, during night time in a close to pitch black situation.
And here is a daytime video of the same angle to show the difference.
App and Subscription
The Arlo app experience is polished and intuitive. Setting up the Essential XL 2nd Gen was straightforward, taking about 10 minutes from unboxing to capturing footage. The app provides clear video previews, easy access to live feeds, and customizable motion detection settings.
One point worth emphasizing is that, unlike some competitors, Arlo doesn’t lock all functionality behind a subscription. Without a subscription, you still get motion notifications and live video viewing. However, cloud recording, person/package detection, and interactive notifications require the Arlo Secure plan (a 30-day trial is included).
At $8.33/month for a single camera or $14.58/month for unlimited cameras in the Basic Plan, the subscription pricing is competitive with other major security brands. For most users, the added features will be worth the cost, but it’s nice to have basic functionality without the ongoing expense. To benefit from Package, Person, Vehicule, Audio and Animal detection you have to pick the Plus plan, at 20.00$/month for unlimited devices.
The only notable absence in the ecosystem is Apple Home compatibility, which Arlo says is coming but not yet available for the 2nd Gen models. For HomeKit enthusiasts, this might be a dealbreaker, at least temporarily. Once they bring it out, it will not replace the Arlo subscription. I still have my Arlo 4K Camera and it basically adds the camera to your Home but for any cloud recording, person/package detection you do need the Arlo subscription.
You can read my Arlo Ultra review to learn more about the other software features.
Conclusion
The Arlo Essential XL 2nd Gen addresses the most significant complaint about wireless security cameras - battery life - with impressive results. The 16-month battery claim holds up in my initial testing, and the overall performance is solid across the board.
The 2K video quality, color night vision, and reliable motion detection make it a compelling option for home security. While the non-removable battery and subscription requirement for advanced features might deter some potential buyers, the convenience of such extended battery life outweighs these drawbacks for most use cases. If you’re tired of frequently climbing ladders to recharge security cameras, the Essential XL 2nd Gen offers a welcome reprieve. It’s not the cheapest option on the market, but the quality and longevity make it a worthwhile investment for those who value convenience and reliability in their home security solution.
For those choosing between the 2K and HD models, I’d recommend the 2K version if your budget allows. The additional detail is noticeable and valuable for security purposes, though the HD model will still serve most homeowners well while saving a few dollars.
Review Summary
Essential XL 2nd GenArlo
A wireless security camera with exceptional battery life, color night vision, and available in both 2K and HD models.
The Good Stuff
- Impressive 16-month battery life
- Available in both 2K and HD versions
- Color night vision with integrated spotlight
- Two-way audio with built-in siren
- Works without a subscription for basic features
- Non-removable battery
- Apple Home compatibility not yet available
- Subscription needed for cloud storage and advanced features
The Ratings
Overall: 86%
Disclaimers:
This product or service was provided by the company or partner for the purpose of this review.
For more information on how we score products, please read how we review products.
For more information on how we score products, please read how we review products.
![Nomad Universal Cable Review: One Cable to Rule Them All [Review]](https://img.hipsterpixel.co/nomad-universal-usb-c-cable-review-530.jpg "Nomad Universal Cable Review: One Cable to Rule Them All [Review]")
![Nomad Universal Cable for Apple Watch [Review]](https://img.hipsterpixel.co/nomad-universal-cable-for-apple-watch-review-536.jpg "Nomad Universal Cable for Apple Watch [Review]")
