With musicians making significant upgrades in their home studios, the idea of camera security systems has often come up as a way to protect their investment. We evaluated two popular solutions, Arlo and Wyze, and this feature reflects our staff’s long-term evaluation, our investigation of user experiences and feedback acquired from the Better Business Bureau.
Arlo was one of the first consumer security cameras to launch and they promised that their solution would enable users to simply purchase their wireless system and enjoy simple notifications on possible security breaches. There were no additional costs, or necessary subscription fees. The cameras are battery powered and connect to your home or office’s wifi via a hub. An app on your smartphone allowed setup and once active, enabled you to receive notifications of motion and sound.
For a limited time only! Up to 80% off all Waves Bundles. PLUS click the banner above or the Go button for an additional 10%! This is Waves best deal yet! Get yours today before this special ends! Go!
Wyze, a competitor, mimicked the Arlo system, but their cameras were a quarter of the cost. The only downside to Wyze was that their cameras were not battery powered, so they needed to be plugged in at all times, but they didn’t require a hub for connectivity. However, they recently debuted a battery-powered unit, which we have included in this evaluation. Like Arlo, Wyze’s system only required the cost of the cameras initially, and could operate without a subscription fee.
Both companies have scrapped their promises and significantly changed their subscription policies…
The camera image quality of both cameras wasn’t anything to get excited about and their claims of being able to see facial details or license plate numbers where debunked by the public. However, they were able to detect and then notify users of potential threats, or package deliveries, in most cases and that served the general public for a short time. However, that is where the good ended.
Arlo’s cameras suffer from serious connection issues. Unreliable connectivity renders a security camera almost useless. We have encountered issues with their cameras disconnecting from Wi-Fi, leading to gaps in security coverage. Arlo’s reliance on a cloud-based system means that if your internet connection drops or if Arlo’s servers experience downtime, your cameras may not record or transmit footage as expected. This is a serious concern for users who rely on these cameras for real-time monitoring and surveillance. There have also been numerous reports of system outages, where users were unable to access their footage or use the live-streaming feature for extended periods of time. Arlo’s customer service has been criticized for being slow to respond to these issues, leaving frustrated users without support when their cameras go offline.
Wyze cameras, particularly the Wyze Cam v2 and v3, also have poor connectivity and inconsistent performance. One of the most common issues encountered is the camera disconnecting from Wi-Fi, which also results in gaps in surveillance coverage. The cameras also have difficulty reconnecting after being powered off or when the internet connection is temporarily lost. This means that if you’re cameras are far from you, like when you go on vacation, and want to monitor your studio, you won’t be able to use them until you come back on site and manually reboot them.
Our evaluators have also complained about the cameras freezing or lagging when attempting to view live footage or when attempting to review recorded footage from their servers. The problem is often exacerbated by the fact that Wyze cameras depend on cloud storage, which can be slow or unresponsive during high-demand periods, leaving users with unreliable video streams or missed footage.
Wyze cameras all have the ability to record to a micro SD Card, but they can’t play back from those cards reliably on demand, rendering the feature almost useless. The last update in December of 2024 made things even worse with a horrendous GUI that mislabeled events, or didn’t depict them at all. Just pathetic.
Built To Not Last
While Arlo’s cameras may appear to have better build quality than Wyze, they have serious deficits. The biggest complaint has centered around the battery life of Arlo’s cameras is often much shorter than advertised, especially when cameras are used for motion detection. Worse, the batteries are prone to fail outright, necessitating an expensive replacement. In some cases, users have found that their cameras required recharging every couple of weeks, even with moderate use. Furthermore, there are consistent reports of Arlo cameras overheating, especially when placed in direct sunlight or exposed to warm environments, and becoming disabled. This issue has been exacerbated by the design of some models, which don’t have proper ventilation to dissipate heat effectively. This overheating problem can lead to malfunctions or the cameras shutting down completely, leaving users with downed equipment when they need it most.
Wyze cameras are marketed as budget-friendly options, and for the most part, they deliver decent value for the price. However, there are significant concerns about the build quality and long-term durability. Several users have reported issues with the physical integrity of the cameras, particularly with outdoor models like the Wyze Cam v3, which is designed for both indoor and outdoor use. Complaints include cameras failing to withstand outdoor conditions such as rain, heat, or cold temperatures, even when advertised as weather-resistant. In some instances, cameras have been reported to fail after only a few months of use. Additionally, the plastic construction of the cameras, while lightweight, feels flimsy and less robust compared to more premium brands. This inconsistency in build quality has led some customers to question whether Wyze’s focus on low cost is undermining the reliability and longevity of its products.
Where things turn nasty is both companies subscription fee policy. Gone is the promise of an inexpensive solution, and replaced by ever-increasing fees and costs. Arlo is the more unctuous company in terms of subscription fees, but with Wyze’s latest app update that bricks their camera’s monitoring unless you sign up for a subscription, they’re not far behind this deplorable behavior.
Wyze’s Slogan Should Be:Always Wonder (If It Will Work)
Arlo’s business model heavily relies on subscription services for full or even partial functionality, which has drawn sharp criticism from users in every area of the internet we investigated. Many of the core features such as cloud storage for video footage, advanced motion detection, and the ability to review past recordings, which were originally promised as a free service, are now locked behind a paid subscription. The cost of these plans, which range from $2.99 to $14.99 per month per camera, can quickly add up for users with multiple devices. While Arlo does offer a trial period for their premium services, many users have found the subscription costs prohibitive given the number of competitors offering similar features without hidden fees or ongoing charges.
Arlo first introduced its subscription service, which provides users with cloud storage and additional features such as smart alerts, activity zones, and extended video history for no cost. However, starting in 2020, the company began raising subscription fees across its tiers. For example, Arlo’s Smart service (and Smart is being generous), which offers the basic cloud storage and advanced features, initially set a user back $2.99 per month for a single camera. By 2022, this fee had increased to $4.99 per month for the same service, a significant 67% hike.
But it wasn’t just the basic plans that saw price increases. In 2021, Arlo also raised the price of its Arlo Smart Premier and Arlo Smart Elite plans —offering more cameras and extended storage — from $9.99 and $14.99 per month, respectively, to $14.99 and $24.99 per month. These moves were part of a broader strategy to increase revenue, but they have been met with widespread dissatisfaction from users, particularly those who had been on the service for years and had come to expect affordable pricing. In some cases, customers have found the price increases to be disproportionate, especially when compared to similar services offered by competitors.
Arlo’s price hikes have drawn criticism on multiple fronts. One common complaint is that these increases have not been accompanied by substantial new features or improvements to justify the extra cost. While Arlo has rolled out some updates, such as improved AI-powered detection and higher resolution video, many users feel these enhancements don’t justify the higher price. As a result, long-time customers—especially those who bought Arlo cameras based on the initial pricing structure—are feeling frustrated by what they see as a bait-and-switch tactic.
MIDI Designer Is Now Free!
MIDI Designer Pro X is now free to download! MIDI Designer Pro X is a professional-grade MIDI controller platform for iPhone, iPad and Mac. User-contributed layouts let you control everything from Ableton to Yamaha out of the box. Go beyond hardware and express your musical vision. Check out out now!
Another point of contention is the lack of transparency when it comes to these price increases. Many customers reported that they weren’t adequately notified about upcoming hikes, and in some cases, the fees were applied automatically, leaving users unaware until they checked their bills. This practice has prompted accusations of poor customer service, with users expressing frustration about not being given the option to opt-out of the changes or switch to less expensive plans.
Wyze initially honored their commitment to early adopters and supporters of their product, who often served as influencers and sneezers spreading the word of their product and services. When they did start increasing their subscription fees, they provided a name-your-price subscription tier, dubbed Cam Plus, Lite, for their devoted users. Many long-time users signed on for the suggested monthly cost and the initiative actually provided empathy for the company. However, when the company updated their app this fall, they screwed over the faithful. Without informing these users, the update, which can’t be degraded to prior versions, killed the name-your-price tier and bricked the cameras unless the users signed on to a new subscription tier. Users no longer can receive detection notifications, nor can access their 12 second videos from the cloud. If you think Arlo’s smarmy policies left a bad taste in users mouths, this obsequious maneuver by Wyze has many of their users raging.
Contacting customer support at either service will provide absolutely no satisfaction. Arlo doesn’t even provide live customer service. Instead they have a Bulletin Board where you can post your problem and then “hope” that the crowd-sourcing will assist you. The majority of the times it doesn’t. Wyze has an email customer service ticket system, but you only receive flowery apologies and noting actionable to solve your issues.
A critical aspect of any security system is responsive customer service, if you cannot receive quality information and solutions to solve problems, what’s the point? Yet Arlo and Wyze have been repeatedly criticized for its lackluster support by BBB complaints. Arlo users who experience issues with their cameras often report long wait times for customer service via their Bulletin Board, unclear troubleshooting steps, and inadequate responses.
Additionally, many have found the warranty terms to be less than satisfactory. Arlo’s warranty policies have been described as convoluted and restrictive, with some users being forced to pay for repairs or replacements even when their cameras were within the warranty period. Several customers have also reported receiving faulty replacement units that failed to perform as expected. This poor customer service and warranty experience has led many to question whether Arlo is truly committed to providing long-term value for its customers.
Wyze’s cameras are not much better, but since they’re so cheap, most users forgo the hassle of a warranty claim and just buy another unit. Our users have also found that buying a “refurbished” model is a poor choice. These used models usually have a serious defect and often fail in short order.
Despite being marketed as a reliable home security solution, Arlo cameras have faced significant privacy and data security concerns. Multiple reports have surfaced over the years, indicating vulnerabilities in how the company handles user data. Notably, Arlo’s cloud-based storage system, which records footage for users to access remotely, has been criticized for inadequate security protocols. In 2020, a security researcher discovered that Arlo’s cloud servers were exposed, potentially allowing unauthorized access to users’ personal footage. Additionally, despite promises of end-to-end encryption, some users have raised concerns that Arlo’s reliance on third-party cloud providers, may expose their data to hackers. Although Arlo has taken steps to address these issues, the company’s track record with data breaches and user privacy leaves, many questioning the safety of entrusting their personal footage to the cloud.
Wyze has faced multiple privacy and security controversies that have raised significant concerns about its reliability as a secure home surveillance system. In 2020, a massive data breach exposed the personal information of Wyze customers, including email addresses and, in some cases, live camera feeds. The breach was traced to a vulnerability in Wyze’s cloud servers, which were improperly configured. Hackers gained access to the data by exploiting this flaw, compromising users’ personal security footage. While Wyze acted swiftly to patch the issue, the breach cast doubt on the company’s commitment to securing sensitive customer data.
In 2022, security firm Bitdefender announced that Wyze had discontinued certain cameras because of a security vulnerability that Bitdefender had reported to Wyze three years before, which is an unusually long time for a vulnerability to go unreported to the public. Wyze did not make any public announcement about the vulnerability. Lovely.
The easiest way for electronic musicians to get their music onto Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Amazon Music, Tidal, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Pandora, Twitch & much more! Click the banner above or the Go Button to save 7% off of your signup! Go!
On September 8, 2023, some users reported to Wyze that their Wyze app was showing camera feeds that were not their own. Wyze stated publicly said this was “due to a web caching issue” – how web caching can reveal another customer’s feed on their allegedly encrypted feed is something we’ll never know.
Since then, there have been ongoing concerns about the company’s cloud-based architecture, as Wyze cameras rely heavily on storing video footage and user data on external servers. Although Wyze has made improvements in encryption and data security, the fact remains that users’ footage is often stored off-site, which continues to pose potential privacy risks, especially given the low cost and fast-growing nature of the brand.
Conclusion
Initially, the value proposition of the Arlo and Wyze systems were very attractive to studio owners who wanted to add a level of security and monitoring. Unfortunately, both companies betrayed their customers with poor performing products, faulty hardware and ever-increasing subscription fees. Therefore, both Wyze and Arlo products are Not Recommended.
Cheers:
+ Initial Value Proposition
Jeers:
– Poor Security
– Poor Quality
– Poor Customer Service
– Increasing Fees
– Broken Promises
Arlo Rating: 38% — FAIL!
Wyze Rating: 52% — FAIL!
» Two Wyze v4 Cameras cost: $72 plus $12.99 per month for Wyze Unlimited Subscription
» Two Arlo Ultra 2 Cameras with hub cost: $599 plus $16.67 per month for their Plus Subscription
The Future: It’s hard to recover from the systematic flaws we’ve outlined. We’ll be looking at Ring and Blink as possible solutions for music studio security in 2025.
