Smart home technology: Amazon Echo (5th Gen) vs. Arlo Pro 5 (Security Camera)

Quick Verdict

The Amazon Echo (5th Gen) is a better choice for users prioritizing smart home control, voice assistance, and audio quality. The Arlo Pro 5 is the superior option for those needing a security camera with high-resolution video, motion detection, and weather resistance.

The Amazon Echo (5th Gen) is primarily a smart speaker with voice assistant capabilities and smart home hub functionality, while the Arlo Pro 5 is a security camera focused on video surveillance and security features.
The Amazon Echo excels in audio quality and voice recognition, while the Arlo Pro 5 focuses on video resolution, field of view, and night vision capabilities.
The Amazon Echo requires a plug-in power source, while the Arlo Pro 5 operates on a rechargeable battery and is weather-resistant.
The Arlo Pro 5 requires a subscription for cloud storage and advanced features, while the Amazon Echo sends voice recordings to the cloud for processing.

Key features – Side-by-Side

Attribute	Amazon Echo (5th Gen)	Arlo Pro 5 (Security Camera)
Voice Assistant Compatibility	Amazon Alexa	Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri (expected)
Smart Home Hub Integration	WiFi, Bluetooth Low Energy Mesh, Matter controller, Zigbee (through Alexa App)	SmartThings, Matter; Zigbee and Z-Wave support unclear
Audio Quality	1.73-inch (44mm) front-firing speaker, clearer vocals, deeper bass, vibrant sound, lossless High Definition audio	Noise-canceling audio, Two-way audio communication
Microphone Sensitivity and Noise Cancellation	3 built-in microphones, far-field voice recognition, adjustable microphone sensitivity in Alexa app	Noise reduction microphone and speaker, Double-down operation to reduce wind and background noise
Connectivity	Dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4 and 5 GHz), Bluetooth 5.0	Wi-Fi (Dual-band 2.4GHz and 5GHz)
Security Camera Resolution	Not available (no camera)	2K (2560 x 1440 pixels)
Field of View	Not available (no camera)	160 degrees
Night Vision Capabilities	Not available (no camera)	Color night vision
Motion Detection Sensitivity and Customization	Configurable routines through Alexa app	Adjustable sensitivity, Customizable activity zones
Cloud Storage Options and Subscription Costs	Voice recordings sent to Amazon's cloud for processing, option to delete recordings, Alexa voice requests encrypted in transit	Arlo Secure subscription required for cloud recording, advanced object detection, and activity zones; Subscription costs vary; Local storage available with Arlo Pro SmartHub
Battery Life / Power Source	Plug-in power source with 15W power adapter (no battery)	Rechargeable battery, Up to 8 months (depending on usage), Low Power mode, Optional solar panel compatibility
Weather Resistance	Not available	Weather-resistant, IP65 rating
Price	Not available	Not available
Ratings	Not available	Not available

Overall Comparison

Amazon Echo (5th Gen): Alexa voice assistant, improved audio. Arlo Pro 5: 2K resolution, 160° FOV, color night vision.

Pros and Cons

Amazon Echo (5th Gen)

Pros:

Seamless integration with smart devices via Alexa App
Acts as a central smart home hub
Compatible with a wide array of smart home devices and third-party apps
Improved audio with clearer vocals, deeper bass, and vibrant sound
Built-in far-field microphones for voice recognition in noisy environments
Easy setup using the Alexa app
Multiple layers of privacy controls, including a microphone off button

Cons:

No camera
Requires plug-in power source
Voice recordings are sent to Amazon's cloud for processing

Arlo Pro 5 (Security Camera)

Pros:

Integrates with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT
Compatible with SmartThings
Two-way communications come through loud and clear
Noise-canceling audio lets you communicate with visitors effortlessly
Motion and sound alerts arrive quickly
Very quick motion detection
Motion alerts come in immediately
Clear and detailed video recording with high dynamic range
2K resolution is sharp, the colors are true-to-life, and the color night vision is crystal clear
Quick to install
Easy to set up and operate
Simple wire-free setup makes it easy to install and adjust
Offers robust software and regular security updates
SecureLink feature offers stronger data encryption

Cons:

No major disadvantages reported.

User Experiences and Feedback

Amazon Echo (5th Gen)

What Users Love

Easy setup
Good smart home integration
Improved sound quality
Effective voice recognition

Common Complaints

No battery
No camera
Requires cloud processing of voice recordings

Value Perception

No value feedback reported.

User Recommendations

Setup is easy using the Alexa app.
It seamlessly integrates with many smart devices via the Alexa App.
It offers improved audio with clearer vocals, deeper bass, and vibrant sound.
It has built-in far-field microphones for voice recognition, even in noisy environments.

Arlo Pro 5 (Security Camera)

What Users Love

No highlights reported.

Common Complaints

No major complaints reported.

Value Perception

No value feedback reported.

User Recommendations

Two-way communications come through loud and clear.
Noise-canceling audio lets you communicate with visitors effortlessly.
Motion and sound alerts arrive quickly.
Very quick motion detection.
Motion alerts come in immediately.
Clear and detailed video recording with high dynamic range.
2K resolution is sharp, the colors are true-to-life, and the color night vision is crystal clear.
Quick to install.
Easy to set up and operate.
Simple wire-free setup makes it easy to install and adjust.
Offers robust software and regular security updates.
SecureLink feature offers stronger data encryption.