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Arlo Essential outdoor cameras

Arlo / 4 lines, 5 models / 2023-2026

Last checked

Which Arlo Essential outdoor cameras should I buy?

Arlo's Essential outdoor cameras are the Essential (3rd Gen) battery cameras, the Essential Plug-In, the Essential Solar and the Essential (2nd Gen).

They record 2K and use Wi-Fi directly. The 3rd Gen battery cameras and the Solar camera work with an Arlo SmartHub as an option. The Plug-In camera does not support a SmartHub. Arlo lists HomeKit with Alexa and Google Home for the 3rd Gen battery cameras and the 2nd Gen XL.

Lines

Lines at a glance

4 lines
LineCurrent lineOn sale nowNewestWhat it isModels
Essential (3rd Gen)YesYes2025-08-26The 2025 battery cameras, standard and XL.2
Essential Plug-InYesYes2025-08-26The 2025 USB-powered outdoor camera.1
Essential SolarYesYes2026-09-29The solar-powered camera announced in September 2026.1
Essential (2nd Gen)YesYes2023-09-19The XL outdoor battery camera announced in 2023, sold as a three-camera kit.1

Currently sold

Newest first in each series.

Models sold now, newest in each series

5 models. List prices as of Oct 13–20, 2026; each device page shows its exact check dateHow facts are sourced: every cell cites its source below
SeriesModelReleasedVideoField of viewPowerPriceNewest
Wire-free outdoor camera with spotlight and siren2 models
Essential (3rd Gen)Essential (3rd Gen)[3]announced2560 x 1440 (2K)[4]130 degree diagonal[4]Integrated rechargeable battery[4]$69.99[4]only model in its series
Essential XL (3rd Gen)Essential XL (3rd Gen)Size or finish of the Essential (3rd Gen)[3]announced2560 x 1440 (2K)[5]130 degree diagonal[5]Integrated rechargeable battery, 4X the Essential (3rd Gen) battery life[5]$79.99[5]only model in its series
Plug-in outdoor camera with spotlight and siren1 model
Essential Plug-In (2025)Essential Plug-In (2025)[3]announced2304 x 1296[6]130 degree diagonal[6]Plug-in, 16 ft USB cable and power adapter[6]$49.99[6]only model in its series
Solar-powered outdoor camera with spotlight and siren1 model
Essential SolarEssential Solar[1]announced2560 x 1440 (2K), 24 fps[1][2]130 degree diagonal[2]Integrated solar panel and 14,790 mAh battery; up to 6 months without sun[1][2]$99.99[2]only model in its series
Wire-free camera with spotlight and siren, indoor or outdoor1 model
Essential XL (2nd Gen) OutdoorEssential XL (2nd Gen) Outdoor[7]announced2560 x 1440 (2K)[8]130 degree diagonal[8]Rechargeable battery rated 16 months[8]unknownonly model in its series

At a glance

Every product at a glance

4 product familiesHow facts are sourced: every cell cites its source below
ProductGenerationReleasedTypeStatus
Essential (3rd Gen)2 modelsunknown[3]Wire-free outdoor camera with spotlight and siren[4]Current[4]
Essential Plug-In (2025)unknown[3]Plug-in outdoor camera with spotlight and siren[3][6]Current[6]
Essential Solarunknown[1]Solar-powered outdoor camera with spotlight and siren[1][2]Current[2]
Essential XL (2nd Gen) Outdoorunknown[7]Wire-free camera with spotlight and siren, indoor or outdoor[7][8]Current[8]

Lineup

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Arlo Essential outdoor cameras lineup

5 models, 2023-2026. List prices as of Oct 13–20, 2026; each device page shows its exact check dateA cell with no marker uses the sources listed under the model name
ProductTypeVideoField of viewPowerWi-FiHub requirementWeather ratingWorks withAnnouncedStatusHome AssistantHomeyPriceRetailers
Wire-free outdoor camera with spotlight and siren2 models
Essential (3rd Gen)VMC3080-100NAS, VMC3280-100NAS, VMK3380-100NASWire-free outdoor camera with spotlight and siren[4]2560 x 1440 (2K)[4]130 degree diagonal[4]Integrated rechargeable battery[4]2.4 GHz and 5 GHz[4]Optional; works with the VMB4540 and VMB5000 SmartHubs only[4]unknownAlexa, Google Home, SmartThings, IFTTT and HomeKit[4]2025-08-26[3]Current[4]CommunityCommunity app$69.99[4]
Essential XL (3rd Gen)VMC3082-100NAS, VMC3382-100NASSame product as Essential (3rd Gen)Wire-free outdoor camera with spotlight and siren[5]2560 x 1440 (2K)[5]130 degree diagonal[5]Integrated rechargeable battery, 4X the Essential (3rd Gen) battery life[5]2.4 GHz and 5 GHz[5]Optional; works with the VMB4540 and VMB5000 SmartHubs only[5]unknownAlexa, Google Home, SmartThings, IFTTT and HomeKit[5]2025-08-26[3]Current[5]CommunityCommunity app$79.99[5]
Plug-in outdoor camera with spotlight and siren1 model
Essential Plug-In (2025)VMC3081-100NAS, VMC3281-100NASPlug-in outdoor camera with spotlight and siren[3][6]2304 x 1296[6]130 degree diagonal[6]Plug-in, 16 ft USB cable and power adapter[6]2.4 GHz and 5 GHz[6]Not supported[6]unknownAlexa, Google Home, SmartThings and IFTTT[6]2025-08-26[3]Current[6]CommunityCommunity app$49.99[6]
Solar-powered outdoor camera with spotlight and siren1 model
Essential SolarVMC3090-100NAS, VMC3290-100NAS, VMC3090B-100NASSources for this row [1][2]Solar-powered outdoor camera with spotlight and siren2560 x 1440 (2K), 24 fps130 degree diagonal[2]Integrated solar panel and 14,790 mAh battery; up to 6 months without sun2.4 GHz and 5 GHz[2]Optional[2]IP65[1]Alexa, Google Home, IFTTT and SmartThings[1]2026-09-29[1]Current[2]CommunityCommunity app$99.99[2]
Wire-free camera with spotlight and siren, indoor or outdoor1 model
Essential XL (2nd Gen) OutdoorVMC2352-100NASWire-free camera with spotlight and siren, indoor or outdoor[7][8]2560 x 1440 (2K)[8]130 degree diagonal[8]Rechargeable battery rated 16 months[8]2.4 GHz[8]Optional; compatible with Arlo SmartHubs and Base Stations[8]unknownAlexa, Google Home, IFTTT and HomeKit[8]2023-09-19[7]Current[8]CommunityCommunity appunknown

Timeline

5 dated events across the line, each with its own source. Products with the same date, event and source share one entry.

  1. 2023
    1. Essential XL (2nd Gen) Outdoor: Announced [7]
  2. 2025
    1. Essential (3rd Gen), Essential XL (3rd Gen), Essential Plug-In (2025): Announced [3]
  3. 2026
    1. Essential Solar: Announced [1]

Cite this page

Arlo Essential outdoor cameras. Smart Home Canon. https://smarthomecanon.com/lines/arlo-essential-cameras. Last checked 2026-10-20.

Sources

  1. [1]
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  4. [4]
    MFRus.arlo.com / Arlo Essential (3rd Gen) - Arlo US store
    Accessed Back to text
  5. [5]
  6. [6]
  7. [7]
  8. [8]