How can I extend Arlo camera battery life?

Mar 24, 2023

How can I extend Arlo camera battery life?
The battery life of your Arlo camera varies depending on usage. The most common cause of battery drain is excessive usage and the best way to improve battery life is to reduce unwanted videos.

Use the following tips to help reduce battery drain and maximize Arlo camera battery life.

Arlo Settings & Configuration

Configure your camera to record shorter videos.

Use the Optimized or Best Battery Life Power Management setting.

Set a schedule to activate and deactivate cameras automatically.

Decrease Motion Sensitivity to improve battery life.

Adjust the light settings for Spotlight cameras and Floodlights.

Ensure your Arlo camera is running the latest firmware. 

  • It is important to have the most current firmware installed for your Arlo device for optimal camera operation.
  • Firmware updates are typically automatic.
    - If your firmware has not been updated, you can complete the process manually.
    - For more information, visit: How do I update my Arlo firmware manually? - Arlo Secure 4.0

Camera Positioning & Placement

Only point your camera at important areas.

  • Arlo motion detection turns on when the camera senses motion.
  • For example, if your camera faces a very busy street, motion detection activates each time a car passes by.
    - This can drain the battery prematurely.
    - Adjust your field of view away from busy streets or active areas, focusing only on what’s important.
    - For more information, visit: Arlo Camera Placement Tips

Position your camera within range of your Wi-Fi router, SmartHub, or Base Station.

  • If your camera is too far away from your Wi-Fi router, SmartHub, or Base Station, you will have poor signal strength, which can drain your camera battery more quickly.
  • For more information, visit: Arlo Camera Placement Tips.

Do not place your Arlo camera too close to Wi-Fi routers, SmartHubs, or Base Stations, or other Arlo devices.

  • Avoid placing cameras too close to other Wi-Fi devices to avoid interference, which can reduce battery life.
  • Make sure your camera is at least 3 feet (1 meter) away from your Wi-Fi router, SmartHub, or Base Station, and at least 6.5 feet (2 meters) away from other Arlo devices.

Place your camera in an area that gets enough light.

  • Dark environments will cause infrared sensors to work harder, which will reduce your camera's battery life.

If possible, keep the camera in a location with temperatures above 32°F (0°C).

Batteries, Charging Cables, Solar Panels, SmartHubs, and Base Stations

If your Arlo device uses rechargeable batteries, only use the rechargeable batteries that came with your camera or replacement batteries from Arlo.

Use the Arlo XL Rechargeable Battery & Housing to increase battery life for Arlo Ultra, Arlo Ultra 2, Arlo Pro 3, Arlo Pro 4, and Arlo Pro 5S cameras.

Add a compatible Arlo Solar Panel to your camera to help keep the battery charged.

Use outdoor charging cables to keep the battery charged.

If your Arlo device is connected directly to Wi-Fi, try connecting it to a SmartHub or Base Station to improve battery life.

Arlo Go & Arlo Go 2 Mobile Cameras

Position your Arlo Go or Go 2 camera in a location with at least three bars of LTE signal strength.

For Arlo Go 2 cameras connected via Wi-Fi and LTE, position the camera within range of your Wi-Fi router to avoid battery drain from frequent network switching.