Quick answerArlo Pro 5S wins on flexibility and smarts; Nest Cam with Floodlight wins on brute illumination and Google ecosystem depth. Pick Arlo if you want wire-free freedom, pick Nest if you want a permanent blinding deterrent.
Resolution
4K (2160p)
2K (1080p HDR)
Wired / Wireless
Wire-free (rechargeable battery or solar)
Wired only (hardwired install required)
Floodlight
Integrated spotlight (700 lumens)
Integrated floodlight (~2,400 lumens)
Field of View
160° diagonal
130° diagonal
Free Cloud Storage
30 days (Arlo Secure trial); limited free tier after
3 hours of event history free
Subscription Cost
Arlo Secure ~$13/mo or ~$130/yr per camera
Nest Aware ~$8/mo or ~$80/yr
Local Storage
Yes (USB via SmartHub)
No local storage option
Color Night Vision
Yes (built-in spotlight assists)
Yes (floodlight delivers vivid color night footage)
Smart Home Ecosystems
Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT, SmartThings
Google Home / Assistant only
Camera Price (approx.)
~$200
~$280
AI Person / Package Detection
Yes (requires subscription for full features)
Yes (requires Nest Aware for full history)
Worth knowing
- Arlo Pro 5S shoots true 4K — that's 4x the pixels of Nest's 2K, making license plate reads much more realistic.
- Nest Cam's floodlight puts out ~2,400 lumens; Arlo's spotlight is roughly 700 lumens — Nest will make your yard look like a film set.
- Arlo Pro 5S supports local storage via USB on its SmartHub, a rare perk that lets you ditch cloud fees entirely.
- Nest Cam with Floodlight requires a licensed electrician for most homeowners — no weekend warrior install here.
- Arlo works with Alexa, Google, SmartThings, and IFTTT; Nest is locked to the Google Home ecosystem only.
Nest Cam's floodlight is so bright (2,400 lumens) it could theoretically make your neighbors think the sun rose early — great for deterrence, awkward for backyard stargazing.
If you wantYou want wire-free flexibility and the sharpest video
Arlo Pro 5S goes anywhere without an electrician and records in 4K — no one else in this matchup can say both.
→ Pick Arlo Pro 5S If you wantYou want maximum deterrent lighting and live in the Google ecosystem
Nest's 2,400-lumen floodlight is a genuine burglar deterrent, and Nest Aware costs nearly half of Arlo Secure.
→ Pick Nest Cam with Floodlight If you wantYou want to avoid ongoing subscription costs
Arlo's local USB storage option via SmartHub means you can store clips without paying a monthly fee.
→ Pick Arlo Pro 5S If you wantYou rent or move frequently
Battery-powered and magnetic mount means you take it with you — no drywall guilt, no electrician bill.
→ Pick Arlo Pro 5S Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you sign up through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.