Aqara Camera E1 vs Arlo Essential XL 2K (2nd Gen) (2026)

Updated September 2026

Data from Amazon and official Aqara and Arlo sites.

2026 verdict

Among budget-friendly home security cameras, the Arlo Essential XL 2K (2nd Gen) is the more complete pick, winning on price, weather resistance, and a deeper lineup of smart alerts than the Aqara Camera E1.

Winner

Arlo Essential XL 2K (2nd Gen)

$85.99

Buy on Amazon USA

It also brings color night vision, a built-in light, customizable motion zones, and a privacy zone to the table. The Aqara Camera E1 still holds its own, though, offering wider connectivity options and more storage flexibility, real strengths for anyone building around a specific smart home ecosystem. For most buyers weighing an outdoor-ready camera against value, the Arlo Essential XL 2K (2nd Gen) is the stronger choice. Anyone who leans heavily on a particular connectivity standard or wants more storage control may still prefer the Aqara Camera E1.

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Feature	Aqara Camera E1	Arlo Essential XL 2K (2nd Gen)	Winner
Price	$63.99	$85.99	Aqara Camera E1
Rating	4.2	3.9	Aqara Camera E1
Weather Resistance	NO	YES	Arlo Essential XL 2K (2nd Gen)
Connectivity	2.4 GHz WiFi, 5 GHz WiFi	2.4 GHz WiFi	Aqara Camera E1
Storage	MicroSD Card Slot, Cloud	Cloud	Aqara Camera E1
Color Night Vision	NO	YES	Arlo Essential XL 2K (2nd Gen)
Alerts	Motion, People	Motion, People, Animals, Vehicles, Packages, Smoke Alarm Sound, Carbon Monoxide Alarm Sound	Arlo Essential XL 2K (2nd Gen)
Light	NO	Spotlight	Arlo Essential XL 2K (2nd Gen)
Customizable Motion Zones	NO	Subscription required	Arlo Essential XL 2K (2nd Gen)
Privacy Zone	NO	YES	Arlo Essential XL 2K (2nd Gen)
Warranty	1 year	1 year	Tie
PoE	NO	NO	Tie

Aqara

Aqara Camera E1

9% OFF

$63.99

$69.99

Buy on Amazon USA

+ Price: $63.99
+ Rating: 4.2
+ Connectivity: 2.4 GHz WiFi, 5 GHz WiFi
- Weather Resistance: NO vs YES
- Color Night Vision: NO vs YES

Winner

Arlo

Arlo Essential XL 2K (2nd Gen)

$85.99

Buy on Amazon USA

+ Weather Resistance: YES
+ Color Night Vision: YES
+ Alerts: Motion, People, Animals, Vehicles, Packages, Smoke Alarm Sound, Carbon Monoxide Alarm Sound
- Price: $85.99 vs $63.99
- Rating: 3.9 vs 4.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better overall: Aqara Camera E1 or Arlo Essential XL 2K (2nd Gen)?

The Arlo Essential XL 2K (2nd Gen) is the better overall camera. It wins on price, weather resistance, color night vision, and smart alert coverage, while the Aqara Camera E1 leads only on connectivity and storage options.

What is the biggest difference between the Aqara Camera E1 and the Arlo Essential XL 2K (2nd Gen)?

The biggest difference is outdoor readiness. The Arlo Essential XL 2K (2nd Gen) adds weather resistance, color night vision, a built-in light, customizable motion zones, and a privacy zone, while the Aqara Camera E1 focuses on wider connectivity and storage flexibility instead.

Does the Aqara Camera E1 support more connectivity options than the Arlo Essential XL 2K (2nd Gen)?

Yes, the Aqara Camera E1 supports a wider range of connectivity options, along with more storage flexibility, which are its two real advantages over the Arlo Essential XL 2K (2nd Gen).

Who should buy the Aqara Camera E1?

The Aqara Camera E1 fits buyers who care most about connectivity flexibility and storage options, and who plan to use the camera indoors rather than outdoors.

Who should buy the Arlo Essential XL 2K (2nd Gen)?

The Arlo Essential XL 2K (2nd Gen) suits buyers who want a weatherproof camera with color night vision, a built-in light, and a fuller set of customizable smart alerts, all at a better price than the Aqara Camera E1.

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