Winner
Updated September 2026
Data from Amazon and official Aqara and Arlo sites.
2026 verdict
The Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro PoE is the clear overall winner in this camera comparison, beating the budget-oriented Arlo Essential XL HD (2nd Gen) on rating, PoE reliability, storage, RTSP streaming, alert variety, and its role as a smart-home hub. The Arlo Essential XL HD (2nd Gen) still has a place: it costs less and offers customizable motion zones for owners who want to dial in exactly where it watches. Anyone building a wired, hub-capable smart-home setup with strong local storage and RTSP access should choose the Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro PoE. Shoppers on a tight budget who mainly want a simple, long-battery outdoor camera with adjustable motion zones will find the Arlo Essential XL HD (2nd Gen) does the job.
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| Feature | Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro PoE | Arlo Essential XL HD (2nd Gen) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.99 | €165.55 | Arlo Essential XL HD (2nd Gen) |
| Rating | 4.5 | 3.8 | Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro PoE |
| PoE | YES | NO | Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro PoE |
| Storage | MicroSD Card Slot, Cloud | Cloud | Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro PoE |
| RTSP | YES | NO | Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro PoE |
| Alerts | Motion, People, Animals, Vehicles, Familiar Faces, Packages, Baby Crying Sound, Smoke Alarm Sound | Motion, People, Animals, Vehicles, Packages, Smoke Alarm Sound, Carbon Monoxide Alarm Sound | Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro PoE |
| Hub | Zigbee Coordinator, Thread Border Router, Matter Bridge | None | Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro PoE |
| Customizable Motion Zones | NO | Subscription required | Arlo Essential XL HD (2nd Gen) |
| Weather Resistance | IP65 | YES | Tie |
| Light | YES | Spotlight | Tie |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year | Tie |
| Solar Charging | NO | NO | Tie |
Winner
13% OFF
$199.99
$229.99
- + Rating: 4.5
- + PoE: YES
- + Storage: MicroSD Card Slot, Cloud
- - Price: $199.99 vs €165.55
- - Customizable Motion Zones: NO vs Subscription required
- + Price: €165.55
- + Customizable Motion Zones: Subscription required
- - Rating: 3.8 vs 4.5
- - PoE: NO vs YES
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better overall: Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro PoE or Arlo Essential XL HD (2nd Gen)?
The Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro PoE is clearly the stronger overall camera, winning on rating, PoE reliability, storage, RTSP streaming, alerts, and its hub role. The Arlo Essential XL HD (2nd Gen) only wins on price and customizable motion zones, making it a budget pick rather than an all-around winner.
What is the biggest difference between the Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro PoE and the Arlo Essential XL HD (2nd Gen)?
The Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro PoE is a wired camera with PoE reliability, RTSP local streaming, and expanded storage, while the Arlo Essential XL HD (2nd Gen) is a wireless, long-battery camera whose main advantages are a lower price and customizable motion zones.
Does the Arlo Essential XL HD (2nd Gen) have any advantage over the Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro PoE?
Yes, though a narrow one. The Arlo Essential XL HD (2nd Gen) wins on price and on customizable motion zones, which let owners fine-tune exactly what areas trigger a recording.
Can the Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro PoE serve as a smart-home hub?
Yes. The Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro PoE wins the hub comparison against the Arlo Essential XL HD (2nd Gen), on top of its wins on rating, storage, RTSP streaming, and alerts.
Who should buy the Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro PoE?
Buyers who want a wired, higher-rated camera with RTSP local streaming, more storage, richer alerts, and hub duties for other devices should choose the Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro PoE.
Who should buy the Arlo Essential XL HD (2nd Gen)?
Buyers on a tighter budget who mainly want a simple wireless outdoor camera with adjustable motion zones should choose the Arlo Essential XL HD (2nd Gen).
Full comparison table
Compare all 118 Cameras side by side
You are looking at two of them. The full table lines up all Cameras in the catalog with the same specs, so you can filter by what you need and sort by price or rating.
- 118 Cameras
- 63 specs compared
- 60 filters
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RingFloodlight Cam Wired Plus
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RingIndoor Cam Plus
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BlinkMini Pan-Tilt
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RingRing Outdoor Cam Plus
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CamerasAqaraCamera E1
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CamerasAqaraCamera G100
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CamerasAqaraCamera Hub G2H Pro
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CamerasAqaraCamera Hub G3
4.2(1,042)18% OFF$119.99$98.99
CamerasAqaraCamera Hub G350
4.3(215)$139.99- CamerasAqara
Camera Hub G5 Pro PoE
4.5(301)13% OFF$229.99$199.99 
CamerasAqaraCamera Hub G5 Pro WiFi
4.2(288)$199.99
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4.2(394)$99.99
DoorbellsAqaraDoorbell Camera Hub G410
3.9(1,455)8% OFF$144.99$133.99
DoorbellsAqaraSmart Video Doorbell G4
3.6(3,324)6% OFF$79.99$74.99
Door LocksAqaraSmart Lock D200i
3.3(7)
Door LocksAqaraSmart Lock N100 Zigbee Edition
$159.90
Door LocksAqaraSmart Lock U100
4.1(2,555)$149.99
Door LocksAqaraSmart Lock U200
2.7(2,086)$169.99
Door LocksAqaraSmart Lock U300
3.6(366)$189.99
Door LocksAqaraSmart Lock U400
4.1(392)$269.99
Door LocksAqaraSmart Lock U50
4.0(667)$119.99
Door & Window SensorsAqaraDoor and Window Sensor P2
3.6(1,115)7% OFF$29.99$27.99
Door & Window SensorsAqaraDoor and Window Sensor
4.4(6,093)$17.99
CamerasArloEssential 2K Wired (2025)
3.9(120)20% OFF$49.99$39.99
CamerasArloEssential 2K (2nd Gen)
4.0(4,089)65% OFF$99.99$34.99
CamerasArloEssential HD (2nd Gen)
4.1(801)50% OFF$29.99$14.99
CamerasArloEssential Indoor 2K (2nd Gen)
4.2(1,596)33% OFF$19.50$12.99
CamerasArloEssential Indoor HD (2nd Gen)
CamerasArloEssential Pan Tilt (Outdoor)
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CamerasArloEssential Pan Tilt
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CamerasArloEssential XL 2K (2nd Gen)
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CamerasArloEssential XL HD (2nd Gen)
3.8(69)€165.55
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CamerasArloPro 6
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CamerasArloWired Floodlight Camera
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4.3(491)$56.00
DoorbellsArloVideo Doorbell 2K (2nd gen)
4.0(1,723)20% OFF$79.99$64.00
DoorbellsArloVideo Doorbell HD (2nd gen)
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Door & Window SensorsArloAll-in-One Sensor
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