Doorbells · Head to head

aosu Video Doorbell R1 Ultra vs Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell

Full Smart Doorbells comparison in 2026

Updated September 2026
Data from Amazon and official aosu and Arlo sites.
2026 verdict
aosu Video Doorbell R1 Ultra wins this comparison because it works without paying anything, storing 60 days of footage on its included aosuBase Mini while its rival cannot even show live video once the trial ends.
aosu Video Doorbell R1 Ultra
Winner
aosu Video Doorbell R1 Ultra
$119.99$149.9920% OFF
Buy on Amazon USACheck price
It also brings a 5MP sensor with a 166 degree diagonal view, colour night vision, dual-band Wi-Fi where the Arlo is 2.4 GHz only, customisable motion zones and radar plus PIR and AI detection, in an IP65 body that runs wired or on battery for about 90 days. Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell answers with a wider 180 degree square view, SmartThings, Home Assistant and IFTTT support alongside Google Home and Alexa, animal and vehicle alerts, privacy zones and a lower price. Every one of those detection features, and all recording and live view, requires an Arlo Secure plan, which owners call the overriding problem with the product. Buy Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell only if you already pay for Arlo Secure; otherwise aosu Video Doorbell R1 Ultra is the better value by a wide margin.
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Featureaosu Video Doorbell R1 UltraArlo Essential Wireless Video DoorbellWinner
Price$119.99$56.00Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell
Rating4.44.3aosu Video Doorbell R1 Ultra
Connectivity2.4 GHz WiFi, 5 GHz WiFi2.4 GHz WiFiaosu Video Doorbell R1 Ultra
IntegrationsGoogle Home, AlexaGoogle Home, Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, Home AssistantArlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell
StorageInternal, CloudCloudaosu Video Doorbell R1 Ultra
AlertsMotion, People, Packages, Familiar FacesMotion, People, Packages, Animals, VehiclesArlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell
Customizable Motion ZonesYESSubscription requiredaosu Video Doorbell R1 Ultra
Warranty1 year1 yearTie
Outdoor Custom RingtoneNONOTie
Indoor Custom RingtoneNONOTie
Voice ChangingNONOTie
Automatic RepliesNONOTie
Winner
aosu

aosu Video Doorbell R1 Ultra

20% OFF
$119.99
$149.99
Buy on Amazon USACheck price
  • + Rating: 4.4
  • + Connectivity: 2.4 GHz WiFi, 5 GHz WiFi
  • + Storage: Internal, Cloud
  • - Price: $119.99 vs $56.00
  • - Integrations: Google Home, Alexa vs Google Home, Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better overall, the aosu Video Doorbell R1 Ultra or the Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell?

aosu Video Doorbell R1 Ultra, because it records 60 days locally with no subscription, shoots 5MP, supports dual-band Wi-Fi and offers custom motion zones. Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell wins on price and integrations, but needs an Arlo Secure plan for almost everything.

Does the Arlo work without a subscription?

Barely. Owners report that after the free trial you cannot view or record anything on Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell without an Arlo Secure plan, including live view. aosu Video Doorbell R1 Ultra records to its included base station with no monthly fee.

How do the cameras compare?

aosu Video Doorbell R1 Ultra uses a 5MP sensor with a 166 degree diagonal field of view and colour night vision. Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell shoots 1080p with a wider 180 degree square view and black and white night vision.

Which has better smart home support?

Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell, which lists Google Home, Alexa, SmartThings, Home Assistant and IFTTT. aosu Video Doorbell R1 Ultra covers Google Home and Alexa only, with no HomeKit or Matter on either device.

Who should buy the Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell?

Households already paying for Arlo Secure who want a wider 180 degree view, animal and vehicle alerts and SmartThings or Home Assistant integration. If you want to avoid a monthly bill entirely, aosu Video Doorbell R1 Ultra is the doorbell to buy.

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