Doorbells · Head to head

aosu Video Doorbell R1 Ultra vs Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell

Full Smart Doorbells comparison in 2026

Updated October 2026
Data from Amazon and official aosu and Arlo sites.
2026 verdict
For a buyer who wants recorded history but no monthly bill, the aosu Video Doorbell R1 Ultra is the stronger doorbell camera than the Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell.
aosu Video Doorbell R1 Ultra
Winner
aosu Video Doorbell R1 Ultra
$129.99$149.9913% OFF

Last recorded price

Buy on Amazon USA
It stores clips locally on the included aosuBase Mini, which also serves as the indoor chime, records at 5MP with color night vision in a 166 degree diagonal view, connects on 2.4 or 5 GHz, and lets you draw motion zones without paying anything. The Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell reaches further into the smart home, with Google Home, Alexa, SmartThings and Home Assistant, plus Apple Home through an Arlo SmartHub, and a very wide 180 degree view, but it has no local storage, and its recordings, smart alerts and motion zones all sit behind an Arlo Secure plan. Get the Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell if you already pay for Arlo Secure, and the aosu Video Doorbell R1 Ultra if you want to own your footage.
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Featureaosu Video Doorbell R1 UltraArlo Essential Wireless Video DoorbellWinner
Price$129.99$124.99Arlo 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

What the differences mean

Where recordings go

The aosu Video Doorbell R1 Ultra records to the aosuBase Mini it ships with, so clips stay at home with no plan. The Arlo has no local storage: without Arlo Secure, recordings, smart alerts and even motion zones are unavailable.

Picture and night vision

5MP with color night vision on the aosu against HD with black and white night vision on the Arlo. The Arlo's 180 degree view is wider than the aosu's 166 degrees, but the aosu shows more detail in what it sees.

Smart home platforms

The Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell works with Google Home, Alexa, SmartThings and Home Assistant, and with Apple Home through an Arlo SmartHub. The aosu covers Alexa and Google Home only.

Wi-Fi

The aosu connects on 2.4 or 5 GHz; the Arlo is 2.4 GHz only, which reaches further but gives you no choice if the 2.4 GHz band is crowded.

Chime

The aosuBase Mini doubles as an indoor chime, so the aosu Video Doorbell R1 Ultra rings indoors out of the box. The Arlo's chime is sold separately.

Which one to buy if

Winner
aosu

aosu Video Doorbell R1 Ultra

13% OFF
Prime exclusive deal
$129.99
$149.99

Last recorded price

Buy on Amazon USA
  • + Rating: 4.4
  • + Connectivity: 2.4 GHz WiFi, 5 GHz WiFi
  • + Storage: Internal, Cloud
  • - Price: $129.99 vs $124.99
  • - Integrations: Google Home, Alexa vs Google Home, Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant
Arlo

Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell

Prime exclusive deal
$124.99

Last recorded price

Buy on Amazon USA
  • + Price: $124.99
  • + Integrations: Google Home, Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant
  • + Alerts: Motion, People, Packages, Animals, Vehicles
  • - Rating: 4.3 vs 4.4
  • - Connectivity: 2.4 GHz WiFi vs 2.4 GHz WiFi, 5 GHz WiFi

What owners say

The two groups end up talking about the same thing from opposite sides: the monthly fee. aosu Video Doorbell R1 Ultra owners bought it precisely to avoid one and praise its local storage, a clean install and strong 5MP resolution, with some adding a second unit, while their complaints are battery life well short of the rating for some, a report of poor human detection, a few units arriving damaged and one new-build install that needed a resistor. Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell owners like the hardware, a clear picture and voice, prompt alerts, the 180 degree view, easy setup with no hub and solid battery life, but many say that after the trial they could not view or record anything without Arlo Secure, some report Arlo disabling older devices through app updates, and a few received scratched or refurbished units.

Price history compared

Every price change of both, in the same store, so the gap between the two lines is what one costs more than the other.

  • aosu Video Doorbell R1 Ultra
  • Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell

Loading price history...

Frequently Asked Questions

aosu vs Arlo: which is better, the aosu Video Doorbell R1 Ultra or the Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell?

The aosu Video Doorbell R1 Ultra for most buyers. It stores video locally with no subscription, records at 5MP with color night vision and includes a chime. The Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell works with more platforms but needs Arlo Secure for recordings and smart alerts.

What is the biggest difference between the aosu Video Doorbell R1 Ultra and the Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell?

The subscription. The aosu Video Doorbell R1 Ultra records to its included base for free, while the Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell has no local storage and relies on an Arlo Secure plan.

Does the aosu Video Doorbell R1 Ultra need a subscription?

No for recordings, which go to the included aosuBase Mini. Package and familiar-face detection are part of aosu's optional cloud plan. The Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell needs Arlo Secure to record at all.

Can both doorbells run on battery?

Yes. The aosu Video Doorbell R1 Ultra runs on its battery (rated at 90 days) or on doorbell wiring, and the Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell runs wire-free with optional wiring.

Who should buy the aosu Video Doorbell R1 Ultra?

Anyone who wants high-resolution doorbell video with local storage, color night vision and a chime in the box, in an Alexa or Google home, without a monthly fee.

Who should buy the Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell?

Existing Arlo Secure subscribers and SmartThings or Home Assistant users who want a wide 180 degree view and are happy to pay for recordings.

Full comparison table

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