Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wire-Free FAQ

This article applies to the wire-free version of the Arlo Essential Video Doorbell (AVD2001).

Installation

  1. Is the Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wire-Free battery powered?
    Yes. The doorbell always operates on battery power. You can also hardwire the doorbell to your existing doorbell chime for continuous trickle charging of the battery. When your doorbell is hardwired, it still uses battery power. For more information, visit How do I hardwire my Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wire-Free?.
  2. Can I install the Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wire-Free if I don’t have an existing wired doorbell?
    Yes. The doorbell is battery powered, and it does not require a connection to any existing doorbell wiring.
  3. What comes with the Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wire-Free?
    When you purchase an Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wire-Free, you receive the doorbell, a mounting plate, angled mounting plate, a release pin, a wall mount screw kit, and optional wire extensions.
  4. Where should I install my Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wire-Free?
    Install your Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wire-Free about 48 in (120 cm) off the ground. The doorbell should be placed so that it has the fullest view of the area leading up to the front entry. This provides the best opportunity to capture motion detection events and video clips that include a person approaching the door. For more information, visit How should I position my Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wire-Free?.
  5. Can I use my Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wire-Free without the battery?
    No. The battery must always be inserted in the doorbell to operate, even if you hardwire the doorbell to existing doorbell wiring. When you hardwire the doorbell, you connect it to continuous trickle charging. This means that the battery is used while the doorbell is active, and the battery is gradually charged while the doorbell is inactive.

Hardwiring

  1. Can I hardwire the Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wire-Free?
    Yes. You can use the Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wire-Free to replace your existing doorbell, and to continuously trickle charge your camera’s battery. For more information, visit How do I hardwire my Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wire-Free?.
  2. What voltage is required to hardwire the Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wire-Free?
    The doorbell requires a voltage between 8-24V AC to ring your chime and trickle charge your doorbell. For more information, visit How do I hardwire my Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wire-Free?.

Image quality

  1. What video resolution does the Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wire-Free output?
    The Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wire-Free records and outputs video in 1536x1536 HD resolution.
  2. How wide is the viewing angle on the Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wire-Free?
    The lens has a 180-degree diagonal field of view. This enables you to see a package on the ground or a person from head to toe.
  3. Does the Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wire-Free have a zoom-in capability?
    Yes. The Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wire-Free supports 12x digital zoom-in with the Arlo app.
  4. Does the Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wire-Free have night vision?
    Yes. The Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wire-Free uses infrared night vision to see visitors when it’s dark.

Features

  1. What are the benefits of the Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wire-Free?
    The Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wire-Free is designed for flexible instillation and to capture the blind spots that other video doorbells miss. The 1:1 aspect ratio means that you can see a package on the ground and a visitor from head to toe. The doorbell also offers features such as high-definition video quality, a 180-degree viewing angle, and full-duplex two-way audio.
  2. Does the Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wire-Free have an integrated siren?
    Yes. The built-in siren can be activated manually within the Arlo app, or you can set the siren to automatically ring when motion is detected to deter unwanted visitors.
  3. Does the Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wire-Free have an integrated microphone?
    Yes. The doorbell comes with a single, high-sensitivity microphone that allows you to speak with a visitor in crystal clear audio.
  4. Does the Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wire-Free have full-duplex audio?
    Yes. With full-duplex audio, you can talk and listen at the same time, enabling you to have a full 2-way conversation with the person at your door.
  5. Is there a reset button on the Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wire-Free?
    Yes. There is a pin-hole button on the back of the doorbell. For more information, visit How do I reset my Arlo Video Doorbell?.
  6. Does the Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wire-Free come with a secure mount?
    Yes. The doorbell securely locks into the provided mounting plate. Once the doorbell is locked into place, it can’t be removed without using the release pin or a similar object.

Accessories and compatibility

  1. Does the Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wire-Free require a SmartHub or base station?
    No. You must use your WiFi router to connect the doorbell directly to 2.4GHz WiFi.
  2. Can I connect my Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wire-Free to a SmartHub or base station?
    No. You can’t connect the Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wire-Free to a SmartHub or base station. The doorbell connects directly to your 2.4 GHz WiFi network.
  3. Do I need to purchase other Arlo devices to use the Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wire-Free?
    No. The Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wire-Free can operate as a standalone product.
  4. Do I need the Arlo app to use the Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wire-Free?
    Yes. You must use the Arlo app to setup your doorbell, adjust settings, arm or disarm, and access cloud recordings.
  5. Does the Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wire-Free offer different mounting options?
    Yes. The doorbell includes a flat mounting plate and an angled mounting plate that you can use to adjust the doorbell camera’s viewing angle.
  6. Can I leave a voicemail message on the Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wire-Free?
    Yes. If you don’t answer the video call within 20 seconds after a doorbell press, the visitor is prompted to leave a voicemail. This also happens when you decline a doorbell call. You must have an Arlo Smart plan to access voicemail recordings from the Arlo library.
  7. Can I use the Arlo Essential Video Doorbell Wire-Free to cross-trigger other Arlo devices?
    Yes. The Arlo Video Doorbell has its own integrated camera, but you can set up cross triggering the same way as you would with Arlo wire-free cameras, so that other cameras will record when the doorbell detects motion.