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IoT & Smart Home · head to head

LIFX vs Arlo

LIFX logo

LIFX

IoT & Smart Home

WiFi-enabled smart lights with no hub required

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Arlo logo

Arlo

IoT & Smart Home

Wire-free security cameras with cloud intelligence

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: LIFX the Internet Archive's capture of LIFX's products page on 19 July 2016 priced the White 800 bulb at $39.99 USD (890 lumens) and the Color 1000 bulb at $59.99 USD (1,055 lumens); this is a 2016 capture and current prices likely differ.; Arlo without an Arlo Secure subscription the cameras are limited to live streaming and two-way audio, with no cloud video history
  • They diverge on capability: LIFX covers No Hub Required, Arlo covers Wire-Free.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which LIFX and Arlo actually diverge.

Attributes where LIFX and Arlo differ
AttributeLIFXArlo
Pricing modelone-timesubscription
PlatformsIOS, Android, Windows, MacOSIOS, Android, Web, Smart Displays
Founded20122018

Identical on both: starting price (On request), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (IoT & Smart Home).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in LIFX

  • No Hub Required
  • 16 Million Colors
  • WiFi Direct
  • High Brightness
  • Windows support
  • MacOS support

Only in Arlo

  • Wire-Free
  • 4K Video
  • AI Detection
  • Color Night Vision
  • Web support
  • Smart Displays support

Both cover

  • HomeKit
  • Alexa
  • Google Home
  • SmartThings
  • IOS support
  • Android support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

LIFX

  • Ambient lightingnot Arlo
  • Gaming setupnot Arlo
  • Photography lightingnot Arlo
  • Smart homenot Arlo

Arlo

  • Wire-free home security cameras, video doorbells and floodlight camerasnot LIFX
  • Cloud recorded video history with person, vehicle and package detectionnot LIFX
  • Professionally monitored home security through the Arlo appnot LIFX

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

LIFX

  • The Internet Archive's capture of LIFX's products page on 19 July 2016 priced the White 800 bulb at $39.99 USD (890 lumens) and the Color 1000 bulb at $59.99 USD (1,055 lumens); this is a 2016 capture and current prices likely differ.

Arlo

  • Without an Arlo Secure subscription the cameras are limited to live streaming and two-way audio, with no cloud video history
  • Video history, Activity Zones and Advanced Detection require the paid Arlo Plus plan
  • 24/7 Professional Monitoring and 24/7 Emergency Response are only on the Premium plan
  • 24/7 continuous recording is an add-on to Premium and covers up to three cameras only
  • Unlimited camera plans apply only to Arlo cameras at a single residential location on the same account
  • Cameras must be bought as hardware before any plan applies, and the included plan is a trial that ends

Pricing, plan by plan

LIFX

On request
  • LIFX Bulb$40/month
    • 16M colors
    • WiFi direct
    • No hub required

Arlo

On request
  • Arlo Secure$2.99/month
    • 30-day cloud
    • AI detection
    • 1 camera
  • Arlo Secure Plus$14.99/month
    • Unlimited cameras
    • 24/7 recording
    • E911

Which should you pick?

Choose LIFX if

  • You need no hub required.
  • You work on IOS, Android, Windows, MacOS.
  • You also want 16 million colors.
LIFX review

Choose Arlo if

  • You need wire-free.
  • You work on IOS, Android, Web, Smart Displays.
  • You also want 4k video.
Arlo review

Questions people ask

Is LIFX or Arlo better?
Neither clearly leads. LIFX starts at On request and Arlo at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, LIFX or Arlo?
LIFX starts at On request and Arlo at On request.
Does LIFX or Arlo run on more platforms?
LIFX runs on IOS, Android, Windows, MacOS. Arlo runs on IOS, Android, Web, Smart Displays.
What is LIFX best used for?
LIFX is most often used for ambient lighting, gaming setup, photography lighting, smart home. Of those, ambient lighting and gaming setup are not what Arlo is typically brought in for.
What can LIFX do that Arlo cannot?
LIFX covers No Hub Required, 16 Million Colors, WiFi Direct, High Brightness. Arlo covers Wire-Free, 4K Video, AI Detection, Color Night Vision. Both handle HomeKit, Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings.
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