Arlo Camera Battery Draining Too Quickly? Boost Its Life

How to Improve Your Arlo Camera's Battery Life

Arlo's wire-free cameras provide incredible installation flexibility, but this freedom comes at the cost of finite battery life. If you're tired of constantly climbing a ladder to recharge your cameras, this guide will provide actionable steps to significantly extend the time between charges. By optimising a few key settings, you can find the perfect balance between security and longevity.

### Step 1: Reduce Unnecessary Recordings

The number one cause of battery drain is the camera waking up to record. Every recording, whether it's a real event or a false alarm, consumes power.

• Adjust Motion Sensitivity: A high sensitivity setting can cause triggers from swaying trees, shadows, or small animals.
  1. Open the Arlo app and tap on "Devices".
  2. Select your camera and tap the settings icon.
  3. Go to "Default Mode Settings" or your active mode.
  4. Use the Motion Detection Test to find a sensitivity level that captures real events without excessive false alarms.
• Use Activity Zones: This is the most powerful tool for eliminating false triggers. Activity Zones allow you to draw specific areas in the camera's view where you want it to detect motion.
  • Exclude busy areas: Draw your zones to exclude public footpaths, busy roads, or a neighbour's property.
  • Focus on key points: Create zones that cover your driveway, front door, or garden gate.
• Enable Smart Notifications: Use Arlo's AI features to filter alerts for People, Vehicles, or Animals. This allows the camera to record but only notify you for the specific events you care about, reducing the need to check the feed and consume more power.

## Step 2: Optimise Your Wi-Fi Connection

Your camera's relationship with its SmartHub or your home Wi-Fi router is crucial for battery health. A weak connection forces the camera to use more power to transmit data.

• Check Signal Strength: In the Arlo app, go to your camera's Device Settings and look for the Wi-Fi or signal strength indicator. For optimal battery life, you should aim for three full bars.
• Reduce the Distance: If the signal is weak, the camera is too far from the SmartHub/router. Try moving the hub to a more central location in your home.
• Minimise Interference: Keep the SmartHub away from other wireless devices, such as cordless phones, and large metal objects that can block the signal.

### Step 3: Adjust Video and Power Management Settings

You have direct control over settings that impact power consumption.

• Change Power Management: In your camera's settings, find the "Power Management" or "Battery" option. Change the setting from "Best Video" to "Optimised" or "Best Battery Life". This will slightly reduce video quality but can dramatically increase the time between charges.
• Shorten Recording Length: In your Mode's rules, you can set how long the camera records after detecting motion. Instead of recording for a fixed 30 seconds, choose the "Record until activity stops" option (if available) or select a shorter fixed time like 15 seconds.
• Consider Temperature: Be aware that cold temperatures have a significant negative impact on battery performance. In freezing weather, the battery's capacity is temporarily reduced. If a camera is in a critical location, consider using an Arlo outdoor power adapter during the winter months.

By implementing these strategies, you can take control of your Arlo system's power consumption and enjoy the convenience of your wire-free cameras without the constant hassle of recharging.