What Is The Difference Between a Floodlight and Spotlight Camera?
Spotlight vs. Floodlight Cameras, decoded.
Spotlight vs. Floodlight Cameras, decoded.
Spotlight cameras illuminate focused areas like doors, porches, and side yards.
Floodlight cameras provide wide-area coverage, ideal for yards, driveways, and alleyways.
The right choice depends on the property size, lighting needs, and number of entry points.
Pairing either camera with an Arlo Secure subscription adds smarter detection, cloud storage, and 24/7 professional monitoring for complete peace of mind.
The main difference between spotlight and floodlight security cameras is the size of the area they illuminate. Spotlight cameras shine a focused light on a specific location, like your front door. Floodlight cameras, such as the Wireless Floodlight Camera, cast a broader beam of illumination, making them perfect for larger outdoor spaces like driveways or backyards.
Both provide added security to your home by combining lighting with video monitoring, but the best choice depends on your unique home setup.
Choosing between spotlight and floodlight cameras comes down to a few key factors and is dependent on what you are looking to get out of the product:
Property size: Larger yards benefit from something like the Floodlight Camera, whereas something like the Pro 5S 2K Camera may be needed for smaller focus areas.
Coverage area: Floodlights provide wide illumination, while spotlights focus only on specific zones.
Lighting preferences: A floodlight can overwhelm smaller areas due to the amount of light it casts off, whereas a spotlight may not be enough light for more open spaces.
Subscription features: With Arlo Secure, you can enhance either option with features like professional monitoring, interactive notifications, and cloud-based recording.
Floodlight cameras use powerful LED lights to illuminate larger areas. They are built for more expansive spaces such as:
Driveways
Side yards
Garages
Alleys
A single floodlight camera often covers an entire space with bright, wide illumination, plus high-quality video recording.
The Wireless Floodlight Camera features 2K HDR video, a customizable LED floodlight, and wire-free installation and all-in-one security.
For even broader coverage, the Pro 5S 2K Camera can be paired with floodlight models to create a layered security system.
Pro tip: With an Arlo Secure subscription, you’ll also receive smart motion alerts, emergency response integration, and cloud storage to make the most of your floodlight or spotlight camera.
Spotlight cameras shine a narrow, focused beam of light on specific points of entry. They are most ideal for:
Front doors
Back doors
Porches
Side gates
They can also work to provide light on several other small, focused areas by providing targeted lighting without overwhelming regular visitors.
The Arlo Essential Outdoor Wireless Security Camera is a budget friendly option with wire-free setup and 2K or video quality
The Arlo Pro 5S 2K Camera delivers upgraded 2K HDR video, color night vision, and seamless integration with smart home systems like Alexa, Google Home, and Apple.
Pro tip: Use multiple spotlight cameras to monitor several entrances. With Arlo Secure, you can set up activity zones for each entry point, receiving instant alerts when motion is detected.
When evaluating which new outdoor camera to buy, you should focus on a range of applications. Be sure to pick a new outdoor camera that fits your needs. Before you “add to cart,” you should consider these must-have features: High-resolution video: Both the Arlo Wireless Floodlight and Pro 5S 2K offer 2K HDR.
Prioritize a wireless design: Connecting to Wi-Fi or an LTE network is much more convenient than running wires through your walls or across the property. For example, connect the Essential Outdoor Wireless Security Camera directly to your existing Wi-Fi network for fast, wire-free installation.
Smartphone app access: With every new Arlo camera, you get a free trial of Arlo Secure to keep your family and home protected with just one tap. With interactive notifications and Emergency Response, you can get immediate help from first responders. Plus, with Professional Monitoring, you can get Safety Agents monitoring your home so you don’t have to.
Motion-activated lighting and monitoring. To conserve power, pick a camera that has the light and camera only turn on when triggered by a moving person or object. Pair your cameras with the Arlo Solar Panel Charger to keep devices powered year-round.
Keep an eye out for other energy-efficient options: In addition to solar-powered charging, many cameras use long-lasting batteries or even solar panels for power, which offer a simple alternative to working with electrical wiring. Explore Solar Powered Security Cameras for easy, wire-free installation. Plus, pick LED light bulbs that last longer and use less power than conventional lights.
With Arlo, you can tailor your security system to your exact needs, whether that means one Essential Spotlight Camera for the porch or a full Pro Series system with multiple floodlight and spotlight cameras.
When it comes to home security, the hardware is only half the story. With an Arlo Secure subscription, you unlock key features like:
Cloud storage for recorded video
Advanced motion detection with smart activity zones
Interactive notifications on your phone
Emergency Response with one tap access to first responders
24/7 Professional Monitoring with the option to upgrade
This means your Arlo spotlight or floodlight camera does more than just capture footage; it actively helps to protect your home.
Spotlight cameras give you targeted coverage for doorways and entry points, whereas floodlight cameras offer broad illumination for larger outdoor areas. No matter your choice, pairing with an Arlo Secure subscription ensures smarter monitoring, reliable alerts, and a greater peace of mind.
Ready to protect your home? Shop the Arlo Wireless Floodlight Camera, Pro 5S 2K Camera, or choose other options from the Arlo Essential Series today – and don’t forget to activate your Arlo Secure trial to unlock the full potential of your security system.
