Buying guide

Which Arlo Cameras Support Cellular Connections?

Updated on · By the Get Security Camera team

Arlo Go-series cameras are the Arlo models built for cellular connections. They use a compatible mobile data plan instead of relying on home WiFi, but coverage, carrier support and service availability still matter at the installation site.

On this page (6 sections)
  1. Which Arlo cameras use cellular data?
  2. What should you check before installing an Arlo cellular camera?
  3. Which non-Arlo cellular cameras are worth comparing?
  4. Cellular camera or WiFi camera: which connection fits?
  5. Can a cellular camera replace home internet?
  6. What is the simplest way to choose?

Arlo Go-series cameras support cellular connections. They use a mobile data plan and cellular coverage instead of depending on home WiFi, which makes them suited to places such as cabins, farms, boats and remote work sites.

Most other Arlo cameras are designed for WiFi or an Arlo SmartHub connection. Before choosing a cellular camera, check the exact model, supported carrier, data plan and signal strength at the installation point.

If you are comparing connection types, our guide to Can Security Cameras Work Without WiFi, and Why It Matters? explains what changes when a camera uses mobile data instead.

Which Arlo cameras use cellular data?

Arlo Go-series cameras are the main Arlo option for cellular security camera use. The Go name identifies cameras intended to connect through a mobile network rather than your home broadband router.

That connection can help when a property has no WiFi service. You still need a supported cellular plan, a usable signal and enough power for the camera to stay online.

Arlo model names can change by market and carrier. Treat the exact model number as more important than a short product name, especially when buying used equipment or importing a camera.

Does Arlo Go 2 need WiFi?

Arlo Go 2 is intended to use cellular service, so it does not need home WiFi for its primary connection. It still needs an active service plan and cellular coverage where the camera is installed.

A cellular camera can be a good fit for a remote site, but it is not automatically usable everywhere. Thick walls, terrain, distance from a tower and carrier availability can affect the connection.

Do regular Arlo cameras support cellular connections?

Regular Arlo camera lines generally use WiFi or an Arlo SmartHub rather than a direct cellular connection. A camera that has a battery may be wireless in the power sense, but that does not mean it can connect to the internet without WiFi or a hub.

Check the connection method before buying. Look for clear cellular wording, supported network information and service requirements rather than assuming that every wire-free Arlo camera works away from home internet.

What should you check before installing an Arlo cellular camera?

Check four things first: cellular coverage, service compatibility, power and data use. A camera can support cellular connections and still be a poor fit for a site with weak signal or no practical way to recharge it.

Start by checking coverage at the exact mounting location. A phone showing service near the driveway does not guarantee that a camera will connect reliably inside a barn, behind a metal wall or on the far side of a property.

Next, confirm the service plan. Cellular security cameras send video and alerts through mobile data, so the plan must support the camera and provide enough data for your chosen recording habits.

Power needs equal attention. A remote camera may need a wall outlet, battery charging or solar support.

If the location has no electricity, compare the camera's power method with the amount of sunlight and maintenance you can provide.

Finally, decide how much video you need to access remotely. Live video, motion clips and cloud backups can use data at different rates.

A plan that suits occasional alerts may not suit frequent live viewing.

For more options in remote locations, compare these guides to the best security camera without wifi or internet and the best security cameras without electricity or wifi.

Which non-Arlo cellular cameras are worth comparing?

The best alternative depends on whether you need solar power, outdoor coverage or a simple indoor WiFi camera. These three products show the main trade-offs between cellular cameras and a wired indoor model.

Ebitcam 4G LTE Cellular Security Camera Includes

The Ebitcam is a strong fit for a remote outdoor site that needs 4G LTE, solar power and no WiFi. It includes a built-in SIM card that supports Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile in the United States, along with a 6W solar panel.

It records 2K video, offers 360° live view, 4x digital zoom and color night vision. Motion alerts can reach a smartphone, while motion video and snapshots can save to a memory card up to 128GB, not included, or to cloud storage.

The camera is rated IP65 and uses a wall-mounted dome form. Its listed dimensions are 5.71 x 2.76 x 4.72 inches, and it includes the camera, 6W solar panel and instruction manual.

Choose it when solar charging and U.S. 4G coverage matter more than a WiFi connection.

Remember that each camera needs its own cellular service and that the camera does not support WiFi.

Kasa 1080p Indoor Pan/Tilt Wired Security Camera

The Kasa EC71 suits an indoor room with dependable 2.4GHz WiFi and wired power. It is not a cellular camera, but it shows why a WiFi model can be the simpler choice when the installation is inside a connected home.

It records 1080p video and provides 360° horizontal and 113° vertical pan and tilt coverage. The camera includes motion tracking, instant notifications, two-way audio and infrared night vision up to 30 ft.

Footage can save continuously to a microSD card up to 256GB, not included, or to optional cloud storage. The box includes the camera, a 10 ft cable, power adapter, mounting screws, mounting template and instruction manual.

Choose it for a baby room, pet area or indoor walkway where WiFi and an outlet are already available. It is not a replacement for a cellular camera at a remote site.

SEHMUA 4G LTE Cellular Solar Security Camera

The SEHMUA is suited to an outdoor location that needs 4G LTE, solar power and a built-in SIM card. It supports AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon in the United States and does not support WiFi.

It provides 2K video, 360° live view, 4x digital zoom, color night vision, PIR motion detection and two-way talk through the Ubox app. Its built-in battery works with the included 6W solar panel after the initial charge by power cable.

The camera is a screw-in outdoor bullet design measuring 7.68 x 6.57 x 5.35 inches. The box includes the camera, solar panel, user manual and SIM card.

Choose it when you want a fully wireless outdoor setup and have reliable 4G coverage. The built-in SIM requires an ongoing cellular subscription after its trial service ends.

Cellular camera or WiFi camera: which connection fits?

Choose a cellular camera when the site has no dependable WiFi but does have supported 4G coverage. This includes remote land, storage areas, cabins, barns and construction locations where installing broadband would be difficult.

Choose a WiFi camera when the camera is inside a connected home and you want a straightforward setup with local or cloud storage. The Kasa EC71 fits that pattern because it uses 2.4GHz WiFi and wired power.

Cellular cameras add service planning. You may need a separate plan for each camera, and the amount of live viewing or cloud backup can affect data use.

WiFi cameras add network planning. They depend on router coverage, internet service and a stable power source.

A camera can be wireless in its installation method while still requiring WiFi for remote access.

If you want a wireless camera but do have WiFi, see our guide to the best wireless security cameras without WiFi to compare the difference between battery-powered cameras and cameras that truly use cellular service.

Can a cellular camera replace home internet?

A cellular camera can provide its own connection for video and alerts, but it does not replace home internet for other devices. It connects the camera to a mobile network through its service plan.

The camera still needs enough signal for the functions you want. Live viewing and cloud uploads can be more demanding than occasional motion alerts, so plan around your actual use.

For a remote property, place the camera where it can detect activity while still receiving a usable signal. Solar models also need a mounting position that gives the panel access to sunlight.

What is the simplest way to choose?

Pick an Arlo Go-series camera if you specifically want the Arlo app and ecosystem with a cellular connection. Confirm the exact model, carrier support, service plan and coverage before installation.

Pick the Ebitcam or SEHMUA if you need a 4G LTE outdoor camera with solar power and a built-in SIM option. Pick the Kasa EC71 if the camera will stay indoors with 2.4GHz WiFi and wired power.

The key rule is simple: match the connection to the site first, then compare video quality, power, storage and data needs. A cellular security camera Arlo model can solve the WiFi problem, but only when mobile coverage and service are available where you need protection.

Frequently asked questions

Which Arlo cameras support cellular connections?

Arlo Go-series cameras support cellular connections instead of requiring home WiFi. Check the exact Go model, supported mobile networks, service plan and coverage where you will install it before buying, because cellular support does not guarantee service in every location.

Can an Arlo camera work without WiFi?

An Arlo Go-series camera can work without home WiFi when it has an active cellular service plan and usable network coverage. Most other Arlo cameras depend on WiFi or an Arlo SmartHub connection, so confirm the connection method for the exact model.

Do cellular security cameras need electricity?

Cellular cameras still need power, but that power can come from a rechargeable battery or solar panel instead of a wall outlet. Cellular service replaces the WiFi connection only.

It does not remove the need to plan for charging, sunlight or battery care.

Are 4G security cameras better than WiFi cameras?

4G security cameras are better for locations without dependable WiFi, such as farms, cabins and construction sites. WiFi cameras are usually simpler for indoor spaces with a stable router.

Choose based on coverage, power, data service and the camera's location.