The Arlo Go by Netgear is a $400 HD live streaming outdoor security camera.  It runs exclusively on cellular networks, meaning no Wi-Fi, no Ethernet -- just LTE by way of AT&T, Verizon or Netgear's own Arlo Mobile plan. The Arlo Go is available in the UK for £339 and Australia for AU$599.

Designed like Netgear's Wi-Fi-powered Arlo cams, the Go comes with a rechargeable battery that's supposed to last for over a month. Mine's been running off and on for a few weeks now and the battery is currently around 50 percent. 

Consider the Arlo Go if you're searching for a camera that works where Wi-Fi can't, but sticking to an AT&T or a Verizon plan. The Arlo Mobile service is based on the number of alerts you receive, and while the Go's motion sensor is adjustable, you can receive dozens of alerts within just a couple of hours -- and the camera stops working if you reach your plan's max allowance. That's easier to avoid if you opt for AT&T or Verizon, since they log the amount of data you use rather than the number of times the motion sensor detects activity. 

Getting to know the Arlo Go

There aren't a ton of DIY LTE security cameras available today. In addition to the Arlo Go, there's the D-Link DCS-1820LH, which is supposed to be available some time this year and the Panasonic Nubo, which isn't currently sold in the US. That leaves the Link-U 4G LTE Smartcam, which got its start on Indiegogo back in 2014 and is actually out in the world and available for purchase.

Here's how the Link-U compares to Netgear's Arlo Go:

Comparing LTE security cameras

	Netgear Arlo Go	Link-U 4G LTE Smartcam
Price	$400	$249
Color finish	White	Black and white
Weatherproof	Indoor/outdoor	Indoor only
Connection type	Cellular	Cellular; Wi-Fi; Ethernet
Power source	Rechargeable battery	Rechargeable battery, Power over Ethernet (PoE)
Resolution	720p HD	1080p HD
Live streaming	Yes	Yes
Continuous recording	No	No
Cloud storage	Yes	No
Local storage	Yes (up to 32GB microSD card, not included)	Yes (up to 32GB microSD card, not included)
Mobile app	Yes	Yes
Web app	Yes	No
Night vision	Yes	Yes
Alerts	Motion and sound	Motion and sound
Activity zones	No	No
Third-party integrations	Amazon Alexa; Google Assistant; IFTTT	Works with Sigma Casa devices

Netgear's upfront cost is higher and its resolution tops out at 720p HD, compared to the Link-U's 1080p stream. The Arlo Go also doesn't offer the option to connect over LTE, Wi-Fi or Ethernet -- or to connect via a Power over Ethernet injector like the Link-U. The Go does, however, offer 7 days of free clip-based cloud storage, a web app and voice integrations with Alexa and Google Assistant, as well as a dedicated IFTTT channel. Just like other Alexa- and Google-Assistant-enabled security cameras, the Go works with screen-enabled devices like the Amazon Echo Show or a Google Chromecast TV. Simply say, "Show me the Garden camera" to pull up a live feed on your devices.

The Link-U is limited to local storage via a microSD card (optional for the Arlo Go) and it only works with Sigma Casa motion sensors, door/window sensors, smart plugs, temperature sensors and other devices. But one Link-U camera can only support up to eight Sigma Casa products at a time. Most importantly, the Link-U isn't weatherproof and its battery is only supposed to last for up to eight hours. 

That makes the Arlo Go significantly more appealing, even though it costs more. A SIM card comes preinstalled when you order your Arlo Go from Netgear, AT&T or Verizon, but the camera has to be activated by adding it to a monthly or yearly service plan. Follow the links below to learn more about your options.

The Arlo Mobile plan starts at $5 per month for one 30-second video clip each day/30 30-second video clips a month. That goes up to a $33 per month plan that offers 15 30-second clips daily/450 30-second clip per month. I know that sounds like a lot, but it isn't. At all. While the Arlo Go has advanced features like geofencing, arming and disarming, free cloud storage and more, it doesn't come with motion detection zones.