Arlo has one significant advantage over most wireless camera brands when it comes to mounting: the entire outdoor lineup from the original Arlo Pro through the current Pro 5S, Pro 6, Ultra 2, and Essential series uses a standard 1/4″-20 threaded mount point. That standard thread opens up a wide ecosystem of third-party mounts at every price point, for every surface type. This guide covers the best options for gutter, soffit, wall, and no-drill installs, and explains why mounting placement matters more for Arlo than for most cameras.
Why Mounting Placement Matters More for Arlo
Arlo cameras are battery-powered and that battery needs recharging every few months depending on usage. The mounting location you choose directly affects how convenient that recharging process will be for the life of the camera. A camera mounted at six feet on a wall can be reached by hand. The same camera mounted on a gutter at fourteen feet requires a ladder every time the battery runs low.
Furthermore, Arlo’s magnetic dome mount, included with older generations, has always been the weakest point in the system from a security standpoint. The camera lifts off the dome with one hand. Height is the most effective countermeasure: a camera mounted on a gutter or soffit requires a ladder to remove, which eliminates casual theft as a practical concern. Additionally, height provides better coverage as a camera at ten to twelve feet sees significantly more of a driveway or yard than the same camera at six feet.
For cameras with solar panel accessories, the mounting position also needs to account for panel sun exposure. Arlo’s solar panel attaches separately and can be positioned independently, but the cable length limits how far it can be placed from the camera.
Arlo Mount Compatibility at a Glance
| Camera | Thread Standard | Included Mount | Third-Party Compatible |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arlo Pro, Pro 2 | 1/4″-20 | Magnetic dome | Yes — universal |
| Arlo Pro 3, Pro 4 | 1/4″-20 | Adjustable short mount | Yes — universal |
| Arlo Pro 5S, Pro 6 | 1/4″-20 | Adjustable short mount | Yes — universal |
| Arlo Ultra, Ultra 2 | 1/4″-20 | Adjustable short mount | Yes — universal |
| Arlo Essential, Essential XL | 1/4″-20 | Adjustable short mount | Yes — universal |
Best Gutter Mount for Arlo Cameras
The gutter is the most practical high-elevation mounting position on most homes as it provides consistent height, a stable attachment surface, and no drilling into the fascia or soffit. For Arlo cameras specifically, the gutter position also reduces theft risk meaningfully. The camera attaches to the gutter via two screw clamps that grip the front lip of the gutter, and the 1/4″-20 thread on the camera screws directly into the mount’s ball head.
The Wasserstein Weatherproof Gutter Mount for Arlo cameras has been the standard recommendation for Arlo gutter mounting for years, and it remains the top pick. It is compatible with the Pro, Pro 2, Pro 3, Pro 4, Pro 5S, HD, Ultra, and Ultra 2 — essentially every Arlo outdoor camera that uses the 1/4″-20 thread. The mount provides 360° swivel and 180° tilt, the rust-resistant construction holds up well outdoors, and installation requires no tools beyond tightening the two rear clamp bolts. The Arlo Pro pictured at the top of this guide is mounted on this exact bracket on a garage gutter at approximately ten feet — a height that provides clear driveway coverage from entry to road.
One important note on this mount: some users report the angle lock loosening over time, particularly in locations with significant temperature swings. Tightening it firmly on installation and checking it after the first winter addresses this in most cases.
Tip: You may need to enable the 180° image flip option in the Arlo app if your camera is mounted upside down or at an angle that inverts the image. This is found in the camera’s Device Settings and takes effect immediately.
Best Soffit Mount for Arlo Cameras
The soffit is the underside of the roof overhang — the surface the gutter attaches to. Mounting to the soffit keeps the camera protected from direct rain and provides a downward-looking angle that works well for entries, walkways, and garage aprons. The limitation compared to gutter mounting is that the camera sits slightly lower and the outward angle is more restricted — a soffit mount naturally points the camera more steeply downward than outward.
For soffit mounting, a standard adjustable wall mount with a longer arm gives the camera enough reach to angle outward past the gutter line. The Wasserstein Adjustable Metal Wall Mount for Arlo cameras is a solid option. It is compatible across the full Arlo lineup with 360° swivel and 90° tilt, and built from metal rather than the plastic found on cheaper alternatives. It installs with screws directly into the soffit surface and handles the downward-facing angle that soffit installations typically require.
Best No-Drill Wall Mount for Arlo Cameras
For renters, for temporary installs, or for situations where drilling into siding is not practical, no-drill wall mounts provide a workable alternative. The tradeoff is stability, adhesive and clamp-based mounts are less secure than screw-mounted options, particularly in locations exposed to wind or direct weather.
The adjustable no-drill wall mount for Arlo Essential and Pro series installs with either strong adhesive tape on smooth surfaces or screws on rougher surfaces, and covers the Pro, Pro 2, Pro 3, Pro 4, Pro 5S, Ultra, Ultra 2, and Essential series. For outdoor no-drill installs, screws are always preferable. Adhesive tape on exterior surfaces degrades in UV and temperature extremes over time.
For covered areas like porches, entryways, and garages where the mount is protected from direct weather, adhesive installation is more reliable and can hold well for years.
Best Door Mount for Arlo Cameras
For buyers who want to monitor a front entry without drilling into siding or a door frame, a door mount is the most practical no-drill option. The Wasserstein Door Mount for Arlo cameras clamps over the top of an exterior door using two screw knobs that tighten against the door face — no drilling, no adhesive, and no permanent wall modification. It is compatible with the full Arlo outdoor lineup including the Pro, Pro 2, Pro 3, Pro 4, Pro 5S, Ultra, Ultra 2, and Essential series, and provides 360° swivel and 180° tilt once mounted. The camera installs on the mount via the standard 1/4″-20 thread.
The door position works well for front entries and covered porches where the camera needs to see who approaches the door. The height is limited by the door itself, typically seven to eight feet which is lower than a gutter or soffit position but sufficient for close-range entry monitoring. Additionally, the door mount can be repositioned to a different door or removed entirely without leaving any marks, which makes it a good solution for renters or temporary installations.
The Gutter vs. Soffit Decision
Both the gutter and soffit are valid mounting positions, and the right choice depends on what the camera needs to cover. Generally, gutter mounting wins for driveway and perimeter coverage as the camera can angle outward and downward to cover the full approach. Soffit mounting wins for close-range coverage of an entry point, a walkway below the roofline, or a garage apron where a steep downward angle is what you actually want.
For most Arlo owners covering a driveway or side yard, the gutter position is the better choice. For coverage of a front door or porch directly below the roofline, the soffit position is more practical. In either case, the 1/4″-20 thread on every Arlo outdoor camera means the same third-party mounts work for both positions and you are not locked into one configuration.
Battery Life Considerations for High Mounts
Mounting an Arlo camera on a gutter or soffit at ten to fourteen feet is the right call for coverage and security. However, it is worth thinking through the recharging process before committing to a high installation. Every few months — more often for cameras covering high-traffic areas — the battery will need recharging. That means a ladder, unmounting the camera, carrying it inside, charging it, and remounting. At ten feet that is a minor inconvenience. At sixteen feet on a two-story roofline it becomes a meaningful commitment each time.
For high-mount installations where recharging every few months is impractical, Arlo’s solar panel accessory eliminates the recharging cycle entirely for cameras in locations with adequate sun exposure. The solar panel uses the same 1/4″-20 thread and can be mounted on the same Wasserstein gutter mount or on a second bracket positioned independently for optimal sun exposure. See the cable hiding guide for tips on running the solar panel cable cleanly along the roofline.
Bottom Line
Arlo’s standard 1/4″-20 thread across the entire outdoor lineup means third-party mount compatibility is straightforward — any mount listed for one Arlo model almost certainly works across the full range. For gutter mounting, the Wasserstein Weatherproof Gutter Mount is the proven pick and the one we have used in our own installations. For soffit and wall mounting, the Wasserstein Adjustable Metal Wall Mount covers the same camera range with solid construction. The most important mounting decision for Arlo is not which mount to buy but where to put the camera — height improves coverage and security, but every foot higher makes battery swaps more involved. For permanent high-elevation installs, budget for a solar panel and eliminate the recharging cycle entirely.
This guide is part of our Arlo Security Camera Hub. See also: Arlo Pro 6 Review · Arlo Essential Pan Tilt Review · How to Hide Security Camera Cables · Security Camera Mount Guide
