Looking for a solid home security system on a budget? We’ve got you covered. The Wyze Cam V3 is a great home security option for people on a budget. It’s got a myriad of cool features, like water resistance, a wide field of view, voice command, and more. The camera does have a few flaws and is limited in certain features, but overall, it is an excellent choice. So, let’s dive into the details for this product to determine whether or not it’s for you.
Budget Home Security Camera System
We mentioned earlier that there were a bunch of cool features. Aside from the ones we named, what are they? Well, the Wyze Cam V3 offers color 1080p video, free cloud storage, and custom-zone motion detection. It’s technologically innovative, made for the modern consumer. The camera connects directly to your Wi-Fi router, though we should mention that it only supports 2.4GHz networks. It also includes an extended field of view and a lower aperture.
And those are only the features that you get with the basic plan. The camera’s features can be further expanded by subscribing to Wyze’s Cam Plus service for $1.99 per month. With it, your camera can have useful features like person detection. That’s only if you need the boost, though. Even without the Cam Plus service, the Wyze Camera V3 offers good video and audio quality, 14-day free cloud storage and an option for local storage with a MicroSD card.
Design
The Wyze Cam V3 has a classic rounded cube shape with a white, plastic exterior. It weighs just 3.5 ounces and measures 2 x 2 x 2.3 inches. On the back of the camera is a speaker grille and on the face is a black square that contains all the internal components. The base of the camera can be rotated and extended, which makes positioning very easy. The mounting process is pretty seamless. Wyze offers various options for how to mount, including magnetically, taped onto a wall/ceiling, and a screw kit.
Software
When we said that this was a home security system for the modern consumer, we meant it. Wyze has an app that will help you operate your camera. The Wyze app is iOS and Android compatible, including motion, sound detection, notifications, scheduling, and advanced settings. With the app, users can also access the camera’s timeline with free cloud storage for rolling 14 days. The app also allows for easy connection to Alexa and Google Assistant for voice commands. It supports Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT.
Performance
The Wyze Cam V3 features a 1920 x 1080-pixel resolution as well as an expanded field of view of 130-degrees. There’s also a color night vision mode, extra infrared LEDs, and a lower aperture. The video from the camera is of impressive quality, with vibrant colors and plenty of detail. Night vision footage is especially impressive, with improved brightness and detail. The Wyze Cam V3 also features a motion and sound detection system.
Final Conclusion
The Wyze Cam V3 is an outstanding bargain for the price. Its feature list is impressive, with a high quality video recording and audio, motion detection and sound triggers, free cloud storage, and Alexa and Google Assistant capabilities. Not every product is perfect, though, and this one is no exception. It requires an indoor power outlet for use, which can be inconvenient. It also has a bit of a connection lag, and the free version can feel limiting. Plus, its high audio quality can be a double-edged sword. It often picks up too much noise, and the amount of background noise can be irritating. However, it is still one of the best budget home security cameras on the market.
Pros:
- Very affordable
- Two-way audio
- Motion and sound detection
- Color night vision
- No subscription needed
- IP65 weather-resistant
- Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT support
Cons:
- Person detection now requires a subscription
- Limitations to free service
- Some glitches and connection lag
- Requires an indoor power outlet
- Difficulty detecting MicroSD cards
FAQs:
Question: How is the video quality from the Wyze Cam V3?
Answer: The Wyze Cam V3 records video at a 1920 x 1080-pixel resolution with a 20 frames-per-second (fps) frame rate and a 130 degree field of view. Daytime video quality is good and the night vision has improved with brighter, more detailed video.
Question: How much does the Wyze Cam V3 cost?
Answer: At the time of this writing, it costs $34.65 on Amazon. If you’re unsatisfied with the item once it arrives, then you can get a free replacement or refund, so long as it’s within the first 30 days of your purchase. You can also add a two year protection plan for $3.99 and a three year protection plan for $5.99.
Question: Does the Wyze Cam V3 have voice command support?
Answer: Yes, you can use voice commands to turn your camera on or off via Amazon’s Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also jump to a live feed via a Fire TV or Chromecast, or on an Echo Show or Nest Hub device.
