Sunday, November 21, 2021

Wyze Cam v3 Review

Wyze Cam v3 Review

We spent over a week testing the Wyze Cam v3 wireless security camera. Watch our video to see footage and our favorite features.

Katie McEntire
Staff Writer, Safety & Security
Read More
Published on November 19, 2021

The Wyze Cam v3 is a compact go-anywhere camera that costs less than a trip to the grocery store.

It has a standard laundry list of features that we look for like 1080p video, two-way audio, and a few easy ways to mount it to the wall or stick it to the shelf.

It works indoors and outdoors with weatherproof casing and a 6-foot cable. Thanks to those features, we were able to easily move it inside and outside to test it at home.

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Wyze Cam v3 vs. other wireless security cameras

Product
Price
Video resolution
Color night vision
Video storage options
Learn more
Best for budget
Wyze Cam v3
Wyze Cam v3
1080p
Icon Yes LightYes
Local/cloud
Best overall
Reolink Argus 3 Pro
Reolink Argus 3 Pro
1440p (2K)
Icon Yes LightYes
Local/cloud
Best for smart home
Arlo Pro 4
Arlo Pro 4
1440p (2K)
Icon Yes LightYes
Local/cloud
Best tech
Nest Cam (Battery)
Nest Cam
1080p
Icon No LightNo
Cloud
Best for Alexa
Ring Stick Up Cam product image
Ring Stick Up Cam
1080p
Icon No LightNo
Cloud

*Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

Learn more about our top picks for the best wireless security cameras. We compare prices, features, and more.

Video and audio quality

Inside, outside, day, night, or any combination of the four, the Wyze Cam v3 delivered a crisp picture. It also has a sensitive motion tracker that follows any action on screen.

While testing the video, we captured motion from far away. We tested it in a home near a busy street, and it was able to detect cars going by and even alerted us to someone walking up the alley near the house. (Don't worry; it was our tester).

Wyze Cam v3 color night vision

Katie McEntire, SafeWise

Light Bulb
Color night vision
Wyze advertisers color night vision on this camera, but it seemed to appear only half the time when the camera was outside. The key ingredient is light. The feature won't work in pitch-black indoor rooms like a living room or basement. If you want color night vision, be sure to stick the Wyze Cam within range of a street light lamp or other light source.

Audio quality

The audio on this camera is pretty fuzzy. You can make out words and even have a conversation, but it's certainly not high quality. The speaker is about 80 decibels—loud enough to catch someone's attention but maybe not loud enough to scare anyone off.

When we spoke through the camera, the recording audio was really muddled. Unfortunately, this is a pretty common weakness in cameras we've tested. Even our top picks like the Reolink Argus 3 Pro had the same problem.

Motion detection and alerts

The motion detection on the Wyze Cam v3 is pretty sensitive. Even with motion sensitivity set to a half setting, we got notifications from distant objects like passing cars or pets moving around the room. You can adjust the sensitivity and notifications easily, so it really boils down to your preferences.

The v3 also has sound alerts. If the camera detects a loud noise or commotion, you'll get a notification. One of these includes smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. So if you don’t have a smart smoke detector, you'll still get an alert if the device sounds.

Notepad
Too many notifications? Try motion zones.
You can limit notifications by setting motion zones for areas you want alerts for—like your driveway or front porch.

Katie McEntire, SafeWise

Local and cloud storage

The Wyze Cam v3 works with local and cloud storage, giving you options for storing your videos. We’re fans of local storage as an extra layer of security for your footage. All you really need is a microSD card to save your videos and make time lapses.

You can also record video and stills in an album on the app too. If you want more from your camera, Wyze has a cheap subscription with bonus features.

Thumbs Up
Is local storage safer?

Generally, yes. Or at least your footage is. Cameras like the Wyze Cam v3 still connect to your Wi-Fi, so they aren’t foolproof. The footage you store and record stays on the micro SD card inside, making it harder for snoops to see what you’ve saved.

microSD card for Wyze Cam v3

Katie McEntire, SafeWise

Wyze Cam Plus subscription

If you have more than one Wyze Cam in your home, we recommend trying the Cam Plus subscription. With its $2/month price tag, it's worth it even for a single camera.

This is one of the cheapest subscription plans we’ve come across and has a long list of bonus features that really give you a bang for your buck.

Motion alerts
Sound alerts
Fast forward recordings
Person alerts
Package detection
Vehicle detection
Animal detection
Without Cam Plus
Icon Yes LightYes
Icon Yes LightYes
Icon No LightNo
Icon No LightNo
Icon No LightNo
Icon No LightNo
Icon No LightNo
With Cam Plus
Icon Yes LightYes
Icon Yes LightYes
Icon Yes LightYes
Icon Yes LightYes
Icon Yes LightYes
Icon Yes LightYes
Icon Yes LightYes

Our experience without this subscription wasn't bad, but it could be improved. When we got motion alerts (which was often), we had to watch through everything in real time only to see that the alert was a passing car or a pet. For $2/month, Wyze will be more specific with your alerts and let you cut to the action.

Final word

If you're looking to dip your toes into the world of security cameras and smart home gear, Wyze is a great brand to start with. Like all of the brand's products, the Wyze Cam v3 is affordable and effective.

For having standard 1080p resolution, the video quality on this camera is buttery smooth. We rarely encountered a lag and got motion alerts in real time.

The Wyze Cam v3 is a simple, low-stress security camera with customizable settings and a lot to offer. That said, the audio from and on camera needs some improvement. We also got a ton of notifications despite turning down the sensitivity. The addition of Cam Plus might help sort out those notifications by telling you what it’s seeing.

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Disclaimers
*Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Safewise.com utilizes paid Amazon links. Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.

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