The powerful Wyze Cam v4 security camera is new and reasonably priced. With three times the price of some of the best home security cameras, it produces sharp images because to its bigger sensor, enhanced color night vision, and 2.5K resolution. It also features an integrated lighting and siren. Having said that, the Wyze Cam v3, which we rated as the best low-cost security camera we examined, leaves some very big shoes for this camera to fill. We complimented the earlier camera’s low cost and color night vision in our assessment. Is the new Wyze Cam capable of unseating its elder sibling as the budget king? Or are Wyze’s advancements overlooked by the plethora of newly released, reasonably priced interior and outdoor security cameras, such as the Blink Mini 2, that have emerged in the intervening years? Continue reading to learn more.
Some of the Wyze Cam v4’s greatest features
Design’s Wyze Cam v4
A few stylish enhancements are made to Wyze’s iconic 2-inch cube camera. It now has a smooth matte finish and is available in white or light grey. This gives it a less boxy, more contemporary appearance by emphasizing its rounded edges. To withstand harsh weather conditions, including rain, and extreme temperatures ranging from -4°F to 122°F, Wyze developed the camera with an IP-65-rated body.
The Wyze Cam v4 has a camera in the center, status LEDs on either side of the camera, a microphone at the bottom, and a spotlight at the top. Turn it over, and the older Micro USB power connector protrudes in the middle of the back, along with a speaker system aatthe top. Simply attach the 6-foot power line that comes with it, and you’ll have enough extra to reach a power outlet on the side of the house or behind furniture. It’s not the end of the world because this isn’t a battery-operated device that you’ll be continuously connecting and unplugging, even though the Micro USB communication standard is inconvenient compared to USB-C. The MicroSD card port for local storage, the pairing button, and the folding magnetic base are located on the underside.
Wyze Cam v4: Visual and auditory demonstration
Other low-cost HD cameras are completely outclassed by the crisp 2.5K QHD (2560×1440) resolution and robust low-light capabilities of the Wyze Cam v4. With rich color night vision, its sensor creates vivid, clear images during the day as well as at night. As seen in the image below, which shows sunshine streaming through my living room windows, it captures useful footage even in extremely bright light blowouts. This camera intelligently modifies the image quality to maintain sharpness in details such as the texture of a leopard print rug or the subjects within an image frame.
Budget cameras with lesser resolutions are frequently affected by light fluctuations, which results in flickering and problems with color balance. The Wyze Cam v4 does not suffer from poorer image quality or lose overall detail in highlights or shadows because it concentrates on the immediate foreground rather than the background. This is evident when comparing the first picture below to the side-by-side image of the rich complete picture of the Wyze. The sharp contrast between the Blink Mini 2’s darker image quality, which mostly captures the distant trees at the expense of clearly capturing what’s happening in the room itself, can be seen as you scroll right.
The app Wyze Cam v4
With its simplified UI, the Wyze app offers extensive settings, recorded clips, and a single view of all of your cameras. There are no obtrusive recommendations or advertisements for new goods that appear in between your controls or devices. Upon loading, the “Home” menu appears, displaying a real-time thumbnail of every Wyze device. To arm your cameras with a single press, simply press the “I’m away” icon located along the top of the routine button section. Helpful recommendations that inspire you to explore with linking different smart home devices together are located next to these presets. For example, you can set up smart lighting to switch on when a certain camera detects motion or when your phone gets home.
To view the camera’s live feed almost immediately, click on the thumbnail. Its flashlight, microphone, siren, and recording buttons are all controlled from this location. By using the options cog, you can explore more sophisticated functions. This includes creating motion detection zones, recording resolution changes, and configuring sound triggers to detect changes in CO2, fire alarms, or even the sound of a wailing infant.
The smart home Wyze Cam v4
Given that Wyze is an independent firm and is not supported by Amazon like Ring, Blink, or Nest is with Google, it works well with Alexa and Google Home and even allows IFTT customization. Web browsers of choice, smart screens, and smart speakers can all access its video feed and controls. While this universality has its benefits, some platform-exclusive integration features are not available to you. For instance, when the doorbell rings, Ring cameras will instantly bring up a live feed on an Amazon Fire TV or Echo Show smart display.
Using the same 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network, I was able to use the Wyze with my Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) and Echo Show 15. With no discernible benefit on either of these smart displays, it was quick to announce motion events and load video feeds.
Fees for Wyze Cam v4 subscription
The Cam v4’s cloud video storage and sophisticated subject detection capabilities are subscription-only, like the majority of security cameras. For $2.99 a month, Cam Plus is the starting point for storing 14 days’ worth of rolling video in the cloud. For $3.99 per camera per month, you can upgrade to Cam Protect, which includes facial recognition and allows you to tag faces to get notifications on who activated the camera. Additionally, with this more expensive package, you may arm your camera as an alarm system and receive round-the-clock surveillance.
When an armed device detects motion, the siren sounds and a video recording of the incident is sent to a live agent. This agent can then contact emergency services on your behalf, even if you’re not near your phone. With a MicroSD card, you can store footage locally on the camera itself without the use of a USB thumb drive or additional module. Since you don’t have to pay to view your clips, this alternative is more cost-effective. But until you pay, you won’t be able to use helpful features like rich notifications.
Verdict’s Wyze Cam v4
Some security cameras may have footage that is free of chops or a little tighter connection with smart home screens. They are also far more expensive than the Wyze Cam v4. With its pro-level monitoring and security functions, this security camera outperforms its weight.
The Wyze Cam v4 has the best sound and appearance of any low-cost camera. It would take a serious nitpicker to discover flaws, especially for $35. As an entry-level security camera, it’s hard to beat, but if you already own an older, more expensive model from a reputable company like Arlo or Ring, the Wyze cam v4’s superior color night vision and 2.5K resolution quality make it a worthwhile upgrade. This is one of the greatest security cameras money can buy because of its remarkable hardware, extensive feature set, and ability to be placed in practically any place. It is also compatible with most smart homes.