This has been a great camera.
The first Wyze Cam I got was for a in-house baby monitor, and it was extremely important to me that I have the ability to have the camera fully off-line. Most cameras require internet connection and the images are fed through their servers. This was NOT what I wanted for my in-house baby monitor. I found Wyze, and purchased it with the peace of mind that my video would remain MY video. I loved how easy it was to set up, and how perfectly it has worked for several years now.
So when I wanted to purchase an outdoor camera, it was a no-brainer to get another Wyze Cam. I've had it for about a year, and recently purchased my second.
Installation
I use these with the light socket adapter, which screws into your light bulb socket, and adds a USB outlet for your camera. (It does NOT take the place of the light bulb - you can still use a bulb as well.) The USB plug fits snug to maintain weather resistance, and there is a sleeve to protect any connections.
Connecting
I have installed two of these, and they both took around 2 - 5 minutes to install. Download the app, power the camera and follow the voice prompts. You'll need to scan a bar code from your phone, and press a button on the back of the camera (which can be a bit hard to reach if you've already mounted the camera). You do need to have a 2.4 GHz WiFi connection where you install the camera.
Camera
The night vision is great. I have two 60-watt bulbs for my entire large yard, but with the night vision I can clearly see all corners of the yard in full color. In the dead of night I can see to my mailbox, which is probably 100' from the nearest camera and light bulb. Beyond the mailbox gets pretty dark, but if a car drives by I can still see the car well enough to identify the color, make and model. I would not be able to read a license plate from that distance, though, at night or in the day. The picture quality in my yard is good. It's not movie-quality by any means, but it is good enough that I can get a clear look at people, pets, objects, vehicles and animals.
Motion Detection
The motion detection is good. Within my yard, it easily detects people and my dog moving around. It also detects when my motion-sensing lights at the far end of the yard turn on. And during major winds, it will also detect the movement of a large bush. You can set notifications in the app. The motion sensing notifications can get a bit much if you have people or pets moving about your yard regularly.
For my outdoor cameras, I opted for Wyze's subscription to store motion events for a period of time (you can download them from the cloud if you want to keep them longer). With one of the subscription levels you can adjust the motion sensing so it does not trigger for known people and pets. It has worked well, though there was one event where I had hoped it would have recorded some vehicles driving by but they were too far away to trigger the recording. Recorded events are very easy to access within the app.
The subscriptions have some security features including the option to call for dispatch. I have not tried these features so I can't speak to those.
Durability
I can't speak to cold or snow, but my first outdoor camera has lasted through a year of incredible heat (120º), extreme UV exposure, severe sandstorms, massive amounts of super-fine dust, and the occasional thunderstorm without any problem. It is somewhat protected as it is installed under an eave, but it is otherwise exposed. I need to occasionally wipe off spider webs and dust, but it has lasted beautifully. I've had 0 problems with it in a year. After a power outage, it reconnects without a hitch.
Conclusion
Overall, I highly recommend this camera for its usability, privacy, quality and durability.
| Indoor/Outdoor Usage | Outdoor, Indoor |
|---|---|
| Compatible Devices | Smartphone |
| Power Source | Corded Electric |
| Connectivity Protocol | Wi-Fi |
| Controller Type | IFTTT, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa |
| Mounting Type | Wall Mount |
| Video Capture Resolution | 1080p |
| Color | White |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Included Components | Wyze Cam v3 x1, Wall Mount Plate x1, Screw Kit x1, 6 Feet Outdoor Rated USB Cable x1, Quick Start Guide x1, Wall Mount Plate Tape x1, Indoor USB Power Adapter x1 (Wyze Outdoor Power Adapter (sold separately) required for outdoor use) |
| Number of Channels | 2 |
| Wireless Communication Technology | Wi-Fi |
| Form Factor | Cube |
| Effective Video Resolution | 1080 |
| Material | cam |
| Voltage | 24 Volts |
| Wattage | 24 watts |
| Item dimensions L x W x H | 2.51 x 2.24 x 3.93 inches |
| Water Resistance Level | Water Resistant |
| Batteries Required? | No |
| Item Weight | 98.9 Grams |
| Shape | Wyze Cam v3 |
| Field Of View | 130 Degrees |
| Low light technology | Night Color |
| Alert Type | Audio and Motion |
| Room Type | Office, Kitchen, Living Room, Bedroom, Study Room, Hallway |
| Video Capture Format | MJPEG |
| Specific Uses For Product | Surveillance |
| Unit Count | 1.0 Count |
| Photo Sensor Technology | CMOS |
| International Protection Rating | IP65 |
| Control Method | Voice |
| Manufacturer | Wyze |
| Part Number | WYZEC3 |
| Item Weight | 3.49 ounces |
| Product Dimensions | 2.51 x 2.24 x 3.93 inches |
| Item model number | WYZEC3X2 |
| Size | 1 Pack |
| Style | 1 Camera Kit |
| Pattern | 1 Camera Kit |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Special Features | Night Vision,Motion Sensor,Weather Resistant,Starlight Sensor,Two Way Audio |
| Batteries Included? | No |
| Warranty Description | 1 year manufacturer |
