Hey everyone, it's Rose, and today we're going cheap with the $25 WyzeCam 2.
I've been testing this little guy for almost a month alongside other inexpensive security
cameras including the 720p version of YI Home and iSmartAlarm Spot.
Spot sells for $99, though you can usually snag it on sale for about $50 or $60.
It looks just like WyzeCam, which is why I picked it but offers different hardware specs,
a different app, and firmware.
YI Home 720p sells for $30, but I really should have tested the 1080p version which is $44.99
as it looks like that is the version YI now favors.
Unfortunately, I didn't buy that one, but fortunately, the differences between the two
are minimal, so I'll definitely call out the differences along the way.
The first difference, of course, being resolution.
And that is where our journey begins.
Regarding video quality, WyzeCam 2 comes out on top.
It offers a clear resolution that I felt rivaled more expensive cameras like Canary and even
Nest.
YI takes second place in the video quality race with a clear picture during the day and
actually a superior low light condition when compared to WyzeCam 2.
Performance in low light conditions is an area where Spot struggled.
The blacks were crushed to the point where it was hard to make out details.
And even when I had optimal lighting conditions, Spot's performance was lackluster.
The video wasn't clear or crisp.
But on a positive note, it does offer a 130-degree field of view which is wider than both Wyzecam
and Yi.
And of course, all three cameras offer night vision.
All three cameras offer free cloud storage as well as local storage.
They all offer the option to download and share events clips, live stream video, and
they all offer motion detection, but beyond that, what they offer for free starts to differ.
We'll start with WyzeCam as in my opinion; it takes this category too.
WyzeCam offers 14 days of cloud storage, sound detection, sound recognition of smoke and
CO alarms, time-lapse creation if you add an SD card, a motion zone, and motion tagging
for free.
Yi takes silver as they offer seven days of free cloud storage, a motion zone, and if
you buy the 1080p version, you'll also get baby crying detection.
In addition to a free plan, they have a paid plan, which I've outlined further in my written
review linked below.
Finally, Spot.
With Spot, you can keep up to 30 ten second clips in the cloud.
It also offers sound detection, sound recognition, and a timelapse feature.
When compared to the others, it lacks features like motion zones, the ability to record video-on-demand,
and the option to delete recorded clips from the app.
Next up, two-way audio.
All three cameras offer a walkie-talkie style two-way audio which means that you press a
button to talk and release the button to listen.
WyzeCam is the loudest which makes it the easiest to hear.
Over the past month, I found some variation in alert speed.
I found that iSmart sent a push notification almost immediately after an event, YI takes
about three-seconds, and WyzeCam has a 9-12 second delay between push notification and
motion event.
In testing false alarms, Spot, surprisingly, faired the best.
YI did as expected and was triggered by lighting changes and my robotic vacuum.
WyzeCam did the worst triggering for multiple false events including lights turning
on and off, trees blowing, and even this bag blowing in the wind.
Related to motion is the ability to sort through motion recorded clips.
And all three cameras use a library style feature.
YI's is the most useful as it offers a snapshot of the event and event filters that allow
you to search through footage recorded by a specific camera, for specific types of events,
or even by date.
iSmart's library also has a video history tab with snapshots that also lists the time
and date.
The biggest downside here is that you cannot delete clips, but you can share them.
Finally, WyzeCam also offers filters, but it uses a generic stock photo so you can't see
what caused an event without watching the video clip which makes filtering event footage
more of a challenge.
Though I've pointed out lots of pros and cons, I'm giving the overall win to WyzeCam 2, but
I'm also giving YI Home a thumbs up.
Spot Cam, however, gets a thumbs down.
But of course, the bigger question is, should you buy WyzeCam 2 or something like Arlo or
Nest Cam.
Unfortunately, I can't answer that for you, but I can tell you that I don't plan to swap
out my current setup for WyzeCam 2.
I do plan to add a WyzeCam 2.
It's such a cheap camera that even though it's not outdoor rated, I plan to put it out
on my front porch.
With an SD card in place, it can record continuously, so I think it'll supplement my Nest Hello
nicely.
I even feel comfortable recommending that you buy one so long as you can accept its
weaknesses including current lack of geofencing, the inability to turn the camera off for privacy,
the lag between push notification and event, lack of rich notifications, person detection,
the playback experience, and the fact that you can only stream one camera at a time.
That's a lot, but it's a $25 camera, and that is a very compelling price.
If you want to compare other features including installation, encryption,
tech support, etc., check out the written comparison which is below.
That comparison also includes a camera called the EZVIZ Mini 360 Plus, which, spoiler alert, gets a thumbs down.
Now, I have a hunch that at least some of you have probably
already tested the WyzeCam 2 or maybe the original WyzeCam and you know tips and tricks that I didn't discuss
so I would love to hear them, talk about them, so drop them in the comment section below,
and I look forward to talking to you all there.