Home security cameras systems have been around for a long time, but more recently, security cameras that connect directly to your WiFi (and therefore the Internet) have become the rage.

The great thing about WiFi connected cameras is that you can access their pictures from anywhere, as long as you have an Internet connection.

Which means that you can use your smartphone or tablet to view live pictures of your home while you’re away.

But the problem is, most of these WiFi camera systems are pricey.

In the PC Magazine article “The Best Home Security Cameras of 2018” (CLICK HERE to read the article), prices ranged from about $55 to over $450, with most cameras running more than $150.

Then this past year, a little start-up company out of Seattle, came out with a WiFi camera that was different, because it cost only $19.99!

Wyze Cam v1

The Wyze Cam v.1

I first got wind of this inexpensive little camera via the CNet Cheapskate, Rick Brodia, who writes an almost daily column on great teach deals he finds online.

For only $20, I couldn’t resist ordering one, thinking that if it was just a piece of junk, at least I hadn’t spent much.

But when it arrived about a week after I ordered it, I was happily surprised!

After (1) downloading the Wyze Cam app on my iPhone (versions are available for iOS, Android), (2) plugging the camera into a power outlet, and  (3) setting it up on a shelf on my living room entertainment system, I was ready all ready to go.

Wow, what a simple setup.

And the live pictures that I saw from the camera, using my iPhone, were amazing for a $20 device!

You can see a picture of my actual Wyze Cam v1 on the right.

I was originally going to write about this great little WiFi camera last year, but I got wrapped up in other projects and just never got around to it.

But a few days ago, I was again reminded about Wyze Cam when I got an email from the company, announcing the release of Wyze Cam v. 2.

The Wyze Cam v. 2

With the success of Wyze Cam v. 1, I thought for sure that the little Seattle company would raise the price on any new upgrade to the original Wyze Cam v.1.

But no, they have amazingly left it at $19.99, even after adding in some great new features, including Motion Tagging, improved image quality, and improved sound quality.

So, what is this great little WiFi camera all about?

WyzeCam AppHere are the key features:

  • The camera is in the form of a small white cube, about 2 x 2 x 2 inches in size.
  • It has a small adjustable base that comes with a magnetic metal plate you can adhere to different surfaces
  • It has a 6 foot USB power cable, but you can also daisy-chain up to 3 Wyze Cams off the same power cable.
  • The camera has 110-degree wide angle lens that can capture 1080p (HD) video at 10 frames per second.
  • You can use your smartphone or tablet to snap photos, or record video.
  • You can add a micro-SD media card to the Wyze Cam (it has a card slot) for recording continuous time-lapse photos
  • It supports night vision using four infrared LEDs
  • It has a built-in microphone for picking up sound
  • It has a built-in speaker that you can talk-through using your smartphone or tablet (so yes, it can be used as an intercom).

That’s a LOT of stuff!!!

ON the right, you can see a screen-shot of the Wyze Cam App

The only downsides that I see with the camera are….

  • It’s not weather-proof, so it’s made only for indoor use (although you can point it out a window, which is what we do).
  • It has a fixed base that you can’t remotely pan
  • It only has digital zoom, so the quality zooming in isn’t the greatest
  • The frame rate is only 10 fps, so the video is not quite as smooth as you’d like.

But honestly, if you’re in the market for trying out a WiFi camera you can setup in your home, and then view remotely, how can you go wrong with spending only $20 to do it!

For more information, here are some links that take you directly to the Wyze Cam site…

And here’s a link to a short video that Rick Brodia recorded about the Wyze Cam for CNet…

 

Give the Wyze Cam v. 2 a try, and if you do, drop me a note and let me know how things go!

 

 

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