Amazon's bestselling security camera is under $40 — and it's not made by Ring
Our team is dedicated to finding and telling you more about the products and deals we love. If you love them too and decide to purchase through the links below, we may receive a commission. Pricing and availability are subject to change.
On the brink of Amazon's Ring video camera issues —from information sharing to scary hackers — it's no surprise that the online retailer's top-selling security camera stems from another brand. The Wyze Labs Indoor Smart Home Camera is under $40 (costing about a fourth of Ring's version) and has over 12,4000 reviews and nearly 5 stars to back it up.
Shop: Wyze Indoor Smart Home Camera, $37.98
The Wyze Indoor Smart Home Camera can tilt, zoom and pan so you can see every angle of a room, all through the touch of an app on your smart phone. However, it can also detect motion and will pan automatically to record a 12-second video clip when motion or sound is detected. You can even set up push notifications so that you're alerted when something is caught moving. However, if you have pets, you might want to reconsider this feature to avoid a storm of notifications.
Instead, you can check in on your pets or anywhere else in your home on your own time through live streaming in 1080p Full HD. See what's going on in real time through the mobile app and use two-way audio to speak with friends, family, your dog or — fingers crossed you don't have to — any unwanted guests.
Recorded clips are saved to the cloud for 14 days for free. If you'd like to record continuously, regardless of motion or sound detected, you can save video on a MicroSD card (sold separately).
Other helpful features include night vision, which allows you to see up to 30 feet in complete darkness, and voice control, which works with Alexa or Google Assistant to show you any room you'd like to see. You can also add multiple family members to your account through the Wyze app, so everyone can have access to live streaming and video recordings.
"I'm a bit of a camera addict. I have hardwired (fixed) cameras that are hooked up to a DVR, and I have 4 Nest cams as well," wrote one Amazon reviewer who bought the Wyze camera. "WOW, how amazing to get all this, for $30 (plus shipping)! The image is super-clear, and I LOVE the ability to scan around a room via my phone."
Another Amazon reviewer wrote: "FANTASTIC!! little wifi security cam. Loaded with features. I have this perched on my mantle above fireplace. Crystal clear 1080p image. two way talking with my family on the way from work. Great to keep an eye on the dog. What a deal for around $30.00 and change. Don't waste your money on a Canary or any other expensive cam. This [one] is all you need."
"This little camera is VERY impressive. I currently own a Nest IQ indoor camera and have owned a couple Foscam indoor cameras in the past. This Wyze camera produces excellent picture quality and has a very easy to use app. The fact that you get 14 days of clips storage for free just blows the Nest cam out of the water," wrote another, comparing it to other popular camera brands.
So whether you want an extra sense of security or just have fun snooping on your own home, the Wyze Indoor Smart Home Camera will give you a lot of features at a small price. Check out the video above to see exactly how it works!
