Wyze Cam v2 vs v3: Which is the Best?

written by

Doug Stevenson

updated May 19, 2023

In this article, I will compare Wyze Cam v2 and Wyze Cam v3 with respect to their recording characteristics, design, features, compatibility, port selection, and additional accessories that you can pair with the camera.

Wyze cam v3 includes most features from the previous version, with the addition of excellent vision in low light conditions, a Starlight sensor that enables night vision, and 1080p video of 20fps with a 130-degree field of view.

If you already own a Wyze Cam v2, an upgrade might not be worth it unless quality night vision is a priority for you. If you do not already own a Wyze Cam, go for the v3 version.

Criteria	v2	v3
Price	$33	$42
Night Vision	Poor	Good
Frames per Second (FPS)	Day - 15 fps Night - 10 fps	Day - 20 fps Night - 15 fps
Resolution	1080p Full HD	1080p Full HD
Weight	286 g	98.8 g
Weather Resistance	Not Resistant	IP65
Viewing Angle	110 degrees	130 degrees
Additional Features	No Siren feature Push to talk No third-party integration	Siren feature Push to talk IFTTT applets integration
USB Port Availability	1 USB Port	No USB port
Virtual Assistant Integration	Alexa and Google Home	Alexa and Google Home

Wyze Cam v2: Less Price, Similar Specs

The Wyze Cam v2, during its advent, was an impressive product in the home security segment.

Its low cost coupled with features like motion tracking, audio capabilities, and a powerful CMOS sensor set the device apart from others in this segment.

It has a swivel base which gave an inch of height adjustability and allows for the positioning of the camera in any direction.

It also has a magnetic base that can be attached to any metal surface. You can also attach it to any non-metal surface using the included metal disc and adhesive strip.

The camera has a 110-degree viewing angle and 8x digital zoom. It also uses four infrared LEDs which provide up to 30 feet of vision. The nighttime feed is limited to black and white.

The Wyze Cam v2 also sports motion tracking. It draws boxes around whatever or whoever has triggered the recording and follows its motion.

Wyze Cam v3: An All-Season Camera

Wyze Cam v3 is the third generation of the Wyze product line in the home security segment. It improves on its previous model, v2 while maintaining its low cost.

That is a very impressive feat.

The v3 Cam is placed on top of a square base with a hinge. On full extension, the hinge adds 1.2 inches to the total height. It also gives 180 degrees of vertical movement.

Additionally, the swivel provides 360 degrees of horizontal movement as well.

The front part of the camera has a lens, microphone, and an LED indicator. The back side of the camera has a hardwired USB power cable and a speaker.

The bottom part is where the MicroSD slot is located along with a reset button. They are protected by rubber covers as this version is designed for outdoor and indoor use.

Wyze Cam v2 vs v3: A Comparison

Wyze Cam v3 vs v2 will be judged based on the following criteria. These factors will give you a critical view of how the versions differ from each other.

Recording Characteristics

Recording Characteristics	v2	v3
Low light condition	Poor	Good
Advanced CMOS Sensor	No	Yes
FPS	Day - 15 FPS Night - 10 FPS	Day - 20 FPS Night - 15 FPS

The differentiating feature with respect to the recording characteristics is that Wyze Cam v3 under low light conditions works way better than the v2 version.

Wyze Cam v3 has excellent color night vision where only a tiny bit of light is needed for it to work whereas the Wyze Cam v2 version only has standard black and white night vision.

In addition, v3 versions are equipped with the Starlight CMOS Sensor which is specialized for clear viewing in super low light.

Wyze Cam v2 however only has a regular sensor operated by older technology.

So, if you intend to use your Wyze Cam in low-light conditions, the Wyze Cam v3 is undeniably the better option.

The Wyze Cam v2 feeds have a frame rate of 15 frames per second (fps) during the day and 10 fps at night.

The Wyze Cam v3 however, has a frame rate of 20 fps during the day and 15 fps at night. Both devices record feeds with a resolution of 1080p Full HD.

The higher the fps, the more fluidity, and continuity your video feed will feel.

A feature that Wyze Cam Pan v2 offers but Wyze Cam v3 does not is the ability to Pan/Tilt/Zoom. However, the Pan version is only for indoor use as it is not IP-rated.

Design and Form Factor

Design and Form Factor	v2	v3
Design	Round Edged	Square Edged
Weather Rating	No IP rating	IP65
Viewing Angle	110 degrees	130 degrees
Aperture Value	f/1.6	f/2.6

The Wyze Cam v3 looks almost the same as the Wyze Cam v2, however, there are some differences in their design.

The v3 version has a square black camera while the v2 has a round-faced camera.

The v3 has an overall smooth finish. The device has rounded edges when compared with the v2 version, which has sharp corners.

Besides these, the Wyze Cam v2 and v3 are almost identical in terms of size and weight.

A primary difference with respect to the hardware of Wyze v2 vs v3 is that v3 is IP65 weather resistant while the v2 version is not weather resistant or IP rated.

Wyze Cam v2 version is designed to be used indoors and in dry conditions.

The IP65 rating in v3 translates to the capability of withstanding low-pressure water jets from any direction and total protection from dust.

Wyze Cam v3 has a viewing angle of 130 degrees whereas the Wyze Cam v2 has a viewing angle of only 110 degrees.

The reason why v3 is better under low light conditions is due to the aperture value. This translates to the amount of light that enters the lens of the Cam.

The v3 version has an aperture of f/1.6 while the v2 has an aperture of f/2.6. As a consequence, v3 will allow around 40% more light through the lens of the Cam than the v2 version.

The Wyze Cam v3 has a few other improvements over the v2 too. It has a faster processor capable of rendering images and streaming videos faster.

Features on Offer

Features on offer	v2	v3
Siren	No	Yes
Push to talk	Yes	Yes
Third-Party Integration	No	Yes

The Wyze Cam v3 comes equipped with a Siren feature. This is a loud controllable feature operated through the Wyze app with a sound capacity of 80 decibels.

The Wyze team improved the Wyze Cam v3 speaker so that it can be used as a siren to ward off any intruders.

The Wyze Cam v2 sported a push-to-talk feature while the Wyze Cam v3 has the capability of simultaneous communication.

If you have placed your Wyze Cam v3 outdoors, this feature allows you to communicate with someone outside without having to invite the person inside the house.

Wyze Cam v3 has the capability to work with IFTTT applets which allow integration with third-party home security devices.

This is an extremely useful feature as you can create rules in order to integrate your Wyze Cam v3 with other Wyze devices like smart light bulbs, motion sensors, and door locks.

Compatibility and Ports Selection

Compatibility and Port Selection	v2	v3
Wyze Sense compatibility	Yes	No
USB port	No	Yes
Virtual Assistant Integration	Alexa and Google Home	Alexa and Google Home

A feature that is unique to the Wyze Cam v2 but not the v3 version is the fact that it is compatible with the Wyze Sense which acts as a hub that controls the Wyze door and all the motion sensors.

Wyze Cam v3 removed the USB port that was located in the back of its previous version, Wyze Cam v2. As a result, v3 is no longer compatible with Wyze Sense.

Wyze plans the launch a standalone hub according to the Wyze website which is due to launch soon.

Both Wyze Cam v2 and v3 have Alexa and Google Home compatibility but do not integrate with Apple HomeKit.

Additional Accessories to Pair

Additional Accessories	v2	v3
Spotlight kit	No	Yes
Wyze Car	Yes	No
Window Mount	No	Yes

You can buy additional accessories like the Spotlight kit available from the Wyze store with the Wyze Cam v3 version.

These are lights that you can add to your Wyze Cam v3 that can be toggled on and off through the Wyze App.

You can also adjust the brightness levels and automate its function through the use of the rules feature of Wyze like toggling the spotlight on when motion is detected.

You can set up the Wyze Cam v3 along with the Spotlight kit outside as this kit also comes with an IP65 rating and a warranty of 1 year.

If you intend to use the Wyze Car which is a remotely controllable car that comes with a 10,000 mAH power bank and a holder capable of holding a Wyze Cam, you have to buy the Wyze Cam v2.

According to the Wyze website, the Wyze Car is an all-wheel drive car equipped with LED lights for night driving that is only compatible with Wyze Cam v2 versions.

Another cool accessory is the Window mount for the v3 version. This mount lets you attach the Wyze Cam v3 directly onto the window eliminating any glare or reflection in your feeds.

This also eliminates your need for any external wiring which would be required if you want to record events outdoors. It comes with a warranty of 1 year.

The Wyze Cam v3 has many more mounting options than the v2 version. The base of the v3 version can be completely removed which enables you to combine it with different mounts.

Final Verdict

To sum up, these two devices share a lot of similar features. They include a 1080p Full HD video feed, invisible infrared lights, smoke and CO alerts, motion detection, and free cloud storage.

Wyze provides the option of limited free cloud recording for all its cameras. This means that you will be able to record only 12-second videos and they will be saved for 14 days.

If you require constant recording and want access to these recordings for longer, you will have to subscribe to the Wyze Cam Plus plan which costs around 19$ per camera per year.

This subscription will also give you access to people, pets, and vehicle recognition alerts.

If you already do not have a Wyze Cam, then my advice is for you to go for a Wyze Cam v3.

Even though it shares a lot of features with v2 and is more expensive than v2, the unique features of the Wyze Cam v3 outweigh the cons.

For a price difference of less than 10$, the capabilities and features that v3 provides are worth it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does Wyze Cam v3 need to be plugged in at all times?

Yes, the Wyze Cam v3 needs to be plugged in via the USB cable hardwired to the back of the camera at all times in order to power it.

Does the Wyze Cam v3 need to be connected to Wi-Fi?

Wyze Cam v3 is designed to work with an internet connection. A working network allows for features like Live streaming, notifications, and real-time changes in camera settings via the Wyze App. You also need an internet connection to set up and configure the Wyze Cam with the Wyze app.

Which SD card can I use in Wyze Cam v3?

Wyze Cam is compatible with operating with SD cards of sizes 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, and 256 GB.

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Doug Stevenson

Hey! I'm Doug, My passion for tech started by fixing phones and computers for my friends and family.

I started Blinqblinq to give reliable tech advice to anyone who needs it, for free! If you have questions on anything tech-related, feel free to contact me.

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