The Wyze Cam Outdoor was introduced a short while ago and answered a lot of customer’s requests in love with Wyze that wanted something for outside. It checks a lot of boxes, and as usual, is bargain priced given the included features.
We’ve looked at several Wyze Cams in the past including the original Wyze Cam, Wyze Cam v2 and Wyze Cam v3. These were all excellent low priced security cameras.
We especially liked the Wyze Cam v3 and this camera can also be used outdoors.
Unlike any prior Wyze models, this camera does not attach directly to a WiFi router. This connects to a hub. These are sold in kits that includes the camera and hub. They are also sold as individual add-on cameras which are great for adding a second camera to an already existing hub. Initial purchasers must go with a kit that includes a hub as these aren’t going to work without one. This is similar to how we’ve seen some other manufacturers do it, including Blink.
Wyze claims they make you use a hub to improve internet connectivity on the outdoor cameras. Placing the hub in the right place can be tricky, especially with more than one camera.
Software
You can access the Wyze Cam Outdoor through an iOS or Android device. The video cannot be accessed from a web browser.
Like most Wyze cameras, this comes with next nothing in documentation. Fortunately, it’s not difficult, but the added hub adds an additional few steps to set this up
Setup of the Wyze Cam Outdoor is done through the Wyze app. Download the app. Now, plug the hub in and hit the plus sign in the app. You are walked through setup by a combination of app prompts and voice instructions. The hub can be connected directly to a router using an Ethernet cable or wireless. If going for multiple cameras, we suggest wireless.
After establishing the hub, it’s time to add the camera. Same way as the hub, just press the plus sign in the app and follow the prompts.
Motion alerts can be activated within the app as well as sensitivity settings. The Wyze Cam Outdoor offers Detection Zones. We strongly consider using these with any battery operated camera as too many alerts will quickly deplete your battery. Wyze claims the battery can last up to six-months with normal use.
The Wyze Cam Outdoor includes a free cloud service that stores up to 14 days of events. The events are stored as 12 second clips every time it detects an alert such as motion or sound. These are short clips only.
Video quality selection is available through the toggle just above the live video with the ability to select HD, SD or 360p. You can also select Auto to select the best resolution based upon stable connectivity.
These are compatible with IFTTT, Google Assistant and Alexa.
Hardware
The form factor of all three generations of this camera has remained relatively unchanged checking in at 2.3 inches tall, 2.3 inches wide, 2.8 inches deep. It weighs in at 9.8 ounces. This is much heavier than the wired Wyze cameras because of the batteries.
It’s a square camera with an integrated stand that has wo legs that bend in the middle. The camera raises and lowers via the bending of these legs. It also tilts forward and back and pivots to the left or right.
These are completely wireless utilizing a pair of internal rechargeable batteries. Wyze states these batteries should last 3-6 months. A battery strength meter is built into the app. The camera must be out of service when it’s time to recharge it requiring the included micro USB cable plugged into a USB adapter.
There is a status light that can be toggled on or off from the app.
The Wyze Cam Outdoor is rated IP65 and has a supported temperature range of -4 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. It can be used indoors or outdoors. IP65 means it’s rated for outdoor use and it’s find to get it wet.
Audio is fully supported. Tap the microphone in the Wyze app to have a two-way conversation. Audio quality isn’t terrific as is characteristic with practically every Wyze camera we have seen.
A 110 degree wide angle lens is average and ok to get a view of an area. We suggest placing it in a corner if indoors to get the entire room.
The 1080p (1920 x 1080) lens renders video at 20 frames per second during the day. The camera will record at 10 frames per second at night.
Very clear night vision is provided with 8 IR lamps. Decent night vision at up to 25 feet.
There is a Micro SD slot on the camera and base station. We wrote a detailed article on selecting the right micro SD card which is worth reading as not every card will work well in a home security camera.
Connectivity
The Wyze Cam Outdoor does not connect to WiFi directly. It connects to the hub. The hub supports direct Ethernet connectivity or via 802.11 b/g/n.
Mounts
Wyze made a huge improvement in this area. The Wyze Cam Outdoor utilizes a magnetic mounting base which works well if simply placing the camera onto a flat surface where you don’t need to worry about wind.
But here’s the secret trick that elevates this camera to another level. Remove the mounting base by pulling it off. You will uncover a 1/4″ – 20 threaded tripod screw. This opens up an entire selection of standard mounts and tripods for this camera. We looked at several good camera mounts in an article that helps in selecting the right security camera mount.
Fun and Different
The system has travel mode. This is used when there’s no internet connectivity. Install a micro SD card into the hub. It will record any motion from the cameras (remember the cameras aren’t using Wifi) directly to the micro SD card for later viewing.
Summary
The Wyze Cam Outdoor is a well priced camera with a lot of features. It’s cheaper than most outdoor camera competition with features that meet or exceed the others. While the battery life and sound quality could be better, the price, app features and mounting options are quite good.
It’s a good camera and is worth consideration.
Quick Specs:
| Video Quality | Field of View | Cloud Support | SD Support | Night Vision | Mobile/Web App | Alerts | Outdoor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1920 x 1080 | 110 Degrees | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes/No | Yes | Yes |
Manufacturer Link: Wyze Labs