Wyze Lamp Socket Review and Tutorial

If you have an outdoor light fixture near where you want to mount a Wyze camera but no outlet nearby, the Wyze Lamp Socket solves the problem cleanly. It screws into any standard E26 light socket, accepts your existing bulb on top, and provides a USB port on the side to power a compatible Wyze camera continuously. Installation takes about 30 seconds — no wiring, no drilling, no extension cords. Wyze released a second generation version in mid-2025 with significantly higher power output and broader camera compatibility, which is now the version worth buying.

Wyze Lamp Socket v1 vs v2

If you are buying new, get the v2. The differences are meaningful:

The Wyze Lamp Socket v2  covers the majority of Wyze’s current camera lineup. The v1 is still available at a slight discount but only supports the Cam v3 and v4 — not worth the savings if you have any other Wyze camera. One reported caveat: some Cam Pan v4 owners have encountered reliability issues with motion-activated lighting on the v2. If you have a Pan v4 specifically, verify current compatibility status before purchasing.

How It Works

Installation is as simple as changing a light bulb. Unscrew the existing bulb from the outdoor fixture, screw the Lamp Socket into the empty socket, then screw your existing bulb back into the top of the Lamp Socket. The USB port on the side of the socket connects to the Wyze camera’s power cable. That is the entire hardware installation.

One thing to know about app setup: the Lamp Socket is found under Cameras in the Wyze app’s add device flow, not under Power and Lighting where most people look first. Select the plus sign, choose Cameras, then select whether you are setting up the socket alone or the socket paired with a camera. The app guides the rest of the pairing process from there.

What It Does Beyond Powering the Camera

The Lamp Socket’s secondary value is smart lighting control — it converts a standard dumb light fixture into an app-controlled smart light without replacing the bulb. From the Wyze app you can turn the light on and off remotely, set dusk-to-dawn automation so the light runs only at night, and link multiple Lamp Sockets together to control a group of exterior lights as one unit from a single camera’s motion detection.

The motion-activated light feature is the most useful — when the paired Wyze camera detects motion, the light turns on automatically. This serves as both illumination for the camera’s night vision and a deterrent for anyone approaching. The same trigger can also activate multiple linked sockets simultaneously, so motion at one camera lights up several fixtures at once.

Note that dimming requires a compatible dimmable bulb — standard non-dimmable LED bulbs will not respond to brightness adjustments in the app. The v2 does not support incandescent bulbs due to heat generation at the socket.

The Light Switch Caveat

This is the most important practical limitation. The Wyze Lamp Socket requires the light switch controlling the fixture to remain in the on position at all times. If the switch is turned off — by a family member, a house guest, or anyone who doesn’t know the camera depends on it — the camera loses power and goes offline. Consider taping or labeling the switch clearly, or replacing it with a switch guard that prevents accidental switching.

Is It Worth It?

For any Wyze camera installation where an outdoor fixture is nearby but no outlet exists, yes. At $20 for the v2 it is one of the least expensive continuous power solutions available for any camera brand. The smart lighting features are a genuine bonus — turning a dumb fixture into a motion-activated smart light adds real value beyond just camera power.

For locations without any nearby light fixture, the alternatives covered in the alternative power sources guide apply — solar panels, PoE, or extension cables depending on the situation. And if you are considering a floodlight camera as an upgrade, the Wyze Cam Floodlight Pro replaces an existing junction box light entirely and provides hardwired continuous power with a built-in 3,000-lumen floodlight.

Shop Wyze Lamp Socket v2 on Amazon

This guide is part of our Wyze Security Camera Reviews guide.