Using Wyze Cam Plus Without Subscription – Is It Works?

Wyze provides a subscription service called Cam PLUS to assist customers in getting the most out of their cameras. This membership adds a few more features to your cameras, allowing you to use them in new ways.

Despite the fact that Wyze cameras aren’t as pricey as some other manufacturers, you may still balk at the concept of paying for membership service.

Despite the fact that Wyze cameras are so affordable, the price might quickly escalate if you buy more than one. Here, let’s imagine that for $35.98 on Wyze.com, you decide to buy the Wyze Cam v3. Assuming you buy two for outside monitoring and another two for inside monitoring, you’ve already shelled out about $150. What’s next, a subscription?

As a result, you may begin to question whether or not the additional service is really required. Isn’t just having a camera sufficient? Exactly how much of Cam PLUS do you truly require?

What is Wyze?

A maker of smart-home goods, Wyze is also known as Wyze Labs, Inc. and, as such, has developed a range of smart home products to improve the functioning of today’s smart home. Founded by ex-Amazon workers, the firm has been designed to cater to budget-conscious clients. Budget-conscious consumers are looking for smart home security solutions that don’t break the bank.

When Wyze first started out, they focused on making smart home cameras that could be used inside and outside the house. Since then, Wyze has extended its product range to include a variety of smart home devices. Their product selection isn’t as vast as some other smart homemakers like Ring, but it includes a number of gadgets that most smart home consumers find helpful and practically vital in their daily lives.

Additionally, they also produce smart LED bulbs and light strips. Their product portfolio now includes thermostats, robot vacuums, a home security system, and smartwatches!

Using these devices, you will need to download the Wyze app and have a strong Wi-Fi connection in order to do so. To avoid stutters in performance and video recording, it is best to have a robust connection. If you’re looking for high-quality items at reasonable costs, this is the company for you.

What does the Wyze Cloud Plan offer?

Wyze Cam Plus

To make the most of your smart home monitoring devices, Wyze has launched Wyze Cam Plus’s subscription service. For $1.99 per camera each month, Wyze Cam Plus offers a monthly payment option or an annual billing option for $15 (roughly $1.25/month per camera).

Let’s imagine you have the four cameras indicated at the beginning. The monthly billing option costs roughly $8/month, while the yearly billing option costs $60/year.

In this scenario, the yearly membership is typically the best option since it saves you $12 over the course of the year. In order to promote a long-term commitment, many smart home businesses price their plans this way — and it also means more money for the company upfront.

Cam PLUS is compatible with:

  • WYZE CAMP V2
  • WYZE CAMP V3
  • WYZE CAMP PAN
  • The Wyze Outdoor Cam
  • Wyze’s video doorbell system

Camera settings become far more flexible when you upgrade to the Cam Plus package.

For starters, you’ll receive lengthier video clips as a benefit. Unlimited video recording of all motion occurrences is available instead of the restricted 12-second snippets. Why do you think this is? That suspicious figure may be seen in action for much longer than the initial 12 seconds he creeps into your backyard.

Here’s where things become more interesting when it comes to motion detection settings. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is included in the Cam Plus. Why do you think this is? Advanced controls allow you to distinguish between inanimate things like passing automobiles and trees, as well as genuine humans when motion is detected.

Your camera can identify people, dogs, automobiles, and even parcels, thanks to Wyze’s AI! They also aim to add face recognition later this year — that’s going to be a lot more fun!

It is a critical point — Wyze seems to be primarily introducing new features to the paid-for plan. The free plan does not include advanced face recognition (or “Event Insights and Summary,” which will be available later this year) Wyze Cam Plus maybe a little pricey for some, but it does have some really useful and innovative features.

Wyze Cam Features that still Work Without a Subscription

For those who don’t want to spend the additional money each year or month, Wyze Cam Plus is a worthwhile addition to their smart cameras. Not at all! If you have a camera, you may still get a lot of good use out of it.

This includes videos that are saved to the cloud or an SD card, for example. These films will be limited to a maximum of 12 seconds, so they’ll be shorter. Most people don’t mind this since they don’t want to observe the delivery guy for long anyhow.

When these recordings are backed up to the cloud for 30 days, they will be erased. As long as your SD card isn’t full, previous recordings will be deleted to make room for the newest ones. If you’re interested in recording or receiving motion or sound detection notifications, you may still do so. All of this may be managed using the Wyze smartphone app, which is free to download.

What You Lose Without a Subscription

As a result, your camera will be unable to distinguish between real people and inanimate things when it detects motion. False alerts and unnecessary footage on your cloud or SD card may result as a result of this. The tree in your front yard is about to attract a lot more attention.

In the long term, though, this little annoyance may be worth it.

Due to the 12-second time constraint, you also lose lengthier recordings that would otherwise have been saved. While this may not be a big deal to you, it may be an issue if there are suspicious behaviors taken on and the camera shuts off just as the suspect does something evil.

How Wyze Compares to Ring and Nest

When it comes to not having a membership with Wyze, you don’t lose anything. For example, with a Ring camera, you have the potential to lose more than with a camera without a subscription.

If you don’t have a membership to Ring’s Cloud, you won’t be able to record any videos. You may watch the Event live if Ring senses motion, but that’s all. If you can’t watch the live stream, the only thing you can do is to assume that the motion event was triggered by something, which isn’t possible if you didn’t witness it.

Customers aren’t happy about this, particularly if video proof is available that can capture a thief red-handed. As a result, most Ring users consider the Ring Cloud plan essential rather than just a useful add-on. Ring cameras aren’t cheap, so the additional cost might be a problem for some.

Similar is the case with Nest Aware. Nest Aware allows you to travel back in time and examine what triggered your cameras. There will be no video evidence to back up your claim that the incident really took place if you don’t have a plan. You would’ve had to see it live to get the whole picture.

What an aggravating set of circumstances! There’s an expectation that when you purchase an internet-connected camera for your house, it can perform all you want of it. ‘With paid XYZ subscription’ is added to the small print. What’s up with the bogus advertising? It’s not a given. Rather, it’s a case of selective exclusion.

Cam Plus Not Required For a Great Experience

Even while Wyze Cam Plus does have some useful capabilities, it isn’t necessary to utilize your Wyze cameras in a meaningful way.

With this feature, you will be able to access all of your motion settings as well as recorded motion and sound occurrences. Wyze cameras aren’t expensive, to begin with. Thus many people go for the Cam Plus since it’s still less expensive than getting a camera from the competition and a Cloud subscription. As the name suggests, it’s a “Plus” in my opinion.

Best Seller List of Wyze Camera:

Bestseller No. 1
Wyze Cam v4, 2K HD Wi-Fi Smart Home Security Camera, Indoor/Outdoor Use, Pet/Baby Monitor, Motion...
  • 2.5K QHD Resolution: Capture images and video with Quad High-Definition clarity in greater detail
  • Enhanced Color Night Vision: Night or day, see everything in vivid color and clarity, ensuring no detail is missed even in the darkest conditions
  • Indoor/Outdoor Versatility: Engineered for durability with IP65 weather resistance, the Wyze Cam v4 offers reliable house surveillance in any weather, perfect for both indoor and outdoor settings
  • Motion-Activated Spotlight + Voice Warning: Enhance your home's security with an LED spotlight and voice prompts activated by motion, coupled with a built-in siren for additional deterrence
  • More Vibrant Color with WDR: Featuring an upgraded image processor, experience Wide Dynamic Range technology that brings out vibrant colors and superior image quality
Bestseller No. 2
WYZE Cam Pan v3 Indoor/Outdoor IP65-Rated 1080p Pan/Tilt/Zoom Wi-Fi Smart Home Security Camera with...
  • Indoor/Outdoor: Wyze Cam Pan v3 is a wired pan-and-tilt video camera with an IP65 rating, so you can confidently install it and track the action, whether outside in the rain or inside in the nursery (outdoor use requires Wyze Outdoor Power Adapter v2, sold separately)..Operating Temperature: -20°C - 50°C (-4°F - 122°F). Wi-Fi: 802.11 b/g/n, 2.4 GHz (5 GHz Wi-Fi not supported).
  • Pan, tilt, and zoom in full 1080p HD: Livestream from anywhere and control remotely using the Wyze app to check any part of the room, fast. Or monitor a room automatically, in a constant pattern, by setting 4 predefined waypoints. Panning has a 360° left/right rotation range and tilting has a full 180° vertical up/down range.
  • Rotating Motion-Tracking: Wyze Cam Pan rotates 360° to follow and record moving objects, people or pets so you never miss a moment.
  • Smooth, quiet operation: Engineered for speed, precision, and quiet operation. Wyze Cam Pan v3 does its job smoothly and discreetly, without noisy gearworks.
  • Color Night Vision: Record nighttime video in full, vivid color in environments up to 25x darker than traditional cameras.
SaleBestseller No. 3
WYZE Cam v3 with Color Night Vision, Wired 1080p HD Indoor/Outdoor Video Camera, 2-Way Audio, Works...
  • Color night vision: An all-new Starlight Sensor records night time video in full, vivid color. The Starlight Sensor can see full color in environments up to 25x darker than traditional video cameras and the new f/1.6 aperture captures 2x more light.
  • Indoor/Outdoor: Wyze Cam v3 is a wired video camera with an IP65 rating so you can confidently install it outside in the rain or inside in the kids’ room. Wyze Outdoor Power Adapter (sold separately) required for outdoor use. Phone Compatibility - Android 5.0+, iOS 9.0+.
  • Motion & Sound detection: Wyze Cam records video when motion or sound is detected and sends an alert straight to your phone. Motion Detection Zones and custom settings allow you to adjust the sensitivity of detection or turn it off completely.
  • 24/7 Continuous Recording: Continuous video recording with a 32GB MicroSD card (sold separately). Just insert the MicroSD into the base of the Wyze Cam and you’re all set.
  • IFTTT certified connect all of your different apps and devices. When you sign up for a free account, you can enable your apps and devices to work together.
SaleBestseller No. 4
WYZE Cam OG Indoor/Outdoor 1080p WI-Fi Smart Home Security Camera with Color Night Vision, Built-in...
  • Livestream with Color Night Vision - Monitor your home day or night with 1080P HD video and color night vision.
  • Indoor/Outdoor - Wyze Cam OG is a wired video camera with an IP65 rating so you can confidently install it outside in the rain or inside in the kids’ room. Wyze Outdoor Power Adapter (sold separately) required for outdoor use.
  • Deter Intruders - A 40lm built in spotlight and mini-siren ward off would-be package thiefs.
  • Motion/Sound Notifications - Wyze Cam OG alerts you instantly when motion or sound is detected. Motion Detection Zones and custom settings allow you to adjust the sensitivity of detection or turn it off completely
  • Two Ways to Record Videos - Get secure cloud recording as well as person, package, pet, and vehicle detection with Cam Plus (subscription required) or insert a microSD card (sold separately) to record videos locally.
SaleBestseller No. 5
Wyze Cam v3 with Color Night Vision, Wired 1080p HD Indoor/Outdoor Security Camera, 2-Way Audio,...
  • Color Night Vision: Record night time video in full, vivid color in environments up to 25x darker than traditional cameras..Speaker: 80db, Operating Temperature : -5°F - 113°F (-20°C - 45°C)..Phone Compatibility : Android 7.0+, iOS 14.0+
  • Indoor/Outdoor (IP65): The Wyze Cam v3 is a wired water-resistant, video camera that you can confidently install outside in the rain or inside in the kids’ room.
  • Motion & Sound detection: The Wyze Cam v3 records video when motion & sound are detected and sends an alert to your phone. Motion Detection Zones let you adjust the sensitivity of detection.
  • Two-way audio: Greet and speak with visitors with loud two-way audio. The Wyze Cam v3 also has a siren button you can press to scare off unwanted guests.
  • 24/7 Continuous Recording: Continuous video recording with a 32GB MicroSD card (sold separately). Just insert the MicroSD into the base of the Wyze Cam and you’re all set.
SaleBestseller No. 6
WYZE Battery Spotlight Cam 2K — Radar Motion Detection, Two-Way Audio, Dual-Band Wi-Fi, Works with...
  • 2K Full HD with Color Night Vision - Clear and detailed footage that captures every important moment, day or night.
  • Two-Way Audio - Communicate with anyone on the other end of the camera, whether it's to say hello to your pets or warn an intruder that the authorities are on their way.
  • Radar and PIR Powered Accurate Motion Notifications - Receive precise detection that filters out false alarms and ensures you receive alerts when it matters most.
  • Integrated Spotlight and Siren - An extra layer of security, illuminating dark areas and warning intruders with a powerful siren.
  • Removable, Rechargeable Battery - Never miss a moment of footage, allowing you to easily charge and swap out batteries as needed.
SaleBestseller No. 7
WYZE Cam v3 1080P Wired Indoor/Outdoor Home Security Camera for Pet Baby Dogs & Cats Nanny Elderly...
  • Motion & Sound Detection: Wyze Cam sends an alert to your phone when baby is crying. 24/7 Continuous video recording with a 32GB MicroSD card (sold separately) lets you monitor your home security throughout the night easily.
  • Indoor/Outdoor: Wyze Cam is a wired video camera with an IP65 rating so you can confidently install it outside in the rain or inside in the baby room. (Only work with 2.4GHz WiFi)
  • 2-Way Talk: Wyze Cam now comes with simultaneous 2-way communication. Let your baby hear the sound of your voice no matter where you are.
  • Color Night Vision: An all-new Starlight Sensor records night time video in full, vivid color. The Starlight Sensor can see full color in environments up to 25x darker than traditional video cameras and the new f/1.6 aperture captures 2x more light.
  • Works with Alexa and Google Assistant: Use your voice to view Wyze Cam's live stream on any Alexa or Google Assistant device with a screen. You can say things like “Alexa, show me the living room” or “Ok Google, show the baby' room.”
Bestseller No. 8
WYZE Floodlight Camera Pro, 3000-Lumen LEDs, 180° Wide View, 2K HD Outdoor Security Camera, Motion...
  • 180° Panoramic Camera View: Get complete property coverage with a leading 180° field-of-view. See everything in an instant, with no delays or blind spots
  • 2K HD Resolution with Color Night Vision: Capture and stream video in stunning 2K HD clarity, even in vibrant color at night
  • Transform Night into Day with 3 Adjustable Light Panels: Our 3000-lumen super-bright LED floodlights activate on motion, keeping intruders at bay and capturing full-color details, even in the dark
  • Smart Motion-Activated Light Control: Wyze Cam Floodlight Pro uses advanced AI computer vision for precise motion detection. It activates lights on AI motion types you select, like people and vehicles, and sends instant notifications to your phone.
  • Customizable Motion Zones: Fine-tune the areas you want to focus on in the Wyze app for motion-activated light and event recording.
Bestseller No. 9
WYZE Cam Pan v2 1080p Pan/Tilt/Zoom Indoor Baby Monitoring Camera with Color Night Vision, Motion...
  • Pan/Tilt/Zoom: Follow the action wherever it goes with 360° of horizontal coverage and 93° vertical range. Set the camera’s patrol route with up to 4 custom waypoints.
  • 1080P Color Night Vision: Wyze Cam is equipped with a Starlight sensor that allows the camera to see color in extremely low light conditions.
  • Two-Way Audio & Mini-Siren: Talk to your pet/baby/kid/parent from anywhere. Press the siren button in the Wyze app to scare off unwanted guests.
  • Works with Alexa and Google Assistant: Use your voice to view Wyze Cam's live stream on any Alexa or Google Assistant device with a screen. You can say things like “Alexa, show me the living room” or “Google, show me the baby room.”
  • 24/7 Continuous Recording: MicroSD card slot for 24/7 continuous recording and time lapse. Take stunning time-lapse videos over long periods of time. Requires a Wyze micro SD card (sold separately).
Bestseller No. 10
1,139 Reviews
WyzeCam 360 Degree Wi-fi Pet Camera 1080P Pan/Tilt Indoor Plug-in Home Security Camera for Baby Kids...
  • 1080P Color Night Vision: Wyze Cam is equipped with a Starlight sensor that allows the camera to see color in extremely low light conditions.
  • Pan/Tilt/Zoom: Follow the action wherever it goes with 360° of horizontal coverage and 93° vertical range. Set the camera’s patrol route with up to 4 custom waypoints.
  • Two-Way Audio & Mini-Siren: Talk to your pet/baby/kid/parent from anywhere. Press the siren button in the Wyze app to scare off unwanted guests.
  • 24/7 Continuous Recording: MicroSD card slot for 24/7 continuous recording and time lapse. Take stunning time-lapse videos over long periods of time. Requires a Wyze micro SD card (sold separately).
  • Works with Alexa and Google Assistant: Use your voice to view Wyze Cam's live stream on any Alexa or Google Assistant device with a screen. You can say things like “Alexa, show me the living room” or “Google, show me the baby room.”

Last update on 2024-04-12

Lance Ulanoff is a renowned tech journalist, commentator, and on-air expert with over 36 years of experience. He has held esteemed positions including Editor in Chief of Lifewire and Mashable, where he delved into the impact of technology on daily life. Lance's expertise has been featured on major news programs globally, and he has made appearances on Fox News, CNBC, and the BBC.