Wyze Cam v4 Review: 2.5K Security on a Shoestring Budget

Opening the Wyze Cam v4 box is a familiar experience for anyone who's used their products before. It's minimalist and no-frills. Inside, you get the camera itself—a compact white cube that's nearly identical to its predecessors—a 6-foot USB-A to USB-C cable, a USB power adapter, a mounting plate with adhesive tape, and a screw kit. The inclusion of a power adapter is a welcome touch, as many companies are leaving them out to cut costs.

The camera feels lightweight yet solid. The base has a strong magnetic pull, which is fantastic for slapping it onto a metal surface like a refrigerator or a steel door frame. The hinge mechanism allows for a wide range of tilting and swiveling, making it easy to get the perfect angle. The biggest physical change from the v3 is the move to USB-C for power, a modern convenience that's long overdue.

Wyze has perfected the art of a simple setup process, and the v4 is no exception. If you're new to the smart home world, this is exactly the kind of frustration-free experience you want.

Here’s how it went for me:

1. Download the Wyze App: If you don't already have it, you'll need the Wyze app for iOS or Android.
2. Add a New Device: In the app, you tap the plus sign and select the Wyze Cam v4 from the list.
3. Power Up and Connect: You plug the camera in. A voice prompt from the camera itself tells you it's ready for setup. You then press the 'Setup' button on the bottom of the camera until it beeps.
4. Scan the QR Code: The app generates a QR code on your phone's screen. You simply hold your phone up to the camera lens, and it scans the code in a matter of seconds. A voice prompt confirms, "QR code scanned, please wait."

From unboxing to having a live video feed on my phone, the entire process took less than five minutes. It's genuinely that simple. For physical installation, you have options. The magnetic base is incredibly convenient for quick placement indoors. For a more permanent solution, especially outdoors, the included mounting plate and screw kit are straightforward. The 6-foot cable provides decent flexibility, but if you're mounting it far from an outlet, you might need to purchase a longer USB-C cable or the Wyze Outdoor Power Adapter v2 for a weatherproof connection.

The Wyze Cam v4 retains the classic cube design—it's discreet and blends into most environments. What makes it so versatile is its IP65 weather resistance rating. This means it's protected from dust ingress and low-pressure water jets from any direction. In practical terms, it's perfectly suitable for outdoor use under an eave or on a porch where it won't be submerged or hit with a pressure washer.

I mounted one on my covered front porch, and it has endured several rainstorms and a particularly humid week without any issues. While I might hesitate to place it in a completely exposed area with zero cover, its durability for most residential outdoor scenarios is impressive for its price point. Indoors, it's a no-brainer. Its small footprint means you can tuck it away on a bookshelf, in a corner, or even mount it to the ceiling to monitor a room or a pet.

This is where the Wyze Cam v4 truly separates itself from its predecessors and most of the budget competition. The jump from 1080p to 2.5K QHD (2560x1440) resolution is immediately noticeable.

Daytime Image Quality

During the day, the video feed is crisp, clear, and vibrant. The extra resolution isn't just a number on a spec sheet; it translates to real-world benefits. I could easily make out details on package labels left on my porch from a significant distance. Faces are much clearer, and you have a much better chance of reading a license plate on a car in your driveway. The wide 116° field of view captures a good chunk of the scene without significant fish-eye distortion. For a sub-$40 camera, the daytime video quality is nothing short of phenomenal and rivals cameras that cost three times as much.

Color Night Vision and the Spotlight

Wyze's color night vision was a game-changer with the v3, and it's even better on the v4 thanks to the improved sensor. In low-light conditions, where other cameras would switch to a grainy black-and-white infrared (IR) view, the v4 can often maintain a full-color image. This is incredibly useful for identifying the color of a car or a person's clothing at night.

When it gets really dark, you have two options. You can use the standard IR LEDs for a clear black-and-white picture, or you can activate the built-in spotlight. This small but surprisingly bright LED light illuminates the scene upon detecting motion. This not only provides a bright, full-color video feed but also acts as a powerful deterrent. A potential intruder suddenly bathed in light is more likely to think twice. In my testing, the spotlight was bright enough to light up my entire front porch area, making nighttime recordings incredibly clear.

Motion Detection and Two-Way Audio

Out of the box, the Wyze Cam v4 offers basic motion detection and sound detection. You can adjust the sensitivity and set detection zones to reduce false alerts from swaying trees or passing cars. The alerts arrived on my phone within a few seconds of the event.

However, the real power of the detection system is unlocked with a Cam Plus subscription, which we'll discuss in detail later. This enables AI detection for people, pets, vehicles, and packages, dramatically increasing the accuracy of your notifications.

The two-way audio works as advertised. The microphone is sensitive enough to pick up conversations happening at a normal volume, and the speaker is loud enough to be heard clearly. It's not hi-fi audio, but it’s more than adequate for a quick chat with a delivery driver or for using the manual siren to scare away a raccoon.

This is a topic that must be addressed head-on. Wyze has faced public security incidents in the past, which rightfully caused concern among users. It's a critical consideration when you're placing a camera in or around your home.

So, is it secure now? Wyze has taken significant and necessary steps to improve its security posture. Two-factor authentication (2FA) is now mandatory during setup, which is a huge step in preventing unauthorized account access. They have also rolled out support for end-to-end encryption on some devices, though it's an opt-in feature you must enable.

My take is this: No IoT device is 100% impenetrable. Wyze's past stumbles are a valid reason for caution. However, their recent actions show a commitment to improving. By enabling 2FA, using a strong, unique password for your Wyze account, and keeping the camera's firmware updated, you can significantly mitigate the risks. For general-purpose monitoring of a porch, backyard, or living room, I feel comfortable using it with these precautions in place. If you plan to place a camera in a highly sensitive area, like a child's bedroom, you may want to consider a brand with a longer, unblemished security track record, which will inevitably come with a higher price tag.

You can use the Wyze Cam v4 without any subscription, but you'll be missing out on its best features.

What You Get for Free

Without a subscription, the Wyze Cam v4 will record a 12-second video clip when it detects motion and upload it to the cloud. You can view these clips for 14 days. The major limitation is a five-minute "cooldown" period between these recorded events. This means if someone walks up to your porch, and then another person walks up two minutes later, the second event won't be recorded to the cloud. You also get snapshots instead of video for notifications. You can get around this by inserting a microSD card (up to 256GB supported) for continuous or event-only local recording, but you still won't get the smart AI features.

Is Wyze Cam Plus Worth It?

In my opinion, for almost everyone, the answer is a resounding yes. The Cam Plus subscription is what elevates the Wyze Cam v4 from a good gadget to a genuinely powerful security tool. Here’s what it unlocks:

• Unlimited Cloud Recording: The 12-second limit is gone. The camera records the entire motion event and stores it in the cloud.
• No Cooldown Period: The camera can record back-to-back events immediately.
• Smart AI Detection: This is the killer feature. You can choose to be notified only for specific things, like a person or a package, while ignoring pets or passing cars. This drastically reduces notification fatigue.
• Web View: You can view your camera's live stream and events from a web browser on a computer, not just your phone.

At just a few dollars a month per camera (with discounts for annual or multi-camera plans), the subscription cost is extremely reasonable. It fundamentally changes the user experience. Without it, you have a camera that might miss crucial events. With it, you have a smart, reliable security monitor.

The Budget-Conscious Beginner

If you're just starting to build a smart home and want to add security without breaking the bank, this is the camera to buy. Period. Its combination of price, performance, and ease of use is unmatched. It’s an easy, low-risk entry point into home monitoring.

The Existing Wyze User

If you're using a Wyze Cam v2 or v3, the upgrade is absolutely worth it. The jump to 2.5K resolution provides a tangible improvement in video clarity, and the performance of the spotlight and color night vision feels more refined. The move to USB-C is also a nice quality-of-life improvement.

Who Should Look Elsewhere?

Despite its strengths, the Wyze Cam v4 isn't for everyone. If you are deeply committed to the Apple HomeKit ecosystem, you'll need to look at other brands, as Wyze's HomeKit support is nonexistent. Additionally, if you require a camera with 24/7 continuous recording to the cloud or are absolutely unwilling to pay for a subscription to unlock core features, you might find the Wyze model frustrating. Finally, if Wyze's security history is a deal-breaker for you, brands like Arlo, Eufy, or Google Nest offer alternatives, albeit at a significantly higher cost.

After thoroughly testing the Wyze Cam v4, I can confidently say that Wyze has done it again. They have delivered a product that punches so far above its price class it's almost absurd. The 2.5K QHD video quality is excellent, the color night vision is genuinely useful, and the flexibility of its indoor/outdoor design makes it incredibly versatile.

Yes, to get the most out of it, you need a Cam Plus subscription. But even when you factor in that low monthly cost, the total investment is still far below most of the competition. While the concerns about security are valid and should be considered, the mandatory 2FA and other improvements make it a much more robust product than its predecessors.

For the vast majority of people looking for effective, affordable, and easy-to-use home security, the Wyze Cam v4 isn't just a good choice—it's the best choice. It's the new king of budget security cameras.