Since its release in 2020, the Wyze Cam Outdoor has become one of the most highly-rated home security cameras. After all, it’s an affordable device with an impressive feature set specially designed for outdoor use. However, the introduction of the Wyze Cam V3, which was released later in 2020, offered competition within the Wyze Labs lineup.
Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, the Wyze Cam V3 could also operate without a base station. Plus, it’s a couple of dollars cheaper. Is the Cam Outdoor still worth getting? Or does the Cam V3’s budget-friendly price cut corners? Dive below to view our comparison of these Wyze home security cameras.
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Wyze Cam Outdoor vs Wyze Cam V3 Comparison Chart
| Model | Wyze Cam Outdoor Starter Bundle | Wyze Cam V3 |
 |  | |
| Price | Check Price at Amazon | Check Price at Amazon |
| Installation | Outdoor | Indoor/outdoor |
| Resolution | 1080p | 1080p |
| Frame Rate | 20 fps (daytime) 10 fps (night) | 20 fps |
| Field of View | 110º | 130º diagonal |
| Zoom | 8x digital zoom | — |
| Two-Way Audio | Yes | Yes |
| Night Vision | Yes | Yes, colored |
| Requires Base Station | Yes | No |
| Local Storage | Yes | Yes |
| Siren | No | Yes |
| Voice Assistant | Alexa, Google Assistant | Alexa, Google Assistant |
| Power | Battery-powered | Wired |
| Dimensions (LxWxD) | 2.3″ x 2.3″ x 2.8″ | 2.04″ x 2″ x 2.3″ |
| Weight | 9.8 ounces | < 3.48 ounces |
Design
Wyze’s Cam Outdoor and Cam V3 are compact, all-weather home security cameras.
Like most Wyze Lab cameras, the Wyze Cam Outdoor and Wyze Cam V3 are cube-shaped devices. However, the wireless Cam Outdoor looks more like the indoor Wyze Cam Black, with its sharp edges and round camera panel. It also needs a base station to work. In contrast, the wired Cam V3 — which works indoors and outdoors — has rounded corners and a camera centered inside a black, square panel. Unlike the Cam Outdoor, it can work on its own.
The Cam V3 is the lighter of the two security cameras, weighing in just under 3.48 ounces. It’s slightly smaller than the Cam Outdoor, too, although the difference is negligible once both are installed. Wyze also shares that these devices come with an IP65 weather-resistance rating. Nonetheless, the Cam Outdoor works at a broader temperature range of -4℉ – 120℉. The V3, on the other hand, operates within -5°F – 113°F.
Since it’s a wireless device, the Cam Outdoor comes with a removable magnetic mount base. This makes it easier to unmount the camera for charging. The Cam V3 also has a magnet on its base while also supporting screw mounting. Wyze includes all the installation tools and kits in the box.
Camera and Audio
Wyze’s Cam V3 boasts color low-light vision while the Cam Outdoor settles for black-and-white infrared night vision.
The Wyze Cam Outdoor and Cam V3 both record at 1080p. With the Cam Outdoor, video delivery is at 20fps during daytime and 15fps at night. On the Cam V3, you get 20fps all the way — an upgrade over the Cam V2’s 15fps. The Cam V3 also enjoys a wider 130º diagonal field of view (FOV) compared with the Cam Outdoor’s 110º FOV.
When it comes to night vision, the Cam V3 edges out the Cam Outdoor. Wyze’s indoor/outdoor camera uses a Starlight sensor for improved low-light performance. This means even without turning on Night Vision, you get clear, color images using only minimal lighting. On the Cam Outdoor, you’re settling for black-and-white infrared night vision.
You can still opt for a similar infrared night vision on the Cam V3. However, the Cam Outdoor has the advantage here, especially in range. Wyze’s Cam Outdoor is equipped with 8 infrared LEDs that illuminate an area up to 25 feet away. If you opt for the Cam V3, you’re only getting 4 infrared LEDs.
Now, both the Wyze Cam Outdoor and Cam V3 support two-way audio. You get a built-in microphone and speaker on these cameras. Real-time video communication is also possible courtesy of the Wyze app.
Motion Detection
The Wyze Cam Outdoor has a more accurate motion detection sensor compared with the Wyze Cam V3. However, the Cam V3 does come with a built-in siren.
Wyze’s Cam Outdoor and Cam V3 are equipped with a couple of security features. Perhaps their biggest draw, however, is motion detection. This provides motion-triggered alerts directly to your paired smartphone. On the Cam V3, Wyze looks for pixel changes to detect objects moving. If you opt for the Cam Outdoor, you’re getting a more advanced PIR (Passive Infrared) motion sensor.
With the PIR, Wyze’s Cam Outdoor can detect anything that emits heat — animals and people included. This minimizes false alerts from other moving objects like cars, for instance. But if you want more accurate alerts, you will need to subscribe to Wyze Cam Plus for Person Detection. It’s a feature that notifies you only when human motion is detected.
Several recording features for the Cam Outdoor and Cam V3 are behind the subscription paywall. Back-to-back event recordings during motion-triggered events are available only with the Wyze Cam Plus. Vehicle and pet detection are exclusive to the plan. Fortunately, Wyze allows you to set custom detection zones for free.
If the Cam V3 has an advantage, it’s the built-in siren. At 80 decibels, this audio alert is loud enough to be heard across your home while warding off intruders.
Power and Other Features
Both the Wyze Cam Outdoor and Cam V3 enjoy local storage and support voice assistants.
One of the defining features of the Wyze Cam Outdoor is that it’s wireless. The camera uses two 2,600 mAh rechargeable batteries that last for 3 to 6 months. Meanwhile, the wired Cam V3 comes with an indoor 5v/1A power adaptor and a 6-feet USB cable. You can also install the camera outside, but the outdoor power adapter is sold separately.
Both devices come with free, rolling 14-day cloud storage, too. This saves 12-second clips from motion-activated events. While both cameras have a MicroSD slot, only the wired Cam V3 supports continuous recording to the card.
Like many of today’s smart devices, the Cam Outdoor and Cam V3 enjoy smart features. Both Wyze cameras work with Alexa and Google Assistant. While they’re not compatible with Apple’s HomeKit, the Cam Outdoor and V3 can integrate with other smart home devices with IFTTT.
Click here to read our Wyze Cam Outdoor vs Blink Outdoor comparison.
Verdict
Although the Wyze Cam V3 is a more capable camera, the Wyze Cam Outdoor has the edge for outdoor installation and use.
Choosing between the Wyze Cam Outdoor and Wyze Cam V3 comes down to your needs. Living up to its name, the Cam Outdoor is the best camera to get if you’re installing outside your home. Because it’s wireless, you have more room to mount the camera, too. In addition, the Cam Outdoor boasts a more accurate motion-detection system — ideal for monitoring the outside. Do keep in mind the camera requires a base station to work, which adds to the cost.
However, if you want a versatile indoor and outdoor camera, the Wyze Cam V3 makes a strong case for itself. Compared to the Cam Outdoor, the Cam V3 is more compact and more affordable. It’s also weather-resistant and easy to install. The Cam V3’s strengths include color night vision and a built-in siren. Since it’s also hardwired, you can continuously record clips for up to 24 hours. If these are features you will need, then the Cam V3 is more suitable for your home.
FAQs
Yes, the Wyze Cam Outdoor bundle is worth it. Since the base station is required to operate the Cam Outdoor, getting this package is better. Plus, you can connect additional Cam Outdoor cameras to the base station.
You can connect up to four Wyze Outdoor cameras to the base station.
No, the Wyze Cam Outdoor does not have a built-in siren.
The Wyze Cam V3 does not have motion tracking. This feature is currently limited to the Wyze Cam Pan lineup.