Wyze Cam v3 vs v4: Which Budget Camera Should You Buy?
Wyze offers the cheapest name-brand security cameras. The v3 has been around for years; the v4 is the latest update.
Is the upgrade worth it?
For cameras without monthly fees, see our guide to Best
No-Subscription Security Cameras.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Wyze Cam v3 | Wyze Cam v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $20-25 | $35 |
| Resolution | 1080p | 2.5K (2560×1440) |
| Field of View | 130° | 130° |
| Color Night Vision | Yes | Yes (improved) |
| Local Storage | MicroSD | MicroSD |
| Weather Rating | IP65 | IP65 |
Wyze Cam v3: Still the Budget King
At $20-25, the v3 is the best value in security cameras. It works outdoors, records to SD card, and has surprisingly
good night vision for the price.
- Resolution: 1080p
- Storage: MicroSD (up to 256GB)
- Power: USB (wired)
- Subscription: Optional ($2/mo for person detection)
Pros
- Incredibly affordable ($20-25)
- Works indoors and outdoors
- Local SD card storage
- Proven reliability over years
Cons
- Only 1080p resolution
- USB power only (no battery option)
- Basic features without subscription
Wyze Cam v4: Better Specs, Higher Price
The v4 upgrades resolution to 2.5K and improves night vision. But at $35, it’s 40% more expensive.
- Resolution: 2.5K (2560×1440)
- Storage: MicroSD (up to 256GB)
- Power: USB (wired)
- Subscription: Optional ($2/mo for person detection)
Pros
- Higher 2.5K resolution
- Improved color night vision
- Better low-light performance
- Latest hardware
Cons
- 40% more expensive than v3
- Still no battery option
- Marginal improvement for most uses
Is the Upgrade Worth It?
The v4’s 2.5K resolution is sharper than the v3’s 1080p—you’ll see more detail in faces and license plates. The
improved night vision also makes a real difference in low-light conditions.
But here’s the math:
- v3 price: $25
- v4 price: $35
- Difference: $10 (40% more)
For a single camera, $10 is nothing. For a 5-camera setup, it’s $50. If budget matters, v3 is still excellent.
Subscription Question
Both cameras work without a subscription—you can record to SD card and view live feeds free. But Wyze Cam Plus ($2/mo
or $20/year) adds:
- Person detection (less false alerts)
- Cloud storage
- Full-length event recording
Without the subscription, you get 12-second event clips only. SD card continuous recording doesn’t require
subscription.
Wyze vs Eufy/Reolink
| Feature | Wyze v4 | Eufy Solo | Reolink Argus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $35 | $100 | $100 |
| Resolution | 2.5K | 2K | 2K |
| Power | Wired only | Battery | Battery/Solar |
| Subscription | Optional | Free | Free |
Wyze wins on price. Eufy and Reolink win on wireless flexibility and fully-free AI features.
Which Should You Buy?
| Your Priority | Best Choice |
|---|---|
| Absolute lowest cost | Wyze Cam v3 |
| Better resolution, $10 more | Wyze Cam v4 |
| Multi-camera budget setup | Wyze Cam v3 (save $10 each) |
| Need wireless/battery | Eufy or Reolink instead |
Verdict
Buy v3 if: You want the absolute cheapest functional security camera. At $20-25, nothing compares.
Buy v4 if: You want better resolution and night vision. The $10 premium is worth it for most
single-camera setups.
Skip Wyze if: You need wireless/battery cameras. Wyze is wired-only. Look at Eufy or Reolink for
wireless.
For more options, see: Best No-Subscription Security Cameras.