Installing a security camera should not have to become a home improvement project. Running power outside can be a hassle, and battery-powered cameras add another device to your charging routine. Wyze’s latest camera takes a different approach by getting its power from a light socket you already have.
Announced today, the Wyze Bulb Cam Pan Color combines a 2.5K pan-and-tilt security camera with a full-color smart light for $99.98. It screws into a standard E26 socket, giving you a camera and up to 1100 lumens of illumination without running new wiring or drilling mounting holes. Wyze says installation takes about a minute, with Bluetooth pairing handled through its app.
That sounds convenient, especially for a porch or garage with an existing light fixture. There is an obvious catch, though: the socket needs to stay powered for the camera to work. Wyze includes a switch cover to help prevent someone from accidentally turning off your security camera while trying to turn off the light.
The camera offers 360-degree pan and 180-degree tilt, with automatic tracking that follows people, pets, and vehicles. You can also control its view through the Wyze app or save custom waypoints for areas you regularly check. Those could be useful for switching between a driveway and front walkway without manually steering the camera each time.
Thankfully, Wyze includes AI tracking without requiring a subscription. That does not mean every AI feature is free, however. AI notifications and cloud event storage require Cam Plus, so buyers should understand what is included before assuming the purchase price covers everything.
Local recording is available without a subscription, including continuous recording to a microSD card with a capacity of up to 512GB. The card is sold separately, but having that option is welcome. I like seeing a security camera offer a practical way to record footage without adding another recurring bill.
The lighting controls go beyond simply switching on when something moves. The bulb supports 16 million colors and adjustable white light from a warm 1800K to a cooler 6500K. Separate Ambient Light and Motion Light modes each have their own schedules, colors, and brightness settings.
That means you could keep a softer light on during the evening and have it brighten when motion is detected. You can also link other Wyze Color Bulbs to synchronize colors and schedules, even when those bulbs are on different switches.
Physical fit will deserve some attention before buying. An E26 socket supplies power, but the camera still needs an unobstructed view. Wyze uses a telescopic design that lets the lens extend below deeper fixture edges and lampshades, which should help with some installations. I would still check the fixture’s clearance and placement before assuming it will make a useful camera location.
There is a privacy mode, too. When activated, the lens rotates into the housing and audio recording stops. Wyze says the camera returns to its previous position when you turn it back on. Other features include color night vision, dual-band Wi-Fi 6, and support for Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and IFTTT.
On paper, the combination of socket power, adjustable lighting, and subscription-free local recording makes sense. Whether it belongs on your porch will depend on how well that existing light fixture positions the camera, and actual testing will need to establish how well the video and tracking perform.
The Wyze Bulb Cam Pan Color launches at $99.98. You can find it on Amazon here.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, NERDS.xyz earns from qualifying purchases.
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