Skip to main content

Abode launches a $30 security camera to rival the Wyze Cam V3

One of the primary obstacles people encounter with DIY home security systems is the steep cost of equipment. High-end cameras regularly cost $150 or more per device, which makes it difficult to fully outfit your entire home without breaking the bank. Abode is offerung a solution to this problem with the Abode Cam 2, a small home security camera fully loaded with all the features you need. And you know what? It looks an awful like the Wyze Cam V3.

The Abode Cam 2 is available for pre-order starting today for just $30. This price includes the camera itself, as well as support for 24/7 video recording and individual event tracking.

This camera finds the balance between being a stand-alone device for use in a small studio apartment or asone part of a security system for a larger home. Abode users can view live video, receive alerts when motion or a person is detected, and record to the cloud with the Abode Standard or Pro plans. If you’re already an Abode customer and you want to add the Abode Cam 2 to your security system, it will seamlessly integrate with your existing devices and automatically upload video clips and recordings into the timeline.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Abode Cam 2 has 1080p resolution and an IP65 rating that allows it to stand up to most anything nature will throw its way. It features a built-in Starlight sensor for full-color night vision and is one of the least expensive devices to offer this feature.

Out of the box, the Abode Cam 2 features support for both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing users to display their camera on the Amazon Echo Show or Google Nest Hub. It also works with CUE, the automation engine that powers Abode devices, to define and trigger smart home and security scenes.

The Abode Cam 2 also has two-way audio for those times when you need to speak to a delivery person or tell your dog to get off the couch. It’s a fully featured camera at a budget price.

The Abode Cam 2 is expected to begin shipping in April with an MSRP of $35. If you’re interested in picking one up for yourself, the pre-order price will shave $5 off the final cost.

Editors' Recommendations

Patrick Hearn
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Patrick Hearn writes about smart home technology like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, smart light bulbs, and more. If it's a…
Roku is now in the home security business
The Roku Home Monitoring System SE starter pack.

Roku — a leader in streaming video that recently added cameras, lights, and even doorbells to its repertoire thanks to a partnership with Wyze — is now a full-fledged home security provider. The company today announced the Roku Home Monitoring System SE, which includes a hub with a built-in siren, a wireless keypad, a motion sensor, and two entry sensors.

That starter pack was developed in partnership with Wyze and costs $99. You'll also have the option for professional monitoring, which "offers immediate response from live U.S.-based agents when an alarm is triggered," for $10 a month $100 a year. (If you sign up for the annual option Roku says you'll get it at half price.

Read more
Ring’s new indoor camera features a built-in privacy shutter
The Ring Indoor Cam mounted on a wall.

Ring is launching a new Ring Indoor Cam on May 24, and it’ll be the first indoor camera in its catalog to include a privacy shutter. The shutter allows you to turn off both the camera and microphone, and it can be easily removed if you don’t need the additional privacy features.

The shutter can’t, however, be remotely activated. This means you’ll need to manually swivel the privacy shutter in front of the camera when you want to use it, then swivel it out of the way when you want to start recording again. Still, as the first Ring Indoor Cam to offer the feature, it’s definitely a step in the right direction.

Read more
During spring cleaning, don’t forget smart home security
A physical lock placed on a keyboard to represent a locked keyboard.

With warmer weather sweeping across the nation, folks around the country are using spring as a time to clean their homes and declutter all the junk they’ve accumulated during the dark, dreary winter months. And while organizing your home is a great way to ring in the spring, consider taking a few minutes to perform a bit of smart home spring cleaning, too.

From upgrading your gadgets and changing your passwords to enabling two-factor authentication and performing software updates, here are a few ways to expand your spring cleaning chores to your smart home.

Read more