Summary
Both Wyze Cam v3 and EzViz C1C have a MicroSD card slot that allows for free continuous recording. Wyze Cam also records 12 second clips for free, and has a premium subscription (Wyze Cam Plus) for less than $2/month. EzViz C1C doesn’t offer any free cloud storage, and the premium subscription costs almost $6/month.
EzViz has better video quality, but is a less reliable brand overall. And the Wyze app performed better in our testing.
If you plan to use your camera with an SD card only, I give the slight edge to the EzViz C1C. If you plan on using cloud storage, the Wyze Cam v3 is a better choice. EzViz’s subscription service is just too expensive.
Subscription & Free Plan Options
Wyze’s subscription plan has an MSRP of $24/year, but it often goes on sale. This plan provides for unlimited cloud recordings. And there is no 5 minute “cooldown period” like the free version has. The free version of the plan only offers 12 second clips, and the cooldown period limits the usefulness.
EzViz C1C offers a subscription service (CloudPlay) for $5.99/month for one camera, or $8.99/month for up to four cameras. This rate is discounted slightly if you sign up for an annual subscription. And all EzViz devices come with a free 30 day trial of the CloudPlay subscription. Unlike Wyze, though, EzViz offers no free plan. So you will need to choose between local storage on a microSD card or the $5.99/month EzViz CloudPlay plan.
Wyze supports microSD cards up to 32 GB, while EzViz C1C supports microSD cards up to 256 GB.
Software & Support
Both the Wyze and EzViz will start recording when motion is detected. In our testing, each device had a significant lag, and also missed some motion. But you have to remember that neither of these are premium, top-of-the-line products. When you factor in the budget price, the software on both Wyze and EzViz is pretty phenomenal.
We like the adjustable sensitivity settings on both devices, and were generally impressed with the way they performed.
Both Wyze and EzViz cameras are controlled through proprietary apps, rather than web interfaces. Both apps are nicely designed, and easy to find the important information. Wyze’s app had fewer issues during our testing, and operated smoother throughout. While I actually prefer the layout and design of the EzViz app, I experienced some periodic crashes while using the app.
In addition to the more reliable app, Wyze also scores higher for customer service. This is not a knock on EzViz, but rather just a compliment toward Wyze. The Wyze brand is very strong (again, especially considering the low price tag), and the company’s reputation for reliability is great. EzViz is more of an unknown, so if you have to trust one company over the other, I would take my chances with Wyze.
Additionally, Wyze v3 is backed by a 2 year warranty, while EzViz C1C only has a 1 year warranty.
Wyze works with Google Assistant, Alexa, IFTTT, and Chromecast. EzViz works with Google Assistant and Alexa. Neither device works with Apple’s HomeKit.
Wyze v3 and EzViz C1C both only work on 2.4 GHz WiFi. I won’t do the snobby tech reviewer thing where I complain about “smart” devices available in 2021 that aren’t compatible with 5 GHz WiFi.
Hardware
Both devices require a power cable, and don’t have a battery backup. So, a loss of power means your system is offline.
Wyze and EzViz both have decent build quality considering the budget price. EzViz has a more sleek design, but Wyze scores points for the easily adjustable stand. Wyze’s stand gives more freedom of movement, whereas EzViz only has a 90 degree swivel in one direction.
Wyze has an IP65 rating, so it can withstand dust and water. This is a nice feature, but not especially important for an indoor camera. EzViz has an uncovered SD card slot on the bottom of the device, so it really shouldn’t be exposed to any water or significant dust. If you have a need for a security camera that may be exposed to the elements, definitely choose Wyze over EzViz.
Video & Audio Quality
Both the Wyze Cam v3 and the EzViz C1C record in 1080p resolution and provide a 130-degree field of view. EzViz has clearer video quality than Wyze, but the gap between the two is closing since Wyze released the v3. Considering the price, I was impressed with the video quality on both products.
When hearing the audio, it is obvious that these are budget cameras. First, the sound quality is just not good. And second, as is the case with many budget security cameras, there is a major lag with the audio. So, even though both devices advertise two-way communication, this feature will be frustrating and unreliable. In our testing, the lag was similar for both devices. To my ear, the EzViz audio is worse.
EzViz C1C has night vision that is surprisingly clear. Wyze Cam v3 has better night vision than previous models, but still isn’t perfect. Overall, EzViz scored higher for night recording.
Final Thoughts
For budget indoor cameras, both Wyze Cam v3 and EzViz C1C are great options. If you value privacy and are willing to forego cloud storage, purchasing a 32 GB MicroSD card will save you a lot of money compared to purchasing the subscription plan. While neither has best-in-class picture or audio quality, they both have solid apps and no major drawbacks.
