Recommended Lightbulb Cameras

If you just want a camera and not a lightbulb replacement, the AlkiVision is by far the best option. It finished first in picture quality, it had the 2nd fastest notifications with included thumbnail images, and it has free person detection filtering. It uses the VicoHome app which is decently easy to use and makes finding and downloading clips relatively painless, and it’s only $15.99, though like all the cameras in this video you’ll also need to buy a microSD card separately.

If you’re looking for something with a slightly better app and a more powerful light bulb, the Lorex was also very good with decent image quality, good light output, and a full featured app that doesn’t require a subscription but seems a bit overpriced at $70.

Speaking of overpriced, the Wyze bulb is cool, and I especially like the ultra-wide field of view and the ability to buy companion bulbs, but I can’t help but think Wyze has lost their way as a company. They used to make decent quality affordable cameras with local access and no subscription. Then they said the only way they could keep selling cheap cameras and stay in business was to charge a monthly fee, but now almost all of their cameras are at higher price points, but they still make them basically worthless if you don’t pay the $3 per month subscription. They’ve also completely abandoned the idea of local access, which I can’t get behind.

Speaking of overpriced, the Wyze bulb is cool, and I especially like the ultra-wide field of view and the ability to buy companion bulbs, but I can’t help but think Wyze has lost their way as a company. They used to make decent quality affordable cameras with local access and no subscription. Then they said the only way they could keep selling cheap cameras and stay in business was to charge a monthly fee, but now almost all of their cameras are at higher price points, but they still make them basically worthless if you don’t pay the $3 per month subscription. They’ve also completely abandoned the idea of local access, which I can’t get behind.