For many people, pets are an absolute joy and treasured family members. Now that many workers are returning to the office, some have a need for a pet camera so that they can check in on their fur babies during their absence. Our list of the top five best pet cameras offers a wide gamut of options to monitor pets while away from home.
Forget about destined star-crossed lovers — over half of Americans agree their soulmate is their pet. A poll of 2,000 U.S. pet owners revealed that 53 percent believe their pet knows them better than anyone else in their life, including their best friends, family members or even their significant others.
Nearly half (45%) tell all their deepest secrets to their pets and 72 percent swear their pet can tell exactly what they’re feeling at any point in time. According to respondents, pets can pick up when you feel upset (71%), when someone is outside the home (66%), when you feel happy (61%), when you feel angry (58%) and when you feel tired (43%). These statistics seem to illustrate why some people want to be able to check in on their pets when away from home.
How obsessed are Americans with their pets? Enough that half are open to getting a tattoo of their beloved cat or dog, according to a new survey. The study of 2,000 cat and dog owners found that 25 percent would consider getting a tattoo of their current pet — while 25 percent are already planning to get one. Another 16 percent of those polled already have a pet-themed tattoo on their body. But permanent ink’s not the only way to immortalize a furry friend, the data also revealed. Forty-two percent of respondents own at least one item depicting an animal that resembles their pet, and 44 percent own something with an actual picture of their specific pet printed on it – most commonly clothing (21%).
If you can’t bear to spend your workday without peaking at your furry friends at home, the best pet cameras will ease your worries. Pet cams can help anxious pet parents keep an eye on the house and check in from time-to-time to make sure there’s no mischief afoot. Let us know your favorite devices in the comments below!
The List: Best Pet Cameras, According to Experts
1. Furbo 360 Dog Camera
Furbo 360 is one of those rare items that is lauded by nearly all our sources. The Furbo 360 is easily the most recommended item on our list, but it does require a subscription for full functionality. NBC Select details that, “This iOS– and Android-compatible dog camera can store up to 100 treats that you can throw via your smartphone. It gets its ‘360’ name from the rotating base that lets you scan the room for your pet and take photos or videos. Two-way communication also lets you speak through the speaker, and listen back with an embedded microphone. In-color night vision and an auto-tracking feature also makes it very easy to keep an eye on your pet, too.”
“We’re glad that Furbo doesn’t require a subscription for barking alerts, one of the product’s most useful features. Our two main complaints are that you need to pay extra to access event recordings and that the lens doesn’t tilt up and down like it can on some indoor security cameras. Those minor quibbles aside, the Furbo 360 is still the best device we’ve tested for remotely tossing treats,” praises PC.
“Imagine getting notifications on your phone for a ‘Doggie Selfie’ that your pet captured on their own, followed by an end-of-day ‘Doggie Diary’ showcasing how your pet spent their time at home alone. While our testers preferred pet cameras that were fully featured without the need for an additional subscription, the Furbo Dog Camera and its Furbo Dog Nanny subscription service might be worth the price for some users, with an abundance of fun, unique, and useful features,” offers The Spruce Pets.
2. Skymee Owl Robot
This interesting remote-controlled robot is a neat tech gadget that is truly unique. Fully unlike anything else on our list, the Owl Robot could be a great choice for more playful pets. “The Skymee Owl Robot video camera and treat dispenser keeps up with your pet by roaming freely throughout your home. The unusual thing about this pet camera is it sits on wheels, down low on the ground—and you can drive it around your home using your smartphone as a remote control and monitor,” states Vetted.
People describes the cool features of this ‘bot, “Using a remote control app, you can move this little robot camera around your home to see what your pet is up to. ‘You can control it with arrows and there are a bunch of pre-programmed movements to make the owl go back and forth or in a wavy line or other playful movements to tease your pet,’ said the tester, noting that there’s an auto-movement feature.”
“This pet camera is one of the most unique options on the market… Our experts appreciate that pet parents can use the app to remotely control the camera and direct it to different locations in their house. It even has a ‘flip’ feature if it gets stuck to help keep the camera moving,” states Good Housekeeping.
3. Wyze Cam v3
Wyze offers a vast array of camera products, but the Wyze Cam v3 was singled out as a favorite among experts. If the v3 isn’t a good fit, readers might want to check out some of their other offerings like the Cam Pan series. NBC Select explains, “This camera comes recommended by Dr. Jennifer Bruns, DVM, MPVM, of PetSmart Veterinary Services, thanks to its weatherproof build for indoor or outdoor use, in-color night vision and two-way audio. ‘The Wyze Cam v3 Pet Camera delivers great value at its price point and is an excellent option for those looking to have a two-way communication system with their pets,’ she says.”
The Spruce Pets adds more information about some of the more unique features, “If your pet prefers spending time exploring your outdoor terrain, then the Wyze Cam V3, with its ability to withstand the elements, is our top pick for you. When motion or sound is detected, the camera automatically starts to record and sends an alert straight to the connected mobile device. Since your pet might not be the only living entity outside (birds, squirrels, lizards, etc.!), the sensitivity of the detection feature can be adjusted or turned off completely, if preferred.”
People also states that, “Though limited in quantity, there are several features that impressed our team during testing. ‘It’s nice to be able to record video and take photos that save right to your phone, as well as save video to an SD card,’ the tester said. ‘The sound quality seemed good [and the] motion detection and night vision worked well.'”
4. Petcube Play 2 Wi-Fi Pet Camera
As the first of two Petcube cameras to make our list, the Play 2 model is great for cats. One of its most notable features is a laser toy to help keep pets engaged. “You’ll feel like you have eyes in the back of your head with this do-it-all pet camera. Not only can you keep an eye on your furry friends, but the camera quality will make you feel like you never left home. With a sleek cube design, this Wi-Fi-enabled camera features 1080p HD video… and night vision,” raves Good Housekeeping.
The Dog People state that, “This wide-angle HD camera doesn’t offer a treat dispenser like other interactive pet cameras, but its smaller size, app-controlled laser toy, and easy mobility more than make up for it. This gadget comes complete with two-way audio; the cube design makes it easy to place on furniture or move to wherever you’ll need your monitor.”
“The Petcube Play 2 is the newest incarnation of a camera we love, and it’s powerful enough to keep up with your pets. Its newest version has the same built-in laser toy, two-way audio, and night vision from the first one. But new software updates boosted its field of view from 138° to 180°, plus a 4x zoom. So you can count the whiskers on your furry friend’s face from anywhere in the room,” according to Safewise.
5. Petcube Bites 2
The second Petcube to make the list is perfect for both cats and dogs. It offers a mountable build and the primary feature is its ability to dispense treats. “The Bites 2 is a good-looking, rectangular box with an aluminum base and a black plastic treat bin. Unlike the Furbo, it comes with a mounting kit so you can attach it securely to the wall. It doesn’t take up counter space in your kitchen, you don’t have to devote a shrine to your dog in the corner of your living room, and your dog can’t knock it over if they become overly enthused,” says Wired.
“The Petcube Bites 2 offers a few additional perks compared with the more affordable Lite edition, including stronger build quality and a 5GHz Wi-Fi radio. It also includes four microphones (vs. one in the Lite) so you can better hear your dog when you use the two-way audio feature. Both models work with Alexa voice commands, but the Bites 2 has Alexa built in, which means you can use it to ask for general information, set timers, and control compatible smart home devices,” offers PC.
Digital Camera World adds that, “When it comes to visuals, it offers a 1080p Full HD resolution, a wide 160-degree lens, and there is night vision too, so you can still see your pet once it gets dark. Wall-mounted or sat on a low table, the Petcube Bites records video to the cloud and can be controlled by speaking to Alexa.”
You might also be interested in:
Sources
- NBC Select
- PC
- The Spruce Pets
- Vetted
- People
- Good Housekeeping
- Digital Camera World
- The Dog People
- Safewise
- Wired
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations.