The $20 Wyze Sense security bundle is a no-brainer addition to your Wyze Cam
This incredibly affordable kit includes capable motion and contact sensors. Plus: Own John Wick chapters 1 and 2 for $10!
The Wyze Sense Starter Kit adds three sensors to your Wyze Cam -- all for just $20.
Disclaimer: We aren't recommending that consumers purchase Wyze products at this time. Over the past several years, Wyze has suffered from repeated data leaks and security breaches, including a 2019 user data leak, exposed databases in 2022, and exposed video files that same year. More recently, Wyze has seen both 2023 and 2024 security flaws that let at least 13,000 people see through other Wyze security cams owned by unrelated users.
Currently, Wyze's forum report on the latest breach includes an update from February 19, 2024: "Our engineering team has added a new layer of verification between users and event videos to prevent this from happening again. We've also removed the client library and will not be using caching until we can find a new client library and stress test it for extreme scenarios like we saw on Friday."
This response is a start, but Wyze has repeatedly struggled to reliably update its approach to security and meaningfully communicate with its users. While we have seen security companies bounce back from security problems in the past, we haven't seen this kind of improvement from Wyze yet. So we are not endorsing their products or any services where you need to create a Wyze account with your personal info.
We'll keep you updated on Wyze's security and privacy if our recommendations change. If you're looking for security brands that have made notable security improvements or have good privacy track records, we can recommend products from Ring, Google's Nest, Blink, and Arlo.
Last month I told you about the Wyze Sense, a new add-on kit for owners of the Wyze Cam and Wyze Cam Pan security cameras. It's now shipping, and it's arguably the best $20 you can spend on home security -- after the $20 you spent on the Wyze Cam, that is.
Read more: The best security cameras for 2019
Allow me to recap. The Sense consists of four components: the bridge (which plugs into the back of the camera), two contact sensors and one motion sensor.
The contact sensors work with things like doors and windows -- basically anything that can be opened or closed. When either activity occurs, the sensor will trigger the Wyze Cam to start recording, or just send an alert to your phone. The motion sensor can do likewise.
What's more, if a door or window is left open for a specific length of time, the sensor can notify you of that as well.
The bridge, which can manage up to 100 sensors, is powered by the Wyze Cam. The sensors run on replaceable button-cell batteries, each good for about 12 months, according to Wyze.
Once you have the $20 Starter Kit, you can expand the system with additional contact sensors ($20 per four-pack) and motion sensors ($6 each). All this amounts to an incredibly inexpensive way to create a basic home security setup.
Based on some quick informal testing, I can tell you the sensors work exactly as advertised. When my front door is opened or closed, I'm instantly notified on my phone. Same thing when there's motion in a room -- even a room where there's no camera.
There's just one problem, and it's something easily fixed by an app update: no scheduling. For example, I don't want certain contact sensors triggered during evening hours when I'm home, but I do want them during the day, when I'm away. Right now, it's all or nothing.
That gripe aside, the Wyze Sense represents an amazing value in home security. With a buy-in as low as $40, you can set up a capable livestreaming camera and three sensors. Nothing else comes anywhere close.
Looking for the Wyze Cam Pan? It's currently $36 shipped at Amazon:
Bonus deal: Own John Wick and John Wick 2 for $10
Movie time! These days I don't have much interest in hyperviolent action flicks, but there's no denying the John Wick series has its fans. And for about the same price as a rental, you can own the first two movies: For a limited time, FandangoNow has John Wick Chapters 1 + 2 in 4K UHD for $9.99. The films sell elsewhere for at least $8 apiece.
As you may know, the third chapter opens next week -- here's the John Wick 3 trailer if you want to get a taste of what's coming. (Hint: The "Parabellum" subtitle means "prepare for war.")
You may also want to check out CNET's John Wick 2 review, then see how the first John Wick fared on MetaCritic. And don't forget to see John Wick's house in Fortnite!
Originally published May 9.
Update, May 10: Adds John Wick deal.
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