While Wyze may appear to some as a Chinese company operating under the guise of an American brand, it’s officially an American business based in Seattle, Washington. Wyze Labs, Inc. (formerly known as Wyzecam) was founded by ex-Amazon employees and focuses on producing smart home products, particularly wireless cameras. Although the company is American, its manufacturing takes place in China, leading to some confusion about its origins. The Chinese company Hualai is associated with Wyze, contributing to this perception.
Wyze Company Overview
- Headquarters: Seattle, Washington, USA
- Industry: Consumer Electronics, Smart Home
- Founded: 2017
- Product Focus: Smart Home Devices, Security Cameras
- Global Presence: Ships to multiple countries
- Market Focus: Affordable smart home solutions
- Notable Products: Wyze Cam, Wyze Sense, Wyze Bulb
- Innovation: AI-powered cameras, Smart home integration
- Manufacturing: China
- Online Presence: Website, App, Social Media
- Customer Base: Consumers seeking affordable tech
- Shipping: Worldwide shipping available
- Returns: Return and exchange policy available
- Customer Support: Online chat, email, phone
Company History
Wyze was incorporated on July 19, 2017, by four co-founders: CEO Yun Zhang, CMO Dave Crosby, CPO Dongsheng Song, and Elana Fishman. Their first product, the WyzeCam v1, was launched on October 24, 2017. Following this, the Wyze Cam V2 was released in February 2018 and started shipping by early April due to a hardware issue. By October 24, 2018, Wyze had sold one million Wyze Cams. Wyze marked 2023 as the “year of the camera” and introduced three new camera models in March of that year.
Product Line
Wyze specializes in smart security cameras that offer cloud-based video surveillance. These cameras are equipped with built-in microphones and speakers. The company also produces a range of smart home products, including plugs, light bulbs, and video doorbells. Wyze products are compatible with both iOS and Android devices, making them accessible to a broad audience.
Key Product Categories:
- Cameras: For both indoor and outdoor security.
- Sensors: Motion and environmental sensors.
- Connected Home: Smart plugs and other connected devices.
- Power & Lighting: Smart bulbs and related accessories.
- Lifestyle: Additional smart home gadgets.
- Parts & Accessories: Add-ons for their existing products.
Cam Plus Features
Wyze offers a subscription service, Cam Plus, which enhances their camera capabilities. It provides cloud video recording, smart AI detection, and other premium features. Every Wyze user also benefits from standard features like motion and sound alerts, cloud storage for images, alarm sound detection, live streaming, 24/7 local recording with a microSD card, and timelapse recording.
Conclusion
Wyze serves both B2C and B2B markets with a range of affordable smart home solutions. The company has made a name for itself with its budget-friendly security cameras and various other smart home devices. Despite their affordability, Wyze products may not offer the most advanced smart features, and some users might find the camera design less appealing. Nonetheless, Wyze remains a popular choice for those seeking cost-effective tech solutions for home security and automation.