Interesting that WYZE has two cameras on this list.
Eventually Wyze will have All the cameras on the list with current trajectory 
It lists the Wyze Cam Floodlight Pro and claims it has an undisclosed security vulnerability. So I tried to track down the source, and the allegation comes from BGR who claims that consumer reports said that they marked down the ratings they would have otherwise given the device due to an undisclosed security vulnerability, so I looked at the consumer reports review that they claimed that was on and didn’t see them claim anything like that. This is all very suspicious. Nobody will say what the vulnerability is, and someone’s claiming a source that doesn’t seem to claim it. Maybe they spoke to the CR author privately? Anyone see a source for the alleged vulnerability?
I’d like to know if it’s another one of those pointless “vulnerabilities” where you have to first give somebody direct access to your local network and only then somebody can see the stream or something like the last time people made a big deal. That’s not a big deal to me. That basically applies to many standard local-only RTSP cameras anyway. So the type of allegation actually matters. It’s just suspicious that the alleged source doesn’t actually say that anywhere that I can find. But, it is certainly possible that they are holding back until things are fixed before they publicly disclose things, but if that’s the case then how did BGR as a separate company find out about it if they’re not publicly announcing it? But that’s literally their entire reason for saying it’s one of the worst cameras is because they claim there is some undisclosed allegation from a source that didn’t claim it.
I have 6 of these deployed and they’re phenomenal. I have something like 80 cameras now, and have cameras from at least half a dozen different companies or more deployed. And the floodlight Pro is my current favorite of all. It does not deserve to be on this list. It’s amazing.
I think this article was generated by AI. It’s trying to claim that you can run a floodlight V2 off of a solar panel.
It also supports local storage, has a 160-degree field of view, and can be powered using a wall adapter or an optional solar panel.
What the actual flock-network? That camera can’t use a solar panel.
It basically says the same thing about the floodlight V2 though, That the only reason it was marked down is they’re claiming there is a security vulnerability:
like other similarly rated security cameras, it has poor data security and has a vulnerability that can be potentially exploited by an attacker. CR didn’t share any information about the vulnerability;
I don’t know, a bunch of red flags in this article. I would love to see a formal allegation with a linked CVE to prove it. It’s funny because they pretty much say a lot of positive things about the camera and the only thing they dislike about it is saying there’s some kind of unknown and unconfirmed security concern, but then they won’t say anything about the security concern.
I was expecting the low ratings to be because of functionality complaints like no RTSP on some cameras, No official Home assistant support, No free local Edge AI detections (which is why I was shocked to the FLPro on this list because it actually has free local Edge AI included), and similar functionality or feature complaints. I’m shocked to see FLPro on that list. It’s one of the best cameras I’ve ever had including from every brand. So weird. There are much better options warranting a low rating, but not really that one.
There do seem to be more complaints about the floodlight cameras than the others, I’m guessing maybe just because they’re more likely to be exposed to harsh elements and/or be further from the wifi router and not have good signal. Would be curious about other floodlight cam brands.
But BGR also isn’t a reliable source, especially when they’re just adding their own spin on someone else’s work.
I don’t have consumer reports, but I find it hard to believe Blink didn’t make the lower end. When they were popular many neighbors around here put them up and they are lousy, borderline useless.
Yeah, of the other brands I have and have tried, I have 2 blink cameras and they are not that great 
I go through phases of using them for temporary uses, but mostly they sit on a shelf because they are among the worst cameras I have. I have never recommended someone to go with Blink. I have recommended Wyze, TP-Link Tapo, & Reolink and used to recommend Eufy sometimes in the past (not much anymore). I have a few others but I don’t recommend them either. For me, if you’re getting a smart camera you might as well debate between Wyze, Tapo, and Reolink. The rest aren’t generally horrible, but they aren’t better than those 3 options IMO. Those 3 cover almost all use cases I would recommend for someone depending on their answers to some of my questions when they ask me what they should get.
Consumer Reports lost its reputation years ago. They also take affiliate marketing. I canceled my subscription long ago.
They could have just included the Wyze Cam Pan v4. Nothing but problems so far!
Yeah I had a family member that literally would not buy something unless it was on their recommended list. Even back then decades ago, I suspected that they were using “unbiased” and “non sponsored” somewhat loosely. While they’re not as bad as many sources out there, once they started adding affiliate links and stuff I got even more suspicious.
My Pan V4 worked really well…while it accepted power.
Not sure what happened but it burned out on me recently. One of the only Wyze cameras I’ve ever had that bricked itself in the last 6 years. I personally think mine burned out because they run a little hot all the time. But it was a great camera for me other than that it suddenly died.
I get institutional access to Consumer Reports via my local library. The Consumer Reports Web site has an “AI” tool called “AskCR” that I prompted with this: What are the five worst home security cameras? It returned these:
- SimpliSafe Wireless Outdoor SCM301
- Arlo Ultra 3rd Gen VMS5250-100NAS
- Wyze Cam Floodlight Pro
- Wyze Cam Floodlight v2
- SwitchBot Outdoor Spot Light Cam
When I clicked the link for their Cam Floodlight Pro review, their “Expert Take” included this:
We found a high-risk vulnerability in the Wyze Cam Floodlight Pro, which means its more likely to be successfully hacked, so we do not recommend this model. The Wyze Cam Floodlight Pro performs below many of the models that we’ve tested. Its camera has 2560 x 1440 resolution, night-time color video, optional microSD storage (256 GB maximum), paid cloud storage, compatibility with Alexa voice assistant, compatibility with Google Assistant, and can be externally powered. Tested April 2024.
They haven’t tested (or re-tested) since well prior to the introduction of VerifiedView, so I pretty much stopped there. 
If that’s what BGR is using as a primary (sole?) source, then this does not speak well of their reliability.
Thanks for looking into it. I agree with your assessment. 2024 was a heyday for baking on Wyze and much of what was then is no longer relevant anyway as you pointed out.
Still, I can’t believe that consumer reports says this and then doesn’t explain what they mean:
And then they just go into the factual specifications of the camera without saying how it performs lower. PePerforms in what way and compared to what? I would be interested to know what smart flood light they tested for close to the same price that performs better, And what is their definition or measurement of performance?
The only company I can think of that has a flood light that I would consider better would be one of the reolink floodlights That have 4K resolution and free edge AI, detections and rtsp and native works with home assistant support where literally everything is totally in home assistant. But they are at least twice as much as the Wyze floodlight Pro. More during sales. I got some floodlight pros for under $70 during black Friday sales. But that’s about the only one I can think of that might potentially outperform Wyze’s FLPro. So I’d love to hear their rationale. Disappointing they kept it so vague.
Now, if BGR would have been bashing on the pan V3 Because of all the drift issues, I’d understand that. Or bash the V2 Because of the weird oil drip down the lens and fogging issues. I’d understand that too. Or the v3s that had some audio deficiencies. Or even the V4 where they locked the local edge AI detection behind a paywall for something that doesn’t cost any money to have a paywall is crazy. I would understand that as well. I can totally admit when there are flaws or performance issues or downsides. I’m not a totally blind apologist or a totally blind hater of almost any company,…
But I’m dumbfounded they would claim that the the flood light Pro doesn’t perform great. Basically one of the best cameras I’ve ever had (Especially for the price that I’ve been able to get them for under $70 for the majority of them that I have), and I’ve had nearly a hundred cameras. 
That’s just nonsense to say the FLPros underperform compared to most others. Utter nonsense. To say that and then not justify it with any examples at all is crazy.
They did go into a bit more detail in the full review but weren’t specific about what other models they considered to be in the same class for direct comparison, so you have a point about that. What I pasted as the quote above was just the initial summary.
FWIW, I also just glanced at their review of Cam Floodlight v2 (also noted with “Tested April 2024.”), and they wrote this:
It gets its power from an electrical wiring, and/or solar panel (optional).
Um…I don’t think so…?
I think there’s plenty of disappointment to go 'round with both of these publications in this case.
What did they rate as the top 5? I think that might be a bit revealing as far as possible motivation behind the rankings.
So apparently TP Link sponsored this one. Ironic, since they cite unnamed “security concerns” with Wyze. While I do like TP Link, they were actually caught leaving back doors in their devices bound for the US years ago, and they were exploited and used (purportedly by the Chinese government).
Not surprised to see Blink on there, honestly I figured Bezos would have given them enough money to have more on there.
They’re all from different times, too, and not what I’d call “current”, so I don’t know how useful the results are for comparison, because it’s like a cumulative rolling tally. For a true head-to-head-to-head comparison, I’d probably consult another source.
I like the LifeHackster Home Security YouTube channel. He seems to give honest Pros and Cons to many various camera brands.
I also like Project Farm’s review of tools, but noticed he had a review of security cameras last year.
Yeah I watched several of his vids when choosing a cam brand (and models).