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Wyze's New Lamp Socket Can Smarten Up Your Outdoor Lighting. Here's How It Works

This smart home addition might help you save on electricity, too.

Headshot of Dashia Milden
Headshot of Dashia Milden
Dashia Milden Editor
Dashia is the consumer insights editor for CNET. She specializes in data-driven analysis and news at the intersection of tech, personal finance and consumer sentiment. Dashia investigates economic shifts and everyday challenges to help readers make well-informed decisions, and she covers a range of topics, including technology, security, energy and money. Dashia graduated from the University of South Carolina with a bachelor's degree in journalism. She loves baking, teaching spinning and spending time with her family.
Dashia Milden
2 min read
A photo of the Wyze socket V2 smart home product

The Wyze Lamp Socket v2

 Wyze

Looking for a way to smarten up your outdoor lighting? The Wyze Lamp Socket v2 is now available and it has some upgrades over its predecessor. 

Wyze released the first version of the lamp socket in 2021 but a lot has changed since then and the socket may no longer be compatible with all of your upgraded smart home tech. Wyze has made a few changes that may be welcome upgrades, such as higher bulb wattage and improved quality. 

So what's new with the Wyze Lamp Socket v2? Here's what we found and what to know before you order it. 

Read more: Wyze's New Bulb Cam Turns Any Light Bulb Socket Into a Security Camera

How the Wyze Lamp Socket v2 works 

The smart home tech company's socket powers your Wyze camera using your outdoor light's electricity. You can control the light using the Wyze mobile app.
Using them together, you can set your outdoor lights to turn on when your camera detects motion. You can set up multiple sockets for your camera for more lighting. Picture your front porch and garage lights both turning on when your camera detects a visitor -- and you'll get camera notifications from the Wyze app. 

The socket also has dusk-to-dawn automation so you won't have to worry about your lights turning on in broad daylight. 

Keep in mind that the socket is not water or weatherproof; however, Wyze says it's suitable for damp areas. Wyze doesn't recommend using incandescent bulbs for it but rather CFL or LED bulbs of less than 20 watts. 

What Wyze cameras are compatible with the Lamp Socket v2?

The socket is compatible with these Wyze cameras:

  • Wyze Cam v3
  • Wyze v3 Pro
  • Wyze Cam v4 
  • Wyze Cam OG
  • Wyze Cam Pan v3

An expert's take: The Wyze Lamp Socket can level up your outdoor lighting

Tyler Lacoma, CNET's home editor, pointed out that Wyze's lamp socket does something most security cameras haven't yet. 

"Most smart bulbs are indoor lights with a connected bulb," said Lacoma. "Wyze's approach is much more unique -- it upgrades the socket itself so you can use any bulb and it's specifically designed for outdoor lamps, filling a niche where not many smart options are available."

The Wyze Lamp Socket v2 is available on Amazon and Wyze's website for $17. It comes with a one-year warranty.Â