Do you worry about your dog during the day while you're away from home? Many pet owners are curbing this issue by investing in pet cameras to keep an eye on their pups when they are away. Not only will the Petcube Play 2 allow you to look in on Fido, but it also gives you the option to play with him throughout the day as well.
I reviewed the original Petcube Play back in 2017. I liked the device, but it had a few shortcomings. I was pleased to see some of these issues addressed in the newest model.
Likewise, some of the things that I really liked about the previous model haven't changed. The new Petcube Play 2 is much smaller than many other pet cameras and blends in well with any home's décor. It's also easy to use, and the app is very user-friendly.
Petcube Play 2 Dog Camera Review
As you might have noticed in the picture above, this pet camera is small. It's a 3.5″ X 3.5″ X 3.5″ cube. Most similar devices are at least double their size, so if you only have a small area to work with this may be the best option for you.
The Petbube Play 2 works in much the same way as other similar products. You plug the device into a power source and allow it to connect to your home's WiFi. Yes, you have to have WiFi in your home for this device to work.
Then all you have to do is download the Petcube app, which is free for Android and iOS devices. It only takes a few moments to connect your smartphone or tablet to the camera in your home. You'll need to turn on the Bluetooth access on your device and the two will sync up automatically.
Trust me, I'm not tech-savvy at all, but it was very simple to get this camera up and running. The camera streams in 1080p HD video, which is better than the 720p you'll find with some other cameras. It also offers one of the widest views, at 180˚. The camera is even equipped with night vision, so you can still check on your pups after dark.
The Petcube Play 2 allows you to hear what's going on at home and record messages for your pets with its 2-way microphone. You'll receive sound and motion notifications when your pets are active, as well. If you prefer not to have the notifications blowing up your phone (like me), you can shut them off in the app settings.
RELATED: Best Dog Camera Comparison – Petzi vs. Petcube vs. Furbo
You can also see the built-in laser toy if you watch my video guide above. It's been certified safe for humans and pets. This laser lets you play with your pets even when you aren't there. This is a unique feature that is not found on many other pet cameras.
One of the biggest downfalls of the original model is the inability to move the laser up and down. It pointed straight out of the device, so you'd need to angle the camera toward the floor if that's where you wanted the laser to point. In the new model, you can adjust the laser up and down and side to side.
Towards the end of my video review, I show you what the app looks like and how to use it. It's very user-friendly, which is a bonus if you're not very tech savvy. You can see that the camera streams in live time, so you see exactly what is going on at your home the moment you open the app.
When you first open the app you have the ability to either check on your own pets and connect to a live feed from your home camera or watch and play with other peoples' pets. That's right; Petcube lets you link to other cameras, which is cool for a couple of reasons.
If your pet is sleeping or doesn't feel like playing, you can entertain yourself by playing with other peoples' pets. If you don't have time to play with your dog during the day, maybe someone else will! It also gives your friends and family members the ability to check on your canine companion for you without having to stop by your house.
If this makes you nervous, you can set your camera to ‘Private' if you don't want anyone else to be able to connect to it.
As an added bonus, there are some animal shelters that use Petcube cameras to allow animal lovers to play with shelter pets in their spare time. You can also follow other Petcube users if you find other animals that you really enjoy playing with or if you want to keep tabs on your friends' pets.
ALSO: How Future Dog Technology Will Affect Pet Parents
As you will see in my video review, there is a menu on the right side of the screen that allows you to zoom in and out or quickly share pictures and videos. The quality of the video feed is good, but there's a bit of a lag sometimes. Of course, that will depend on how strong your internet connection is.
You can see that the laser entertains our pets, but our dogs aren't always in the mood to play with it. They also get bored with it quite easily, which you can see in my video review. The laser is a HUGE hit with our cats though!
I should also mention that this pet camera does not have a treat dispenser. Many pet owners prefer a camera that offers the option of treating their pets throughout the day. The temptation of food brings the animal closer to the camera and entices virtually any pet.
If you're looking for a dog camera that offers a treat dispenser, the Petcube Bites model will be of more interest to you.
The best improvement made to this Petcube Play model is the addition of a built-in Alexa device. Most speakers equipped with Alexa sell for about $50-$100. Even if you already have an Alexa device, you could use this camera in a different area of your home.
Pet cameras aren't a necessity, but they are a great thing to have if you worry about your pets during the day. They may also be able to soothe a pet with mild separation anxiety. Unfortunately, they don't come cheap.
You can purchase the Petcube Play 2 for $199 on Amazon right now, which certainly isn't a price that will fit into every dog owner's budget. However, this price is comparable to other similar products. Considering the cost of a separate Alexa device, I think this pet camera is a good value for the money.
READ NEXT: 30 Ways To Entertain a Bored Dog
