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PCMag's best affordable treat-tossing camera, with good 1080p night vision and a treat dispenser that worked reliably in its tests. But video history and alerts need a plan, the app can take a minute to connect, it tips over easily, and Wirecutter couldn't get the near-identical Bites 2 to toss treats consistently.
Subscription: Needed for video history and smart alerts: Petcube Care. Digital Camera World (2023) lists Optimal at $5.99/mo (3-day history, bark/door-knock alerts) and Premium at $9.99/mo (90 days); PCMag cites Care Optimal at $3.99/mo
Top complaints
- Slow or dropped connections
PCMag says it sometimes takes a minute or more to connect to the app; Digital Camera World saw live-feed delays of up to 30 seconds. Cats.com says the feed often blurs or cuts out, and Wirecutter's Bites 2 often disconnected.
- History and alerts behind a paywall
PCMag, Digital Camera World and Reviewed all note that video history and smart alerts require Petcube Care. Cats.com adds that emergency alerts are top-tier only and the app has non-removable pet-insurance ads.
- Easy to tip; treats not secure
PCMag, Digital Camera World and Reviewed say it's easily knocked over on a table or shelf. Cats.com says treat storage isn't secure. Wirecutter struggled to get the Bites 2 to fling treats consistently and expects the same from the Lite's plastic hopper.
What owners love
- Good night vision
PCMag found 1080p video consistently high quality day and night; Digital Camera World calls the night view great.
- Treats on command
PCMag and Digital Camera World say it dispensed treats reliably; it holds about 1.5 lb and works by app or Alexa (Reviewed).
- Less money than rivals
PCMag says it does the job for less money than the competition, with a wall-mountable design.
Source: PCMag (best pet cameras)
- You need panning
- You want alerts without a subscription
- A big dog might knock it over
- A cheaper treat-tossing camera
- Pets that stay in one spot
- Alexa users
Scores (tap for why)
What experts say
- PCMag: Best affordable treat-tossing camera, 4.0. Cons: occasional app connection delay, easily tipped, subscription for history and smart alerts.
- Wirecutter (NYT): Not recommended (updated 2026-09-22): the former-pick Bites 2 flung treats inconsistently, had an unintuitive app and disconnected; the Lite is very similar.
- Cats.com: #7 of 8 cat cameras: no pan or tilt, insecure treat storage, a feed that blurs or cuts out, and non-removable ads.