While my dog isn’t very vocal (perhaps me working from home has something to do with that), the Bites 2 also has a surprisingly extensive 4-microphone array and speaker bar that means that it sounds much better and clearer than the Furbo, on both ends. To be fair, my dog had already had some experience with the Furbo by the time I tried the Bites 2 with her, but she could hear the Bites 2’s chime even from the backyard. When my children and I sat outside their preschool, I could see her run in the dog door to gobble up treats when we threw them to her.
The Bites 2 also has many of the same software features as the Furbo; for example, it’s Alexa-enabled and has an easy-to-use proprietary app that lets you toggle on smart alerts. While Furbo’s Dog Nanny is $7 per month, Petcube Care offers several different subscription tiers. They offered me a free month of a premium subscription, which included the ability to add different cameras and download videos. However, Petcube’s optimal subscription is $4 per month—with the notable disclaimer that you have to pay for the year in advance.
Still, that’s substantially cheaper than Furbo’s plan and offers many of the same AI smart alerts, video clips, and three days of video history. The Bites 2 is my favorite pet cam for dog owners, and if the price is too rich for your blood, you can also still find the previous generation. Even after my premium subscription ran out, I still found the Bites 2’s live-streaming and treat-tossing to be adequate to check on my dog for a short weekend away.—Adrienne So
Petcube Bites 2 Dog Camera costs $250 from Bed Bath & Beyond.
Petcube Play 2 Pet Camera
Petcube also offers a Play 2 Camera, which is aimed toward kitty-owners.
This compact cube is marketed towards cats (lasers aren’t the best option for dogs), and they’ll likely have a blast using the Petcube Play 2. The wide-angle camera records in 1080p and features real-time two-way communication. In conjunction with the Petcube app, you can pop on and check out your camera to see what’s happening, speak to your animals, and hear their responses. Or, if your cats are like mine, you’ll at least be able to watch them ignore you.
The built-in laser sets the Petcube Play 2 apart from other pet cams. Within the app, you can drag your finger around on the camera’s live feed, and the built-in laser will follow the path of your finger. The laser is pet-safe, and the camera itself has Alexa built-in, meaning if you tell Amazon’s voice assistant to play with your pet, it will initiate a play session. That feature works whether you’re at home and feeling lazy, or you’re away and don’t have time to drag the laser around yourself.
