TOOGE Pet Camera Review: The Best Budget Pet Camera

Last updated on 2022-09-23
By Yvonne

TOOGE Pet Camera Review: Best Value Pet Camera. Pet owners who just want to monitor their furry companions will love the TOOGE Pet Camera. The TOOGE Pet Camera is a budget-friendly, versatile pet camera that doesn't have the additional features of more costly competitors.

TOOGE Pet Camera

We like this

Swivel camera that rotates at 80 degrees vertically and 360 degrees horizontally
Night vision with infrared
Numerous setup options
Budget-friendly
Mobile notifications based on motion

The Things We Hate

Video feeds of low quality
HapSee app doesn't work with Mac devices

The TOOGE pet camera is good, even though it has poor video quality. It is a great alternative to expensive rivals because of its affordable price.

To ensure that our reviewer was able to thoroughly evaluate and test the TOOGE Pet camera, we purchased it. Continue reading to see our complete product review.

The TOOGE Pet Camera may lack the fancy features of other models, but it is a great budget device. This device will be a good choice for pet owners with casual pets who don't need laser games or treats dispensers but want to keep an eye on their furry companions while they are away.

Design is functional, but has a few extra bells and whistles

ToOGE's pet camera was designed with function in mind. TOOGE does not have lasers to play games, nor do it come with treat dispensers like the Petcube Play or Furbo Dog Camera. This pet camera's main feature is its swivel-head. The camera can be tilted 80 degrees vertically or 350 degrees horizontally. Although it can't spin completely around, it does get close. While the lens itself is a 112-degree wide-angle lens—smaller than competitor models who offer upwards of 160 degrees and provide more of a fisheye view—the TOOGE can turn and capture moments other pet cameras may otherwise miss if their camera angle is fixed.

Tooge pet cameras are a cost-friendly option to more expensive products.

The wall mount simply screws in to the base of the TOOGE. This mount allows pet owners to choose the best place in their house to put the pet camera. Because the lens of the pet camera is not fixed, and it can still turn, placement is crucial. For maximum coverage, pet owners need to consider where they would like the image to be centered in their house. Renters who are less likely to install permanent fixtures may find the TOOGE an excellent option.

Installation Process: There are many options

You will find many extras inside the TOOGE's box. The TOOGE comes with a Smart HD Wi-Fi camera user guide and a quick-start instructions pamphlet that will guide the new owner through all its setup options. There is also a wall mounting kit with screws for fastening it securely to the wall, as well as a manual reset tool and an Ethernet cable.

There are many ways to set up TOOGE. The first thing we did was download HapSee from Google Play Store to our Samsung Galaxy S8. Next, plug the TOOGE into the provided power cable. Apple iOS devices can also be supported but not Mac.

Users can then choose the best setup for themselves. It's easy to use the sound-pairing feature. Users select their Wi-Fi network from HapSee and then the app emits a sound wave that the TOOGE looks for and connects with. Although it's an unusual way to connect, we found the sound a bit harsh and irritating. The connection doesn't take long. It takes only about a minute before it is established and the TOOGE can be used.

You can pair the TOOGE with a QR code scanner. This setup feature is available by scanning the QR code at the bottom of your TOOGE and entering it into the Hapsee App. It will then do the rest.

The provided Ethernet cable is a great option for pet owners that have difficulties with previous configuration options. An Ethernet cord can connect to both a router, and the TOOGE to allow the pet to get on the network. Mobile devices can locate the camera by looking for it on the network and then selecting it when it is visible.

App Support: This does the job

It's okay to use the HapSee app. The translation to English doesn't seem particularly good. The app seems to be having trouble connecting unless it is closed and then reopened. Although it has many built-in functions for alarms, notifications and recording, the main feature of this device is the livestream video feed that includes two-way chat and a swivel camera. The only problem with the app and the camera's swivel is the fact that they are a bit difficult to use. Instead of moving incrementally, users need to keep swiping across the device multiple times in order to change the TOOGE’s view.

Pet owners can communicate with their pets via two-way chat, which is an essential feature of many pet cameras. Two-way audio for TOOGE has a decent quality. Although the sound coming from your pet's mouth can sometimes be a bit soft, the built-in speaker of the camera allows you to hear human voices quite clearly. The HapSee app sometimes emits motor sounds when the camera's turning.

The app can store pictures and video in cloud storage, so motion-based notifications are an important feature. The plans start at $1.80 per month, including pictures and video of the event that caused the notification. Cloud video recording can be purchased for up to $60 per year. The cloud records can be stored up to 30 days. If your pet moves, this helps you and your family stay in touch.

The app's motion-based notifications feature is a highlight. It can store pictures and video on purchasable cloud storage.

The only problem with the notifications was their sensitivity. To prevent unwanted spamming, it is necessary to reduce the default sensitivity. The microSD slot is only available for certain recording types (e.g., scheduled and alarm recordings) but it does not allow motion-based notifications.

You can also set alarms in the HapSee app. These sirens will sound when motion is detected. The app allows pet owners to enable the motion alarms and tap the lock symbol to activate it.

The alarm can also send a message to your mobile device. This notification, depending on the user's microSD configuration or subscription, will allow you to record short video clips. This feature was tested by us and we found it loud and disturbing. It could be set up to deter naughty behavior, such as digging in the trash, but we don't think it would cause too much trauma. This camera is great for general surveillance purposes.

Video Quality: Unbeatable for the Price

It can stream at 720p HD, but the video quality is not great. The image quality is sometimes noisy and blurry when pets are moving. Infrared night vision is activated by the camera, but this can be especially noticeable in low light conditions. The night vision itself is of good quality, able to clearly show pets once the sun goes down, which is another feature that not all pet cameras support—including more expensive competitor models. This camera is a great value for money and can support five people at once in the HapSee App.

Cost: Very affordable for the features

Prices for pet cameras range between $100 and $400. The TOOGE features such as motion-based notifications and two-way talking, make it a very affordable pet camera. It is the most budget-friendly pet camera we have ever seen. It's also only $39.99 on Amazon, which is great. However, the device's features are not as targeted or developed as those of competitors. The features it does have are sufficient for pet owners who just want to keep an eye on their cat or dog during the day.

Competition Stiff but TOOGE has its place in the pack

Many excellent options are available for pet cameras, and each one is different. TOOGE is competing with the Petcube Play (MSRP $199), and Furbo Dog Cam (MSRP $249).

Contrary to the TOOGE and Petcube Plays, this device is specifically designed with play in mind. The device places play at the forefront of its design. It even has the name "Petcube Play" highlighted. You can set these games up with both manual and automatic controls.

Petcube Play's camera is also significantly improved, with the ability to record and stream 1080p video. It also comes with a subscription model. However, the Petcube Play has some free features that the TOOGE does not have, including the ability to record 10-second videos for up to four hours within the app. You can also send notifications to your mobile device based on sound or motion. The Petcube Play is the best choice if you want to play games with pets.

Petcube Play Review

Furbo Dog Camera, a premium pet camera that can physically throw treats at hungry dogs, is the best. The camera was designed with dogs in mind. It has a blue light which turns on when it is being used (blue being the only color dogs can see), and a spill-resistant bamboo cover that prevents pups getting excited from breaking the glass.

The camera's quality is excellent, and it can stream at 360p to 1080p. Pet owners can enjoy a sharp, clear view of their pets and the surrounding area, regardless of whether it is in low or high light. Although it is subscription-based, free users can still use the Furbo to see livestreams, throw treats and receive mobile alerts whenever dogs bark. Furbo is an option for pet owners who want to reward their pets with treats.

Final Verdict

The TOOGE Pet Cam is a great option for those with tight funds.

Tooge pet cameras are a cost-friendly option to expensive pet cameras. It's perfect for the pet owner who just wants to keep an eye on their pets during the day. Although it lacks some of the best features, this product is still surprisingly useful for its price.

Specifications

Pet Camera Product No.
PRODUCT BRAND TOOGE
Prices starting at $39.99
Weighing 1.2 pounds
Dimensions of the product: 3.9x3.9x5.1in
Video storage on SD Card 64G microSD cards
Power input 110-240V
Power Adapter 5V
It is not possible to use Device Compatibility IOS/Android or Windows on a MAC.
Wi-Fi Environment only for 2.4GHz WiFi (Incompatible With 5GHz WiFi)
Camera 720p HD
Lens 112° wide-angle lens, with 80° vertical rotation and 350° horizontal rotation and 4x digital zoom
Night vision: Yes. 10 Infrared LEDs can see as far as 15-20 m
Audio 2 way audio stream using built-in mic and speaker