COMPARE: Petcube Bites 2 vs Furbo Dog Camera

It’s the battle of the treat dispensing pet cameras on the blog today – specifically the Petcube Bites 2 vs Furbo – how will they fare? Read on to find out!

Petcube Bites 2 vs Furbo Dog Camera

REVIEW: Petcube Bites 2 vs Furbo Dog Camera - Bites 2 vs Bites 2 Lite vs Furbo vs Furbo 360

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through any of these links, we may make a small commission (at no additional cost to you). For more info, please click here. Thank you for supporting this blog!

Side-by-Side Comparison

Video

1080p HD
Night Vision
(Black/White)
4x Digital Zoom

1080p HD
Night Vision
(Black/White)
4x Digital Zoom

1080p HD
Night Vision
(Black/White)
4x Digital Zoom

1080p HD
Night Vision
(Color)
4x Digital Zoom

Lens

160° Wide Angle View

160° Wide Angle View

160° Wide Angle View

360° Rotating View

Audio

2-way Audio

2-way Audio

2-way Audio

2-way Audio

Microphone

4 Microphone array

1 Microphone

1 Microphone

1 Microphone

Wireless Communication

WiFi, Bluetooth

WiFi, Bluetooth

WiFi, Bluetooth

WiFi, Bluetooth

Dimensions

5.7 x 3 x 10.6 in

5.7 x 3 x 10.6 in

5.9 x 4.7 x 8.9 in

5.2 x 4.9 x 9.2 in

Treat Dispenser Capacity

1.5 lbs

1.5 lbs

100 treats

100 treats

Power

Outlet/USB Cable

Outlet/USB Cable

Outlet/USB Cable

Outlet/USB Cable

Wall Mountable

Optional

Optional

Material

Aluminium + Plastic

Plastic

Plastic + Bamboo Lid

Plastic + Bamboo Lid

Color

Matte Silver/Black

White

White

White

Warranty

1 Year (or 2 years with a Premium Subscription)

1 Year (or 2 years with a Premium Subscription)

1 Year

1 Year

Price*

$249

$109.95
Was: $149

$169

$210

*Prices are correct at the time of publishing.

Connectivity & Compatibility

Connectivity

2.4GHz and 5GHz WiFi

2.4GHz WiFi

2.4GHz WiFi

2.4GHz WiFi

Amazon Alexa

Built-in

Works with

Works with

Works with

Standard Features (Without Subscription)

Treat Tossing

Live Streaming

Sound/Motion Alerts

No alerts without a subscription

No alerts without a subscription

Bark alerts only without subscription

Bark alerts only without subscription

Auto Dog Tracking

Family Sharing

Multicam Ability

Subscription
Free-trial Period

14 days

14 days

30 days

30 days

Subscription Extras (Paid Features)

Subscription Name

Petcube
Care

Petcube
Care

Furbo Dog Nanny

Furbo Dog Nanny

Automatic Video Recording

30-Second,
Event-Triggered Clips

30-Second,
Event-Triggered Clips

15-Second,
Event-Triggered Clips

15-Second,
Event-Triggered Clips

Video History

3 Days with ‘Optimal’ Subscription, or 90 Days with a ‘Premium’ Subscription

3 Days with ‘Optimal’ Subscription, or 90 Days with a ‘Premium’ Subscription

Up to 24 hours

Up to 24 hours

Real-Time Smart Alerts

Pet Motion,
Human Motion,
Game Session Motion,
Other Motion (i.e. Lighting),
Bark/Meow Alert,
Other Sound Alerts

Pet Motion,
Human Motion,
Game Session Motion,
Other Motion (i.e. Lighting),
Bark/Meow Alert,
Other Sound Alerts

Dog Activity,
Dog Selfie,
Person Alert,
Home Emergency,
Continuous Barking,
Dog Crying,
Dog Howling,
Dog Chewing,
Dog Potty,
Dog Running

Dog Activity,
Dog Selfie,
Person Alert,
Home Emergency,
Continuous Barking,
Dog Crying,
Dog Howling,
Dog Chewing,
Dog Potty,
Dog Running

Treat Scheduling (Automation)

Via Alexa only

Via Alexa only

Daily Highlight Reel

Pet Care Partner Discounts

Online Vet Chat (24/7)

Via the app for an additional charge

Via the app for an additional charge

Subscription Cost*

From $3.99/month

From $3.99/month

$6.99/month

$6.99/month

*Prices are correct at the time of publishing.

Differences Explained

Physical Appearance/Design

The first, and probably the most glaringly obvious difference between the Bites 2 and Furbo dog cameras is their appearance! While both sets of cameras are a similar in size and features, they couldn’t look more different, with the Bites 2 models looking sleek and rectangular in design, while the Furbo models have more of a Scandi-chic aesthetic in white and bamboo.

Similarly, whilst the Bites 2 and Bites 2 Lite look similar in shape, the Bites 2 is made of aluminum and plastic, whereas the Lite model is made of plastic only (the colors differ too).

Furthermore, both Bites 2 models come with an optional wall-mount kit, which isn’t offered by either Furbo model.

Camera and Microphone

In terms of camera and microphone specs, all models have similar capabilities, however, the newly updated Furbo 360° model includes color night vision, and a 360-rotating field of view, whereas the other models only come with a 160° wide-angle fixed field of view and night vision in black and white.

The Bites 2 also comes with a 4-microphone array, while the other models only feature a single microphone.

Sound and Motion Alerts

While all models offer an extensive range of fully customizable sound and motion alerts with the addition of a paid subscription, only the Furbo models offer bark alerts as standard (without a subscription).

Furthermore, Furbo also offers ‘dog selfie’ and ‘house emergency’ alerts with their subscription offering, while Petcube does not.

Treat Scheduling

A nice addition offered by both Petcube Bites 2 cameras is treat scheduling. Treat scheduling is available as standard (without a subscription) for Petcube users via the app and affords busy pet owners the option to set up an automatic (and highly customizable) treat-dispensing schedule within the Petcube App. This is not currently offered by Furbo, with treat scheduling only possible via Alexa for these devices.

Subscription Packages 

Subscription packages vary significantly between the two brands. With 2 subscription tiers available, Petcube Care, the Bites 2 subscription service ranges from $3.99/month (paid annually) up to $14.99/month for a premium subscription paid monthly.

Petcube Care also comes with various video storage options (up to 90 days), as well as partner pet care discounts, access to online vet chat (for an additional charge), and an extended warranty with Premium Care (not offered by Furbo).  

Similarly, for those that find Petcube’s online vet chat beneficial, Petcube also offers a Pet Emergency Fund service (for less than $1 a day), which not only includes online vet chat 24/7 but also pays up to $3000 in emergency vet costs each year if you ever need it.

Conversely, Furbo’s subscription service, Furbo Dog Nanny, currently offers 1 tier of coverage at $6.99/month (which is comparable to Petcube’s Optimal offering in terms of smart alerts). Furbo Dog Nanny also only offers 24 hours of Cloud video storage for automatic recordings (vs Petcube’s 3 days with an Optimal subscription). Furbo does offer a 60-second daily highlight video as part of their subscription offering though (not currently offered by Petcube).

Furbo also offers a 30-day free trial of Furbo Dog Nanny with every new camera purchased, whereas Petcube only offers a 14-day free trial of their Optimal Petcube Care plan with new cameras purchased.

*Prices are correct at the time of publishing.

Automatic Video Recording and Video History

Both sets of cameras offer automatic, event-triggered video recordings (and storage via the Cloud) with a paid subscription, however, Furbo devices only capture 15-second recordings whereas Petcube devices capture 30-second recordings.

Similarly, depending on your subscription tier, Petcube also offers up to 90 days of video history within the app, whereas Furbo only offers 24 hours of video history in the app (although you can still manually capture photos and video to your device with both brands).

Alexa Compatibility and Connectivity

Of all 4 models outlined above, only the Bites 2 comes with Alexa built-in (all other models are Alexa compatible only). Similarly, the Bites 2 is compatible with both 2.4 GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi, whereas all other models use 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi only.

Ease of Cleaning

Both Bites 2 treat trays are detachable and can be washed in the dishwasher or by hand. The Furbo treat container (both models), on the other hand, is not removable and can only be cleaned using a damp cloth.

Price

As is to be expected, the premium models from both brands are the most expensive, with the Bites 2 currently retailing for $249, and the Furbo 360° retailing for $210.

Currently the Bites 2 Lite is the most affordable of the 4 cameras, at $109.95, with the 1st generation Furbo priced at $169 (while stock lasts).

*Prices are correct at the time of publishing.

Similarities

Interactive Treat Tossing 

Interactive treat tossing is available with all 4 units. Automatic treat toss (treat scheduling) is also available via all 4 units, however, with both Furbo devices, treats must be scheduled via Alexa rather than from within the Furbo app (which is the case with Petcube).

2-Way Audio, 1080p HD Video, and 24/7 Monitoring From Your Phone

All units allow you to see (in 1080p HD), hear and talk to your pets in real-time from your phone via their apps. All cameras also offer automatic night vision mode – which is pretty cool!

4x Zoom and USB Cable/Outlet Power

All devices offer 4x digital zoom as standard and require outlet power via USB cable to run.

Smart Alerts

All devices offer Smart Alerts with a paid subscription (push notifications to your phone via their apps). These are fully customizable and can distinguish between sound, motion, and activity as well as human detection.

Photos and Video Sharing

All devices allow you to manually take photos and record videos to your phone as well as share access with family and friends. Social sharing is also a feature offered by both pet camera brands as well as multi-camera capability.

Connectivity and Wireless Communication

Both brands utilize similar Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technologies and have similar connectivity requirements.

Final Thoughts - Petcube Bites 2 vs Furbo

All 4 devices are great for monitoring and interacting with your pet when you can’t be there, with the core features of each being essentially the same. What sets them apart, however, are their subscription offerings, design, and price.

If you’re looking for a pet camera with extensive video recording storage and playback options, access to other pet care perks, online vet chat, ease of cleaning, wall-mounting capability, and built-in Alexa (with Bites 2), then a Bites 2 camera (with Petcube Care) might be the pet cam for you. 

Similarly, if price is a big factor for you (and 5GHz Wi-Fi connectivity isn’t as important), you can’t beat the Bites 2 Lite for performance and affordability.

Alternatively, if you’re looking for a pet camera with a chic Scandinavian-inspired aesthetic, selfie alerts, and a daily highlight reel (with Furbo Dog Nanny), then a Furbo dog camera might be a better fit for you (especially if you like the idea of auto dog tracking and a 360° rotating camera field of view!).

At the end of the day, it all comes down to the features you value most and what you feel will work best for you and your pets!