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
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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
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
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.
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).
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!
*Prices correct at time of publishing.
