- Top Pick: Petcube Play 2 – Wi-Fi Pet Camera with Laser Toy for Cats & Dogs
- Best Value: Petcube [2017 Item] Play Smart Pet Camera with Interactive Laser Toy. Remote Dog/Cat Monitoring with HD 1080p Video, Two-Way Audio, Night Vision, Sound/Motion Alerts. App-Enabled Pet and Home Safety
- Premium Choice: VSTARCAM Pet Camera with Laser, 3MP 2.4GHz WiFi Interactive Dog & Cat Laser Toy with Night Vision, Motion Detection Alerts, APP Remote Control Indoor Security Camera for Pet Monitoring
📅 Last updated:
Leaving a high-energy pet home alone is easier when you can check in and even play with them from your phone. The Petcube Play 2 aims to do exactly that, combining a Wi-Fi pet camera with a built-in laser toy you control remotely. We lived with it for several weeks watching and entertaining a bored indoor cat, and this review covers how well it delivers on that dual promise.
At its core the Play 2 is a compact camera that streams HD video to your phone, but the laser is what sets it apart, letting you spark a play session from the office or across the house. Here is how it performs, where it excels, and whether it is worth the price over simpler cameras.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date shown and are subject to change.
![Petcube [2017 Item] Play Smart Pet Camera with Interactive Laser Toy. Remote Dog/Cat Monitoring with HD 1080p Video, Two-Way Audio, Night Vision, Sound/Motion Alerts. App-Enabled Pet and Home Safety](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31X-fKde3dL._SL160_.jpg)
⚡ Save on Your Next PC — Amazon Prime
Prime members get fast free shipping on the systems above, plus early access to Prime Day & Black Friday PC deals. New members get a 30-day free trial.
📋 Table of Contents
Watch: Review: The Petcube Play 2 Interactive Camera with Laser Toy — Video Review
Design & Build
See also: Are Pet Water Bottles for Travel Worth the Investment? • Are Heated Cat Beds Safe and Effective? A Deep Dive
The Play 2 is a small, aluminum-bodied cube that sits unobtrusively on a shelf or mounts to a wall, blending into a room far better than most pet cameras. The lens sits behind a clean face, and the laser emitter is integrated so there is nothing extra to attach. Build quality feels solid and premium, matching Petcube’s reputation. Setup runs through the app over 2.4GHz or 5GHz Wi-Fi and takes only a few minutes, though it does require a stable connection to work smoothly.
Performance
Video is sharp HD 1080p with a wide field of view that captures most of a room, and two-way audio lets you talk to your pet and hear them back. The star feature, the laser, is genuinely fun: you drag a dot around the live video and your cat chases it, or set it to an automatic pattern for hands-off play. Night vision keeps tabs on pets after dark, and motion and sound alerts ping your phone when something happens. The main caveats are that some features live behind an optional subscription, and, as with any laser toy, sessions should end with a physical reward so your cat gets the satisfaction of a real catch.
Pros & Cons
- Sharp 1080p HD video with wide-angle coverage and night vision
- Remote and automatic laser play genuinely entertains pets
- Two-way audio and motion/sound alerts for real-time check-ins
- Compact, premium aluminum design that blends into a room
- Some cloud features require a paid subscription
- Laser-only play should be supplemented with a catchable toy
- Relies on a stable Wi-Fi connection for smooth streaming
Alternatives to Consider
If you want the same brand without the laser, the Petcube Cam at $31.99 delivers indoor Wi-Fi monitoring for less, and the Petcube Cam 360 2-Pack adds pan-tilt coverage for multi-room homes. For a cheaper laser camera, the VSTARCAM Pet Camera with Laser at $39.99 offers 3MP video and interactive laser play at a lower price, though without Petcube’s polish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a subscription required to use it?
Core features like live video, two-way audio, and laser control work without a subscription. A paid plan unlocks extras such as cloud video history and richer alerts, so you can use the basics free.
Is the laser safe for my pet?
The low-power laser is safe when used sensibly. Never aim it at your pet’s eyes, and always end sessions by tossing a treat or toy so your cat experiences a satisfying catch rather than endless chasing.
Can I use it while away from home?
Yes, that is the point. As long as the camera has Wi-Fi and your phone has data, you can watch, talk, and trigger laser play from anywhere through the app.
Does it work in the dark?
Built-in night vision lets you monitor pets in low light or darkness, so you can check on them overnight or in a dim room without leaving lights on.
Verdict
The Petcube Play 2 is the standout pick in 2026 for owners of playful, easily bored pets who want more than passive monitoring. At around $60 it costs more than a plain camera, but the remote laser play adds real value for cats that need stimulation while home alone. Just pair the laser with an occasional catchable reward and accept that some extras cost extra, and you get a polished, genuinely engaging pet camera.
