This TP-Link Security Camera Is $25 Right Now
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly security camera with solid video quality and features that hold their own against pricier models, the TP-Link Tapo C120 is a good bet.
AbJimroe
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly security camera with solid video quality and features that hold their own against pricier models, the TP-Link Tapo C120 is a good bet.
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Credit: Product image courtesy of Amazon
The TP-Link Tapo C120 Security Camera offers a surprising amount of value for its price—high -es video, color night vision, an IP966 rating, two-way audio, built-in spotlights, and intelligent alerts—all for $24.99 (discounted from $39.99). Setting up the C120 is relatively straightforward with the Tapo app, which lets you control everything from alarms and video playback to brightness and connectivity.
Its 4MP camera starts recording when it detects motion and captures 2K video at 20fps with a 120° field of view, ensuring you don’t miss much. Plus, it sends you free intelligent alerts that let you know if it’s spotted a person, pet, vehicle, or something else. For night vision, it switches between low-intensity infrared LEDs for black and white or built-in spotlights for color. That said, its nighttime color quality is still a bit muted compared to its daytime footage, which is pretty standard among security cameras.
In addition to its video capabilities, the TP-Link Tapo C120 also has two-way audio so you can communicate with whoever is on the other end of the camera. This can be especially helpful for monitoring and interacting with pets, children, or a delivery person. To store the recordings locally, you’ll need to purchase a separate microSD card (up to 512GB) or subscribe to Tapo Care (starting at $3.49 per month) if you prefer cloud storage.
While TP-Link claims it supports IFTTT, this PCMag review mentioned they had trouble getting that feature to work, so you may want to manage expectations there. And, if you’re a die-hard Apple user, the lack of HomeKit integration could be a dealbreaker for you, though pairing with Alexa and Google Assistant works fine. If HomeKit or IFTTT is non-negotiable, the Abode Iota All-in-One Security Kit might be more your speed—though at $329.99, it's a much pricier alternative.
