This High-End Home Security Camera Is Now $25
If you’re looking for a home security camera that doesn’t cost a fortune but still provides clear video and smart features, you might want to take a look at the TP-Link Tapo C120 . At $24.99 (down from $39.99), it beats the competition significantly while still offering 2K video, color night vision, and voice control via Alexa and Google Assistant.
It’s compact, just over two inches wide, with a sleek design that fits easily on either a bookshelf or an outside wall. And with a magnetic base and IP66 weatherproofing, you can install it indoors or outdoors without exposing yourself to the elements. However, it connects using the included 10-foot USB-C cable, so it doesn’t run on battery power, but you also won’t have to deal with frequent recharging.
What’s good about the TP-Link Tapo C120 is its basic functionality. Its video feed is clear thanks to the 4MP sensor (with a 120-degree field of view), and it provides full-color night vision (using the Starlight sensor and built-in spotlights) in ambient light, or even in complete darkness if you switch the white LEDs. And if you don’t want to be exposed to light, you can always switch to black-and-white infrared mode via the companion app. Motion detection is customizable—you can set it to only notify you about people or cars, for example, allowing you to control spam alerts. You have the option to store clips locally using your own microSD card (up to 512GB) or pay for cloud storage through Tapo Care. This subscription starts at $3.49 per month and adds things like longer clip history and better filtering, but it’s optional if you’re willing to manage the storage yourself.
However, according to PCMag’s review , it doesn’t support Apple HomeKit or IFTTT. Google Assistant and Alexa work fine, especially when viewing feeds on smart displays, but automation is otherwise limited. Two-way audio is also present, but you have to hold down a button in the app to talk, which can be annoying if you use it a lot. However, the footage it captures, especially at night, is better than you’d expect from a sub-$30 camera.