TP-Link Tapo Indoor Cameras Review

TP-Link's Tapo indoor cameras are a pretty good way to get the benefits of a HomeKit camera and intelligent in-app notifications TP-Link Tapo indoor cameras review: TC73 and C125

Home security is important, but it can get expensive with their own cloud subscriptions and sketchy privacy models. Fortunately, TP-Link has an affordable solution that addresses both problems. TP-Link makes good products, but the naming leaves something to be desired. I'm reviewing the Tapo C125 and TC73 indoor cameras, and if there's a meaning behind these numbers, it's not clear. The Tapo C125 is a stationary camera and the TC73 is a pan/tilt camera. Both share basic feature sets and specifications. TP-Link Tapo indoor cameras review - features

The Tapo cameras both record in 2K QHD with 4 MP photos. They record at 15fps by default, but there are settings for 20fps or 30fps. TP-Link Tapo indoor cameras review: Record footage in 2K with the Tapo app

Apple still limits HomeKit cameras to 1080p, so viewing live footage or recordings in the Home app won't be as detailed as the Tapo app. Customers can subscribe to a cloud storage option or record video locally to an SD card of up to 512GB if they want full 2K recording. Resolution isn't everything. The sensors are 1/2.9-inch and produce decent images, but I couldn't see much difference between the Tapo app feed and the Apple Home feed. The cameras have a physical privacy option that can be activated in the app or a button on the device. The TC73 turns the camera inwards while the C125 closes a privacy shutter. A night vision option can switch between an 850nm IR LED and a 940nm LED. The 940nm LED doesn't show any physical light on the camera, but it doesn't light up that far. Thanks to the built-in microphone and speaker, the cameras can work as walkie-talkies. Speak into the Tapo or Home app and the camera will play audio, then the microphone will send audio back. Review of TP-Link Tapo indoor cameras: Sirens can sound when unusual activity is detected

A built-in alarm can sound at up to 98 decibels with three sound options: siren, emergency, and red alarm. The alarm can be set to sound with one of the input triggers described below. Despite having a built-in alarm, it cannot appear in Apple Home. The user is notified of an alarm and a light flashes on the camera, but HomeKit automations cannot be connected. One interesting feature that I haven't seen on other cameras is the ability to add information to the video feed that also appears in the HomeKit feed. It can display the timestamp, the Tapo logo, and a custom label - and everything can be turned off. AI detection and input triggersThe built-in image processing can detect various triggers and notify the user.

These triggers are based on sound, movement, or image recognition. Review of TP-Link Tapo indoor cameras: the Tapo app has more detection options than Apple HomeThe available detection and trigger events are:

• Motion detection
• Person detection
• Line crossing detection
• Tamper detection
• Baby cry detection
• Vehicle detection
• Pet detection
• Meow detection
• Bark detection
• Glass break detection

Everything Setup with the Tapo app is processed via the camera's software. That's unlike Apple's Home app which requires all video to be processed on the active Home Hub. Apple's list of detection options is much more limited. Users cannot be notified of sounds and image recognition is only available for people, animals, vehicles, and packages. Test report Tapo indoor cameras from TP-Link -- C125

The Tapo C125 can be easily mounted via a magnet or glue. A magnetic plate can be screwed into the wall or attached with a supplied self-adhesive sticker. TP-Link Tapo indoor cameras review: Tapo C125 Once the mount is attached, the camera easily sticks to the surface and can be rotated and adjusted freely.

The cable has to go somewhere, but is long enough to reach electrical outlets, even from ceiling to floor. It has a 140-degree field of view and is completely stationary. The 2K resolution and night mode provide enough detail for an indoor space. It's a good stationary camera that does what it advertises. Set up the camera in Apple Home or the Tapo app, stick it to the wall and record video. Simple. TP-Link Tapo indoor cameras review -- TC73Since the Tapo TC73 is a pan and tilt camera, it can be placed on a table or screwed into a surface.

No fancy magnetic mounting here, but that's understandable. TP-Link Tapo indoor cameras review: TC73 There isn't much difference in field of view as it uses the same sensor as the C125.

However, it can be rotated vertically and horizontally, allowing a view of 360 degrees horizontally and 149 degrees vertically. Apple hasn't added support for camera motor control from the Home app, but the Tapo TC73 has a trick up its sleeve called Patrol Mode. Users can set specific regions to stop while the base is spinning, set how long it stops, and add multiple stops. Once set up in the Tapo app, patrol mode will occur automatically during scheduled hours. Apple Home users can open the camera and see a live feed of the camera moving back and forth. TP-Link Tapo Indoor Cameras Review: How to Set Patrol Mode

While the primary user with both the Tapo and Home apps probably won't need this access, it's useful for others in the home. For example, your partner may not have the Tapo app, but still wants to take advantage of the pan and tilt options. Furthermore, TC73 is identical to the C125. HomeKit vs. Tapo App

As I mentioned before, the Tapo cameras have motion and sound sensors, plus a built-in siren. None of these are visible in the Apple Home app. TP-Link Tapo indoor cameras review: No sensors for Apple HomeThe Tapo cameras can be used without ever opening the Tapo app.

Set up notifications and safe zones and then let the camera record. Of course, without the Tapo app, the TC73 cannot use its pan and tilt capabilities. These cameras benefit from the fact that the user uses both systems. Adding the Tapo cameras to Apple Home costs nothing if you already have Apple One or iCloud+. Set them up within that app for redundancy, especially if you're primarily an Apple Home user. Use the Tapo app for more advanced options, including AI detection features and patrol mode. I didn't use the Tapo app much during my review, aside from the initial setup. TP-Link Tapo indoor cameras review: Alternatives to HomeKit Secure Video

Whether you have no other recording option or want redundancy, Tapo offers Tapo Care - cloud storage for recording video and rich notifications. For one device, 30 days of unlimited storage costs $3.49 per month or $34.99 per year. The rich notifications feature sends an image with app notifications. Apple Home notifications do that by default. Tapo Care scales to 10 devices for $11.99 per month or $119.99 per year. I'm not sure you would want to use Tapo Care if you have HomeKit Secure Video. If you're looking for redundancy, just add an SD card. The cameras support an SD card up to 512 GB for local recording. HomeKit Secure Video is almost automatic for Apple users. Chances are if you invest in HomeKit cameras, you're already paying for Apple One or extra iCloud storage. TP-Link Tapo indoor cameras review: iCloud+ levels increase camera limits for HomeKit Secure Video

If you have a 50GB iCloud+ plan, you get a single HomeKit camera with ten days of activity. The 200GB plan makes that five, while a 2TB plan adds unlimited cameras. These iCloud+ tiers are included with every tier of Apple One. Individual plans get 50 GB, family plans get 200 GB, and Premier plans get 2 TB. Apple One gives you access to other Apple Services like Apple TV+ and Apple Music, so let's compare the iCloud+ plans. The 2TB plan costs $10 per month and offers unlimited cameras with ten days of storage. That is much cheaper than Tapo Care. But Tapo Care is 30 days and 2K video. Affordable HomeKit Secure VideoCameras

that support HomeKit Secure Video have historically been more expensive. TP-Link Tapo offers HomeKit-compatible cameras at a lower price and with a lot of extra functionality. TP-Link Tapo indoor cameras review: Affordable HomeKit Secure Video The Tapo C125 is a good HomeKit camera that owners can use without ever opening the Tapo app. Tapo TC73 can use some features such as patrol mode even if it relies mainly on the Apple Home app. Either way, you have good options with TP-Link's Tapo line. Hopefully Apple will open up HomeKit with more camera functionality in the future, but for now these cameras get the job done. TP-Link Tapo indoor cameras review - Pros Easy to mount and use Can work with HomeKit and Tapo app Cloud storage, SD card storage or HomeKit Secure Video offers a lot of choice for the customer In-app detection and notification options more robust than HomeKit Patrol mode visible from HomeKit TP-Link Tapo indoor cameras review - Cons No additional sensors visible in HomeKit Notifications can be incessant out of the box Tapo Care subscription required for rich notifications, has a limit of ten cameras Rating: 4 out of 5TP-Link has a good set of indoor cameras with useful features and a well-made app. Whether you stick with HomeKit alone or delve into the features of the Tapo app, you'll be happy with these cameras. Where can you buy TP-Link Tapo indoor cameras? The Tapo C125 normally costs $59.99, but is available for $49.99 at Best Buy. The Tapo TC73 360-degree camera normally costs $69.99, but is available for $59.99 at Best Buy after you select the pan-tilt option.