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TP-Link Tapo 2K QHD Pan/Tilt Security Camera for Pet Camera, Baby Monitor, Motion Detection, Motion Tracking, 2-Way Audio, Night Vision, Cloud &SD Card Storage, Works w/Alexa & Google Home(Tapo C220)

TP-Link Tapo C220 Review: A Versatile and Affordable Security Camera

If you are looking for a security camera that can monitor your home, your pets, or your baby, you might want to check out the TP-Link Tapo C220. This is a pan/tilt camera that offers 2K QHD video quality, motion and person detection, night vision, two-way audio, cloud and SD card storage, and compatibility with Alexa and Google Assistant. In this review, we will take a closer look at the features, performance, and pros and cons of the Tapo C220, and help you decide if it is the right camera for you.

Features and Specifications

The Tapo C220 is a compact and sleek camera that measures 3.36 x 3.42 x 4.63 inches and weighs 15.6 ounces. It has a white plastic body with a black front panel that houses the camera lens, the IR sensor, the status LED, and the microphone. The camera can rotate 360 degrees horizontally and 114 degrees vertically, giving you a wide coverage of your room. You can control the pan/tilt function using the Tapo app on your smartphone or tablet.

The camera has a 4-megapixel sensor that can capture 2K QHD video at 20 frames per second. The video quality is crisp and clear, with good color and contrast. You can zoom in up to 4x to see more details. The camera also has a 3.6mm focal length and a 78-degree field of view, which is decent but not very wide. You can adjust the video settings such as brightness, contrast, saturation, and sharpness in the app.

The camera supports both cloud and SD card storage for your video recordings. You can choose to record continuously, or only when motion or person is detected. The camera has a microSD card slot that can support up to 512 GB of storage, which is not included in the package. You can also use the free Tapo cloud service, which gives you 3 days of rolling storage for up to 3 cameras. You can access your recordings from anywhere using the app or the web portal.

The camera has a built-in speaker and microphone that allow you to communicate with your family, pets, or visitors through the app. The two-way audio quality is clear and loud, with minimal distortion or delay. You can also use the camera as a baby monitor, as it has a free baby crying detection feature that will alert you when your baby is crying. You can also play lullabies or white noise from the app to soothe your baby.

The camera has a night vision mode that can see up to 30 feet in the dark. The camera uses 6 infrared LEDs to illuminate the scene, and switches to black and white video for better visibility. The night vision quality is good, with enough details and contrast. You can also turn on the night vision manually or set it to auto mode in the app.

The camera has a motion and person detection feature that can send you push notifications when there is activity in your room. You can customize the detection sensitivity, schedule, and area in the app. You can also set the camera to record a video clip or take a snapshot when motion or person is detected. The camera can distinguish between human and non-human motion, and reduce false alarms. You can also view the detection history and statistics in the app.

The camera is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, which means you can use your voice to control the camera or view the live stream on your smart display. You just need to link your Tapo account to your Alexa or Google Home app, and then say commands like “Alexa, show me the living room camera” or “Hey Google, show me the nursery camera”. You can also use the camera with other Tapo smart devices, such as smart plugs, smart bulbs, and smart switches, to create scenes and routines in the app.

The camera has a built-in siren and light alarm that you can activate manually or automatically when motion or person is detected. The siren is loud and the light is bright, which can scare away intruders or unwanted guests. You can also adjust the volume and duration of the alarm in the app.

The camera is easy to set up and use. You just need to download the Tapo app, create an account, scan the QR code on the camera, and follow the instructions. The app is user-friendly and intuitive, with a simple interface and various settings. You can also access the camera from your PC or laptop using the web portal.

Pros and Cons

The Tapo C220 is a versatile and affordable security camera that offers many features and benefits. Here are some of the pros and cons of the camera:

  • Pros
    • 2K QHD video quality with good clarity and details
    • Pan/tilt function with wide coverage and smooth control
    • Both cloud and SD card storage options
    • Two-way audio with clear sound and baby crying detection
    • Night vision with good visibility and range
    • Motion and person detection with customizable settings and alerts
    • Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility
    • Built-in siren and light alarm
    • Easy setup and use
  • Cons
    • Field of view is not very wide
    • Video frame rate is only 20 fps
    • SD card is not included in the package
    • Cloud service is limited to 3 days and 3 cameras
    • No option to turn off the status LED

Conclusion

The TP-Link Tapo C220 is a great choice for anyone who wants a security camera that can do more than just record video. It can also monitor your home, your pets, or your baby, with features like pan/tilt, two-way audio, night vision, motion and person detection, and siren and light alarm. It also works with Alexa and Google Assistant, which adds more convenience and functionality. The camera has a high-quality video resolution, a wide pan/tilt range, and both cloud and SD card storage options. The camera is also easy to set up and use, with a user-friendly app and web portal. The camera is not perfect, though, as it has some drawbacks, such as a narrow field of view, a low frame rate, and a limited cloud service. However, these are minor issues compared to the overall value and performance of the camera. The Tapo C220 is one of the best security cameras in its price range, and we highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a versatile and affordable security camera.

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