Battery-powered security cameras are convenient, but they’re also full of compromises. Now, TP-Link is setting a new standard with itsTapo Wire-Free Security Camera, a device that combines an ultra-convenient design with a built-in spotlight, 2K video resolution, free AI face detection, and a wealth of other useful features. The Tapo Wire-Free Security Camera is available today for $120, or just $300 if you purchasea three-pack.
According to TP-Link, the Tapo Wire-Free Security Camera’s 10,000mAh battery can endure up to 300 days of operation—it shouldn’t need to be charged more than once or twice a year. And, when the battery gets low, you’ll have no trouble taking the Tapo Wire-Free Security Camera down from its magnetic mounting plate. For those who’d prefer a more hands-off approach, TP-Link suggests pairing the Wire-Free Security Camera with aTapo Solar Panel, which can provide unlimited battery life in some circumstances (you need at least 30 minutes of direct sunlight each day).
As for the actual specs, TP-Link’s Tapo Wire-Free Security Camera has a 2K resolution (with full-resolution live view), a full-color starlight night vision sensor, an adjustable spotlight, and an emergency siren. The wide 150-degree FOV should provide a good view of any lawn, driveway, porch, or garage, while IP66 weatherproofing protects the camera from rain and dust. Two-way audio is also supported.
TP-Link is also very generous with its software features. The Tapo Wire-Free Security Camera offers AI face detection, privacy zones, and customizable activity zones for free. ATapo Caresubscription is required for 30-day cloud storage and “rich notifications,” but if you don’t want to pay a monthly fee, you can store videos locally with a microSD card (up to 512GB). For what it’s worth, a 512GB microSD card costs about $35, which is the same price you’d pay for one year of Tapo Care. (You can also use the Tapo Wire-Free Security Camera offline when local storage is enabled, though this disables the live view.)
You canpurchase the Tapo Wire-Free Security Cameratoday for $120, or just $300 if you’re down for athree-pack. This camera does not require a hub, and it supports both Amazon Alexa and Google Home. Note that the Wire-Free Security Camera is very similar toTP-Link’s Tapo C420S2, which originally retailed at $120 but is now available at a deep discount.
