TP-Link's Tapo C120 Wi-Fi Indoor/Outdoor Security Camera is a sleek, compact, and highly functional camera at an accessible price point. It packs a powerful punch for such a compact device, which makes it an excellent choice for

anyone seeking an extra set of eyes around their home.

TP-Link Tapo C120 Indoor/Outdoor Smart Camera

9 / 10

$35 $40 Save $5

The Tapo C120 Indoor/Outdoor Smart Camera provides high-quality security in an easy-to-install package. With AI object detection, night vision, and 2-way audio, it's suited to various uses inside and outside of the home. 

Brand

TP-Link

Resolution

2K, 4MP

Connectivity

Wi-Fi

App Compatibility

Tapo

Power Source

Corded, USB-C

Measurements (camera)

2.65 x 2.26 x 1.74 inches (67 x 57 x 44 mm)

Weather resistance

IP66 Weatherproof

Weight

12oz (340g)

Night Vision

Color and infra-red

Colors

White

Spotlight

Yes

Storage

MicroSD or optional cloud subscription

Two-way speaker

Yes

Motion detection

Yes, with AI object recognition

Subscription required?

No

Privacy mode

Yes

Pros

• Very affordable
• AI object recognition
• Multiple mounting options (indoors and outside)
• Compact size

Cons

• Image lags in low-light environments

$35 at Amazon See at TP-Link

Mount the Tapo C120 Anywhere, Indoors or Outside

The Tapo Indoor/Outdoor Home Security Wi-Fi Camera, also called the Tapo C120, comes with everything needed to get the camera installed and ready to use for 24/7 monitoring:

• The C120 camera
• USB-C power cord measuring 9.8 feet (3m) in length
• Power adapter (5V, 1A)
• Magnetic base with maneuverable arm and non-slip pads
• Brackets to attach the cord to the installation surface
• Metal mounting disc for use on non-magnetic surfaces
• Measurement template sticker for placing screws the correct distance apart to attach the metal mounting bracket to the installation surface
• Four mounting screws with anchors
• Double-sided mounting tape
• Reset tool to easily reset the device in case of an issue

The design lends itself to a sleek and compact device that fits well into both indoor and outdoor environments. The white color of the camera, power cord, and power block blend well with common household surfaces.

Big Capabilities in a Small Device

The Tapo C120 has many built-in features that make it ideal for most users who want an affordable and functional security camera. Waterproof and dust resistant, the Tapo C120 can withstand rain or snow and is ideal for both outdoor security and indoor monitoring of children or pets.

The device houses a 2K Quad-HD, 4MP resolution camera with a 120-degree field of view. A starlight sensor allows for full color nighttime vision. Additionally, a small spotlight can illuminate the environment as needed or act as a deterrent. In both daylight and nighttime lighting, the C120's 2K resolution (2560 x 1440) means you won't miss any important details.

The Tapo C120 features an adjustable IR LED that provides better night identification capabilities up to 30 feet away, as well as an LED recording light which indicates to passersby that they are being actively monitored. If you are using the device within a setting where the LED recording light is a distraction instead of a benefit—such as monitoring a baby—it can also be turned off completely.

Motion detection alerts, which can be set for a specific sensitivity, make the Tapo C120 ideal for front yards or near doorways.

On either side of the camera, in a horizontal configuration, are two spotlights that aid in illuminating environments when needed. These spotlights make a big difference in inclement weather conditions. Additionally, the spotlights can be utilized as a deterrent and security feature when they are set to activate in the event of motion detection. To enhance this security feature, the device can also emit an aggressive alarm sound. This setting can be turned on or off through the Tapo app.

With the assistance of artificial intelligence, the Tapo C120 can identify multiple object types, such as cars, people, or animals. This is offered at no additional charge, and allows you to receive only the notifications or alerts that you're interested in, such as ignoring your pet wandering around the yard. While object identification is fairly common in security cameras now, capabilities for sound identification make the C120 even more useful. It can discern between a baby's cry, a dog's bark, a cat's meow, or glass breaking.

For storage, you can either insert a microSD card (512GB should get you around 680 hours), or subscribe to the optional Tapo Care service, which provides 30 days of video history, regardless of how many motion events were recorded.

You'll also find 2-way, full duplex audio. This means you can speak to others through the Tapo C120 itself as if having an active conversation on the phone, rather than having to hold down a button like a walkie-talkie. This eliminates the stuttering and single-band audio many other devices provide. This feature makes the device an excellent choice to speak to delivery drivers or visitors to the door when users are not home. Additionally, if the camera is being used to monitor children or pets, it allows carers to converse with their loved ones easily. I found this to be one of the biggest improvements compared to other security cameras I have used in the past, enabling a more natural-sounding conversation with minimal miscommunication.

Smooth User Experience

I found the user experience of the Tapo C120 intuitive to set up and easy to utilize daily. When choosing the optimal security camera for your home, it's important to consider the location in which it will be installed. I tried multiple locations indoors and outside, and in every case, installation was easy using the included hardware.

There are four ways to attach the camera to the desired location, all of which are easy to set the perfect angle with its jointed arm-to-base connection. Users can:

• Stand the camera on the included base with rubber grips to aid stability.
• Use the included magnetic base to attach the device to a metal surface.
• Use the pre-cut double-sided mounting tape for awkward indoor mounting.
• Use the included mounting bracket and screws for more permanent outdoor installation.

I found it helpful that the device uses a standard USB-C connector for power, which made it easy to replace the power cord with a different length if needed. Indoors, the included 9.8-foot (3m) cord was more than sufficient. However, when I installed the camera outside, I needed a longer cord to accommodate the lack of power outlets outside my home.

The Tapo app includes an easy-to-understand layout to manage devices in one place, with clear icons for common functions, and a settings section to customize as desired. Users can take a snapshot, watch a live view, listen to the environment, or activate the speaker within the app.

You'll also find a high degree of customization possible, with features such as privacy areas, line-crossing alerts, color night vision, turning motion alarms on or off, motion zones, and motion sensitivity. Recording schedules can be set up to have your camera actively recording only at specific times. Additionally, footage can be easily downloaded or shared directly from the app.

While using the device, I noticed a few features I found to be very beneficial:

• You can watch multiple live views at once if you have more than one security camera.
• You can zoom through the timeline or speed up or slow down playback speed.
• Auto reboots can be set to automatically reboot the camera from the app at set intervals for optimal performance.
• Settings are available to dictate the brightness level and duration of spotlights when motion is detected.
• The image can be flipped if the camera is installed in an inconvenient location, such as on the ceiling.
• Motion notifications appeared on my phone very quickly compared to my old security camera.
• When not in use, the base of the camera folds perfectly over the front of the camera and provides protection. It also becomes very compact.

Potential Drawbacks

It is important to note that while the camera itself is a great price, the optional TapoCare subscription service is needed to unlock certain features. This includes things like cloud storage for footage. Notifications for movement or sound detected work fine without a subscription, but with TapoCare you'll also receive a snapshot of the event.

That said, I didn't need to subscribe to TapoCare to be completely happy with the functionality of the Tapo C120. It includes plenty of great features without the subscription, including my favorite: the AI-assisted identification of sounds and movement.

While the magnetic attachment plate is an excellent tool for use indoors, I did find it to be a little too weak to trust for outdoor use. If it were to encounter strong winds or hail, as is frequent in my area, I would be concerned it wouldn't hold. In this case, I would choose to use the provided mounting plate.

There was also some inconsistent imaging/lagging when in low-light environments. Some ghosting is to be expected with most security cameras in low-light environments, and while there was still some with the Tapo C120, it was not disruptive to its use for security. Overall, I was impressed with the image quality for the price and size of the device itself.

Lastly, it is a wired device. For the most part, this is a non-issue as the device would be installed and left for long periods. However, with its magnetic mounting base, and ability to be folded into such a compact travel-ready size, I think it would have been hugely beneficial to easily relocate this device without the need to remount the cord as well. It would work well as a travel security camera if needed.

Is the Tapo C120 Right for You?

Overall, the versatile Tapo 2K QHD camera is an impressive device all on its own. Combined with its affordable price point, it packs such an impressive punch. I would recommend it to anyone who wants an easy-to-mount and security camera that doesn't compromise on features.

The Tapo C120 is supported by the Tapo app and includes a number of features, even without a subscription, that are not found for free on other platforms. It allows for the recording light to be turned off, and full duplex two-way audio makes conversing with family easy and clear with no awkward stopping. It also supports on-device AI-assisted object identification to reduce unwanted motion alerts.

Whether you are interested in using it as an indoor monitor for children and pets, or if you wish to use it for outdoor security, it is an impressive camera, especially for such an economical price.

TP-Link Tapo C120 Indoor/Outdoor Smart Camera

9 / 10

$35 $40 Save $5

The Tapo C120 Indoor/Outdoor Smart Camera provides high-quality security in an easy-to-install package. With AI object detection, night vision, and 2-way audio, it's suited to various uses inside and outside of the home. 

Brand

TP-Link

Resolution

2K, 4MP

Connectivity

Wi-Fi

App Compatibility

Tapo

Power Source

Corded, USB-C

Measurements (camera)

2.65 x 2.26 x 1.74 inches (67 x 57 x 44 mm)

Weather resistance

IP66 Weatherproof

Weight

12oz (340g)

Night Vision

Color and infra-red

Colors

White

Spotlight

Yes

Storage

MicroSD or optional cloud subscription

Two-way speaker

Yes

Motion detection

Yes, with AI object recognition

Subscription required?

No

Privacy mode

Yes

$35 at Amazon See at TP-Link