WiFi security camera is a great tool to monitor your home and they have gotten really good these days. TP-Link recently launched their latest Tapo C200 WiFi security camera. It is now even easier to setup and very user friendly to use.
Tapo is a new brand from TP-Link for smart home devices such as WiFi cameras and smart plugs. The Tapo C200 is the first product from Tapo.
TP-Link Tapo C200
7.5
Tubi Rating
Good Stuff
- Easy to setup
- App is really user friendly
- Pan and tilt function
Bad Stuff
- Not water resistant
Hardware and Specs
The Tapo C200 comes with plenty of features. The camera can support pan and tilt function. It also able to inform you when it senses motion in the video stream. But, the camera is not water resistant so you cannot put it outdoor without cover.
| Video Resolution | 1080p 15fps (H.264) |
| Wall Mount | Yes |
| Night Vision | IR flood light up to 30 ft |
| Audio | Microphone and Speaker |
| WiFi Specs | 802.11n 2.4Ghz up to 150Mbps |
The specs are pretty decent for the price this camera. It is able to record up to 1920×1080 at 15fps with audio. Tapo C200 also features a built in speaker and microphone for 2 way communication.
As for expandability, the MicroSD card slot is hidden below the camera so you will need to move the camera to see the MicroSD slot. The reset button is located over here as well. It can support up to a 128GB MicroSD card.
You can view more specs on Tapo website.
Setup TP-Link Tapo C200
TP-Link Tapo C200 is configured using the Tapo Camera app available for both Android and iOS devices. The app will first ask you to connect to the Tapo Camera WiFi network and the rest are really easy to work with.
Once connect to the Tapo Camera WiFi, you will need to configure the camera to connect to your home WiFi network. As this camera is cloud powered, you do not need to perform any port forwarding and it works with all kind of network included 4G LTE network.
Tapo Camera App features
The Tapo camera app is really easy to use and very well designed. It is connected to a TP-Link ID like all TP-Link products. There is a short 1-2 seconds delay when viewing the footage which is normal for a WiFi camera.
Everything is properly laid out and easy to you. The Tapo C200 can auto cruise with the pan and tilt function. You can also mark the location so the camera will automatically move to the location you marked.
Motion Detection
The motion detection function is enabled by default on the Tapo app. It lets you to select which zone you wish to have the detection function enabled and whether you wish to record continuously or only when motion is detected.
When a motion is detected, the app will send you a notification informing you. The playback function will also let you to only filter to view when there is motion detected by the camera.
Two Way Communication
You can also use the build in push to talk function on the app to talk via the camera remotely. The volume of the speaker is actually quite loud in our testing. The volume can be controlled on the Tapo app.
There is also an alert function where it will sound an alarm whenever it detects a motion in the camera. This will be a useful function if you use this camera outdoor.
Video Quality
I attached a short video extracted directly from the camera for a reference. The camera is pretty decent at most lighting conditions. The auto exposure is working very well and it support a rather wide dynamic range with minimal over exposure.
On daytime, the image is decently sharp and you can see the fine details on the picture. The app also let you to zoom in a zone in the image by just double tapping.
On night vision mode, the camera will switch over to the IR illumination to light up the scene. This will result in a black and white image. But, the video recording is still really clear and you can definitely see the Tapo camera box placed on the IKEA lamp.
Closing Thoughts
TP-Link Tapo C200 comes with a really good app for video surveillance. The camera performs really well and the app is very user friendly and easy to use in our testing. Besides, the image is sharp enough for surveillance usage.
Tapo C200 will be retailing at just RM169 in Malaysia soon.
My 3rd unit tapo is lit red and green lights and cannot detect to my apps. Is this totally worn out/damage and need to replace? Please advise so we can proceed accordingly my unit is Tapo C200
Thank you and God Bless
If the reset procedure doens’t fix the problem, I suggest sending it back for warranty or just purchase a new one since they are so cheap.
Tapo C200 WiFi security camera
Why is my Tapo c100 only showing in black& white. It is placed inside a box, as a puppy cam. Could ir be reverting to night vision?
I also have C110 which shows in colour.
It’s possible to manually change the night vision mode on the Tapo app.
I have a full system of tapo camera but there is something i wish it has is louder speakers or siren, the default ones are barely noticeable , any mobile phone is louder. I wonder do they sell loud wireless alarm to pair with the system
I asked TP-Link the same question recently and they are releasing their smart hub with chime soon! It is supposed to be able to integrate with the Tapo camera which trigger an alarm but it might require a firmware update.
Hi ,i have 3 cameras at this time, so is it possible to automatic scroll cameras on iPad or on tablet?
You can view up to 4 cameras on the same screen at the same time with the Tapo iPad app.
Can this work in a stationary parked car I have a friend whose car is being vandalised and the Police need evidence before they can do anything.
I think a dashcam that works when a car is off is more suitable for you.
Sadly all useless if you own a Huawei/Honor phone, as the app is NOT aggressive enough to send PUSH notifications of motion alert to your device. Nothign you do, battery savers, permissions allowed etc make no difference. You’ll get notified upto 45 minutes AFTER you’ve been broken into and robbed.
I do not face this issue with my Samsung and Apple phone. Perhaps you can have a look whether Google Play Services is working properly on your phone.
How do you keep the horizontal cruise on, so it’s continues, we turn it on and it stops after it’s done it once?
can be work on remotely?
Of course, else it wouldn’t be a WiFi camera.
Yes, it will remember the last position upon reboot.