These Might Be My New Favorite Smart Security Cameras! (Tapo Wire-Free Mag Cams)

It's been a long time coming for Tapo and TP-Link, but I think they finally have some new smart home security cameras that work. These are the new indoor and outdoor cameras called the Tapo TC85. They are wire-free magnetic mounting cameras with a ton of options and a ton of great features.

Everything from those AI detection options, to local storage, and everything in between. So I hope you enjoy our video!

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Thanks for watching, and Don't Hate, Automate.

Brian

[dankelley]

Brian, great review & coverage of this Tapo camera. Love the fact that you don’t need a subscription to get the features your really need & want. Love the fact it works well with Amazon Alexa! I think this is the camera to beat that’s feature rich with NO subscription necessary! Thanks!

[tcplzwh]

This hit all the points I have been trying to satisfy in my search for the right cameras with the right combination of features. It feels like users designed it.

[freakqnc]

Thank you for a great review what seems to be finally a great product. There's been a vacuum in this field for ages and this devices seem to fill the void left because there are hardly good cameras out there that could offer all of these features (as partially hitting a few of them won't cut it for many of us):

1) High quality (not just resolution) in daylight as well as night and low light conditions,
2) No forcing into cloud-only storage or subscription-based AI features,
3) Ability to store locally, mainly NAS rather than microSD (often unreliable and easy to steal),
4) Good AI feature-set also able to detect objects, animals, humans,
5) Work quickly as far as responsiveness and saving, over wifi,
6) Good set of features for automation and easy to manage settings,
7) Good range to cover small and large properties,
8) Decent price point

If nitpicking, I'd want to better the mounting options. While I understand the magnetic holder (well engineered nevertheless) as it could be used inside a house perhaps, but I'd never use one even indoors since I'd want to make it as difficult as possible to physically remove the device from where it's been mounted. In fact I'd love if there was an option to place them in a more tamperproof and theft-deterring casing which could achieve maximum concealment so that they'd be even hard to spot.

[digitalphoenix]

Its a huge flaw IMO for the camera yo have local video storage ON the camera. It would be as simple as the perp taking the SD card out, or breaking the camera off and taking it, along with the footage...

[YukonHawk]

Much better than anything coming from Wyze!! Better picture, sound and value for the money! :-) Excellent review.

[mitchblackmore]

The one thing I can't wrap my head around is the magnetic base. What's to stop someone from walking up to your cam and 'Yoink, my cam now' ?

[websquadron]

Great review. 1) Could these be mounted inside behind a window and still detect movement outside?
2) Without connecting to 3rd Parties like Amazon, will it send instant notification/footage to a phone app?
3) Can you deactivate some cameras when I'm at home to conserve battery life?

[mosesarevalo]

What's the difference between the Tapo TC85 & Tapo C425 (from this vid) cameras? The Amazon link calls it out as both and the tp-link website has both as separate as well.

[freshphotography_melbourne]

Looks like a great camera, Confused on how it compares to the C420. The C425 (or TC85) doen not need the hub ( not sure if that is a positive or negative - the SD card would be in the hub and record all cameras - less sd cards necessary and its away from the camera so no one can just steal all the cameras (and its recording). No idea what the hub does to the range compared to a good wifi router. The magnetic mount looks much better on the C425.

[EthosAtheos]

Have you tested the cameras recording when under attack by a 2.4ghz de-auth attack; For example using a flipper zero? I ask because both of my Eufy door bell cameras stop recording events even to local storage if I de-auth them with a flipper. This is a serious problem for any 2.4 camera that stops working while disconnected from wifi.

[petem]

I have 2 of these cameras with solar panels.
Quick review its worth it.

Solid units very good. On the non magnetic mount I got an earth magnet attached it and now magnetic.

The battery life all depends what bells and whistle u have set as preferences. If u get the solar panel definitely extends your battery life.

[mikewalton]

Good info. If the feature is available, you didn’t mention how the quality of video looks if/when you zoom in during live viewing.

[jimmcdonald]

So very helpful and comprehensive thank you. As with you, nights here in the UK seem very dark suddenly and I was thinking about my first external camera(s) purchase.

[elmarty]

The 300 day battery is interesting....but what about environmental effects....ie..the cold. Tends to have a lot of affect on how the batteries last.

[jeffkirk]

I have a FireTV that I want to use as a monitor for live cameras. Can I have all 3 cameras displaying live images on the TV at the same time?

[HughD]

Brian, this camera looks really interesting, but for me it has to also work in Homekit. While it doesn't have native Homekit support there is a Homebridge plugin called "Homebridge Tapo Camera" which I think could bring in the camera feed as well as some notifications for automation purposes. The plugin appears to be being maintained as there was an update last April. I'm hoping one of your viewers will read this and comment on it. I don't know if you have a Homebridge, or Hoobs set up there or not. Anyway, thanks for the review!!!

[Leehensman]

Love Tapo, tried so many different brands but hands down tapo is the best.

[niravniel]

Thanks for the video, is it possible to record 24/7?

[c]

I bought 2 a few months ago. I love them!

[mssbjh]

Thank you for this. :)
What do you recommend as a permanent display, say on your kitchen counter, for all your cameras? Old tablet?