The TP-Link Tapo C420S2 offers high-quality 2K QHD video, Smart AI detection, and excellent night capture
Security cameras are essential in today’s world, but setting them up can be a hassle. TP-Link has developed a solution with their new wire-free smart security cameras under the Tapo brand. These cameras are water and dust-resistant, easy to install, and can be placed virtually anywhere, indoors or outdoors.
Two-Camera System
One option is the TP-Link Tapo C420S2 two-camera system, which requires a hub. Each camera comes with wall mounts that can also double as a base or stand for use indoors on a tabletop.
The C420 camera is cylindrical and measures 4.35 x 2.52 x 2.52 inches (110.6 x 64.2 x 64.2mm). It features a 2K QHD sensor with a 113-degree field of view, offering over 70 percent more pixels than standard 1080p video. This allows for more detailed and clearer shots, especially in low-light conditions. It’s also equipped with Full Colour Night Vision with a Starlight Sensor, providing high-fidelity details in the dark.
 The TP-Link Tapo C420S2 |
 A built-in mic and speaker easily enables two-way communication. |
 The Tapo app allows remote setup and real-time monitoring. |
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The camera also has a built-in siren and light alarm to deter intruders, making it an ideal front- or back-door camera.
Smart AI
The Smart AI Detection can differentiate between people, animals, and vehicles, reducing false alarms. It can even detect a baby’s cry. The built-in mic and speaker enable two-way communication, making it useful for talking to delivery personnel or monitoring pets and family members.
Operation
The cameras connect wirelessly to the compact Tapo H200 Smart Hub, which connects to your home’s router via an RJ45 ethernet port. The hub also has a microSD card slot for local video recording (up to 256 GB).
You can opt for a TapoCare subscription for cloud storage, starting at $3.49 per month, with a free 30-day trial. Cloud storage offers added value by offering rich notifications with snapshots, advanced AI detection and privacy zones. The hub can also support up to an additional two cameras.
Power Saving Technology
The hub uses TP-Link Patented Sub-1G Communication, which covers a larger area than regular Wi-Fi while conserving energy. The cameras come with removable rechargeable battery packs with a battery life of up to 180 days (based on 10-20 events per day).
Based on the power consumption observed during testing, it’s more realistic to anticipate a battery life closer to four months. Actual duration will naturally depend on factors such as the level of activity triggering the camera, the chosen video resolution, recording speed, and environmental conditions, including the challenging weather conditions often encountered in Canada.
Two-Way Charging
You can recharge the battery pack by removing it or directly through the camera’s micro USB port. Adjusting settings like video resolution, frame rate, and sensitivity can help save battery life.
Mobile App and Compatibility
The Tapo app, available for iOS and Android, allows remote setup and real-time monitoring. The system works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control and supports IFTTT but not Apple HomeKit.
To save battery power, you can minimize the camera’s resource usage. You can customize several settings by utilizing the Tapo app, which is compatible with all Tapo products on iOS and Android. These include lowering the video capture resolution to 720p, decreasing the frame rate from 20fps to 15fps, or fine-tuning the sensitivity levels for triggering alarms and capturing footage.
Overall Impression
The TP-Link Tapo C420S2 offers high-quality 2K QHD video, Smart AI detection, and excellent night capture. Its battery life could be longer, and a slightly wider field of view would be nice, but it provides wireless convenience at an attractive price.
What’s in the Box
The package includes two Tapo C420 Cameras with battery packs, a micro-USB, Tapo H200 Hub, USB adapter & adapter cable, DC power adapter, camera brackets with mounting templates & screws, RJ45 Ethernet cable, and a quick-start guide.
Warranty and Pricing
The TP-Link Tapo C420S2 comes with a two-year warranty and retails in Canada for $279.99. You can find it at retailers like Best Buy or online on Amazon.
For more information, visit Tapo.com.
Greg Gazin, widely recognized as the Gadget Guy or Gadget Greg, is a seasoned columnist for Troy Media. He has distinguished himself in the field of technology, contributing regularly as a syndicated tech columnist. Moreover, Gazin is an eloquent speaker on communication, leadership, and technology topics. He is also a proficient facilitator, blogger, podcaster, and author.
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