Customer Ratings & Reviews

After a year and a half, horrible. Constant freezing, the app is un responsive and continously refreshes Only 1 camera lived outside and the other 2 indoors, yet all 3 have turned yellow. The plastic has cracked on all 3 as if it became brittle. I dont know what to tell you guys other than not buy these cameras if you dont want to replace them within 2 years

Installation: Setting up the TP-Link Tapo 3-Camera TC85 system was a breeze. The package includes everything you need for a quick and painless installation. The adjustable magnetic base made positioning the cameras a snap, and the wireless setup was incredibly straightforward. I had all three cameras up and running in less than an hour. The one drawback was that wall mounting brackets were not included. I would prefer to screw on the cameras to a mounting bracket rather than rely on the magnetic base. Though the magnetic base is very strong, I am not sure how well it will hold up to the elements with long term use. The battery is supposed to last up to 300 days and recharges via a micro USB charger that is supplied. Another option would be to connect to a TP Link solar panel for continuous use without worry about recharging the battery. Video Quality: The 2K QHD resolution of these cameras is excellent. The video quality is outstanding, delivering sharp and vivid images, both during the day and at night. The built-in infrared LEDs ensure clear footage in complete darkness, making sure nothing escapes the watchful eyes of these cameras. The wide-angle lens captures a broad field of view, ensuring that every corner of my property is under surveillance. Customization and Alerts: One of the standout features of the Tapo 3-Camera system is the customizable motion detection and alert system. You can easily set up specific zones for motion detection, reducing false alarms from non-critical areas. The mobile app is intuitive and user-friendly, allowing you to fine-tune your security settings. I appreciate receiving instant push notifications and email alerts when the cameras detect motion. It provides a sense of security and keeps me informed about any unusual activity. Weather Resistance: I've installed one of these cameras outdoors, and I'm pleased to report that they are indeed weather-resistant. They have withstood the rain and hot sun where I live in Florida without any issues. The build quality is robust and durable, ensuring that they can handle the elements year-round. Storage Options: The TP-Link Tapo 3-Camera system offers flexible storage options. You can choose between local storage via a microSD card or cloud storage for added convenience. The cloud storage plans are reasonably priced, making it accessible for everyone. Overall, I am thrilled with my TP-Link Tapo 3-Camera TC85 System. It provides an excellent level of security and peace of mind, thanks to its exceptional video quality, easy installation, and customizable features. Whether you're monitoring your home or business, these cameras are a fantastic choice. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a reliable and high-quality surveillance system.

The new TP-Link Tapo 3-camera indoor/outdoor cameras are refreshingly easy to set up and capture great quality images/video. The setup wasn't completely without a hitch, and I have a couple things to point out, but overall, I like them. I should preface that I did not opt in for the subscription to save the video to the web (yet), but I might. Unboxing is simple, the packaging seems to be primarily eco-friendly, and everything is wrapped and in place. Each camera has its own metal mounting disc, VHB adhesive for disc, screws with anchors, and super strong magnet. The mounting is very versatile. The camera mounting angle is absolutely adjustable, ensuring you can aim it exactly the way you want, within the limits of the magnetic mount. The parts included are all that's needed to mount the cameras. Once installed, setup is generally easy/simple. The WiFi setup is similar to a lot of other devices. I'm not wild about it because it's a back-and-forth dance between WiFi networks to enter passwords. The main reason I don't like this type of setup is that if you put the incorrect WiFi password in, it is irritating since you have to reset the camera to start over and add WiFi. The only part of the initial setup I didn't care for is the voice announcements. They are very loud, so you may not want to set up the cameras late at night if others are sleeping and easily awakened. Once connected to WiFi, updating is easy/simple and went without an issue. The cameras have the option to subscribe to an internet-based storage, but have the option to add a MicrooSD card to store captured video in the camera. Another bonus is that the cameras will work with neither of those storage options, it's just that nothing records. Camera views are wide and images are clear. Night vision is also very good.

The TP-Link Tapo TC85 security camera system is a good choice for anyone looking for a reliable and versatile security camera system that can be used both indoors and outdoors. The bundle comes with three cameras and the associated mounting hardware. The cameras are equipped with an adjustable magnetic base that makes installation and mounting a breeze. The system offers 24/7 monitoring and is weatherproof with an IP66 rating, making it suitable for use in any weather condition. The cameras are capable of capturing high-quality footage with 2K QHD clarity during the day and 2K color night vision with an integrated starlight sensor that captures low light images in high definition color with reasonable detail up to about 100 ft. The cameras also come with built-in dual spotlights that illuminates darkness and low light conditions for enhanced viewing at night while still being displayed in full color. The Tapo TC85’s smart AI technology detects and identifies people, pets, and vehicles, sending you only relevant notifications while effectively avoiding unnecessary alerts. The system also comes with customizable sound and light alarms that can be adjusted to suit your preferences for a completely customized alarm system to deter intruders. The installation process was easy and hassle-free, thanks to the TC85’s strong and adjustable magnetic base which allows you the flexibility to place it virtually anywhere you Wi-Fi can reach. To setup and configure the system only requires to scan a QR code to download the app the your smartphone. The cameras use a magnetic mounting system that offer a strong, solid attaching point, and makes the system fairly portable. Vertical mounting is the best for the most options in adjusting the camera view. When mounting horizontally (such as under the eave of the roof), horizontal adjustment is 360 degrees, but vertical adjustment is limited due to the shape of the camera and the magnetic cup. Due to the shape of the camera and how it fits in the magnetic cup, I was limited in the amount I could move the camera view up while still retaining a solid attachment. Configuring and installing the three cameras took about 90 minutes, and that included adding solar panels to keep the batteries recharged. TP-Link claims around 300 days of battery life, but I prefer to know the cameras will be constantly recharged. TP-Link offers solar panels, but it’s compatible with many third party panels found on Amazon. The TC85 allows you to store your video to their cloud service, which runs about $10/mo for 3 cameras. It also supports SD Card storage, as well as ONVIF so you can configure it to record to a local DVR on your own PC using a third party app such as Blue Iris or iSpy (more on this later). The subscription service seems to work well, and everything can be configured through your smartphone. The display will show the battery level, so you know when to recharge if you’re not using a solar panel to keep the batteries charged. The TC85 is compatible with Amazon Alexa & Google Home, allowing you to manage your Tapo camera and enjoy true hands-free operation. Third party DVR software was a bit of a challenge to configure. It took me quite some time to get it to work as some of the ports used are not standard, and the TC85 is a new model and there doesn’t appear to be any online articles on how to configure it for third party apps. I did find online help on other TAPO models which seemed to share similar configurations, however. Once I had the correct settings, it took several minutes to display the video stream, showing “cannot connect” errors making me think it wasn’t working. When I walked away for a break, upon return the video stream was displayed. Not sure why it took 5 minutes before it would start streaming. Another issue was that once configured, the cameras would intermittently lose connectivity. I haven’t had time to sort everything out, but for me third party app support is very important. It will require some time for me to sort all the little things out, but TP-Link should make the process much easier. While it is certainly easier to set up and manage, not everyone likes being locked into a subscription model to use their security system. Something that deserves consideration is that the easy installation is a two-way street. On the one hand, it makes DIY installation a breeze. On the other hand, it makes it very easy for an intruder to simple move towards the camera from a blind spot and simply jump up and grab the camera. This issue is even more pronounced if you used the camera’s SD storage – the video record goes with the camera. It’s a good idea to get extra cameras so each camera is in the view of another so that there is a video record should such a thing happen., or mount it high enough so the camera is not easily accessible. Overall, horizontal mounting was somewhat limited, third party app support was too fussy, and the ease of installation does require you to carefully consider where to install the cameras to keep them secure. Despite this, I found the TP-Link Tapo 3-Camera Indoor/Outdoor 2K QHD Wireless Home Security Surveillance System is a good value and a good choice for anyone looking for a reliable, easy-to-use security camera system that offers high-quality footage, smart AI detection, and customizable alarms.

TP Link TC85 3PK SMART Tapo Wire-Free Magnetic Security Camera TP Link’s approach to security cameras puts maximum value on flexibility of location and a simple setup regime. No wires are required. Period. The magnetic mounting base ensures adjustments and battery access are convenient. WiFi connection range is proving to be exceptional. Battery longevity is promised (300days!) to be excellent. IP66 rating (Able to protect against powerful water jets for 3+ minutes) lets you place the camera exposed to weather with no fear. And I get to choose whether I want to use internal storage or pay for a subscription. So, I’ve been using these for a few days and will share some observations. There are many more features. SECURITY CAMERA CATEGORY: Wi-FI Access required, NOT wired by ethernet. Battery powered, NO power wire; no POE I do not add or subtract “stars” when reviewing security cameras based on the PRESENCE of these features. Different design objectives are neither right or wrong. I do try to determine how successful these features are implemented. It may be very important to another buyer to know how connectivity and power are addressed, but my opinion is not in the score. Other camera types might work better for you. SETUP: TP Link’s TC85 series relies on their App which can be downloaded from Apple and Android stores. The process is step by step, with accompanying instructions, as well as pointing out what you’re looking for. TP Link has made the effort to ensure that we will succeed setting up their cameras. I’ve used cameras from various manufactures, and it doesn’t get better. It would be fair to describe TP’s instructions as a security camera primer because they provide advice, explanations, and trouble shooting. They do this while not getting too wordy. Within the setup process TP Link offers a sales pitch for their recording storage service. It is detailed and short and has a NEXT tab to skip to alternative methods. That alternative is NO recording storage, or simply a live video feed. Or, you can insert a Class 10 (or higher) microSD memory card with storage from 8GB to 512GB. The TC85 camera will format the card for you. Every imaginable camera parameter is accounted for on the main video image page (Talk, Alarm, Privacy, Light, image tagging). Playback & download are here also. These basic ON/OFF switches are repeated in the SETTINGS (Behind the Gear) where you can fully modify the sensitivity, volume, brightness, and update with new firmware. AI processing allow the camera’s notification to identify the type of object it has recognized using its motion detector. I can set up activity zones to further limit false notifications. Brilliant spotlights can be enabled or turned off as part of the detection feature set. TP notified me of a Firmware update later in my setup process. It was accomplished automatically and quickly. I believe TP-Link is continuing to fine-tune its detection algorithms. If my experience with their other products continues with the product, it’s a company that will keep improving these cameras. SUMMARY and CONCLUSION: The TP Link TC85 offers a very high quality video security camera with advanced features, all simple to use, and manage. My accompanying pictures tell the story, and I feel confident that I will have a useful video clip if I ever need it for protecting my property. Images are crisp and colorful during the day. Night time pictures were very sharp and in focus for an extended distance while still providing color. The field of view was broader than previous cameras. I am hoping the TP Link improves the sensitivity of human and vehicle detection, as it seems not everything is being captured. Managing videos and images couldn’t be easier. The use of a magnetic mount lets me quickly access the camera so I can recharge it, or clean it, or re-aim it. Of course, an end user relying on the local microSD will need to mount the camera well out of reach if it’s visible.

TP-Link has always been my brand to go for smart devices and when I saw that they have a line of home security cameras, I took time to explore their products and decided to go with Smart Wire-Free Indoor/Outdoor Security Camera, 3 pack set (Model TC85). What made my decision to go with Tapo TP-Link was the ease of installation. All you have to do is install the adjustable magnetic base in a location you desire (however make sure that if you are installing outside, it is not an easy reach for security purposes, hence four star review). Once your bases are installed, the cameras magnetically adhere to the base. It is always easy to adjust the angle as well. Also the base itself can lock on to any metal surface thanks to the strong magnet. My number two choice of this camera set was the battery life since these cameras are wire free. TP-Link promises up to 300 day battery life if you use your cameras at least 230 seconds per day, which is not bad in my opinion since I don't check it daily anyways. However if you want peace of mind, I'd suggest getting Tapo Solar Panel for non-stop power supply. Now the most important thing about this camera set is whether it delivers 2K QHD video and image quality. I was pleasantly surprised that my video was always crisp and the night vision always was in full clear color. You get 150 degree Super-Wide FOV, two-way audio is also good and it is weatherproof with IP66 rating. I like that the cameras are well made, support local microSD storage up to 512 GB with cloud storage option available. The cameras also feature Smart AI Detection and it is free, activity zones and customizable sound and light alarm. The app is well designed and easy to use.

The Tapo TC85 wireless indoor/outdoor security camera comes as a 3 camera pack. The cameras can be used inside or outside, but can’t be used inside to look outside because they can’t detect motion through glass. The instructions said the cameras arrive with a partial charge and that it takes 5-6 hours to achieve a full charge. The box includes a USB adapter and a charging cord. I couldn’t find a way to see the charge level of the cameras until after they were charged and connected to the app, so I left them on the charger for 4 hours just to be safe. That seemed to be long enough because they all showed 100% charge once they were installed. The box states that they each have a 300 day battery life but I think that’s optimistic and would only be true if they rarely alerted. I installed 2 of the cameras yesterday, and today the charge level shows 95%. The cameras do support a solar panel charger. The Tapo TC85 cameras are unique in the way they attach. Unlike other cameras that screw into the wall, the Tapo camera uses a very strong magnet. The only thing that is attached to the wall is a small base plate. The magnet snaps onto the plate and the camera snaps onto the magnet. That makes it easy to move the camera for positioning or to remove it for charging. There is flexibility in the tilt (up and down) angle, but less side to side flexibility. There is a slot for a microSD card that is not included. The app installation instructions (which I will hopefully remember when the time comes) say to only initialize the SD card in the Tapo app - DO NOT format it on the computer. Recommended is a Class 10 microSD with 8 - 512 GB. Notifications can be stored on the phone, on the SD card and in the cloud. Notifications can also be individually downloaded to the phone. Cloud storage is a 30 day free trial. Unlike many similar plans, no credit card is required up front. There is no need to remember to cancel at 29 days. Instead, the plan auto cancels at 30 days with no fees. If you want to continue cloud storage, you have to proactively sign up for it. The instructions were easy to follow for the first camera. I did have some difficulty finding the right icon to add the second and third cameras. Some of the app features are: a customizable activity zone, the ability to record on demand regardless of motion detection, and Home and Away modes. The cameras have two-way audio and adjustable spotlights. The camera in the back of the house works well. The motion detector comes on to show any activity around the vehicles parked there. The camera in the front of the house doesn’t work quite as well. The real time view is phenomenal. The cameras have a 150 degree super wide field of view. We have a long driveway, and I can clearly see the end of the driveway, the street in front of our house and the neighbor’s house. But that doesn’t do me a lot of good unless I want to stare at the picture all day, waiting for something to happen. The motion detector sensor only extends about 20 feet. It doesn’t detect any person or vehicle coming straight up the driveway because the camera is set back a bit. Because we were outside a lot, there were over 100 notifications the first day. Besides draining the camera batteries, the frequent notifications drained my phone battery as well. Today I changed the app settings to monitor and record motion detection, but without phone notifications. Now I open the app a few times a day to see if there were any notifications. Another option is to create a schedule for when notifications are “on”. There are a lot of things that can be customized in the app, but each enhancement comes with a warning that it will use more battery life. It would be nice if all the features could be used without significantly reducing battery life. The cameras are easy to unsnap from the base for charging, but they are high up on the wall, which requires climbing a ladder to get to them. It looks like I’ll be doing that 3 - 4 times a year. The phone audio at the recommended level was very scratchy and I had to turn the volume down. In “Away Mode”, any motion detected generates a camera noise that is supposed to scare intruders away. The alarm sound on the phone when looking at the notification was ear piercing, but the noise from the camera sounded like a wind up toy. I don’t think it would scare anyone. I think the app could be better. I’m still trying to figure out the logic behind its organization. I know I’ve seen an option somewhere, but have trouble finding it again. There are Home and Away Modes, but when looking at the Detection Mode screen, I can’t tell which mode I'm in. The messages icon doesn’t show which camera the notification pertains to. When I switch from Home to Away and back to Home I have to reset all the AI detection and detection zone settings. The Clip Settings won’t save. When I choose “Delete all Messages” they don’t delete until the 2nd or 3rd try. I would give the camera 5 stars if it had a longer motion detection range, better battery life and an app that was easier to use.

The best thing about these cameras are the strong magnetic mounting system (sticky magnetic base, or screw in, then magnetically attach mount/camera). Which makes it an absolute breeze to setup, adjust, and recharge. I have no concerns of it falling off during a storm or high winds. The only negative is that it can be stolen easier. It took me about 5 minutes to physically setup compared to 30 or more with my previous cameras. Along with another 10ish minutes to setup the cameras themselves software wise. It did a great job at highlighting the more nuanced parts of settings up a camera which was greatly appreciated. Charge time is slow at around 5 hours. Which is average for these types of cameras. It comes with a small power brick and microUSB cord. This needs to be USB-C as MicroUSB is completely unacceptable in 2023 as it leads to more waste and headache as nearly all devices are USB-C now and companies choosing to stick with a legacy port is frustrating. I haven’t had them for long enough to measure battery life. But seems good (lost about 3% battery in a week). Picture quality is good with clear image quality. Night vision has two modes, the typical black/white, and color. Both look great. Navigating the app, selecting cameras, bringing up recordings, and live mode is significantly faster than the others I’ve tried being nearly instant and latency is excellent. Which is perhaps my second favorite feature. With my third being the four modes (person, package, car, and animal) are greatly appreciated. Most cameras don’t have animal notifications which I enjoy as I’m always surprised at how many animals come and go around my house and capturing them is interesting. Fourth, you can either use a microSD card for your recordings (yay for no membership) or buy a membership monthly/yearly which is acceptable ($3.49 per month or $34.99 for a year for up to 10 cameras). It does not come with an SD card. And if you don’t have a membership, you don’t get any saved recordings. You have a good amount of customization settings and app is easy to navigate. Notifications are pretty accurate. I put it in a hard spot with a lot of moving shadows which made me reduce the sensitivity a bit and I still got good results of positives and minimal false positives. Honestly, I’ve been quite disappointed with a lot of my wireless cameras which made me keep looking. As either they don’t have all the features I’m looking for (person, package, car, animal), don’t have SD storage requiring a monthly payment, may use a lot of data (which can be bad for my internet data cap per month), have poor picture/night vision, or do a poor job at capturing the correct things making it completely useless. This is the only time that it hits all the boxes and I’m left completely satisfied. My search is now over. Plus, that magnet is extra icing on the cake elevating it even further. Easy recommendation from me.

The cameras looks great and the quality is excellent, some times the video color change, it not detect the exact movement. They come, rob you and you can't see the exact moment.

The TP-Link Tapo 2K Wireless Home Security Surveillance System is easy to install and use. After unboxing, the cameras took around five hours each to reach a full charge. I installed the Tapo App on my iPhone and followed simple instructions and illustrations for pairing each camera. Once the cameras were configured, I installed the magnetic bases and cameras in three locations, then used the Tapo App to observe the Wi-Fi strength and the camera view. I signed up for the free 30 days of cloud storage until I can get a micro SD memory card for each camera. However, I might stay with the cloud storage subscription since the monthly cost is minimal. Viewing the cameras with the Tapo App is straightforward. Each camera can be configured for different types of detection alerts and responses. The Spotlights are very bright, and the brightness can be adjusted. The 2K QHD resolution looks great on my iPhone and iPad, and the audio quality is as good as expected for a remote microphone transmitting across Wi-Fi. Recorded events are easy to view and are downloadable to the smartphone or tablet. The recording length can be set from 20 seconds up to 120 seconds, intervals between recordings can be between 0 and 60 seconds, and a buffer (time to keep recording after motion has stopped) can be 3 to 10 seconds. The advanced settings for each camera are extensive, making them highly adaptable to each location. I am highly impressed and pleased with the TP-Link security system. The quality, abundant features, ease of installation, and monitoring configuration make this my go-to recommendation to anyone who asks. Features • Rechargeable 10000mAh battery-powered cameras • Up to 300 days use on a single charge • Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n IP wireless connectivity • Full-color night vision with Starlight Sensor • 850 nm IR LED night vision up to 49 feet • 2-way audio with noise cancellation • Two built-in spotlights • Indoor and outdoor use • Double-sided magnetic mounting base • 2560 x 1440 2K camera resolution • 1/3" progressive scan CMOS image sensor • 30fps frame rate • 150-degree field of view • 30 feet night vision distance • Tapo App for iOS and Android • Voice automation works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant • Video and Audio recording on motion detection • AI detection identifies people, animals, and vehicles • Configurable activity zones • Customizable detection alerts and sound & light alarms • Micro SD card storage up to 512GB • Cloud storage (Subscription required) • IP66 weatherproof rating • SSL/TLS, AES network security • PWPA/WPA2-PSK wireless security • Two years warranty

I’m not a fan of wired camera setups. They can be difficult to install, and if you want to remove or change the location, it becomes a challenge. That’s where this camera system hits the sweet spot for me. There’s no fussing with wires. They connect with Wi-Fi and rely on a large internal battery for power. You can optionally run them with a solar panel. You can choose to subscribe to the cloud service to retain your videos, or you can optionally install microSD cards. This obviously is driven by your mounting area and the desire to have the recordings held securely in the cloud. I installed microSD cards. They can handle up to 512GB cards. The specs on the camera are impressive, and the app is loaded with all of the features for home security. Every possible setting can be managed in the app. The initial setup is really easy. The app walks you through with lots of visuals on the install steps, including the mounting options. I was also happy that they can be connected to your smart home including Google Assistant, Alexa and Smarthings. With fully charged cameras, it was time for the physical install. One note here. It does include the micro-USB cable and adapter to charge. I was a bit surprised it was not USB-C. The first camera I installed on fence gate. With a metal surface, the rare earth magnetic mount grabbed hold solid. The camera’s magnetic base held firm and I was ready to go. I have a typical quarter acre lot. Wherever I tested the camera, it held a good Wi-Fi connection. The AI detection of people, objects and animals worked well. The motion detection range was easily over 50 ft., so aiming the camera to avoid false triggers is important. The next spot I wanted to monitor was my front door. I mounted the included plate under the eave, on a flat surface using the provided 2-sided automotive tape. It looked good for a short while, and then the tape let go. The camera fell 9 ft. to the driveway. My heart sank. Well, it proved its ruggedness by surviving the fall without any problem. I ended up fastening the plate with the included screws. I have dimmed outdoor lights in this area at night, and as the video shows, it looks almost like daylight. The photos and video are taken with the out of the box settings. These cameras are simply amazing. After using these for a short while, I’m convinced the battery will last in excess of 250 days. The depth of settings, the flexibility of install, and powerful capabilities, make these a smart choice for the average homeowner or small business.

The TP-Link Tapo TC85 Wire-Free Magnetic Security Camera is going to garner lots of attention due to its price point and the number of cameras included, but let’s get to the review to find out if it’s the right security solution for you. The TC85 cameras are super easy to set up via the Tapo smartphone app. I had no issues with the initial setup and installation of the cameras. All 3 cameras came with a partial charge, but I made sure they were all fully charged before mounting them. The cameras still rely on micro-USB which is disappointing as most electronics are now USB-C. This means you’ll have to make sure you have a micro-USB cable lying around to charge these when needed. The magnetic base and included mounting hardware make sure that you can mount the cameras for optimal outdoor coverage. I used the included magnetic mounts and positioned them where I needed coverage. With 3 cameras included in this set, most people will be able to cover the entrances of their homes and maybe set up a camera inside as well. Unfortunately, the TC85 does not come with a mount that allows the unit to sit on a table or bookshelf and the camera will have to be mounted to a wall. The TC85 has all the bells and whistles you’d expect for a camera in this price range. Two-way audio, night vision, AI detection of people/pets/vehicles, and an SD card slot for local video storage. All of these functions proved to work well in my testing, but be prepared to spend a little more to equip the cameras with at least 128GB SD cards if you don’t want to pay the subscription fee for cloud storage. The good news is, that even with the local storage solution, you will be able to see your recordings remotely on the Tapo app. Overall, the TP-Link Tapo TC85 Wire-Free Security Camera 3 pack is a great value for the price and would be a good choice for anyone looking for an easy to set up, all-in-one solution to their video security needs. Here are some of the pros and cons of the TP-Link Tapo Wire-Free Security Camera: Pros: Easy to set up and use: The TC85s are very easy to set up and use via the Tapo app. Being that these are wireless, the freedom to put them anywhere is awesome. Good video quality: The TC85s provide clear and sharp video quality, even in low-light conditions. These are definitely a step above my old 1080p wired cameras. Night vision feature: The TC85s have a night vision feature that works very well. Getting 3 top-notch wireless cameras at a reasonable price is definitely a value-add. Built-in AI detection seems to work very well. This feature can be paywalled behind a subscription in other camera products. SD card slot makes it easy to add local storage to the cameras. Cons: A subscription is required to store any video in the cloud. Some other cameras allow you to store a limited amount of video for free. Micro-USB is very disappointing for a new product in 2023. Make sure to keep a few of these ancient cables lying around. The kit only comes with one micro-USB cable and charging brick, so initially charging the cameras is slow going unless you have some extra cables and power bricks lying around. Overall, the TP-Link Tapo TC85 Wire0Free Security Camera 3 pack is a wonderful security solution for those looking for something that’s easy and affordable. Setup will be a breeze, and the video quality is clear and sharp. The lack of free cloud storage means you’re going to want to factor in the price of SD cards or the Tapo subscription when making this purchase.

I have been looking at replacing some of my outdoor security cameras and found that TP-Link had these new Tapo cameras. I have had very positive experiences with TP-Link before, so I decided to give them a try. I am glad I did; these are very feature rich cameras. Out of the box these are very nice and sturdy. You can tell they are well built. The size is nice too, not too large but functional. The mounting system is great because they are very strong magnets. You basically take the template and screw in flat mounting screws a small round steel plate where you want the camera. There is a small strong and round magnetic base that attaches to the steel plate. The camera is magnetic and fits in the magnetic base. It’s very nice because once you have the base mounted, you can easily adjust the angle and pointing of the camera. They are also IP66 Weatherproof. The camera picture is great. It has up to 2K QHD live view, I have mine set at “Auto” which I believe leverages Smart AI to decide on which it uses. I am still testing to figure out the pattern. The Field of view on these is great at 150 degrees. At the back of my lot, I literally can get a view of my entire back yard. You can also set the length of sensitivity to “Far” for that exact scenario. This way, it senses larger portions of my yard with a single camera. This camera had the ability to customize light and sound alarms. This is an amazing feature at this price point. It is so customizable, you can set it to not only turn on the camera lights, you can have normal alarm sounds if triggered but you can also record your own alarm sound! Clip size can be changed depending on the storage you have. With these, they have a slot for a micro-SD card. I got a 3pk of 128GB and put one in each camera and I have them set to just write over once capacity is reached. If I see something, I can download the clip to keep. This is also great because it eliminates the need for cloud storage if you don’t need it. If you don’t need it, it is available through their Tapo Care service. Essentially this will let you store 30 days worth of storage at a time. For this 3-camera pack, it runs $89 per year for all. As for motion detection, this is awesome. You can select AI Detection for example and within that menu, you can turn on and off people, pet, and vehicle. This is super nice and as I have said, one of the many, many features of this product. You can also set Activity Zones so you can fine tune for those areas where you are just trying to minimize the focus area. According to the documentation, battery life is expected to be 300 days on a charge for the camera if usage is 230 seconds per day of use. That cuts to 180 days at 360 seconds a day of use. On a positive note, charging these was quick and the magnetic aspect of installation makes bringing these into charge is not a big deal. Also on the underside of the camera is the MicroSD slot, Micro USB charging slot (they need to move to USB-C 😊 )and the on/off button, all protected by a rubber, waterproof cover. I had to get used to the user interface on the app. It was a bit frustrating at first but once you realize the depth of features on these, you can understand it better. It all makes sense now that you dig into the features. I must say I am beyond impressed with these. They have features at a price point that very few others can match. I would greatly recommend these to others. Very nice job TP-Link!

I have set up many wired and wireless security camera systems over the last few years. So far I consider the TP-Link Tapo 3-Camera Indoor/Outdoor 2K QHD security system the first truly wireless battery powered system and it’s a keeper. The setup process is simple and straightforward once you install the Tapo App and after fully charging the built-in battery. The cameras come charged at about 60%, so technically you could set them up right away and charge later. I fully charged one camera and it took approximately 1 hour per additional 10%. I really wish TP-Link built these TC85 wireless cameras with USB-C charging, not the ancient micro-USB connector. I will most likely purchase the TP-Link solar panel charger for the outdoors cameras, so I never have to worry about charging them again. Anyway, once connected to the Wi-Fi network the camera quickly checked and installed a firmware update and then I moved on to adding the other 2 cameras. In terms of image quality, 2K QHD is noticeably sharper than 1080p and these TP-Link Tapo cameras provide excellent video quality and a super wide 150 degree viewing angle. The cameras have built-in spot light and also a speaker and a pretty good microphone for two way communication and alarms. Additionally there are motion detection sensors as well as decent infrared night vision and a color night-mode that works pretty well but it will consume more battery, therefore it is not enabled as one of the default settings. The Tapo App for Android or iOS will require you to register and set up an account on-line but if you own other TP-Link devices and already have a Kasa account you can use that login. A great idea I really like about TP-Link is that you don’t have to pay for a subscription for cloud storage up-front because one is offered for free for 30-days, no credit card required, automatic cancellation after 30-days. Alternatively you can install a microSD card for up to 512GB and store/access your videos locally with no monthly fees. You may miss out on some of the more Advanced AI features. The Tapo App comes with many customizations and alerts for motion detection options and zones to fine tune to your specific installation. The push notifications to my phone are nearly instant and can also include a thumbnail of the videoclip. Moreover, the latest Tapo App update now provides access to all of my older TP-Link Kasa devices, such as cameras, smart plugs, light bulbs, etc, so I can see and control them all in the one Tapo App. This is a great truly wireless security camera system with an easy to use magnetic mounting system and great Wi-Fi range. I installed one of the outdoor cameras in a tree in my backyard pretty far from the house and it’s able to maintain a stable Wi-Fi connection with 2-3 bars of signal. Overall, I really like these cameras and would recommend them to anyone looking for a quality, affordable, truly wireless, battery powered security camera system.

The TP-Link Tapo TC85 security camera system is a great choice for anyone looking for a reliable and easy-to-use system. It's packed with features, including high-quality footage, smart AI detection, and customizable alarms. One of the best things about the TC85 is how easy it is to set up. The cameras have a strong magnetic base, so you can mount them virtually anywhere you have Wi-Fi coverage. Just scan a QR code to download the Tapo app on your smartphone and follow the instructions. Once the cameras are set up, you can start monitoring your home 24/7. The TC85 cameras offer high-quality 2K QHD footage and 2K color night vision, so you can see everything that's happening, even in low light conditions. The TC85 also has smart AI technology that can detect and identify people, pets, and vehicles. This means that you only get alerts that matter, rather than being bombarded with notifications every time a bird flies by or a leaf falls. If you do detect something suspicious, you can customize the TC85's alarms to suit your needs. You can set the cameras to trigger sound and light alarms, or you can simply receive a notification on your smartphone. The TC85 also offers a variety of storage options. You can store your video to the cloud, to an SD card, or to a local DVR on your own PC. This gives you the flexibility to choose the storage solution that best meets your needs. Overall, the TP-Link Tapo TC85 is a great security camera system for anyone looking for a reliable, easy-to-use system with high-quality footage and smart AI detection. It's also a great value for the price.

Well worth the money. Very easy to install and can be done quickly. I installed six effortlessly. I charged them the day before install. Each box has one charger for all three cameras. This is the only delay to the installation. I purchsed 3m outdoor tape for better adhesion. The tape included was not what I wanted to use. The magnets are strong and have held up well. Cameras have been up for several weeks with out issue or movement. You can mount with attached screws but I chose not too. The Scandisk Ultra micro sd card 128 has worked flawlessly. I can recommend this card and vouch for its compatibility. I have ordered two different Tapo cameras for indoor use. Very impressed.

Great range of view, easy to mount, just wish battery lasted as long as they said

Set up was super easy, and the range is great for my needs. The video quality is pretty good as well. What's not great is the sound quality. The playback videos consistently have broken audio where the sound goes in and out. While audio is not nearly as important as the video feed when it comes to security cameras, it's nice to be able to clearly hear what's going on, and these cameras just don't deliver in the audio department.

Bought these for ease of use with installation and avoiding the hassle of running wire and a box sitting around. Overall, the cameras function as intended. With the Tapo app you can adjust perimeters for various types of detection, sensitivity, and when sends a notification. Video quality is good at 2K and 720p isn't terrible. Both during the day and night, IR works great. Microphone functions as intended, sound quality when speaking through the app has a muffled sound at the cameras. Battery life varies based on the recording/sensitivity perimeters you set. However, if the camera becomes unresponsive, it will remain on without lights and drain the battery continuously. I've had this happen on 3 different occasions and I've had these installed for 42 days. Both cameras outside froze and I couldn't view them on the app. I had to restart the cameras where I mounted them, unfortunately I had to pull out my ladder again to reach them. So, ease of access in case this happens should be a consideration. When frozen, the battery will drain, both cameras went from 92% & 96% to 54% and 65% over the course of 4 days.

This 3-camera TP-Link smart security set perfectly fulfilled my need to monitor and protect the surroundings of my home. The price is very reasonable, especially considering the wide range of features it offers. Each camera provides clear 2K video quality and comes equipped with all the essential and modern sensors — including motion detection, person and vehicle recognition, two-way audio, battery monitoring, and full remote access via mobile. You can even review recorded clips directly from your phone, which is incredibly convenient. I’ve been using the system for about a year and a half, and it still performs flawlessly. The cameras are weather-resistant and built to last outdoors. Battery life is excellent and varies depending on the settings you choose, but in my experience, it lasts a long time with minimal maintenance. Overall, this is a reliable and feature-packed solution for home security. Highly recommended!