Our daughter was recently born, and while both my wife and I took parental leave, mine lasted only three weeks.
After that, my wife had to take care of our daughter on her own, so we decided to buy a network camera for baby monitoring.
We mainly use it when one of us is taking a bath and needs to keep an eye on the baby.
The model I chose was the TP-Link Tapo C210.
Key Features
- 3MP (2304×1296) 2K resolution: Sharper than Full HD, delivering crystal-clear detail.
- Pan & Tilt: Covers 340° horizontally and 116° vertically, offering a full-room view.
- Night Vision: Up to 30 ft (≈9m) visibility in complete darkness.
- Two-Way Audio: Built-in mic and speaker for real-time communication.
- AI Detection: Motion, person, and baby crying detection.
- Storage Options: Supports microSD cards up to 512GB and Tapo Care cloud storage.
- Siren Alarm: 88dB siren to scare off intruders.
- Price Range: Around ¥3,300–3,700 in Japan (approx. $25 USD).
My Experience
The image quality is excellent both day and night. The pan/tilt function makes it easy to monitor the entire room, which is perfect for pet owners or parents. The Tapo app is simple and intuitive, allowing even beginners to set up and start using the camera quickly.
I was able to check from the bathroom to make sure my daughter wasn’t sleeping on her stomach.
Because it was so inexpensive, I was a little worried at first, but so far it’s been working perfectly fine, and I’m very satisfied.
Honestly, there was no need to buy a more expensive camera.
Considering the price, the Tapo C210 offers outstanding value. If you’re looking for a reliable indoor Wi-Fi camera for security, pet monitoring, or family use, this is one of the best budget-friendly options available.
Comparison with Other Models
| Model | Resolution | Pan/Tilt | Main Features | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tapo C210 | 3MP (2K) | ✔ | High-resolution, night vision, AI detection, 512GB microSD | Best balance of features and price |
| Tapo C200 | 1080p Full HD | ✔ | Basic pan/tilt, motion detection | More affordable entry model |
| Tapo C220 | 2K QHD | ✔ | Sharper video, enhanced clarity | Higher quality than C210 |
| Tapo C120 | 2K QHD | ✘ | Indoor/outdoor, waterproof, compact | Not pan/tilt, fixed view |
| Tapo C260 (RoomCam 360) | 4K Ultra HD | ✔ | Dual-band Wi-Fi, ultra high resolution | Premium indoor model |
| Tapo C216 / C246D | 2K | ✔ | Pack models, motion detection | Great value for multi-camera setup |
One Small Complaint
If I had to point out one drawback, it would be the power switch.
Personally, I don’t like the idea of a network-connected camera always being powered on in my house.
I’d prefer to completely turn it off when not in use.
However, this camera doesn’t have a physical power button, and you also can’t shut it down from the app.
So I always unplug the power cable when I want it off.
Of course, you can set it to offline mode, but honestly, that still makes me a little uneasy. Haha.
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