The innovative design includes a modular solar panel that continuously charges the built-in battery, ensuring your camera remains powered. Even on cloudy days or extended periods without sunlight, the fully charged battery can provide up to 180 days* of uninterrupted performance.
Enjoy the flexibility of wire-free installation
Receive real-time alerts for true security concerns with free person/vehicle detection, eliminating false detection from other objects.
Store footage locally via a microSD card (up to 512GB)* or via cloud with a Tapo Care cloud subscription.
Capture vibrant color night vision up to 30ft away for enhanced security to monitor for possible intruders or motion.
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The innovative design includes a modular solar panel that continuously charges the built-in battery, ensuring your camera remains powered. Even on cloudy days or extended periods without sunlight, the fully charged battery can provide up to 180 days* of uninterrupted performance.
Enjoy the flexibility of wire-free installation
Receive real-time alerts for true security concerns with free person/vehicle detection, eliminating false detection from other objects.
Store footage locally via a microSD card (up to 512GB)* or via cloud with a Tapo Care cloud subscription.
Capture vibrant color night vision up to 30ft away for enhanced security to monitor for possible intruders or motion.
Model: TP-Link 𝗧𝗮𝗽𝗼 SolarCam C402 Kit, Outdoor Battery Camera w/Solar Panel Base, Wireless, 1080P, Free Person/Vehicle Detection, SD/Cloud Storage, Color Night Vision, No Hub Needed, Works w/Alexa
Deal History
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The solar is there just to charge the battery, not to run the camera... so it would not really be able to keep up with 24/7 recording.
The best way I found to eliminate bushes and flags is to only turn on detection for PETS, VEHICLES, and PERSONS. With this setting, I do not get any detection for things blowing in the breeze.
Bought this on the last deal. The downside on this camera, compared to other wired Tapo cameras, is that it won't record continuously on to the SD card, just when it detects motion.
It was sitting at $40 for a long time, was briefly up to $50 for like a week. And it's been available for about $30 too
Edit:
March 27 - April 23 @ $40 (with occasional coupons thrown in making it lower)
April 24 - April 30 @ $50...
May 1 @ $40 once again
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from proskatersf90
:
What's everyone's real world take ?
Paid $45 for this on a previous deal. If you want the recordings to be saved, you need a high endurance microsd card (I think paid ~$15 for SanDisk 128GB). If you think someone will steal the camera or remove the SD card, they sell a wifi hub separately that you can plug inside your home and it has a MicroSD card slot which will save the recordings there instead (to add to confusion, they have different hub models, and only one has the microsd card slot for storing video).
IIRC these have lower framerate than the 2K version but I use it for a small area and it looks good (at least on a smartphone screen, anyway). Night vision works good, plus there is a built-in light which I think can be set up to turn on when motion is detected to get full color recordings at night.
As already mentioned, this only records when motion is detected; otherwise, you can pull up the live feed on your phone any time you want. This might sound like a drawback, but if you configure the sensitivity / detection zone properly it will conserve a lot of battery - mine doesn't have the best solar panel placement and is still consistently above 95% battery life.
IMO after using this for at least a few months now, the camera is very good (zero issues with the waterproofing / wifi connectivity), but a drawback is that you are stuck using their app. The app works well, but if they go out of business the camera could become a paperweight. I remember reading at least one of their devices used to have RTSP support but was patched out with a firmware update and a lot of people weren't happy.
The only issue I had with the app was that I think it took two attempts to format the microsd card - I got an error the first time for some reason but second time it worked fine.
these TP-link doorbell and camera have amazing reviews on Amazon. What's everyone's real world take ? Eufy is decent but video is super laggy and impossible to have a conversation over the doorbell ...
I struggled with the outdoor pan and tilt downloading clips from the SD card. A few clips in particular failed until I formatted the card again, losing that footage. It was slow to pull up the clip and failed to download so I figured it was an issue with the card, but I still don't know. I signed up for the 30-day cloud storage trial and it is immensely better for browsing video and downloading clips, but not free after the trial either.
Paid $45 for this on a previous deal. If you want the recordings to be saved, you need a high endurance microsd card (I think paid ~$15 for SanDisk 128GB). If you think someone will steal the camera or remove the SD card, they sell a wifi hub separately that you can plug inside your home and it has a MicroSD card slot which will save the recordings there instead (to add to confusion, they have different hub models, and only one has the microsd card slot for storing video).IIRC these have lower framerate than the 2K version but I use it for a small area and it looks good (at least on a smartphone screen, anyway). Night vision works good, plus there is a built-in light which I think can be set up to turn on when motion is detected to get full color recordings at night.As already mentioned, this only records when motion is detected; otherwise, you can pull up the live feed on your phone any time you want. This might sound like a drawback, but if you configure the sensitivity / detection zone properly it will conserve a lot of battery - mine doesn't have the best solar panel placement and is still consistently above 95% battery life.IMO after using this for at least a few months now, the camera is very good (zero issues with the waterproofing / wifi connectivity), but a drawback is that you are stuck using their app. The app works well, but if they go out of business the camera could become a paperweight. I remember reading at least one of their devices used to have RTSP support but was patched out with a firmware update and a lot of people weren't happy. The only issue I had with the app was that I think it took two attempts to format the microsd card - I got an error the first time for some reason but second time it worked fine.Here's a video I watched that helped me decide on this camera: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57XX7hKcsYAA little after the 6 minute mark is when they show the video quality.
Under advanced settings, does this camera have Camera Account? Thats the RTSP settings if so
these TP-link doorbell and camera have amazing reviews on Amazon. What's everyone's real world take ? Eufy is decent but video is super laggy and impossible to have a conversation over the doorbell ...
I have tapo and like it. The detection is pretty accurate. Range is good. They sell a broadcaster to convert WiFi to its special signal so my solar camera can connect even it's about 50 meters away. I have eufy as doorbell and like it too. But tapo has better deal on camera. Neither require subscription so that's the main selling ooint
I really wish these could do http URL triggers to trigger automation events or even at a minimum email events. Sadly, I don't think any of the cheapo camera guys like Wyze, Eufy, Tapo do that.
I have tapo and like it. The detection is pretty accurate. Range is good. They sell a broadcaster to convert WiFi to its special signal so my solar camera can connect even it's about 50 meters away. I have eufy as doorbell and like it too. But tapo has better deal on camera. Neither require subscription so that's the main selling ooint
Can you please share the link for this broadcaster you mentioned. Thanks
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Would someone be able to recommend a good solar cam (wireless) that support RTSP? Perhaps one that have a larger battery that could record 24x7, thanks.
Please if you find one, let me know! Been looking for like a year,
Want it to stream to Frigate on my Unraid server. Continuous if possible.
these are a great pick up for 35 bucks with solar panel. if you can get the 2k version for 50 even better. I have two of these and if you have a tiny light source they can partially see in dark. the Ir sensors are not bad either. detection is pretty smooth and notifications come faster then wyze in my opinion. I had sd cards in all of them and now u can use home hub for camera clip saves. (if its ever in stock)These are 100% better then blink. dont waste ur time with blink.
My downside is with notification customization. I have these pointed at backyards that are sometimes very active. there is no way to snooze notifications. like wyze or blink. you either turn on privacy mode (which cuts feed) or put notifications on a schedule for when u want to receive them. sometimes you want to snooze notifications for 30mins to 1hr. having to cut the feed in privacy defeats this purpose. i want the camera to still record but not blow me up.
Last edited by Optimusdiesel May 3, 2025 at 12:51 AM.
these are a great pick up for 35 bucks with solar panel. if you can get the 2k version for 50 even better. I have two of these and if you have a tiny light source they can partially see in dark. the Ir sensors are not bad either. detection is pretty smooth and notifications come faster then wyze in my opinion. I had sd cards in all of them and now u can use home hub for camera clip saves. (if its ever in stock)These are 100% better then blink. dont waste ur time with blink.
My downside is with notification customization. I have these pointed at backyards that are sometimes very active. there is no way to snooze notifications. like wyze or blink. you either turn on privacy mode (which cuts feed) or put notifications on a schedule for when u want to receive them. sometimes you want to snooze notifications for 30mins to 1hr. having to cut the feed in privacy defeats this purpose. i want the camera to still record but not blow me up.
I agree. I have these and eufy and wish these had a snooze feature. I use them on my farm and at times my dogs trigger them over and over until I put them in privacy mode. The snooze option in eufy is the perfect feature
I agree. I have these and eufy and wish these had a snooze feature. I use them on my farm and at times my dogs trigger them over and over until I put them in privacy mode. The snooze option in eufy is the perfect feature
Ive created a automation. that helps me. When i get too many notifications i toggle privacy mode
In automation I have it setup as " if privacy mode is on this camera at these times say 3pm or 315 or 330pm... then delay 15mins and then turn off privacy mode" I have this set up on a schedule to check random times like every hr or every 30mins.
you do miss the feed but it doesnt blow ur phone up.
There home and away mode is good but you cant create a quick shortcut or a widget. very silly.
I complained to tplink and not even a acknowledge on the fourm
Last edited by Optimusdiesel May 3, 2025 at 04:12 PM.
Would someone be able to recommend a good solar cam (wireless) that support RTSP? Perhaps one that have a larger battery that could record 24x7, thanks.
I won't think you will find one that run on the battery. Record 24/7 need to be plug in or POE IMHO
Nowadays it is better to buy one that can rotate in any direction. There are a lot of them on Amazon & eBay and cheaper too and using solar technology. This TP-Link camera is fixed and can't rotate in any direction.
Huh? IT IS NOT FIXED in one position. Notice the swivel the camera is attached to. Also the solar power cord. I have one. I have the box right in front of me. Included is a separate mount for the solar panel, and a VERY long power cable if needed. One of the photos shown, show the solar and the camera separated from each other.
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The best way I found to eliminate bushes and flags is to only turn on detection for PETS, VEHICLES, and PERSONS. With this setting, I do not get any detection for things blowing in the breeze.
Edit:
March 27 - April 23 @ $40 (with occasional coupons thrown in making it lower)
April 24 - April 30 @ $50...
May 1 @ $40 once again
50 Comments
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank mary34carr
IIRC these have lower framerate than the 2K version but I use it for a small area and it looks good (at least on a smartphone screen, anyway). Night vision works good, plus there is a built-in light which I think can be set up to turn on when motion is detected to get full color recordings at night.
As already mentioned, this only records when motion is detected; otherwise, you can pull up the live feed on your phone any time you want. This might sound like a drawback, but if you configure the sensitivity / detection zone properly it will conserve a lot of battery - mine doesn't have the best solar panel placement and is still consistently above 95% battery life.
IMO after using this for at least a few months now, the camera is very good (zero issues with the waterproofing / wifi connectivity), but a drawback is that you are stuck using their app. The app works well, but if they go out of business the camera could become a paperweight. I remember reading at least one of their devices used to have RTSP support but was patched out with a firmware update and a lot of people weren't happy.
The only issue I had with the app was that I think it took two attempts to format the microsd card - I got an error the first time for some reason but second time it worked fine.
Here's a video I watched that helped me decide on this camera: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57XX7hK
A little after the 6 minute mark is when they show the video quality.
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Want it to stream to Frigate on my Unraid server. Continuous if possible.
My downside is with notification customization. I have these pointed at backyards that are sometimes very active. there is no way to snooze notifications. like wyze or blink. you either turn on privacy mode (which cuts feed) or put notifications on a schedule for when u want to receive them. sometimes you want to snooze notifications for 30mins to 1hr. having to cut the feed in privacy defeats this purpose. i want the camera to still record but not blow me up.
My downside is with notification customization. I have these pointed at backyards that are sometimes very active. there is no way to snooze notifications. like wyze or blink. you either turn on privacy mode (which cuts feed) or put notifications on a schedule for when u want to receive them. sometimes you want to snooze notifications for 30mins to 1hr. having to cut the feed in privacy defeats this purpose. i want the camera to still record but not blow me up.
In automation I have it setup as " if privacy mode is on this camera at these times say 3pm or 315 or 330pm... then delay 15mins and then turn off privacy mode" I have this set up on a schedule to check random times like every hr or every 30mins.
you do miss the feed but it doesnt blow ur phone up.
There home and away mode is good but you cant create a quick shortcut or a widget. very silly.
I complained to tplink and not even a acknowledge on the fourm
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