I’ve found that home security cameras can make a perfect gift for a friend or family member, but I have come across a few problems over the years when gifting them.
First, I don’t want to give someone an indoor cam if what they really need is an outdoor version. Second, I usually want to set my gift budget low, especially for more casual friends and family. And third, I don’t want to give a gift that comes with unnecessary baggage like lots of features locked behind a subscription fee. The TP-Link Tapo C120 camnow on sale for an amazing $25, which is a 38% discount, is the perfect answer to all of these concerns. (Here are other home security deals you can find right now and another one I love here.)
Why I like the Tapo camera
On its own, this Tapo cam is no slouch. In my tests, I found the 2K resolution very useful (1080p is so last year for home cams). Plus, it comes with all of the important smart features, like two-way audio, smart alerts with object recognition, color night vision, motion detection and more. It’s basically an all-in-one security device. But it’s the extra features that really make it perfect for a holiday purchase.
Here’s where the Tapo C120 shines and why it’s such an ideal gift. You also may want to stop by our complete Cyber Monday guide and our list of the top cheap home security cameras (which includes another one of my Tapo favorites).
Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.
I can give the Tapo C120 cam as a gift without knowing all the details
The more I dug into the C120, the more I realized it was the perfect cam gift. First, you don’t have to sign up for a subscription fee to get any important services. Everything important is on the cam for free, and it supports local video storage. However, I would advise adding a cheap microSD card to the cam so the recipient doesn’t have to buy one.
Tapo cams are famous for their affordability and this cam is currently available for under $30, an amazing price for a do-everything smart home camera. Even at its full price of $40, it’s still an awesome bargain for what it does. I’ve never seen such a complete and trustworthy cam for such a budget price before, so you can save plenty of your holiday gift budget.
In my tests I found this cam lives up to its indoor/outdoor claims. It comes with plenty of weather resistance that worked well even in my high desert conditions. You can place it indoors and move it later, so you don’t have to worry about where your recipient wants to use it.
Was the Tapo C120 cam on sale for Black Friday and Cyber Monday?
Yes it was! The best part is that the sale is continuing, and it is still nearly 40% off.
If you’re looking for additional affordable gifts, check out Cyber Monday deals that are still happening, including phone deals.