If you’re a pet parent like me, too much of your time away from the house is spent stressing about your fur baby. When I first moved into my home, I had already set a strict rule for myself that I would NOT allow myself to get a ‘pet.’ They’re messy, they shed, and they come with a whole bag of responsibilities and stressors attached.
I guess God had a good laugh at me that day because less than six weeks later, a small, greasy fur ball showed up under my carport. I tried to find him a good home and remain rigidly unattached, but as you can guess, the joke was on me.
Now three years later, I can’t imagine my life without him. Unsurprisingly, Blue excels at being messy; he sheds year-round and always keeps me on my toes. Regardless, I love him completely, and he is my number one consideration every time I walk out my door.
But I have enough stress in my life already, so I started thinking about what I could do for more peace of mind when I couldn’t be home. I felt that if I could check in on him throughout the day, my mind would be less anxious and distracted. I also can’t help but have security and safety concerns leaving him home alone. So for this reason, I started looking for a solution, and the results proved better than I expected.
Better Than a Baby Monitor
Browsing online, I discovered a user-friendly list of security (or pet) cameras on Amazon and began comparing different models. There were a lot of different options, but after some research, I chose the Tapo TP-Link C210 for its interactive features and affordability.
You can find these models, along with a wide range of other Tapo products, on Amazon. If you’re a Prime member, you can have your new security system delivered and ready to go within just a few days. The ability to check in on Blue whenever I want with the touch of a screen has proved to be a huge relief.
It’s come with some unexpected perks as well. It’s just me and him in the house, and an enhanced sense of safety means all the more when you’re living alone in the big city. The same technology that allows me to keep track of my home and my feisty feline when I’m away also allows me to keep an eye on my property and personal belongings as well.
Setup
Setting up the cameras was quick and simple. It’s not a stretch to say I’ve used the accompanying app to check in almost daily since. I went with the 2-pack option so I could cover my home interior with one camera and place the other in the upstairs window to capture a view of the backyard as well.
Keep in mind this model is only suggested for indoor use, but Tapo does offer outdoor models if you’re looking for a more robust security system.
First, you’ll need to connect to a wifi network and download the Tapo app. From there, the app will take you through the setup process step by step. Once you’ve finished the setup, you will have the option to name each of the devices in your Tapo network.
This is helpful for remembering what area each of your devices is watching. I eventually added one of the Tapo outdoor models for my carport area, and it was seamlessly integrated alongside my indoor cameras. Just keep in mind that if you lose electricity or your wifi signal, you lose your camera feed as well.
Features
These cameras catch it all. I love the pan and track features; by using the on-screen controller in the app, I can manually scan the room for my guy. The camera has a horizontal swivel range of 360 degrees and a vertical tilt range of 114 degrees.
You also have the option to set zones, motion tracking, person detection, noise detection, and more. The app gives you control over whether you want to receive alerts for certain kinds of motion or object detection.
It’s easy to adjust these settings at any time. So, if I haven’t seen Blue for a while (probably because he’s napping somewhere off-camera), I can easily switch on my notifications to alert me when movement is detected. This way, I get an alert as soon as he comes back on screen.
Tapo cameras are compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, and you can even screencast your feed onto a television screen for better viewing. Two smartphone devices can view your account at a time in case you want to share access to your feed with someone else.
If you’re tuning in after lights out, the cameras automatically switch to night vision with a 30-foot visibility range once the room goes dark. This is a great feature for me whenever I work late or when my travels take me to a completely different timezone. I can still catch a glimpse of Blue long after his cat sitter (aka his grandma) goes to bed.
It also comes in handy when we’re home together. If something goes bump in the night, it’s nice to be able to check the camera feed downstairs without even leaving the bed. This makes for less wear on my nerves and a better night’s sleep.
The two-way audio feature lets me listen in on any shenanigans he pulls. Using the app’s “Talk” feature, I can also speak directly to him through the camera’s microphone from anywhere. This comes in handy when I need to remind him to stay off the stovetop.
Keep In Mind
This Tapo model connects the video feed to your phone app wirelessly through wifi, but the unit itself needs to be plugged into a wall outlet via a 100-240 V adapter. If you need a longer cord to reach your outlet, they do sell lots of options for them on Amazon.
The camera base allows it to sit nicely on its own, even when you pan and tilt, and I keep the one upstairs sitting on a windowsill. It also comes with mounting hardware if you prefer to screw it to the wall or ceiling. I attached the one I use for Blue over the door so I would have a better vantage of the entire room.
Since I wasn’t sure I would keep it there, I saved the mounting hardware and used command strips to stick it to the wall instead. The camera is light enough that it stays in place using this method without problem, even as the head swivels.
If you choose to mount it on a wall, be aware that your cord will need to reach an outlet and will present a bit of an eyesore. I’d probably rethink the location I chose if I had to do it again for this reason.
Additional Accessories
In addition to the cameras, you will need to purchase SD cards separately if you want to back up your recordings. This has important security implications and has come in quite handy for me on multiple occasions.
I went for a large storage capacity when I chose my cards so that I could have continuous backup recordings for up to two weeks at a time. I love knowing that I can review and download footage during this time frame when it’s needed. It also allows me to sneak a peek at some cute moments of Blue when I’m feeling homesick. You can even snap a photo using the Tapo app for whichever device you’re viewing.
As I mentioned before, you have the option of purchasing a longer cord if needed. Options of varying lengths are easy to find on Amazon. These come in both black and white; I’d recommend whichever color will stand out less against your wall or floor color.
Security Made Simple
Whether you’re looking for greater peace of mind when you’re away from your furry friends or want to take advantage of the notable security benefits that come with 24/7 audio, video, and speech access to your home, these cameras make a great addition to your daily life.
It’s hard to put a price tag on security, but fortunately, the wide range of features offered by these devices come with a budget-friendly price tag. So, if you’re searching for ways to unload some stress and embrace a calmer, more serene you this year, these unassuming cameras represent a small step towards peace of mind for your home and pets.
Leave a Reply