Tapo Video Doorbell Camera Review
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■ TP LinkYou need to buy a portable router that has the ability to connect to your hotspot. The one I own is the $40 TP-Link AC750 Wireless Portable Nano Travel Router (TL-WR902AC), which has the ability to connect and then share internet access using the small “share internet” button on the side of the device. The best way to connect to a hotspot is to use a laptop (or iPad) to first connect to the pocket router. Once you’re connected to the router, you can now manage it by going to tplinkwifi…
I recently had to access my security cameras, to verify some things … and I have to say, I love my Kasa cameras. I wanted to take a minute to recognize and endorse the Kasa system (made by TP-Link).
Currently, I am running two camera systems: Kasa and Wyze. I bought my first Wyze cameras around 2020 to 2021 because they were really cheap (like under $20), and it was fine. Then they were hit with some security hack in 2022 (where people could view your camera remotely), and then they started charging a subscription fee for “Cam Plus” (you can get around with a SD card), and recently you need “Cam Plus” to get motion recording. Wyze cameras are very cheap, but they will nickel and dime you to death with all these subscription fees… I’m not very happy with Wyze.
I have three Kasa cameras: KC120 at the front door (they’ve long discontinued this model because it came with free two days online storage), an outdoor/waterproof KC420WS which records my driveway, and a cheap wired EC60 that covers my back entrance/backyard.
Tapo Video Doorbell Camera
Recently, based on my satisfaction with Kasa, I wanted to get a Smart Doorbell. Unfortunately the Kasa version is wired only, and the cheaper (battery option) version is a Tapo Video Doorbell Camera (D210)… currently selling for $50. Since both Kasa and Tapo are made by TP-Link, you can access either product using the same login. Basically, Kasa and Tapo are in the same ecosystem… only Tapo is budget-friendly.
Recently, based on my satisfaction with Kasa, I wanted to get a Smart Doorbell. Unfortunately the Kasa version is wired only, and the cheaper (battery option) version is a Tapo Video Doorbell Camera (D210)… currently selling for $50. Since both Kasa and Tapo are made by TP-Link, you can access either product using the same login. Basically, Kasa and Tapo are in the same ecosystem… only Tapo is budget-friendly.
What you get with the Tapo Smart Doorbell is hanging plate, the doorbell camera, and a remote smart chime. The Smart Chime can be place somewhere far away from the door, so you can hear the doorbell.
Installation
Because the doorbell is battery-powered, you can place the doorbell anywhere. Literally. Some people even install it directly on their door! What’s just weird, in my opinion.
Because the doorbell is battery-powered, you can place the doorbell anywhere. Literally. Some people even install it directly on their door! What’s just weird, in my opinion.
We have it installed to the left of the door. So, when you install it to the left or right of the door, Tapo included a 15° angle so the camera will point just slightly to the left so it can capture the person in the center. Whoever designed it obviously got feedback from users or they requested this option when they were designing it. Really smart and useful.
As for mounting the plate, you can use the sticky mount (very easy to do), or you can use the included screws… or you can do both if you really want to secure the mount. I found it was too difficult to handscrew (you really need a drill), that I ended up just using the sticky mount. It seemed secure enough.
Local Storage or Cloud Service
Unlike Amazon’s Ring Door it won’t work with ICE, because you’re storing the video recording locally on your MicroSD card… but you also have the option to use TP-Link’s cloud service, Tapo Care. That is $35 a year for one camera… please note that service is different from Kasa Care, which is $30 a year, per camera.
Unlike Amazon’s Ring Door it won’t work with ICE, because you’re storing the video recording locally on your MicroSD card… but you also have the option to use TP-Link’s cloud service, Tapo Care. That is $35 a year for one camera… please note that service is different from Kasa Care, which is $30 a year, per camera.
I suggest just putting a $5 MicroSD and locally store your video recording and save some money. You do not need a subscription.
App
The Tapo App has Kasa items, so it eliminates the need to have a dedicated Kasa App. The reverse is not true, meaning the Kasa app does not have access to Tapo (which is a shame because I am used to the Kasa app). I’m still learning to use the Tapo app… but it seemed more complicated than the Kasa App, in my opinion.
The Tapo App has Kasa items, so it eliminates the need to have a dedicated Kasa App. The reverse is not true, meaning the Kasa app does not have access to Tapo (which is a shame because I am used to the Kasa app). I’m still learning to use the Tapo app… but it seemed more complicated than the Kasa App, in my opinion.
When someone rings the doorbell, the Tapo App will display a time-sensitive notification – similar to how you would answer the phone. If you answer the doorbell, you can see the video of the person at the door. You can talk to the person at the door using your phone, just make sure you’re not on mute (it’s on mute by default).
Also, I read from some reviewers that they had a very hard time activating the Tapo Doorbell using the app. I didn’t think it was that complicated, the printed quickguide was easy to follow (at least on an iPhone). I wonder if they didn’t have local wifi? Like all the security cameras, you need to have local network (WiFi) in order to use the product.
Video
The video is in 2K and the 160° view makes the image looks like fisheye. Motion detection is excellent, capturing any movements – such as my cat running around. Any movement will trigger the camera to record the event. This is useful to see someone walking up to the door, particularly if I’m waiting for a delivery. Night vision is usable. In darkness, like 5am, the video is in black & white, but still viewable and you can understand what’s going on.
The video is in 2K and the 160° view makes the image looks like fisheye. Motion detection is excellent, capturing any movements – such as my cat running around. Any movement will trigger the camera to record the event. This is useful to see someone walking up to the door, particularly if I’m waiting for a delivery. Night vision is usable. In darkness, like 5am, the video is in black & white, but still viewable and you can understand what’s going on.
Battery
Tapo claims 180 days of battery life. In my three hours of playing around with the doorbell, the battery is at 94%… so I feel it won’t last that long. You can maximize the battery life if you only have the doorbell wakeup when someone rings the doorbell. For normal usage, I feel like in about a month or two, you need to charge it again.
Tapo claims 180 days of battery life. In my three hours of playing around with the doorbell, the battery is at 94%… so I feel it won’t last that long. You can maximize the battery life if you only have the doorbell wakeup when someone rings the doorbell. For normal usage, I feel like in about a month or two, you need to charge it again.
You have a paperclip tool that makes it easy to eject the doorbell camera from the mount. You just need the USB-C provided to charge your doorbell. They did not give you a power plug, but most people should have a USB charger laying around. I do not believe it supports fast-charging, so it might take a few hours to full charge the device.
Anti-Theft
By now you’re wondering, what’s from preventing people from just bringing a paperclip to take your camera? I’m glad you ask. There is an Anti-Theft option you can turn on. When someone removes the device there is a compressed button in the back that will go into alarm-mode with loud sirens. The reset button is also disabled. Basically, you need to be the owner to turn off the lock-down mode. That’s pretty cool. I just have to remember to turn off the Anti-Theft option before I take it off to charge the doorbell.
By now you’re wondering, what’s from preventing people from just bringing a paperclip to take your camera? I’m glad you ask. There is an Anti-Theft option you can turn on. When someone removes the device there is a compressed button in the back that will go into alarm-mode with loud sirens. The reset button is also disabled. Basically, you need to be the owner to turn off the lock-down mode. That’s pretty cool. I just have to remember to turn off the Anti-Theft option before I take it off to charge the doorbell.
Verdict
The video doorbell solved my problem of not knowing if someone is at the door. If I am in my room, I do not hear someone knocking at the door (our regular home doorbell does not work). Now, if someone rings the doorbell, I need to answer it on my phone – or I can hear the Smart Chime to know someone is at the door.
The video doorbell solved my problem of not knowing if someone is at the door. If I am in my room, I do not hear someone knocking at the door (our regular home doorbell does not work). Now, if someone rings the doorbell, I need to answer it on my phone – or I can hear the Smart Chime to know someone is at the door.
The doorbell also solves the problem if I’m not physically at the house, I can still talk to the person at the door and find out why I have a visitor.
Because of motion sensor, I am always aware if someone is putting a package at my door, or nearby. Before the doorbell camera, I had no idea if something was delivered unless I get an email.
P.S. Since I have a front door camera (via the doorbell camera), I have moved the Kasa KC120 to the carport area. It will trigger if a car or someone enters the carport.
