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TP-Link is the latest company to enter the smart video doorbell market with the new Tapo D230S1.
It sounds like an impressive camera that can compete with the best options on the market.
For me, the standout features are:
- Embedded spotlight and starlight sensor allows the camera to record footage in colour at night
- Flexible storage, similar to Eufy/Reolink/Aqara, this can record footage to microSD, avoiding the need for monthly fees, or alternatively, you can use the Tapo Care cloud storage.
- Smart AI detection for people and cars
- Up to 6 months of battery life (and they provide examples or realistic battery life)
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tapo 2K 5MP Smart Wireless Security Video Doorbell,... | £129.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Tapo D230S1 Smart Battery Video Doorbell Full Features
- 2K 5MP Live View: Always know what happens in front of your door through the Tapo app. With the starlight sensor and 2K 5MP resolution, check all the fine details captured even in low-light environments.
- Image sensor is 1/2.7“ with 160° Diagonal viewing angle
- Colour Night Vision: With the embedded spotlight and starlight sensor, Tapo D230S1 reveals high-fidelity details and colour at night.
- Head-to-Toe View: With the camera’s ultra-wide FOV(160° Diagonal), Tapo 4:3 live view ensures users can check visitors from head-to-toe as close as 1m†, which shows more vertical details than other 16:9 doorbells’.
- Flexible Placement, Flexible Views: Different wedge choices allow users to make the doorbell suits more placement scenarios. Users can also use wedges to adjust the views.
- Longer Battery Life: The rechargeable and removable battery with a low-power protocol extends your usage.
- Smart AI Detection and Notification: Smart AI algorithms identify people and cars, and notify users as needed.
- Multiple Ways to Answer: With two-way audio or a recorded quick response, communicate directly with your deliveries through the Tapo app.
- Flexible Storage Choice: Save recorded videos on the hub-installed microSD card§ (up to 512 GB) or by using Tapo Care cloud storage services.
- Anti-theft Alarm: Be alerted when someone trying to take the doorbell off with the anti-theft alarm function.
- Water & Dust Resistant IP64： Operates well on rainy days and in damp environments.
Battery
It is good to see that TP-Link has provided realistic examples of what battery life you will get from your camera.
In my case, I could probably get up to 6 months based on 10 triggers per day with 30 seconds per clip.
On the low end of the scale, you have one month of life when you have 60 times a day (which would be annoying for notifications) and 30 seconds per clip.
Third-Party Integrations
The doorbell will work with the usual suspects, this includes Amazon Alexa and Google Home.
I only bring this up because there is quite a lot of demand for doorbells that support Homekit, yet there are not many that do.
TP-Link Tapo Care
You can optionally sign up to Tapo Care for cloud recordings.
There are two service levels, basic and pro. With basic, you get 7-days of recordings, and with pro, it is 30 days.
The basic plan is £25 for a single device for one year or £90 for 5 devices.
Technically it is a little cheaper than Arlo and Ring, but they have arguably better plans, such as longer storage and unlimited camera options.
It also looks like some features are walled off into this subscription. This includes:
- Exclusive AI Detection – Smart AI detection with Person Detection helps personalize and filter notifications custom to your needs.
- Rich Notifications with Snapshots – A picture paints a thousand words, and our real-time image notifications will do that for you.
Price and Availability
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Tapo 2K 5MP Smart Wireless Security Video Doorbell,... | £129.99 | Buy on Amazon |
The new doorbell should be available at the end of July and is currently listed as being £149.99.
The product pages on Amazon and TP-Link are live, but there is no availability yet.
I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.
As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.
In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.
I’m proud to share that Vuelio has consistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of the top technology blogs in the UK. With my dedication to technology and drive to share my insights, I aim to continue providing my readers with engaging and informative content.
Last update on 2024-04-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
