Ask anyone to name a video doorbell brand and I would wager good money that their answer would be Ring. Amazon Ring is a big name in video doorbells, but it’s not the game in town. I decided to review the TP-Link Tapo D230S1 video doorbell to see what the competition offers.
It’s probably fair to say that most people who want a video doorbell will have already bought one. However, many people like the idea of having a security device so they can see who is at their front door, but they may be hesitant about fitting it on their own and think it might be a hassle to wire in.
The Tapo D230S1 video doorbell is a wireless doorbell powered by a lithium-ion rechargeable battery that works for up to six months between charges, depending on your number of callers. The kit comes with the video doorbell unit, which features a wide-angle video camera, a loudspeaker, a microphone and a movement sensor.
Fitting the doorbell couldn’t be easier. You can either attach it to the doorframe with the supplied sticky mount or screw it to a wooden frame for extra security. The kit comes with an optional wedge mount that positions the doorbell at a 15-degree angle to see whoever is at the front of the door when mounted on either side instead of the door itself. There’s even a light in the doorbell which can illuminate callers at night and the video sensor is sensitive enough to produce clear color images.
Also included with the kit is a Tapo hub that plugs into your home router with an Ethernet cable. The hub has a door chime, so when someone rings the doorbell, the hub will make a sound like a traditional doorbell. At the same time, a notification is displayed on your smartphone’s screen, no matter where you are. The hub also has a microSD card slot for recording video received from the doorbell and that video signal is also fed to your smartphone with the Tapo app.
Connecting the Tapo D230S1 wirelessly to your home network is easy. Just follow the steps on the app. You can view the live stream video in the app, review recordings, customize settings and receive real-time alerts. Communicating directly with visitors at the doorbell is possible using two-way audio or pre-recorded responses. For example, you could have a message with instructions for a delivery driver to leave a package in a safe space.
The Tapo D230S1 has a starlight sensor that produces high-quality color images even in low-light conditions thanks to a 2K 5MP resolution sensor. Advanced AI algorithms can identify people and cars and instantly notify you via the app when a person or object is nearby. It’s then possible to observe whoever is at the door from head-to-toe at distances as close as one meter. Tapo D230S1 also has an anti-theft alarm that will alert the user if anyone tries to remove or tamper with the doorbell.
Verdict: If the idea of a video doorbell has tempted you but were worried about the complexities of installation, the TP-Link Tapo D230S1 couldn’t be easier to install and get working. Getting a notification on your smartphone whenever someone approaches your front door, even if they don’t press the doorbell button, does offer peace of mind. All video footage can be stored on a microSD card in the Tapo hub or stored remotely on Tapo’s servers for a monthly subscription. You can communicate with the caller via your smartphone, no matter where you are. So, if you are at work and a courier tries to deliver a package to your home, you can respond and tell them to leave it in a safe space. If someone tries to enter your home via the front door, you can have clear video evidence stored offsite. The doorbell may even have a deterrent effect on would-be intruders. The Tapo D230S1 is a worthy competitor to Amazon’s Ring doorbell and offers good value for money.
Pricing & Availability: The TP-Link Tapo D230S1 is available now and costs £146.
More info: tapo.com
Tech Specs:
- Connectivity: Wireless.
- Water resistant: Yes.
- Power source: Lithium-ion rechargeable battery (up to six months of operation).
- Connectivity protocol: Wi-Fi.
- Controller type: Amazon Alexa.
- Mounting type: Wall mount.
- Video resolution: 2K.
- Effective video resolution: 5MP.
- Frame rate: 5fps.
- Wattage: 5W.
- Dimensions (L x W x H): 146 x 54 x 35mm.
- Weight: 740g
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