Camera with 2K resolution, color recordings even at night, wide viewing angle, two-way audio, person and package detection, and just under half a year of battery life. One look at the specs of the battery-powered TP-Link Tapo D230S1 and expectations skyrocket. After all, the video doorbell is not just a nose ahead of many competitors – and that at a really fair price. Today, we want to take a closer look at whether the good technical features also pay off in practice in the TP-Link Tapo D230S1 test.
Technical data
| Video resolution | 2K 5MP (2,560 x 1,920 pixels) |
| Audio | Two-way audio (microphone and speaker built-in) |
| Night vision | 850 nm IR LED (range: 7.6 meters) |
| WiFi protocols | IEEE 802.11 b/g/n, 2.4 GHz |
| Battery life | Up to 180 days |
| Resistance | Protection against water and dirt according to IP64 certification |
| App availability | Google Play Store and Apple App Store |
| Voice Assistants | Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa |
| Field of View | 160° (diagonal) |
| AI features | Person and object recognition |
| Price | € 89.90 * |
Scope of delivery
The comparatively quite large package in which the Tapo D230S1 comes along already suggests that TP-Link includes plenty of accessories. And appearances are not deceiving. Thus, the scope of delivery includes the video doorbell itself as well as the matching battery and an associated charging cable.
Furthermore, you get the Tapo H200 hub, a DC power adapter, an Ethernet cable, mounting hardware (screws and dowels), an adhesive washer, a drilling template, a wall mount, an angled bracket, and the Quick Start Guide along with the usual paperwork.
TP-Link Tapo D230S1 review: design and workmanship
My first impression of the Tapo D230S1 was extremely positive. Thus, the video doorbell convinced me right away with an excellent build quality. Here it cracks and creaks at no point. On top of that, an IP64 certification ensures reliable protection against the damaging penetration of water, dust and dirt. The ring button, which is located in the lower quarter of the front, scores with a very pleasant pressure point. The contrast between the white bell button and the black front also allows the bell button to be recognized right away – unfortunately, this is not the case for all models, of course.
If you still have problems with the latest model from TP-Link, you will recognize the button by the bell symbol at the latest. Above the bell button is an LED, which is supposed to ensure high image quality even in low-light conditions. A small company logo of TP-Link’s smart home division is located above it. The small white circle above it is the light sensor, and the large black circle is a motion detector. A status LED, in turn, informs the visitor, for example, that a video recording is currently taking place.
Above it is the camera unit along with the microphone. On the back you’ll find the slot for the battery pack. Furthermore, you’ll find the sync/reset button and an anti-theft button here. The former is not only used for pairing with the hub. Holding it down for a longer time also causes a reset. The other one ensures that you get an alarm sent to your smartphone when the bell is removed. You can pause it by holding the button down for 5 seconds. To deactivate the alarm feature, you have to hold down both buttons for 10 seconds.
TP-Link Tapo D230S1 review: hub for smart home features
To be able to use the extensive smart features of the video doorbell, an active Internet connection is essential. However, the Tapo D230S1 does not establish this on its own. The Tapo H200 hub included in the scope of delivery is used for this. I was already able to put this under the microscope with the TP-Link C420S2 surveillance camera pair (test). Therefore, I was not surprised by the high build quality and the pleasingly restrained design. The small helper is reminiscent in size of the Hue Bridge of the smart lighting series from Phillips.
In order for the compact hub to connect to the Internet at all, there is a LAN port on the back. You connect the hub to your router via this port. Furthermore, you’ll find a reset button, the power connector and a MicroSD card slot on the back. The presence of a slot for memory cards already makes it clear that local storage is also possible here. For you as a user, this means that you do not have to rely on a paid cloud solution. That is anything but a matter of course. In particular, the Ring series from the Amazon group makes it clear where the path of many other manufacturers is going instead.
The best examples are the Ring Doorbell Pro 2 (test) and the Battery Doorbell Plus (test). Such a subscription to the cloud service not only incurs running costs. On top of that, friends of high data protection standards will have to put up with the fact that the recordings are stored on a server that is usually located outside the EU. The hub is not only needed for storing videos and an active Internet connection. On top of that, the device also serves as a practical gong. A status LED and a sync button round off the equipment.
TP-Link Tapo D230S1 test: installation and commissioning
The installation of the smart doorbell is child’s play. Of course, this can be attributed to the fact that the Tapo D230S1 does not require a separate power supply via bell wire. Instead, it is powered by a rechargeable battery, which is supposed to be able to provide a runtime of almost half a year – and that with only one charge. In order not to have to dismantle the bell after just a few days, you should therefore fully charge the battery before starting the installation. The required USB cable and power adapter are included. I find it a bit surprising that TP-Link still uses micro-USB and not the now common USB-C standard. For a technical gadget that went on sale in 2023, I would have liked something different.
If the battery is fully charged, you can see that by the permanent green glow of the status LED. Now loosen the back panel of the doorbell and insert the battery. After that, the path leads you to the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. Here you can download the tapo app. Now connect your Tapo Hub to a power outlet and your router. Once this is done, simply set it up as a new device in the Tapo app. In the app, add the video doorbell as a new gadget. After both devices have been connected via sync buttons, you can install the smart doorbell at the desired location. Due to the rechargeable battery, you can choose your installation location here completely flexible.
If the desired location has a smooth surface, you can even do without drilling. TP-Link also includes a practical adhesive disc, with the help of which you can easily stick the bell to the wall or door. However, we recommend drilling for rough surfaces like coarse-grained exterior plaster or clinker bricks. Since suitable mounting materials in the form of screws and dowels as well as a practical drilling template are included, this is no problem at all. You now attach the smart doorbell to the glued or screwed back panel. If you prefer an angled mount, simply use the included bracket. Now the D230S1 is ready for use.
TP-Link Tapo D230S1 review: app usage
That TP-Link can not only bring high-quality network solutions to the market, but is now also an expert in practical as well as user-friendly smart home solutions, is clear. It is therefore not surprising that the in-house tapo app scores with a great overview. When you open the control center for your D230S1, you can see the most important features at a glance. On the start page of your smart doorbell, TP-Link uses a split screen.
In the upper half is the live view of the camera. Directly below the live view, you have the option to quickly and easily record a photo or video by pressing a button. You can also use the intercom function here. Thanks to two-way audio, your voice is recorded via the smartphone microphone and passed on to your visitor via the speaker in the doorbell. Thanks to the Internet connection, the whole thing works even when you’re on the road. You’re at work and the parcel delivery man rings your doorbell? Then you can quickly and easily ask him to leave the package in front of your door using the intercom function.
If you can’t speak right now, you can also play pre-recorded voice prompts by pressing a button in the app. Of course, the app also passes a ring signal to you, which you get via push notification to your smartphone. Apart from that, there are many different setting options in the app. Here, you can let off steam as you please and, for example, define certain “blind” areas. These are then not captured by the camera. This is particularly useful for public roads and visible neighboring properties.
TP-Link Tapo D230S1 test: local storage or cloud
How you want to store the recordings is up to you. TP-Link gives the Tapo H200 Hub a microSD slot that can be equipped with a memory card of up to 512 GB. Unfortunately, no memory card is included in the delivery. Alternatively, you can also opt for TP-Link’s cloud solution. This is the Tapo Care Service. You can try it out for free for the first 30 days. After that, the cloud service costs at least €2.99 per month for the basic subscription. Regardless of whether you choose local storage or the cloud solution, the recordings can be accessed conveniently, easily and, above all, quickly via the app.
TP-Link Tapo D230S1 review: picture quality
On the packaging, it is clear that TP-Link is proud of the camera quality of its smart doorbell. After all, it’s emblazoned here with a hard-to-miss statement that it’s a 2K 5MP camera with color night vision. And what can I say – the promises come true. The quality of the moving images as well as the photos is on a very high level.
Even small details can be recognized well. The lens also copes with direct sunlight without any problems. I also have to positively emphasize the large field of view of 160° diagonally. This ensures that you can even see people who are just one meter away from your door.
The AI features also worked excellently in the test. People were reliably recognized and skillfully distinguished from objects. The colored night vision is really cool. This is possible because the D230S1 automatically switches on the built-in LED in poor light conditions. This provides the necessary illumination and brings color into play.
Conclusion
The TP-Link Tapo D230S1 convinced me across the board in the test. That already starts with the cool design and the high-quality workmanship. However, the uncomplicated installation thanks to the rechargeable battery should be child’s play even for non-professionals. Thanks to a runtime of almost half a year, you only have to recharge it after a pleasantly long time. The app scores with a great overview and many useful settings. There is also nothing to complain about in the camera.
Finally, this one conjures up very good shots on the smartphone and even offers color night vision. Furthermore, I think it’s good that you don’t have to accept a cloud service here. Instead, local storage on the MicroSD is also possible. All in all, TP-Link offers an almost perfect smart video doorbell with its Tapo D230S1. Why only “almost”? In my opinion, the MicroUSB port via which you charge the battery is no longer up to date in 2023. An included microSD card would also have been nice. However, that only gives deductions in the B grade.
TP-Link Tapo D230S1
Workmanship and design
Hardware
Usability
Image quality
Value for money
96/100
The TP-Link Tapo D230S1 is an almost perfect smart video doorbell. Absolutely recommended purchase!
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