Camera Brand Comparison · UK 2026
Reolink vs Tapo Cameras

Which brand should you buy?

This guide compares Reolink and Tapo security cameras for UK homes, from indoor pan-tilt cameras to battery, solar, PoE and floodlight models. Every camera from both brands here records to a microSD card, so the choice usually rests on the kind of system you want. Reolink has many PoE and 4G LTE cameras and NVR recording, while Tapo centres on Wi-Fi cameras, with PoE on the C575D, C325WB v2 and C501GW (which also has 4G LTE) and Apple HomeKit on the C225 and C840.

Quick verdict

Choose Reolink if you want:

  • PoE cameras that record to a Reolink NVR, such as the RLC-810A, Duo 3 PoE and TrackMix PoE.
  • A battery 4G LTE camera, such as the Go PT Ultra or TrackMix LTE, for a spot with no Wi-Fi or mains power; Tapo’s 4G C501GW needs mains or PoE.
  • A 16MP panoramic camera: the Duo 3 PoE and Duo 3 WiFi record 7680 x 2160 across 180°.
  • IP67 weather sealing, as on the RLC-810A, Duo 3 PoE and Argus Solar.

All Reolink reviews →

Choose Tapo if you want:

  • Apple HomeKit on an indoor camera: the C225 and C840 list it.
  • Indoor cameras across the range, from the 1080p C100 to the 4K C260 and the dual-lens C245D and C840.
  • SmartThings as well as Google, as on the C250, C710 and C575D.

All Tapo reviews →

At a glance

Reolink Tapo
Recording and storage microSD on every camera; NVR, Home Hub, FTP or Reolink Cloud on many microSD slot in every camera; Tapo Care cloud optional; H200 hub storage on some
Subscription Not needed for local recording on models such as the Argus 4 Pro Optional: Tapo Care adds cloud storage
Smart home Google Assistant on most models; Home Assistant on the TrackMix PoE Google on every model; SmartThings on some, e.g. C250 and C710
Apple HomeKit Not listed by Reolink on models such as the Argus 4 Pro and E1 Outdoor Pro C225 and C840 only
Power options Plug-in, PoE, battery and solar; hardwired on the TrackFlex and Elite Floodlight WiFi Plug-in, battery (most solar-ready), hardwired; PoE on the C575D, C325WB v2 and C501GW
Resolutions 1080p (Argus MagiCam) to 16MP (7680 x 2160) 1080p Full HD to 4K 8MP; dual 4K on the C575D and C675D KIT
Weather ratings IP64 to IP67 on outdoor models that state one IP65 or IP66 on every outdoor model
Connection Wi-Fi 6 on many; Ethernet-only PoE and 4G LTE models too 2.4GHz on most; dual-band or Ethernet on some; 4G LTE on the C501GW

Recording and subscriptions

Every camera from both brands here records to a microSD card. Reolink adds other places to keep footage, by model: a Reolink NVR for its PoE cameras, a Home Hub for many Wi-Fi and battery models, and FTP/NAS or Reolink Cloud on some.

Tapo records to the card in each camera, with Tapo Care as optional cloud storage, and Tapo’s H200 hub can add local storage for models such as the TC82, C645D KIT and C675D KIT. Reolink lists no subscription needed for local recording on models such as the Argus 4 Pro, E1 Outdoor Pro and RLC-811A.

Smart home and apps

Every Tapo camera lists Google, models such as the C250, C710 and C575D add SmartThings, and the C225 and C840 list Apple HomeKit. Most Reolink cameras list Google Assistant, and the TrackMix PoE adds Home Assistant. Reolink does not list Apple HomeKit on models such as the Argus 4 Pro, E1 Outdoor Pro and RLC-811A.

The range: indoor, outdoor, battery, solar, floodlight

Reolink’s wired range includes PoE cameras such as the RLC-810A and RLC-1224A, panoramic Duo models, dual-lens TrackMix models and the RLC-823S2 with 16x optical zoom. Most of its battery cameras work with solar panels, and the Go and TrackMix LTE models run on 4G. Floodlights include the Elite Floodlight WiFi and Solar Floodlight Cam.

Tapo’s range leans to Wi-Fi: indoor cameras from the C100 to the C260, battery cameras that work with solar such as the C425 and C660 KIT, wired outdoor cameras such as the C320WS, many with an Ethernet port, and floodlight cameras such as the hardwired C710 and C720 and the battery C615F KIT with its solar panel. The C501GW connects over 4G LTE or PoE, with no Wi-Fi.

Model-by-model comparisons

Each of these compares one Reolink model with one Tapo model, with a spec table, pros and cons, and which to buy.

Indoor pan-tiltTapo C200 vs Reolink E1Compare →
Indoor 4KTapo C260 vs Reolink E1 ZoomCompare →
Battery outdoorTapo C425 vs Reolink Argus EcoCompare →
Battery dual-lensTapo C645D KIT vs Reolink TrackMix (Battery)Compare →
Solar pan-tilt vs 4GTapo C660 KIT vs Reolink Go PT UltraCompare →
Wired outdoorTapo C320WS vs Reolink RLC-810WACompare →
PoE dual-lensTapo C575D vs Reolink TrackMix PoECompare →
FloodlightTapo C720 vs Reolink Elite Floodlight WiFiCompare →

Frequently asked questions

Do Reolink or Tapo cameras need a subscription?

Every camera from both brands here records to a microSD card. Tapo Care is Tapo’s optional cloud storage, and Reolink lists no subscription needed for local recording on models such as the Argus 4 Pro.

Which has PoE cameras?

Reolink lists PoE on many wired models, including the RLC-810A, Duo 3 PoE and TrackMix PoE, which record to microSD or a Reolink NVR. Tapo lists PoE on the C575D, the v2 of the C325WB and the C501GW, which also connects over 4G LTE.

Which works with Apple HomeKit?

Tapo lists Apple HomeKit on the C225 and C840. Reolink doesn’t list HomeKit on models such as the Argus 4 Pro, E1 Outdoor Pro and RLC-811A.

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