Which brand should you buy?
Quick verdict
- Each camera to record to its own microSD card, with Tapo Care cloud storage as an option.
- Google as well as Alexa: every Tapo camera lists both, and the C225 and C840 add Apple HomeKit.
- 4K, such as the C250 and C260 indoors or the C460 and C465 outdoors.
- Solar in the box or built in: kits such as the C630 KIT include a panel, and the C465 has one built in.
- Outdoor cameras that run on 2x AA lithium batteries, rated by Blink at up to 2 years on its stated usage (based on 1080p for the Outdoor 2K+).
- A floodlight camera on AA and D-cell batteries: the Outdoor Floodlight Camera. Tapo’s wire-free C615F KIT has a built-in battery and a solar panel in the box.
- The Arc, a mount that joins two Mini 2K+ or two Mini 2 cameras for a 180° view from one power connection.
At a glance
Recording and subscriptions
Every Tapo camera records to a microSD card inside the camera, most taking cards up to 512GB, and Tapo Care adds optional cloud storage.
Blink works differently. Cloud storage of clips needs a Blink subscription plan, and local storage needs a Sync Module 2; the Sync Module Core has no local storage. The Outdoor 2K+, Outdoor 4 and Outdoor Floodlight Camera need a Sync Module, and the Arc’s panoramic clips need a Blink Plus or Plus ai plan.
Smart home and apps
Every Tapo camera lists Alexa and Google, models such as the C250 and C710 add SmartThings, and the C225 and C840 work with Apple HomeKit. Blink cameras use the Blink app and work with Alexa, which can also control the light on the Outdoor Floodlight Camera. Blink’s Mini 2K+ and Outdoor 2K+ don’t support Apple HomeKit.
The range: indoor, outdoor, battery, solar, floodlight
Indoors, Tapo runs from the 1080p C100 to the 4K C250 and C260, with pan-tilt and dual-lens models. Blink’s indoor cameras include the Mini, Mini 2 and Mini 2K+, and the Mini 2 and Mini 2K+ can go outdoors with the Weather-Resistant Power Adapter. The Blink Arc holds two Mini 2K+ or two Mini 2 cameras for a 180° view.
Outdoors, Blink’s Outdoor 2K+ and Outdoor 4 run on 2x AA lithium batteries and work with Blink Solaris, a solar panel and rechargeable battery pack in one. Most Tapo battery cameras work with solar, kits such as the C630 KIT include a panel, and Tapo has wired outdoor cameras such as the C320WS. Tapo’s floodlights include the hardwired C710 and C720 and the battery C615F KIT with a solar panel; Blink’s Outdoor Floodlight Camera runs on AA and D-cells.
Model-by-model comparisons
Each of these compares one Tapo model with one Blink model, with a spec table, pros and cons, and which to buy.
Indoor cameraTapo C100 vs Blink Mini 2Compare →
Indoor 2KTapo C110 vs Blink Mini 2K+Compare →
Outdoor plug-inBlink Mini 2K+ vs Tapo C120Compare →
Battery outdoorTapo C425 vs Blink Outdoor 2K+Compare →
1080p battery outdoorTapo C400 vs Blink Outdoor 4Compare →
AA battery vs solar kitBlink Outdoor 2K+ vs Tapo C645D KITCompare →
FloodlightTapo C720 vs Blink Outdoor Floodlight CameraCompare →
Frequently asked questions
Does Blink work without a subscription?
Blink cloud clips need a Blink subscription plan. For local storage you need a Sync Module 2, as the Sync Module Core has no local storage. Tapo cameras record to a microSD card, with Tapo Care optional.
Which works with Google Home?
Tapo: every Tapo camera lists Alexa and Google. Blink’s cameras list the Blink app and Alexa.
Can I record locally?
Yes with both. Every Tapo camera records to a microSD card inside it. Blink records locally only with a Sync Module 2, which stores clips on a USB drive; the Sync Module Core has no local storage.