Which brand should you buy?
Quick verdict
- Local recording: every Tapo doorbell saves to microSD, in the doorbell or, for the D230S1, in the hub.
- A chime in the box: the D130, D210 and D235 include a Tapo chime, and the D230S1’s H200 hub rings as the chime.
- Google as well as Alexa: every Tapo doorbell except the D205 lists both.
- 24/7 recording to microSD with no plan needed when hardwired, as on the D130 and on the D235 with Always-on mode.
- A peephole camera: the Peephole Cam 2K fits doors 32.5mm to 60mm thick with a 12mm to 14mm peephole, with no drilling.
- Wired power beyond doorbell wiring: a plug-in adapter on the Wired Doorbell 2K Plus and Wired Video Doorbell Pro, and PoE on the Wired Doorbell 4K Pro.
- Cloud recording as standard: every Ring doorbell saves its clips to the cloud under a Ring Protect plan.
At a glance
Recording and subscriptions
Every Tapo doorbell records to microSD up to 512GB, in the doorbell itself or, for the D230S1, in the H200 hub, and Tapo Care adds optional cloud storage. Hardwired, the D130 records 24/7, and the D235 does too with Always-on mode.
Every Ring doorbell records to the cloud, and recording needs a Ring Protect plan.
Wiring and chimes
Tapo’s D130 is wired only and comes with a Tapo wireless chime, as it does not ring an existing chime. The D235 runs on battery or 8-24V wiring with a Tapo chime in the box, and the D235L and D260 work with an existing chime using the jumper. The D205 and D210 are battery models that take optional solar, and the D210 has a Tapo chime in the box.
Every Ring Battery doorbell can be hardwired to an 8-24 VAC transformer, and the Battery Doorbell 2K Plus and 4K Pro then ring an existing mechanical chime. Ring’s wired models differ: the Wired Doorbell 2K bypasses the chime, and the Wired Doorbell 2K Plus has no in-home chime support. No Ring UK doorbell box includes a chime.
Smart home and apps
Every Tapo doorbell lists Alexa, every model except the D205 adds Google, and the D260 also lists SmartThings. Tapo doesn’t list Apple HomeKit for its doorbells. Ring UK lists Alexa only, so Ring suits an Alexa home, while Tapo also suits a Google one.
The range
Tapo runs from the battery D205 and D210 through the D230S1 kit with its hub to the 4K D260, which runs on battery or wiring. Ring offers battery, wired and peephole models, from 1080p models such as the Video Doorbell Wired and Door View Cam to the Battery Doorbell 4K Pro and Wired Doorbell 4K Pro.
Model-by-model comparisons
Each of these compares one Tapo model with one Ring model, with a spec table, pros and cons, and which to buy.
Battery doorbellTapo D210 vs Ring Battery Video DoorbellCompare →
Battery or wiredTapo D235 vs Ring Battery Doorbell 2K PlusCompare →
Removable batteryTapo D230S1 vs Ring Battery Video Doorbell PlusCompare →
Wired doorbellTapo D130 vs Ring Wired Doorbell 2KCompare →
Wired vs wired or plug-inTapo D130 vs Ring Wired Doorbell 2K PlusCompare →
4K batteryRing Battery Doorbell 4K Pro vs Tapo D260Compare →
4K wired vs batteryRing Wired Doorbell 4K Pro vs Tapo D260Compare →
Frequently asked questions
Does Ring work without a subscription?
Ring doorbells record to the cloud, and recording needs a Ring Protect plan. Tapo doorbells record to a microSD card in the doorbell or hub, and Tapo Care is optional cloud storage.
Do they come with a chime?
No Ring UK doorbell box includes a chime; Ring Chime is sold separately or in bundles. Tapo includes a chime with the D130, D210 and D235, and the D230S1’s H200 hub rings as the chime. The D235L and D260 have no chime in the box but work with an existing chime using the jumper.
Which works with Google Home?
Tapo: every Tapo doorbell except the D205 lists Google as well as Alexa. Ring UK lists Alexa only.