Hardware

Published on April 26th, 2026 | by Andrew Bistak

Tapo Video Doorbell Camera Review (Tapo D235)

One smart home infrastructure to rule them all …

The Tapo D235 Video Doorbell Camera positions is an excellent upgrade for anyone wanting clearer vision, smarter alerts and a one‑off purchase without the subscription baggage. It delivers 2K (5MP) clarity, a 180‑degree head‑to‑toe field of view, full‑colour night vision backed by a built‑in spotlight giving you reliable visibility day or night. Whether you run it on the sizeable 10,000mAh battery (up to 210 days) or hardwire it for features like pre‑roll, the D235 is built to suit different homes and setups.

The D235 is also IP66 weatherproof and supports both local microSD storage (up to 512GB) and Tapo’s cloud service with useful features such as two‑way audio, quick responses and free AI detection for people, vehicles, pets and packages that surprisingly work quite well.

Combined with its tight integration with Matter and Alexa, it’s more than just a video doorbell as it can also be used as a security camera that ensures a myriad of real-world uses and more importantly, without complicating anything. Aesthetically, it looks quite stylish and doesn’t scream Ring Video Doorbell as some people don’t like ringing those devices.

Unboxing

Very well packed from Tapo, the D235 comes with everything you need to mount your new video doorbell including accessories plus a USB‑C charging cable or wires for an existing doorbell mains connection. I also found the device sturdy although maybe not as sturdy as the current Ring Video Doorbells, a moot point anyway. It also comes with different wedges to help with the best placement of the D235.

D235 Specifications

Setup

The setup process for the Tapo D235 is straightforward, with Tapo including everything needed for either a wired installation or the battery‑powered option, which is the route we chose. If you go with the battery setup, the doorbell needs an initial USB‑C charge that can take up to six hours. As I already had a Ring Video Doorbell installed, I removed it (sorry Amazon) to make way for the D235, though only two of the existing holes lined up. To make the mount sturdier than relying on just two screws, I added an anchor into the mortar, bringing the total to three—still short of the recommended four, but preferable to drilling into brick, which can’t be undone. Once the mounting template was in place, I attached the doorbell by pushing in the bottom first and then the top until it clicked securely. The D235 includes a release pin for removal and features an anti‑theft alarm and as you can see, it now sits neatly installed on our brick wall near the front door.

The App

The placement of the D235 followed a quick run through the setup wizard and because I already use Tapo products, it was simply a matter of opening the app, selecting Add Device and choosing the video doorbell. The wizard walks you through connecting both the D235 and the powered chime (sold separately by Ring) to your Wi‑Fi network and within a few minutes everything was paired and ready. Once the doorbell was securely installed and the chime linked, I jumped into the app to explore the features.

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As mentioned in past reviews, the Tapo app remains an excellent piece of software, giving you easy access to this device and any others on your network. For the D235 specifically, a standout feature is the ability to save videos directly to the device via a memory card, or to a Tapo hub if you have one. You can also opt into Tapo’s Cloud service (Tapo Care), which stores recordings online and includes a free trial period, but if you prefer a one‑off purchase without ongoing memberships, the D235’s local storage options have you covered.

The Tapo Video Doorbell Camera also doubles as a security camera, offering AI‑powered detection features such as familiar faces, pets, strangers and even whether a parcel has been left at your door. Like other smart devices, it sends notifications to your phone whenever motion, an alert, or a doorbell press is triggered and it also integrates seamlessly with Amazon Alexa devices, including Echo Show screens where you can instantly see who’s at the door.

Even non‑video Alexa devices receive audible notifications. You can choose between a male or female voice for announcements and the Tapo app itself delivers an impressive level of customisation—or you can simply install it, set it up and forget about it. The app also lets the doorbell send quick‑response messages such as “I’ll be there in a minute,” “Please leave them by the door,” or the more assertive “You are trespassing. Police have been called.” Additionally, you can take photos, record video, make calls to the device, review playback and download recordings directly from the app.

Video & Audio

When it comes to video and audio performance, the Tapo Video Doorbell Camera really can’t be faulted, thanks to its 2K (5MP) lens that delivers exceptionally clear and vibrant footage, even at night which clearly allowed me to see the person. It also supports a Head‑to‑Toe view with a 180‑degree DFOV, though the effectiveness naturally depends on where you place the device—something Tapo helps with through an excellent placement tutorial. Having used many Ring devices over the years, which are also great in their own right, the D235 is currently my pick because it’s a true one‑off purchase with no ongoing membership required. Like Ring, it’s compatible with Matter devices and home assistants such as Alexa and in my case, setup wasn’t needed at all since I already had other Tapo products running in my home. The Tapo D235 video doorbell features a direct “ring-to-call” function that acts like a VoIP call providing immediate two-way audio communication on your phone.

Final Thoughts

Remember when I said “one smart home infrastructure to rule them all”? The Tapo ecosystem really does lean into that idea, giving users a way to consolidate their entire smart home under one clean, consistent platform. Beyond the D235, Tapo’s lineup spans everything from smart lights and security cameras to robot vacuums, mops and sensors—barely scratching the surface of what they offer. What makes it even more appealing is that all these devices work without forcing you into a subscription that may be out of your budget, especially the ones that rely on video recording.

And with the D235 specifically, you’re getting some genuinely standout features: crisp 2K (5MP) clarity, a 180‑degree head‑to‑toe view, full‑colour night vision with a spotlight, free AI detection for people, pets and packages and the flexibility of either a long‑lasting battery or a wired setup with pre‑roll. For anyone wanting a reliable, unified system that doesn’t nickel‑and‑dime you, Tapo has built something that feels cohesive, scalable and refreshingly straightforward to live with. Oh… the Tapo Video Doorbell Camera D235 retails for $249 AUD (April 2026).

Tapo Video Doorbell Camera (Tapo D235) Features

• 210-Day Battery or Wired: 10000mAh battery or 8-24V hardwired, supports pre-roll when hardwired.
• 2K 5MP Clarity: Provides finer details and incredible clarity.
• 180° Ultra-Wide View: Captures everything from head-to-toe.
• Full Colour Night Vision with Spotlight: Vivid night visibility and security.
• Free Detection and Notification: Alerts for person, vehicle, pet and package.
• Two-Way Audio: High-quality talk with premium mic and speakers.
• Quick Response: Rapid reaction to any situation.
• IP66 Weatherproof: Reliable in all weather conditions.
• Local and Cloud Storage: Supports microSD card (up to 512GB) and Tapo Care cloud services.

About the Author

Andrew Bistak When he's not trying to save the world, Andrew enjoys travel (although loathes turbulence), going to the movies, reading and being a dad to his two dogs (and now twins) with his wife.

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