Tapo launches budget C216/C460 cameras, D235 doorbell and H500 hub

Tapo has expanded its affordable home security lineup with two new cameras, a video doorbell and a smart IoT hub, offering features that the company and a reviewer who tested the devices say are typically found in higher-priced systems while keeping recurring costs optional. The products include a wired 2K outdoor pan-and-tilt camera priced around £35, a battery-powered 4K outdoor camera at about £73, a 2K video doorbell for roughly £90 and the H500 Smart IoT Hub at about £140.

The company and the tester emphasized that the devices are designed to work without mandatory subscription fees. Key capabilities such as onboard AI detection, motion alerts and human or pet recognition are available without a monthly plan. Users can record locally to an SD card, or choose paid cloud storage if they prefer.

The C216 2K 3MP outdoor camera offers motorized 360-degree pan and tilt, night vision, a spotlight and motion tracking. In hands-on use the camera produced adequate 2K footage, reliable motion detection and an alarm function, though it requires a constant power supply, which may complicate some outdoor installations. Two-way audio performance was described as inconsistent and the...