TP-Link Cameras Review: Tapo vs. Kasa

TP-Link is a mainstay among companies selling networking gear like routers, but it's not the first name you think of when security cameras come up. In fact, TP-Link's been selling security cameras from its two consumer smart home brands, Kasa and Tapo, since 2017. And while these cameras have been on our radar for some time, we've never had a chance to test them.

Now we're kicking ourselves for sleeping on excellent budget-friendly security camera brands that stand up surprisingly well against competitors like Wyze, Eufy, Ring, and Reolink. Each of the Kasa and Tapo cameras we tested brings something unique to the table, which makes them worth considering for your smart home. Our favorite is the Tapo C325WB, which produces the best color night vision we've ever seen.

Read on to learn more about the strengths of TP-Link's cameras and how they compare to rivals.

Each of TP-Link's camera brands has different strengths. Kasa targets beginners with generally more straightforward controls, while Tapo offers more customization options for more advanced users. While Kasa has been available in the U.S. for nearly a decade, Tapo mainly focused on international customers until 2022.

The video quality—in daytime and nighttime environments—from the TP-Link cameras we tested is consistently excellent across Kasa and Tapo models. While we noticed occasional lag and motion blur, neither detracted too much from the overall video quality.

We love Tapo's option to change the video playback speed from 1/16x to 16x—making it easier to review footage. The slower speeds are ideal for getting a frame-by-frame replay to capture still images and details. The fast speeds help you blast through recordings for highlights and can even simulate a time-lapse effect when using the manual recording function.

When viewing live video with Tapo, you can put up to 32 cameras into a group and watch them in groups of four. You can also switch to another camera by tapping on its feed. This is great for quickly checking all your cameras since you don't need to jump in and out of menus in the app.

All of TP-Link's cameras cost $120 or less, excluding multi-camera packs, with many of the cheapest models available for less than similar options from Wyze and Blink. Considering TP-Link's excellent video quality, you're not compromising to save a few bucks.

TP-Link cameras have two video storage options:

• Local storage: Inserting a microSD card means the camera can save recordings without a subscription. This method is available with the Kasa Smart Doorbell, which is rare as most doorbell cameras lack a microSD card slot or even local storage. The maximum storage capacity varies depending on the camera model, but they all support 128GB cards at the very least. At the top of the list is the Tapo C325WB, which supports cards up to 512GB, giving it a larger storage capacity than most other brands we've tested.
• Cloud storage: Tapo Care and Kasa Care are the cloud storage plans, with prices starting at $3.49/month and $3/month, respectively. Both plans offer 30 days of video storage, enhanced notifications, and easier video downloads than local storage alone. (You can use cloud and local storage simultaneously.)

Compare TP-Link cloud storage plans

Under normal circumstances, we'd create a huge table to explore every cloud storage plan's features, but the only thing that changes with each plan is the number of cameras it supports.

Every Tapo camera supports Privacy Mode (or turns the camera off in the Kasa app's case), which disables the video and audio streams from within the mobile app. However, this mode keeps the Wi-Fi connection running so you can review security footage, adjust settings, and reactivate the camera quickly. It's extremely helpful for folks wanting an assurance that the camera won't record without an authorized account—and for reviewers testing multiple security cameras simultaneously.

Kasa and Tapo cameras are compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home, but their functionality is limited. Regardless of your platform, you can only watch live feeds on a compatible smart display like an Echo Show or Nest Hub—you can't access them from the Alexa or Google Home apps. You can automate the cameras to various degrees depending on which app you use, with Alexa offering better tools for creating routines and shortcuts.

When we linked Kasa to Google Home for this test, we were hopeful when an option to view the live feed appeared in the Google Home app, but it never worked.

Although the TP-Link Tapo and Kasa apps offer similar features like video viewing, two-way audio, and home automation with other products, they only work for their brands. This means swapping between apps if you choose to go with both brands.

Most TP-Link cameras use standard infrared night vision with the occasional spotlight. The Tapo C325WB comes with ColorPro night vision, which doesn't use infrared as far as we can tell. Instead, it uses a larger sensor and a wider aperture than any other security camera we've tested, resulting in the best color night vision on the market.

All of the cameras we tested have a 2K video resolution. Unfortunately, most brands treat 2K as an umbrella term for any resolution higher than 1080p but lower than 4K (2160p). Here's a quick overview of the available resolutions:

• 1520p on the Tapo C325WB
• 1440p on the Tapo C420S2
• 1296p on the Tapo C210, Tapo C110, and Kasa KD110

The Kasa Smart Doorbell has the widest field of view—160º—among the tested cameras, which is suitable for outdoor settings. However, all of the Tapo cameras in our tests come in under 130º, with the C325WB and C110 coming in at 127º, meaning they'll work for most settings. (TP-Link doesn't provide a field of view for the C110, but it's the same as the C325WB based on side-by-side observations.)

The Tapo C420S2's 113º field of view is respectable but narrower than we'd like for an outdoor security camera. Bringing up the rear is the Tapo C210, which we'd estimate as having a 106º field of view—another camera where TP-Link doesn't provide a specification. At least the C210 comes with pan-and-tilt motors so you can view 360º around the camera, preventing the narrow field of view from becoming too detrimental.

The best security cameras have frame rates of 15 frames per second (FPS) or higher, and all of TP-Link's cameras fit this description. Still, we like that the Tapo C420S2 and C325WB's frame rates go up to 20 FPS, making for smoother video playback overall. This is the same FPS Wyze offers on many cameras but more than Eufy's cameras.

TP-Link only sells one camera model that runs on batteries: the Tapo C420S2. All other Kasa and Tapo camera models require a wired power source. Most competitors offer various wire-free security cameras, making them easier to install in more places.

The quality of the documentation for these cameras varies by model. Some cameras, like the Tapo C325WB and C420S2, include extensive datasheets with detailed specifications that helped our comparison and testing. Others, like Tapo C110, lack basic metrics like frame rate and field of view. While testing performance matters more than specs, they're still essential comparison points for determining how a product measures up to rivals.

This inconsistency of available data also extends to customer support tools. Kasa sends customers to TP-Link's support page to search for answers, while Tapo hosts some information on the product page and in a support center. A quick search of the model number will show relevant FAQs, videos, and manuals, but navigation could be better.

Tapo security cameras, but not Kasa cameras, support ONVIF and Real Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP), which allow you to link them to network-attached storage (NAS) or a third-party NVR to save video recordings. While it requires more equipment and some computer skills, these features unlock local cloud storage without a subscription fee.

As TP-Link's newest camera, the Tapo C325WB comes with this lineup's advanced smart motion detection. In addition to detecting people, pets, and vehicles, it has a line-crossing detection option. You draw a line in the frame and can tell the camera to look for subjects crossing it in one direction or both—similar to the activity zones you can create for each camera on this list. It's especially convenient for spotting when your dog escapes the yard.

This security camera boasts a bright spotlight to further aid in nighttime video recording, providing excellent illumination up to 30 feet away on the highest brightness—though you'll see the best results in the 10- to 20-foot range. It also has a skill the C325WB lacks: infrared night vision. This black-and-white mode is great for low-light scenarios where you don't want a bright spotlight, but it doesn't offer as much detail on moving subjects.

The remaining Tapo and most Kasa cameras that didn't make our top five are older models you can still buy. They may have lower specs and fewer features, but they are often much cheaper for building a surveillance system to watch your entire home.

• Tapo C310 and Tapo C320WS: These are the predecessors of the C325WB, with lower video resolutions, frame rates, storage capacities, and no ColorPro night vision. Still, they're excellent spotlight camera alternatives to the C325WB for less than $40—making them perfect for bulking up your fleet of outdoor Tapo cameras on a smaller budget.
• Tapo C100 and Tapo C200: These older 1080p versions of the C110 and C210 regularly sell for around $25 or less on Amazon. We recommend spending a few extra dollars on the C110 or C210.
• Kasa Spot: You can get the 1080p Kasa EC60 and two 1440p 2K models (KC400 and KC401). These can be great options for folks with Kasa gear at home, especially since the 2K 1440p models boast a higher resolution than the Tapo C110's 1296p.
  • The Kasa Spot EC60 has a 113º field of view and supports microSD cards up to 64GB.
  • The 2K models are identical in every way, at least when looking at their specifications. However, you can buy the KC400 on Amazon, while the KC401 is available only from Target and Best Buy.
• Kasa Spot Pan Tilt: Four Kasa Spot Pan Tilt variants exist, with two 1080p models (EC70 and EC71) and two 1440p 2K models (KC410S and KC411S). These 2K Kasa cameras offer better resolution than the Tapo C210 but lack the network storage option.
  • The only difference between the EC70 and EC71 is the case color (white or black).
  • Like the original Kasa Spot, you can buy the KC410S on Amazon, while the KC411S is available only from Target and Best Buy.
• Kasa Cam Outdoor: The Kasa KC420S is equivalent to the Tapo C420S2 in terms of performance, except that there's a power cord instead of a battery. Although it's a good option for Kasa users, we ultimately prefer Tapo's outdoor cameras.

Tapo and Kasa help TP-Link stand out among budget security camera manufacturers as a top contender, without falling too far behind Wyze and Eufy. We love the innovative ColorPro night vision, smart home automation, and excellent video quality. Unfortunately, we don't like TP-Link's confusing two-brand approach, especially since Tapo and Kasa aren't cross-compatible. That said, it's hard to ignore great cameras at low prices.

Tapo C325WB: Best color night vision among cameras for sale today.

Tapo C210: Affordable 2K pan-and-tilt home security camera with useful motion tracking.

Tapo C110: Cheapest 2K security camera we've tested, but it holds up well against budget rivals like Eufy and Wyze.

Kasa KD110: One of the most affordable video doorbells you can buy, and it comes with a handy digital chime.

Tapo C420S2: Wireless outdoor camera with excellent nighttime video quality that's easy to install where you need it.

In addition to our physical testing, we evaluated each camera's online reviews, specifications, product pages, and customer support resources. We use the methodology on our wireless cameras review for our star ratings. You can learn more about how we test, rate, and review products of every kind in our full methodology.

• Best Wireless Security Cameras
• Best Outdoor Security Cameras
• Best Security Cameras without a Subscription
• Best Smart Light Bulbs.
• Best Smart Light Switches
• Best Smart Plugs and Outlets