Hi dear readers! Today, I am going to share my review of the Tapo D235, based on my personal experience.
After using the Tapo D235 Video Doorbell daily for 30 days, I came to know its strengths, weaknesses, and everything in between. Smart doorbells are no longer just a luxury — they’ve become essential for home security and everyday convenience.
The D235, made by TP-Link, immediately stood out to me for one reason: no mandatory subscription fees. Unlike Ring or Nest, you can store recordings locally and save money over time. But does it deliver where it matters most — in real performance, reliability, and ease of use?
Affiliate Disclosure:
This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I trust.
The 10 most important things I learned
1. The Video Quality is Impressively Sharp
The first thing I noticed was just how crisp and detailed the video feed is.
- Resolution: 2K with a 5-megapixel sensor
- Field of View: 180° wide-angle, giving full head-to-toe coverage
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3, perfect for capturing both visitors and packages
Whether it was bright daylight or dim evening light, the footage was consistently clear. It’s a big step up from standard 1080p doorbells.
2. Dual Night Vision is a Game Changer
Many doorbells claim to work well at night, but the Tapo D235 stood out. It offers two distinct night vision modes:
- Full-Color Night Vision — uses a built-in LED spotlight for clear, vibrant video
- Infrared Night Vision — discreet, black-and-white footage when you don’t want visible light
I found myself using the infrared mode most nights because it was subtle yet sharp.
3. The Battery Life is Excellent
Battery life was one of my biggest concerns, but the D235 impressed me here.
- Capacity: 10,000 mAh
- Rated life: Up to 210 days on a single charge
After a full month of moderate use, the battery was still over 75%. For heavy-traffic areas, this is a huge relief, and you can also hardwire it for continuous power if you never want to worry about charging.
4. AI Detection Actually Works
The AI-powered detection was surprisingly accurate and saved me from a flood of unnecessary notifications.
It can distinguish between:
- People
- Pets
- Vehicles
- Packages
Over 30 days, I received almost zero false alerts from passing cars or swaying trees — something that plagues many other brands.
5. The “Ring-to-Call” Feature is Brilliant
One of my favorite discoveries was the Ring-to-Call feature.
When someone rings the doorbell, my phone rings like a normal call, making it almost impossible to miss a visitor.
This small detail made a big difference, especially compared to push notifications that are easy to overlook.
6. Flexible Storage = No Mandatory Subscription
Unlike competitors like Ring or Nest, the Tapo D235 gives you full control of your video storage:
- Local storage: Supports microSD cards up to 512GB
- Optional cloud plan: Starts at just £2.49/month
For me, a microSD card was enough, meaning no recurring fees — a major cost saver over time.
7. Installation is Straightforward (But Height Matters)
I set up the D235 myself in under 20 minutes.
- The included mounting kit made installation simple.
- The Tapo app walked me step-by-step through the Wi-Fi setup.
- Pro Tip: Mount at 48 inches (122 cm) for the best view of both people and packages.
Once installed, I customized detection zones and added quick replies like, “Leave the package at the door.”
8. The Design is Sturdy but a Bit Bulky
While I liked the overall build quality — weather-resistant and solid — I did notice the D235 is slightly bulkier than some competitors like Nest.
It wasn’t a deal-breaker for me, but if you have a very narrow doorframe, keep this in mind.
9. The App is Powerful but Could Be Cleaner
The Tapo app offers tons of features:
- Live view and playback
- Custom detection zones
- Instant alerts and notifications
- Two-way audio communication
However, after 30 days of daily use, I felt the app could use a cleaner layout. Everything works well, but finding certain settings took a bit of extra tapping around.
10. How It Compares to the Competition
After testing, I compared the D235 with other top doorbells I’ve used or researched:
| Feature | Tapo D235 | Tapo D225 | Ring Doorbell | Eufy E340 | Google Nest (Wired) |
| Resolution | 2K (5 MP) | 2K (4 MP) | 1080p-1536p | 2K Dual Camera | HD |
| Field of View | 180° | 180° | Wide (varies) | Dual (visitor + package) | Standard |
| Subscription Needed | No (local storage) | No (local storage) | Yes, for recordings | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | Up to 210 days | Up to 210 days | 30-90 days (varies) | 180 days | Wired only |
| Price Range | Affordable | Slightly cheaper | Mid-to-high | High | Premium |
| Smart Detection | Advanced AI | Same as D235 | Limited w/o subscription | Advanced detection | Advanced detection |
Summary of findings:
- D235 vs D225: Nearly identical, but the D235 has a slightly better camera.
- D235 vs Ring: Tapo wins on value and free local storage; Ring has better smart home integrations.
- D235 vs Eufy: Eufy offers dual cameras but costs more.
- D235 vs Nest: Nest is ideal for Google Home users but relies heavily on subscriptions.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- No required subscription fees
- Clear, sharp 2K video quality
- Excellent battery life (up to 210 days)
- Accurate AI detection with minimal false alerts
- Ring-to-Call notifications are super reliable
- Dual power options: battery or wired
Cons
- Slightly bulkier design than some competitors
- The Tapo app could be cleaner and more streamlined
- Some advanced features require a cloud plan
Why I Recommend the Tapo D235
After 30 days of real-world use, the Tapo D235 exceeded my expectations.
It offers subscription-free security, fantastic video quality, and powerful AI features — all at an affordable price.
If you want a reliable, cost-effective smart doorbell that doesn’t lock you into monthly fees, the Tapo D235 is an excellent choice.
Final words
Living with the Tapo D235 for a month has shown me how much difference the right smart doorbell can make.
It’s not perfect — the design could be slimmer, and the app could be more polished — but overall, it’s one of the best value-for-money video doorbells available right now.
If you’re tired of paying for cloud subscriptions and just want a straightforward, reliable solution, the Tapo D235 is well worth considering.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Does the Tapo D235 require a subscription?
No, the Tapo D235 does not require a subscription to work.
You can store all recordings locally on a microSD card (up to 512GB).
However, TP-Link also offers an optional Tapo Care cloud plan, starting at just £2.49/month, which provides extra features like video backups and extended storage.
2. How long does the Tapo D235 battery last?
The Tapo D235 has a 10,000 mAh rechargeable battery that can last up to 210 days on a single charge, depending on usage and motion detection settings.
For heavy-traffic areas, expect around 4–6 months of battery life.
You can also hardwire the doorbell for continuous power and zero downtime.
3. Can the Tapo D235 record video without Wi-Fi?
The Tapo D235 needs Wi-Fi for live streaming and notifications.
However, if the Wi-Fi temporarily goes down, the camera will continue recording to the local microSD card.
Once your connection is restored, you can view those recordings in the Tapo app.
4. How is the Tapo D235 different from the Tapo D225?
The Tapo D235 and D225 are very similar, but there are a few key differences:
- The D235 has a slightly better camera sensor (5MP vs 4MP).
- The D235 includes improved AI detection accuracy.
- Both models share the same battery life, local storage options, and 180° wide-angle view.
If your budget allows, the D235 is the better choice for sharper video and more reliable alerts.
5. Can I use the Tapo D235 with Alexa or Google Assistant?
Yes! The Tapo D235 works seamlessly with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
You can:
- View your doorbell feed on smart displays like the Echo Show or the Nest Hub
- Use voice commands such as, “Alexa, show me the front door.”
- Receive motion notifications through your smart home system
6. What’s included in the box with the Tapo D235?
When you buy the Tapo D235, you’ll typically get:
- 1 × Tapo D235 video doorbell
- 1 × Rechargeable battery pack
- 1 × Mounting bracket and screws
- 1 × Charging cable
- Quick start guide and user manual
Some bundles may also include a wireless chime, depending on the retailer.
7. Can the Tapo D235 detect packages?
Yes, the Tapo D235 has package detection powered by AI.
It sends a specific alert when a delivery is detected on your doorstep, which helps prevent stolen packages and missed deliveries.
8. What happens if someone steals the Tapo D235?
The doorbell can still record video footage to the microSD card, which you can retrieve if the card isn’t taken.
Additionally, if you’re using cloud storage, your recordings remain safe even if the device is stolen.
Many retailers also offer theft protection policies, so check the warranty details when purchasing.
9. Is the Tapo D235 weatherproof?
Yes, the Tapo D235 is built to withstand outdoor conditions.
It has a weather-resistant design that protects it from rain, dust, and varying temperatures, making it suitable for year-round use.
10. How much storage space do I need for local recordings?
Here’s a rough guide:
- 32GB microSD card: About 1–2 weeks of recordings
- 128GB microSD card: About 1–2 months
- 512GB microSD card: Several months, depending on motion activity
Tip: Use “record on motion” mode instead of continuous recording to maximize storage space.