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TP-Link Tapo D225 Video Doorbell Camera vs Ring Battery Doorbell Pro (2nd Gen, Retinal 4K)
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
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The short answer
TP-Link Tapo D225 Video Doorbell Camera ranks higher (#1 vs #2 of 8) and scores better on smart alerts, ongoing cost. Ring Battery Doorbell Pro (2nd Gen, Retinal 4K) wins on video quality, app & reliability, easy install.
The biggest complaint about the TP-Link Tapo D225 Video Doorbell Camera is bulky with a fish-eye look; for the Ring Battery Doorbell Pro (2nd Gen, Retinal 4K) it's no recordings without a subscription. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| TP-Link Tapo D225 Video Doorbell Camera | Ring Battery Doorbell Pro (2nd Gen, Retinal 4K) | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in video doorbells | #1 | #2 |
| Price tier | $$ | $$$ |
| Type | Battery or wired | Battery or wired |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 11% | 11% |
| Overall score | 4.2 | 4.0 |
| Video quality | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Smart alerts | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| App & reliability | 3.5 | 4.0 |
| Ongoing cost | 5.0 | 2.5 |
| Easy install | 4.0 | 4.5 |
Price tiers: $ under $80 · $$ $80–180 · $$$ over $180. Highlighted = clearly better (a score gap of 0.3 or more, or a 1–2★ share at least 3 points lower). Scores are explained, with sources, on each product's page.
Top complaints
TP-Link Tapo D225 Video Doorbell Camera
- Bulky with a fish-eye look
Wirecutter calls it 'chonky' and less attractive than its other picks. Its 180-degree view has a distorted fish-eye effect. PCMag notes it's bulkier than the Arlo.
Source: Wirecutter (NYT), PCMag review - Battery and connection gripes
Wirecutter needed to recharge it every four months, half of TP-Link's 8-month claim. The battery isn't removable, so the whole doorbell comes down for up to five hours of charging. Amazon's summary says some owners report connection issues and quick battery drain.
- Weak color night vision, 2.4GHz only
Wirecutter found color night vision hit or miss, often worse than black-and-white, and notes there is no 5GHz Wi-Fi. PCMag says color night video lacked vibrancy, the microSD card isn't included, and there's no HomeKit support.
Source: Wirecutter (NYT), PCMag review
Ring Battery Doorbell Pro (2nd Gen, Retinal 4K)
- No recordings without a subscription
Tom's Guide and PCMag both note that you must pay for a Ring plan to save or view any recorded video, and there's no local storage option. Tom's Guide calls it frustrating to subscribe after paying for the device, and says Familiar Faces isn't free.
- High price
PCMag calls it one of the more expensive doorbells it has tested at $249.99. Wirecutter says the Ring Battery Doorbell Pro is too expensive for what it delivers. Amazon's summary says some owners feel it isn't worth the hefty cost.
- Night detail, bandwidth and Alexa-only limits
Tom's Guide says footage is good, not great, in complete darkness, and that Ring recommends about 15 Mbps upload for full 4K, so video suffers on slower connections. PCMag notes it doesn't work with Google Home or Apple HomeKit. Tom's Guide also warns its battery pack won't swap with older Ring batteries.
Source: Tom's Guide review, PCMag review
Who should pick which
Pick the TP-Link Tapo D225 Video Doorbell Camera if
Avoiding monthly fees (free microSD storage)
Homes without doorbell wiring
Alexa, Google and IFTTT users
Skip it if: You want a slim doorbell; You need 5GHz Wi-Fi or Apple Home; You don't want to take the doorbell down to charge it
Pick the Ring Battery Doorbell Pro (2nd Gen, Retinal 4K) if
Existing Ring or Alexa homes
Reading details like license plates (10x zoom)
Homes without doorbell wiring
Skip it if: You won't pay for a subscription; You use Google Home or Apple Home; Your upload speed is under about 15 Mbps
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