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This is the Best No-Subscription Video Doorbell I’ve Tested All Year

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This is the Best No-Subscription Video Doorbell I’ve Tested All Year

Tapo’s latest doorbell comes with a 4K resolution, free AI detection and unique features in a very complete package.

Every new smart video doorbell I’ve tested this year has some new feature to experiment with, from AIs that can hold front door conversations for you to texts with descriptions of exactly what the camera saw. The catch is that these features usually cost extra through monthly subscriptions or other fees. Not so with Tapo’s latest model.

The TP-Link Tapo D260 ($220) is a rare find: a combination of top-line features like 4K resolution and the latest AI detection, without requiring a subscription to get all the goodies. The result is one of the best doorbells I’ve tried for people who hate ongoing subscriptions but want maximum value from a porch pirate-fighting device (with the purchase of a microSD card).

Here are the results of my tests, what you should know before buying and how those many fee-free features work out in the real world.

Tapo’s doorbell is one of the largest and heaviest I’ve tested, measuring about 5.7 by 2.6 inches and weighing about 12 ounces. That means you may need a bit of extra space, but Tapo also includes multiple installation methods in its kit, including adhesive strips, screws, and wiring connectors if you want to wire the doorbell instead of using the rechargeable battery. There’s also an angling device so you can turn the doorbell in a specific direction.

Those many options made doorbell installation easy, and despite the size, I found the design to be sturdy, with no flimsy components (plus an IP66 weather rating).


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