Does the Tapo TD21 require a subscription?

No. You can use a microSD card (up to 512 GB) or go for Tapo Care if you prefer cloud storage.

What is the field of view?

160° diagonal. You’ll see from head to toe, even on a narrow porch.

How long does the battery last?

Up to 6 months under normal use. Mine's still at 85% after three weeks.

Does it work with Alexa or Google Assistant?

Yes, it integrates with both for announcements and smart home triggers.

Can I compare it with the Tapo D210?

Yes, spec-wise they're nearly identical, but the TD21 is newer, more popular, and backed by better reviews right now.

Tapo TD21 Review UK: Best Battery Doorbell with 50% Discount

June 14, 2025

“I Just Wanted to See Who Was at the Door…”

Funny how a small thing can turn into a big frustration.

One minute, you’re hoping to catch a parcel before it disappears behind the wheelie bin. Next, you’re rewinding fuzzy footage from a laggy old doorbell app, wondering if it was the neighbour, a delivery, or a ghost.

That was me two months ago. I’d had enough of delayed notifications, dark, blurry night footage, and a battery that barely lasted a fortnight. So I took a chance on the Tapo TD21б a name I’d never noticed until I saw the massive jump in sales.

Turns out, over 4,000 people bought this exact model in the past month on Amazon UK alone. For comparison? The D210, its older cousin, only saw about 400. That says something, doesn’t it?

This is my personal review, a real-world look at the TD21 after hands-on testing in a very normal, very British terraced home.

Why I Chose the Tapo TD21 Over the D210

I’d read all the specs. Both models offer 2K video, colour night vision, and wireless installation. But one thing tipped me over: momentum.

More people were buying the TD21, which had newer reviews and stronger feedback. And, let’s be honest, it was discounted to almost half the original price.

And here’s the other thing: I liked the idea of buying something that wasn’t sitting on warehouse shelves collecting dust.

If you’re upgrading your home setup, I recently tested the TP-Link Deco X10 AX1500 mesh Wi-Fi system – it made just as much of a difference indoors as the TD21 did outside. Read the full Deco X10 review.

Tapo TD21 Battery Video Doorbell Wireless – 2K 3MP Camera, Indoor Chime, Colour Night Vision, 160° Wide View, IP65, Free AI Detection, 6-Month Battery, No Subscription

𝟮𝗞 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆: 2K 3MP Sees Everything, Day or Night; Provides finer details and incredible clarity; Tapo wireless doorbell with 2K resolution provides much better displays than 1080p cameras
𝟭𝟲𝟬° 𝗨𝗹𝘁𝗿𝗮-𝗪𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗩𝗶𝗲𝘄: Captures everything from head-to-toe; A 160° diagonal field of view offers exceptional coverage ; Meaning, better views with Tapo TD21 doorbell camera wireless
𝗔𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗮/𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲: The smart doorbell camera works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to free up your hands and supports display the live through Echo Show or Fire TV with the help of a voice assistant
𝗧𝘄𝗼-𝗪𝗮𝘆 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼: High-quality talk with premium mic and speakers allows you to speak in two way with your video doorbell; Speak directly with your guests or delivery couriers with immediate action
𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗔𝗜 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: Real-time notification with free AI detection received immediately and can be checked from your smart phone; Alerts for person, vehicle, pet, and package; receive notifications on the go with Tapo door bell

List Price : 69.98

Offer: 42.99

Buy on Amazon

Unboxing & Setup: Five Minutes, No Drills

What arrived was clean, simple, and well-packaged:

1x TD21 Doorbell (chunky but stylish)
1x Indoor Chime
Mounting kit (no tools needed)
Charging cable (USB-C, finally!)
Clear setup guide

I didn’t need an electrician. I didn’t need to drill. Just stick the mount on with the included pad, snap the bell into place, and sync it to the app. Done.

From box to front door took me under 10 minutes, and I was filming it on my phone for proof, just in case it turned into a disaster. It didn’t.

The One Where I Missed the Parcel… Again

A few weeks before I got the TD21, I missed a delivery for the third time in one week. It wasn’t even a fancy parcel – just new shoelaces for my kid’s school trainers. Still, the frustration hit hard. I was in the house, just metres from the door, but didn’t hear a thing. The knock was so light it could’ve been the wind. And by the time I checked the front step? Gone. Just a soggy “we missed you” card. That’s the moment I realised I needed to stop leaving it to chance.

Living With the Tapo TD21 for 3 Weeks

Battery Life

Still holding strong at over 80% three weeks in. That’s with daily notifications, live viewing, and a few late-night checks when the foxes knock the bins over.

Video Quality

The 2K resolution isn’t marketing fluff. It’s clear enough to see faces, logos on parcels, even the colour of someone’s shoes. At night, the spotlight kicks in and it’s still full-colour. No weird infrared ghosts.

Smart Detection

Person, pet, vehicle, even package detection. And no, it doesn’t cry wolf every time a pigeon walks past.

Chime & Call Function

The included chime plugs into any socket. Loud, reliable, and better than relying on your phone being unmuted. Also, when someone rings the bell, you can answer it instantly with two-way audio that doesn’t sound like a walkie-talkie from 1997.

Cup of Tea and a Bit of Peace

It’s funny how these little tech upgrades change your day. I didn’t expect much, honestly. But now I sit in the garden with a brew, phone by my side, and when someone comes to the door, it just works. No sprinting to the hallway in my socks. No wondering if I imagined the sound. I still get caught off guard by the Amazon guy’s speed, but at least I can see him walking away before he’s halfway down the road.

TD21 vs D210: Why the New Kid Wins

Feature	TD21	D210
2K (3 MP) Resolution	✅ Sharp 2304 × 1296 video as standard	✅ Exact same quality
Field of View	✅ 160° diagonal (head‑to‑toe coverage)	✅ Identical 160° lens
Battery	✅ 6400 mAh, up to 180 days	✅ Same capacity and estimated runtime
Colour Night Vision	✅ Full‑colour spotlight mode included	✅ Equally featured
AI Detection & Alerts	✅ Person/vehicle/pet detection, package support	✅ Same smart alerts
Local / Cloud Storage	✅ microSD up to 512 GB, optional Cloud via Tapo Care	✅ Same storage options
Indoor Chime Included	✅ Yes (chime included in the box)	✅ Also included
Integration	✅ Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, Ring Call feature	✅ Identical smart home compatibility
Waterproof Rating	✅ IP65 weatherproof	✅ Same rating
Real-World Sales (30 days)	4,000+ units sold — overtook its sibling in popularity	400+ units — ten times less in the same timeframe
Differences	Primarily sales channel and packaging, TD21 often sold via Amazon and select retailers	D210 tends to sell via direct Tapo store or alternate channels

The D210, though early to market, didn’t generate the same momentum, suggesting the TD21’s refinements resonated better with buyers.

Let’s be honest. These two are twins on paper, but one’s getting invited to more houses.

If thousands more people are buying the TD21, that’s a vote of confidence. Reviews don’t lie and neither do numbers.

The Doorbell Gave My Mum a Giggle

True story. I showed my mum how the video doorbell worked when she came over last weekend. She thought I was joking at first. When I answered her ring through the app with a “hello, who’s there?” voice and a straight face, she laughed so hard she dropped her shopping bag. It reminded me that sometimes the best tech isn’t about specs or features – it’s about those tiny unexpected moments that feel like magic.

What I Loved (and What Needs Work)

The Good

Crystal-clear footage day and night
Battery lasts weeks, not days
Fast install, no wiring
No forced subscription, local microSD support
Spot-on person detection

The Annoying

The app isn’t lightning-fast to load live view
Slightly bulkier than other models
Anti-theft alarm is loud… sometimes too loud
Doesn’t support RTSP if you’re into NVR setups

Still, for under £50, these are tiny trade-offs.

What Other Owners Say

“Best doorbell I’ve owned. Picture quality is excellent, and the battery is lasting much longer than expected.” – Amazon Reviewer
“Switched from the D210, this one’s definitely smarter and faster.” – Tapo Store Feedback
That second quote sums it up. Even people who already had the older model are switching to the TD21.

Final Thoughts: Should You Buy the Tapo TD21?

If you’ve been searching for a Tapo TD21 review UK that reflects real-life use and not just spec sheets, this is it.

Look, there are flashier brands out there. But for the price, the quality, and the fact that thousands of people are making the same switch?

Yes. Absolutely yes.

If you want a doorbell that just works, doesn’t need a subscription, and comes with solid battery life and video quality, this is your best bet right now.

Want to see the full lineup of smart cameras and doorbells from Tapo? Explore their official smart home range to compare models.

Buy now at the 50% discount price

Tapo TD21 Battery Video Doorbell Wireless 2K 3MP Ultra-Clear Doorbell Camera, Ring Chime Included, Color Night, 160°DFOV Ultra-Wide, TP-Link Free AI Detection,IP65, 6-Month Battery,No Monthly Fee

𝟮𝗞 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆: 2K 3MP Sees Everything, Day or Night; Provides finer details and incredible clarity; Tapo wireless doorbell with 2K resolution provides much better displays than 1080p cameras
𝟭𝟲𝟬° 𝗨𝗹𝘁𝗿𝗮-𝗪𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗩𝗶𝗲𝘄: Captures everything from head-to-toe; A 160° diagonal field of view offers exceptional coverage ; Meaning, better views with Tapo TD21 doorbell camera wireless
𝗔𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗮/𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲: The smart doorbell camera works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to free up your hands and supports display the live through Echo Show or Fire TV with the help of a voice assistant
𝗧𝘄𝗼-𝗪𝗮𝘆 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼: High-quality talk with premium mic and speakers allows you to speak in two way with your video doorbell; Speak directly with your guests or delivery couriers with immediate action
𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗔𝗜 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: Real-time notification with free AI detection received immediately and can be checked from your smart phone; Alerts for person, vehicle, pet, and package; receive notifications on the go with Tapo door bell
𝗙𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗿 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁: Vivid night visibility and security; Tapo camera doorbell comes with the full color night vision
𝟲-𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 𝗕𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲: 6400mAh Built-in battery; provides 180 days of battery life; Enjoy long-lasting security with fewer charges, ensuring continuous protection and convenience