Aqara Camera E1 vs TP-Link Tapo C100

For most buyers the TP-Link Tapo C100, because it costs the least and still covers the essentials: clear 1080p video, a siren, two-way audio, local microSD recording and RTSP. The Aqara Camera E1 is the better camera when you need 2K detail, pan and tilt, 5GHz Wi-Fi or HomeKit Secure Video, and its higher price reflects that.

Movement and resolution. The Aqara Camera E1 pans 360 degrees, tilts and records 2K with HomeKit support, while the TP-Link Tapo C100 is a fixed 1080p camera on 2.4GHz Wi-Fi with an RTSP stream instead.

The Aqara Camera E1 does, with HomeKit Secure Video. The TP-Link Tapo C100 does not support Apple HomeKit at all; it works with Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings and Home Assistant.

Both can record locally to a microSD card, so neither needs a subscription for basic use. On the Aqara Camera E1 the shortest event cooldown and longer clips need an Aqara plan, while the TP-Link Tapo C100 makes you add your own card since none is included.

Apple households, anyone who wants one camera to cover a whole room with pan and tilt, and buyers who want 2K video and HomeKit Secure Video with local storage.

Budget buyers, pet and room monitoring, and Home Assistant or NAS users who want a cheap fixed camera with RTSP, local microSD recording and a two-year warranty.