Arlo Essential HD (2nd Gen) vs TP-Link Tapo C100

Updated April 2026

Data from Amazon and official Arlo and TP-Link sites.

2026 verdict

In this 2026 comparison, TP-Link Tapo C100 comes out ahead overall. It has the clearer edge on price, rating, and warranty, and it stays ahead on storage and rtsp. Arlo Essential HD (2nd Gen) is the better fit only for buyers who prioritize weather resistance, color night vision, and alerts above everything else here. As a general recommendation, TP-Link Tapo C100 comes out on top.

Arlo

Arlo Essential HD (2nd Gen)

€99.99

BUY NOW

Winner

TP-Link

TP-Link Tapo C100

20% OFF

$19.99

$15.99

BUY NOW

Feature	Arlo Essential HD (2nd Gen)	TP-Link Tapo C100	Winner
Price	€99.99	$15.99	TP-Link Tapo C100
Rating	3.8	4.4	TP-Link Tapo C100
Warranty	1 year	2 years	TP-Link Tapo C100
Weather Resistance	YES	NO	Arlo Essential HD (2nd Gen)
Storage	Cloud	MicroSD Card Slot, Cloud	TP-Link Tapo C100
Color Night Vision	YES	NO	Arlo Essential HD (2nd Gen)
RTSP	NO	YES	TP-Link Tapo C100
Alerts	Motion, People, Animals, Vehicles, Packages, Smoke Alarm Sound, Carbon Monoxide Alarm Sound	Motion, People, Baby Crying Sound	Arlo Essential HD (2nd Gen)
Customizable Motion Zones	Subscription required	YES	TP-Link Tapo C100
Privacy Zone	NO	YES	TP-Link Tapo C100
Light	Spotlight	YES	Tie
PoE	NO	NO	Tie

Arlo

Arlo Essential HD (2nd Gen)

€99.99

BUY NOW

+ Weather Resistance: YES
+ Color Night Vision: YES
+ Alerts: Motion, People, Animals, Vehicles, Packages, Smoke Alarm Sound, Carbon Monoxide Alarm Sound
- Price: €99.99 vs $15.99
- Rating: 3.8 vs 4.4

Winner

TP-Link

TP-Link Tapo C100

20% OFF

$19.99

$15.99

BUY NOW

+ Price: $15.99
+ Rating: 4.4
+ Warranty: 2 years
- Weather Resistance: NO vs YES
- Color Night Vision: NO vs YES

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which is better overall: Arlo Essential HD (2nd Gen) or TP-Link Tapo C100?: TP-Link Tapo C100 has the stronger overall profile in this comparison, especially for price, rating, and warranty.
What is the biggest difference between Arlo Essential HD (2nd Gen) and TP-Link Tapo C100?: Price is one of the clearest differences: Arlo Essential HD (2nd Gen) lists €99.99, while TP-Link Tapo C100 lists $15.99.
Which one looks better on price?: Arlo Essential HD (2nd Gen) is listed at €99.99, while TP-Link Tapo C100 is listed at $15.99. TP-Link Tapo C100 (better spec).
Who should buy Arlo Essential HD (2nd Gen)?: Choose Arlo Essential HD (2nd Gen) if your priority is weather resistance and color night vision and that matters more than price.
Who should buy TP-Link Tapo C100?: Choose TP-Link Tapo C100 if your priority is price and rating and that matters more than weather resistance.