Cameras · Head to head

Reolink OMVI 2i PoE vs TP-Link Tapo C100

Full Smart Cameras comparison in 2026

Updated October 2026
Data from Amazon and official Reolink and TP-Link sites.
2026 verdict
More capable in every way that matters outdoors, the Reolink OMVI 2i PoE takes this pairing against the fixed, indoor TP-Link Tapo C100.
Reolink OMVI 2i PoE
Winner
Reolink OMVI 2i PoE
$189.99

Last recorded price

Buy on Amazon USA
It adds an IP66 build, PoE over one cable, 5MP video with color night vision and a spotlight, and on-device detection for people, vehicles and animals. The TP-Link Tapo C100 is the cheaper, simpler camera, a fixed 1080p indoor unit that records to a microSD card up to 512GB with RTSP, and it is the easier one to scatter around a home. Choose the Reolink OMVI 2i PoE for an outdoor cable-run installation, and the TP-Link Tapo C100 for a cheap fixed indoor camera that records without a fee.
vs
TP-Link Tapo C100
TP-Link

TP-Link Tapo C100

28% OFF
Prime exclusive deal
$17.98
$24.99
13% above its lowest price of the last 6 months ($15.96)
25% above its lowest price of the last 6 months (€17.90)

Last recorded price

Buy on Amazon USA
Deals by email

Camera prices change while you decide

We follow prices across the catalog and email you the best deals we find.

Smart home deals and news, straight to your inbox

Price drops, new releases and the smart home news worth knowing.

No spam. Unsubscribe in one click.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Please enter a valid email address.
Tick the box above to finish signing up.
We couldn't verify you're human. Please try again.
Too many attempts. Please try again in an hour.
Your subscription has been successful.
FeatureReolink OMVI 2i PoETP-Link Tapo C100Winner
Price$189.99$17.98TP-Link Tapo C100
Rating5.04.4Reolink OMVI 2i PoE
Weather ResistanceIP66NOReolink OMVI 2i PoE
PoEYESNOReolink OMVI 2i PoE
StorageMicroSD Card SlotMicroSD Card Slot, CloudTP-Link Tapo C100
2K VideoYESNOReolink OMVI 2i PoE
Color Night VisionYESNOReolink OMVI 2i PoE
AlertsMotion, People, Animals, VehiclesMotion, People, Baby Crying SoundReolink OMVI 2i PoE
LightYESNOReolink OMVI 2i PoE
Warranty2 years2 yearsTie
Solar ChargingNONOTie
ConnectivityEthernet2.4 GHz WiFiTie

What the differences mean

Placement

The Reolink OMVI 2i PoE is an IP66 camera built for an outdoor wall, while the TP-Link Tapo C100 is indoor only and not weather resistant. One can live outside, the other cannot.

Video resolution

The Reolink OMVI 2i PoE records 5MP from two lenses, while the TP-Link Tapo C100 records 1080p from a single fixed lens. For detail at any distance the Reolink is well ahead.

Power

The Reolink OMVI 2i PoE runs on a single Power over Ethernet cable that carries power and data, while the TP-Link Tapo C100 plugs into an indoor outlet. One needs a cable run, the other a socket.

Coverage

The Reolink OMVI 2i PoE pairs a wide lens with a pan-tilt lens that tracks, for a combined 165 degree view, while the TP-Link Tapo C100 is a fixed camera with a 98.8 degree horizontal view.

Night vision

The Reolink OMVI 2i PoE keeps full color in low light and adds a spotlight, while the TP-Link Tapo C100 uses infrared black-and-white night vision. The Reolink sees more color after dark.

Detection

The Reolink OMVI 2i PoE identifies people, vehicles and animals on the device, while the TP-Link Tapo C100 covers people and baby cries. The Reolink reports more of what moves outdoors.

Which one to buy if

Winner
Reolink

Reolink OMVI 2i PoE

Prime exclusive deal
$189.99

Last recorded price

Buy on Amazon USA
  • + Rating: 5.0
  • + Weather Resistance: IP66
  • + PoE: YES
  • - Price: $189.99 vs $17.98
  • - Storage: MicroSD Card Slot vs MicroSD Card Slot, Cloud
TP-Link

TP-Link Tapo C100

28% OFF
Prime exclusive deal
$17.98
$24.99

Last recorded price

Buy on Amazon USA
  • + Price: $17.98
  • + Storage: MicroSD Card Slot, Cloud
  • - Rating: 4.4 vs 5.0
  • - Weather Resistance: NO vs IP66

What owners say

Owners of the TP-Link Tapo C100 describe it as the camera they buy once and then buy again. They are surprised by the 1080p image for the price, find setup through the Tapo app quick, and highlight clear night vision, reliable motion alerts, two-way talk and a built-in siren. Power users specifically value the RTSP stream and Home Assistant support, which are rare on a camera this cheap, and several report running the same unit for years. The trade-offs they name are the fixed view with no pan or tilt, the need to add a microSD card to record, 2.4GHz Wi-Fi only, indoor-only use, and no Apple HomeKit.

Price history compared

Every price change of both, in the same store, so the gap between the two lines is what one costs more than the other.

  • Reolink OMVI 2i PoE
  • TP-Link Tapo C100

Loading price history...

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better overall: Reolink OMVI 2i PoE or TP-Link Tapo C100?

For outdoors the Reolink OMVI 2i PoE, which is IP66 and PoE powered, with 5MP dual-lens video, color night vision and on-device AI tracking. For a cheap indoor camera the TP-Link Tapo C100, a fixed 1080p unit that records to a microSD card with RTSP and no subscription.

What is the biggest difference between the Reolink OMVI 2i PoE and the TP-Link Tapo C100?

Placement and coverage. The Reolink OMVI 2i PoE is an outdoor camera with two 5MP lenses and a pan-tilt tracker, while the TP-Link Tapo C100 is a fixed, indoor, single-lens 1080p camera.

Do the Reolink OMVI 2i PoE and the TP-Link Tapo C100 need a subscription?

Neither needs a subscription to record. The Reolink OMVI 2i PoE records locally to a microSD card with no cloud, while the TP-Link Tapo C100 records to a microSD card and can optionally use Tapo cloud.

Can the TP-Link Tapo C100 pan or tilt?

No. The TP-Link Tapo C100 is a fixed-view camera, so you aim it once. The Reolink OMVI 2i PoE has a pan-tilt lens that tracks movement and a wide second lens.

Who should buy the Reolink OMVI 2i PoE?

Anyone who can run a cable to a driveway or yard and wants wide tracked coverage, color night vision and free local recording.

Who should buy the TP-Link Tapo C100?

A budget buyer who wants a small fixed indoor camera with clear 1080p, RTSP and Home Assistant support, and free microSD recording.

Full comparison table

Compare all 127 Cameras side by side

You are looking at two of them. The full table lines up all Cameras in the catalog with the same specs, so you can filter by what you need and sort by price or rating.

  • 127 Cameras
  • 63 specs compared
  • 60 filters
Open the full comparison
More Cameras

Top Cameras to compare next

127 security cameras from 19 brands compared: Eufy, Arlo, Reolink, Ring and more. Resolution, local vs cloud storage, subscription costs and prices.

All Cameras
Reolink

More Reolink products

A sharper look at other Reolink products worth comparing.

Explore Reolink
TP-Link

More TP-Link products

A sharper look at other TP-Link products worth comparing.

Explore TP-Link
Price alert

Get an email when the price drops

How much should it drop?

Cancel anytime from the email.

Independent · Not sponsoredBrands never pay for placement or rankings. Affiliate commissions never influence our comparisons.
© 2026 Smart Home Compared
Search