# TP-Link Tapo H110 review: an IR hub with broader smart-home duties The Tapo H110 combines infrared control for older appliances with a hub for compatible Tapo sensors and Matter-based routines. Its usefulness depends on appliance compatibility, clear IR placement and accepting that other smart-home apps may expose fewer controls than Tapo's own app. - Canonical: https://reviewblip.com/reviews/tapo-h110-review/ - Published: 2026-10-19T21:27:58.642Z - Updated: 2026-10-19T21:27:58.642Z - Author: ReviewBlip - Category: Home assistant / smart-home device - Type: Source-based review. No hands-on testing claimed. ![TP-Link Tapo H110 smart infrared hub](https://reviewblip.com/editorial-images/613894115de5a9e7edb0d3965faa576e63f3733a3dd6eed4012b1cbb91ff2d6d) Image credit: TP-Link / Tapo official product image; reuse rights pending. The TP-Link Tapo H110 is a small smart-home hub with two jobs: it sends infrared commands to compatible appliances and connects supported Tapo sensors. That can give an older air conditioner, television or fan a place in a modern routine without replacing the appliance. It is a practical bridge, but not a universal remote that guarantees every device and command will work. ## Design and fundamentals The H110 is a powered hub connected by USB-C. It needs a sensible spot near the appliances it will control, since infrared depends on the signal reaching the device. A cabinet door, wall or furniture can block that path. Place the hub where it can see the equipment, and consider whether one location covers the room before building automations around it. TP-Link says the remote library spans 18 device types and more than 8,000 brands. Those figures describe the breadth of the database, not confirmation that every model from every listed brand is supported. Setup in the Tapo app involves choosing an appliance category, trying a matching profile and checking the controls. If a remote is missing, the app can learn commands from the original remote, though learning is a fallback rather than a guarantee for every function. The H110 can also pair with compatible Tapo sensors. That adds automation inputs, such as a sensor event or schedule, to the infrared commands. The result is most useful when a user already has Tapo devices or wants one app to coordinate a few older appliances with simple sensor-triggered actions. ## App and smart-home integration Tapo remains the place to configure the hub, select remote profiles and build Smart Actions. The H110 also supports Matter integration for compatible infrared devices and Tapo sensors. That can make some controls available in other smart-home platforms, but the experience is not identical everywhere. Apple Home can expose a simpler control surface than the Tapo app. Some IR accessories may appear under a category that does not fit the appliance, and controls for a television or fan can be more limited than the original remote. Air conditioners may expose additional settings, but do not assume every mode, temperature step or button will be available in every ecosystem. Confirm the exact control you need before depending on it in an automation. TP-Link describes local-network control when an external internet connection is unavailable. That is different from remote access away from home, which still depends on the relevant network and service. The distinction is useful for routines that should continue inside the house during an internet outage, but it does not remove the need to configure the hub and appliance first. ## Compatibility and placement Infrared is inherently line-of-sight. A hub hidden behind a television or placed across a wall may not reliably reach the intended appliance. A large room, unusual layout or multiple rooms can require a different position or another hub. The H110 is small, but its placement matters more than its dimensions. Air conditioners are a particular compatibility check. Their remotes often send a combined command containing temperature, mode and fan settings, rather than a simple separate on/off signal. A matching profile may handle that cleanly; learned commands may not reproduce every state change in the way a user expects. Test the functions that matter before relying on the unit for unattended control. ## Additional clarifications Sensor radio compatibility can vary by region. Do not assume a sensor sold for one market will pair with a hub intended for another; buy matching regional versions, especially when importing accessories. The H110's USB-C power connection also means the installation needs a nearby power source, and the product package may not include a wall adapter. ## Verdict The Tapo H110 is a useful way to bring compatible infrared appliances and Tapo sensors into simple smart-home routines. It is strongest in a home where the Tapo app is acceptable, the hub can be placed within clear IR range and the appliance's commands are supported. The caveats are meaningful: database coverage is not universal, Matter does not guarantee identical controls across platforms, and regional sensor versions should match. If those constraints fit, the H110 can extend the life of older equipment without replacing it.