Kasa Smart HS100 WiFi Smart Plug, Classic 1-Pack, White

Here is my honest review of TP-Link Smart Plug: Pros: - Very Quick to respond from both the Kasa app, and Alexa. Have not tested with Google home - Has support for three pronged plugs, not just the two. - Very easy and quick to setup in the Kasa app! - The Kasa app has support to control the device anywhere in the world! Just need any kind of Internet connection or Cellular Service. - Sleek Design. Does not stick out like a sore thumb. Blends pretty well with most atmospheres. - Adds smart home control to any device with a plug! Whether it be a lamp, charger, light, or even a music player. - Very lightweight. Not too important, but thought I would add it just in case. Cons: - Very bulky. Will take up the entire outlet and the one above/below/adjacent to it. It is also very thick. If you are putting it behind a desk or a dresser, you would need to pull it away from the wall quite a bit. Not a compact device. - Makes a noticeable click noise when turned on and off. Not that big of a deal for me, but may bug some people. - The status LED on the device is not that big, so it is very hard to tell what color it is. Most of the time it just looks yellow. Overall Thoughts: I love this product. I have used this product for 10 months and still love it. There are very few cons, and the ones I listed dont bother me too much. They are just mainly me being picky. I think that this product could be used for a HUGE variety of products. It has so many uses. You can attach pretty much anything to it. I personally use it for a Himalayan Salt Lamp, and it works great. Do I recommend this product? Absolutely. Would I buy this product again? Yep! Should you buy this product? If the cons I listed do not bother you, then 100%! Go get this product!

The TP-Link is a nifty device once you get it up and running. I bought it specifically to start using with the Amazon Echo Dot 2nd gen with Alexa. The directions in the box are very simple but not as obvious as they should be with the two important points below. Before I go any further, this device will only work with the 2.4ghz wi-fi signal. It is very important for you to know your current equipment, that would have saved me a lot of frustration. It turns out my AT&T router will emit 2.4 or 5ghz, not both at the same time. After talking with an agent things improved rather quickly. One other important note, when you are trying to connect your phone via the Kasa app, you need to be within 3 feet, 2 is even better. Again, would have been nice to know upfront. If I had known those tidbits upfront, my total time to connect to my phone and using it with the Kasa app, 5 minutes tops. Connecting and voice controlling with Alexa, another 5 minutes tops. I am physically disabled and must admit, I am very thrilled to be independently controlling device. Not knowing how well the TP-Llink would work, I only purchased one at $22 vs regularly $45+. I am regretting that decision now. If it holds up well over time, this will be the first of many more to come. If it was clearer prior to purchasing it about only operating on 2.4ghz and a 2-foot range from my phone during the initial setup, I would have given it a 5 star. After all, I do really like it and it works great with the Amazon Dot 2nd gen with Alexa. It shouldnt be left out, that the Kasa app on the phone has plenty of options for those not interested in voice control. If over time things change, youll be the second to know.

Before we get into what I dont like about this, it should be known that I love this plug. We use it on a bedside lamp combined with an Echo, and Alexa turns our light on and off every morning and evening without fumbling for the pull chain. Its great. I just have seen a few ways it could be better. Software can be a bit finicky - has a tendency to reset with a power loss, but not every power loss. And even then you just need to reintialize - all of the data is still saved about the device name. After initial setup, the next one I use will be much easier (already having an account, having the phone app, etc.). Naming was easy, and the app even comes with little icons to remind you what is plugged into the outlet. Biggest issue, and the only reason were not at 5 stars is the plug covers both wall outlets. The housing is too big on the bottom to allow even an ungrounded connection beneath it. You could get short, grounded extension cables (6 or 12) to overcome this, but it starts to become ridiculous. Fortunately the plug we use only had the lamp on it, but its still annoying. Would also be nice if the plug was actually on one of the sides instead of head-in. Naturally, this unit sticks out from the wall, but then once you have your switched device plugged in, the wires extend pretty far. If the switched device plugged into the side, you could avoid the wires coming out several inches from the wall. Maybe thats another reason to get the short extension cord. So plan for this to be in a hidden location where you only need to have one device plugged in, and its a winner.

UPDATE: 7/11/2016 TP Link tried very hard to help me with the issue. I was in the middle of an interstate move so they had to close the case and I was to get back to them. I have not, because I dont need to. I plugged the switch that was giving me hell in my apartment, into an outlet in the home that Ive moved into and by luck or whatever, identical setup, nothing, and I do mean NOTHING in terms of settings have been changed or altered, and it operates fine. Normally the switch might work fine for a day or 2 and then pull its shenanigans and not work after that for no good reason. This is no longer the case. Ive had it going for about a week now and it hasnt faltered. I dont know if the issue could have been wifi interference (apt had many, many, many wifi signals. In my current home, Im only seeing 3 or so that dont belong to me and theyre very low; could have been power outlet issues though I tried several outlets and I tried moving the plug close to my router as mentioned below). So, sorry! I cant help anyone having the same or similar issues. I checked the firmware and it hasnt update. Really, nothing has changed except the environment in my case. The apartment I moved out of is a couple hundred square feet smaller too, so its not like I moved into a smaller place and this could be somewhat of an explanation. I cant explain it. Anyway, without any fixing, it seems to be working fine. Fair is fair, Im eating crow and retracting my post below. Ive taken a single star off because I had issues in the first place that were out of my control. This means that this just isnt a 5 star product. Not for me. A 5 star product for me works out of the box, thats when I love a product. Since it didnt work in whatever the scenario, it means that this could potentially occur to someone else. If I could take 1/2 of a star, thats what I would have done. Since I cant, Im giving it 4 stars. In the end, I like the product and I believe that you will too as long as it works as it should. _______________________________________________________________________ Just doesnt work for me. Setup is very simple, the product just doesnt seem to stay connected to my WiFi for some reason. For informational purposes, I own a Netgear X6 Scarab router. 2.4 Ghz wifi is rated at 100% in my bedroom, where I have one of the plugs. I also have a Netgear WNDR4000 which I use as well so that I dont saturate the X6s 2.4 Ghz band. Its also rated at 100% in my bedroom. They are on different channels and I have tried both networks to test the switches. The issue occurs on both. The switch only works at 2.4Ghz. Its a real mystery as to why it doesnt stay connected. Initially, I go through the ropes and set it up and it works perfectly for a day or so and then, randomly at some point after that, the light will go red and nothing can connect to it, not the app and not Alexa, obviously. Ill reboot it and it goes right back to red. I have to actually factory reset and set it up again to get it to work. The idea is great and due to good reviews, I purchased 3 of these. My idea was to put 2 in our bedroom, one for me, one for my wife and link them in a group. When she needs her light, she can just tell Alexa. When I need my light same thing. Sometimes when were both scrambling to get ready in the morning, both lights are on, so I or she can say Alexa, turn bedroom lights off and thats that. Our lights are on tall Chesters beside the bed so wed have to get up to switch them on and off otherwise or use remote wired switches. One of the switches is also in the living room so we can turn a light on from the bedroom before we walk out there if one of us wants to chill out for a while, catching up on some TV late night/early morning (generally me). Ive tried moving the switch to within a foot of the router and it does the same thing. Ive tried a Firmware Update, but there arent any currently. Ive tried rebooting my routers though I refuse to blame them. I mean 1. I can understand 1 router, but Ive tried 2 of them; its highly unlikely that 2 of my routers are at some fault especially when 2. No other product on the network has had any issues whatsoever and I have 25 wireless devices on the network. I would love to assign them a static IP but cant. Either way, I monitor my network and its not like theres anything trying to take their IP addresses. Even after they are reset, they get the same addresses again. Suffice it to say, Im at a loss here and disappointed big time. Ill keep them and hope that a firmware update comes that fixes them, but at this point I will neither endorse nor recommend them to anyone. If anything changes, I will definitely be back. +1 for the feature set, +1 for ease of setup, -3 for just not working.

This item worked well for years with minimal problems. But when my modem died and I had to change the network I found out that you cant change the plug. They advise me to set up the new network with the same network ID and password as the old network. Since Id already set up the network and many many devices in my house I ended up just ordering a different plug. From Amazon of course. I will get it tomorrow

Original review (at 1 star) follows below, which I gave for this plug not being able to power my 12.5A/1500W heater without overheating in a few minutes and shutting off, making it useless (it would only work if my heater was set to low, 750W, which is not enough to heat the room). Ongoing communication with TP Link did not resolve anything, other than them finally blaming my heater (although I applaud their responsiveness to my concerns -- they just didnt offer much help). It turns out it was not my heater, but possibly my power source. I am in an older building, and I think the wiring is a bit temperamental. So, on my own, I had the bright idea to put a stable bridge between this smart plug, and my wall outlet, and so I ordered the ZOOMACH Surge Protector Power Strip with USB Charging Ports and 5 Ft Extension Cord, Multi Outlet Power Strip with 2100 Joule, 1875W/15A(4-Outlet) reasoning that, if my wall power is a bit wonky, maybe a good quality power bar might help stabilize the current, for the TP Link unit. It did! Solved the problem entirely, in fact. I plugged this TP Link into the power strip, instead of the wall outlet, and, presto, I can operate my heater at full power, and the TP link plug no longer overheats or shuts off. So, combined with super easy set up (far easier than Wemo) and flawless connectivity, this turned out to be a winner. I am still deducting one star for the fact that TP Link Customer service, while very responsive, was not helpful in troubleshooting my issue. My solution was a wild guess, really, but based on a logical premise, and Im surprised no one at TP Link could have thought to suggest it. So, if youre having issues with this, powering an appliance, feel free to try my solution. I now have a smart plug that works, with no overheating issues. Very happy, and glad I did not return it. Original review follows: This didnt work, Im going to return it, and heres the story.... So, years ago, I bought a Wemo smart plug (not the Mini version) to remotely operate a couple of space heaters (they are identical, each one is 12.5A, 1500W on highest setting), one at my office, and one at home. They worked great, accept one finally quit working, this year. I bought a Wemo Mini, to replace it, but it just overheats and shuts off. I thought maybe it was because it was smaller and, since it was also frustrating to set up, I tried this one from Kasa TP-Link, the HS100, rated for 15A and 1800W. I will say the Kasa was far easier to set up than Wemo. Other than the hassle of creating an account, in order to operate it remotely, set up was a breeze and connectivity was awesome. BUT, same problem -- it overheats, and shuts off. This one WILL work, if I put my heater on the low setting, but, unfortunately, that doesnt heat the area very effectively, making this switch useless for its need. What is frustrating is that they advertise it, to use for a space heater! In fact, one of the icons you choose, to identify your appliance, is that of a space heater. I even wrote in to TP-Link, to ask why it wont work, and they say it is rated to 15A and 1800W so it wont work for my heater.....which is only 12.5A and 1500W.....what?! They further said another product I asked about, their smart power cord, rated at 15A and 1875W, also will NOT work my heater..... I think that winds up being a case of false advertising then, yes? Ive researched this now, and apparently it is not a strange idea to put a 1500W heater on a smart switch, and, in fact, it seems some folks use this one, and similar models, without issue, but this one does not work for me, and its a let down when their customer service tells me that it wont work, despite their own statement that it should. I think they need to be more honest in their description of what their product can handle, if the expectation, from them, is that this wont work with an appliance rated less of a power draw than the specs of the plug. So, my search for a robust smart switch continues. Pros: Easy set up Cons: Does not work as advertised. Overheats, shuts off. Useless.

The TP LINK HS100 is an excellent choice for a WiFi smart plug. Set up is easy with the KASA app and once you establish an account for remote control, adding additional plugs is a fast and simple. I especially like the icon selections avaliable to assign to the plugs along with unique names. The app works on both cellphones and tablets. Your phone/tablet and the smart plug must be configured with both on the same 2.4Ghz network, but once completed, the phone/tablet can be switched to an 11a or 11n network. This only works with remote control access or you are confined to local access under 11g only network. I recommend setting up multiple plugs on the same phone or tablet first, discovery and connection is quick and easy on the second device. I deducted a star for the bulkiness of the plug. I also have installed several units of the Power X WiFi Remote Smart Plug by Raynic Electronics, they are not as bulky and have a slimmer profile. You can control local or remote access with the TP LINK HS100, the Power X once configured is remote by default. When on remote you are server dependent and I have experienced server connection issues with both and had to manually control the on/off function of the plug. I recommend the TP LINK HS100 WiFi Remote Smart Plug as a starting point to creating a smart home, with or without the Amazon Echo and Alexa.

Got this device with an Echo Dot during Black Friday. Thought that since it was wifi-enabled, it would work via device discovery like Belkin WeMo devices however this was not the case. First I have to download an app, create an account, then provide your Amazon account credentials to TP-Link/Kasa (who Ive never heard of until now). NOPE. Ive got a Wink setup here and all I had to do was allow Amazon to talk to Wink, not the other way around. Had I known that Id be required to set up yet another account AND provide Amazon credentials to a third party Kasa, I would not have bothered installing it and getting it set up and would have gone with a Z-wave appliance controller that just requires simple pairing. Ehh, at least it was free. Ill find a use for it Id imagine or give it away to someone else. EDIT as of 6/30/19: My security concerns about TP-Links Kasa have been resolved. You authenticate via the Alexa app, not via the TP-Link app. Oauth is set up correctly so your Amazon credentials are safe with Amazon. Now that Ive setup the pairing, the device works well. I can direct Alexa to turn the device on and off by whatever name Ive given it in the Kasa app. I have the app but its only for configuration checking now as my primary use is via Alexa. Changing my review to 5 stars as the security issue has been addressed!

Oh, Alexa, what did I do before I had you? TP-LINK offers this wifi plug that works with Amazons Alexa, and its currently 10 dollars cheaper than the most popular other wifi plug. I now have five of them, and although its only been a few weeks, I am extremely satisfied. I have an apartment with horrific built in lighting, so I have lamps everywhere to keep the mood right. I have known for years that I have a penchant for laziness, but I cannot express the level of satisfaction I have when I sit on my couch and command lamps to turn on or off with my voice. Sometimes I do it just to entertain the cats. There are some pros and cons to the device: Pros: Does not require a hub - these plugs connect directly to your Wifi router. Thats a good thing, but as you keep adding them your router is going to do more work. Relatively easy software setup - if you have an iPhone or Android phone, setup is a snap Reliability - I havent had a failure yet Software - Scheduling is a plus, remote control from outside your home is an even bigger plus. I have a paranoia about my coffee maker burning the house down due to my father, so that plug turns on at 4am every day but it shuts off at 10am (except on weekends!) so I never have to worry about it. If youre on vacation you can setup a lighting schedule, but even if you forget you can just turn the outlets on from your phone wherever you are in the world. Cons: Does not require a hub - customers with cheaper/leased routers may run into a device limit Software - you NEED an iPhone, Android phone, or one of those tablets to set this device up. Apparently programming for an actual computer was too much work for TP-LINK Interference - dont put them near a microwave and expect them to work. Some people may experience less than ideal performance if they have a large house and their wifi router is not nearby. I live in an apartment, so I havent run into any issues with reception. I am very happy with this plug, and if you have to choose this one or the more expensive option, I cannot think of a reason to get the more expensive option. They offer identical services.

Initially I left a horrible review. Im not ashamed to retract and admit it was my User error. I mixed and matched with Wemo light switch and didnt realize I choose a less expensive TP Link outlet plug. I tried connecting it via Wemo app periodically for 2 days with no sucess. I decided to write a bad review and return it. I began looking for a different brand when I realized the price difference between Wemo and this tp link. It hit me I did pay the lesser of the two, I mixed the two product brands! Duh!!! Immediately I went on YouTube , viewed the directions and set this up in 5 minutes. I linked it to my network and my Alexa. The easiest thing Ive ever done. I purchased this for my young son who was scared to go to the bathroom at night because of the dark. He would wake my wife and I up at night to escort him to the restroom. That started getting old quick. Now he tells Alexa to turn on the lights; no longer afraid and goes on his own. This is an awesome product and made me feel like a great Dad. As a young child I too was afraid of the dark, sometimes still am, lol. My father use to scold me, be a man, there are no monsters. I didnt want to take any chances, so like many kids, I suffered some nights holding it in. As parents, I feel we must be more understanding and not unintentionally traumatize our children by becoming an unsympathetic monster. I am so great full we have this technology. I hope to make my entire house Smart. This is the way of the future, embrace it! I highly recommend this product.