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

UPDATE: I left my original review as written below, but the issue described there that caused my initial 1-star rating has been corrected. I now have 5 of these and they work very well with my Echo, without the annoying middle man. I can now glad,y recommend them. Bought this in order to control my TV and streaming stick with Echo, and now I am returning it. It did not function well with Alexa, and I do not want a bunch of devices I have to control independently with 3rd party apps. This device turns Alexa into an extraneous middle-man. Here is the breakdown of how this product performed for me: Pro: - Unit appears to be decent quality and arrived well packaged. - Unit set up easily enough; instructions were simple to follow Con: - Unit requires the 3rd party Kasa app - Because the device is run by the Kasa app, not Echo directly, it turns Alexa into a middle-man; Echo becomes a silly extra step. - Echo could find the device to turn it on, but then could not recognize the name to turn it off: The whole process felt passive-aggressive. You cant say, Alexa, turn on the TV. You have to say, Alexa, ask Kasa to turn on the TV. Its like sitting around the table and saying, Sweetie, ask your father to pass the salt... Honey, ask your mother why she couldnt ask for the salt herself. It was ridiculous. In fairness, most of the extra skills for Echo currently work this way. Alexa ask for this, Alexa ask for that. For this very reason I find myself not using many of those extra functions. It takes away from the conversational, direct-control feel of the Echo, and Im hoping that this is corrected with future software updates. The problem seems to be that Echo has trouble recognizing the word Kasa. When you give Alexa a command, she searches around your profile for a device or group with the name she heard you say. She is no doubt looking for the word Casa in your lists, but its not there because the manufacturer named this Kasa with a K, which is not actually a word. Oddly enough, Alexa could turn the device on about 1 out of 5 tries. She could never turn it off. Alexa, ask Kasa to turn the TV on, (and tell dad to pass mom the salt)....The TV comes on, sometimes. Immediately after that, Alexa, ask Kasa to turn the TV off,.... Im sorry. I cannot find a device or group with that name in your profile. Every. Single. Time. Sure I can keep the Smart Plug and control my TV/streaming stick with my phone, but that defeats the purpose. The point is voice command control through 1 master device (Echo). If I have to pick up my phone and use a 3rd-party app to turn on the TV, I might as well just use the TV remote.

I liked the fact that the price of this Smart Plug was about $10 cheaper than the other big brand one and seeing as how I really just wanted to plug in 1 floor lamp, I didnt need the fancy energy readings, etc. Does it work as stated? YES! Was it easy to install? Not really. Right out of the box, I downloaded the app, plugged in the Smart Plug and started following the directions. I hit a road block when I got to the part asking for WIFI password which would link the Smart Plug with my WIFI. I entered my password, and received an error message stating the password is not in the correct format for WEP. I am not a super techie person, so this is where I scratched my head and tried the password again. After numerous phone calls with my service provider and then TP-LINK which patched me through to what sounds like an overseas tech support person who ended up just saying the same thing to me password is not in correct format for WEP, I did more research and this is what happened: if you have WEP security on your WIFI, your password has to be either 5 or 13 characters long for this to work. If you have any other number of characters, it will not commute for some reason. My solution was to call my service provider and I had the security changed to WPA2 which did the trick. After it authenticated my password, the app indicated I was Almost Done and stayed on that screen for a good 2 minutes after which it stated it could not find my network. I looked at the Smart Plug and the power indicator is solid green and the WIFI indicator was also solid green - based off of the indicator chart that was provided, this mean the power was on and it was connected with my home WIFI network. I tried to turn on and off the floor lamp connected to the plug and it worked! So basically, the app itself is not the best, but the actual plug works well enough for me. I connected it to my Echo Dot and everything is a go!

As with nearly every Amazon purchase Ive made, this arrived timely. I was able to install the Kasa app on my Samsung Galaxy S5 without any trouble, but activating the plug wasnt frustration-free. Following the instructions on my Samsung, I was able to complete all but the last installation step. After three unsuccessful attempts to connect the plug, I contacted customer service. The recording assured me I was number one in line for a representative but I still waited a few moments for someone to speak with me. I clearly explained my difficulty (unable to connect to Wi-Fi) and the steps Id taken. The rep asked me to reset the plug, and then I was met with silence. After six minutes, I disconnected and called back (hallelujah! I was number one in line again!), and repeated what had happened on my first call. The rep dug through some instruction sheets, had me repeat the same steps for the fourth time, then said that my best option was to return the plug for a replacement. I persisted on my own and found a tip: link the smart plug while its in an outlet near your Wi-Fi router, then move it to your desired location. I did that, and voila! installation complete. Next step: go into the Alexa app, select Smart Home and then your device links and enable the plug. No problems there, either. Absolutely yes, it works with the Echo device. So why four stars and not five? First, customer service was not helpful. I easily found the tip that resulted in success, it seems that customer service could have done the same instead of suggesting I exchange the plug. And second, regardless of the March 10 comment from Kasa (see Earthlings review), the smart plug DOES block the second outlet. As much as Id enjoy having the majority of my electrical devices on a smart plug, I dont like the idea of blocking two outlets with one device.

The short version.....these work great and these should be your choice in Smart Plugs. Longer Version: When I started out with the home automation stuff, after purchasing an Echo, my first purchases were the Wemo plugs......that was a mistake. I have written a review on those and they have only gotten worse since I wrote it, due to Wemo updates which have only served to make both the plugs and App less usable. As far as the TP-Link plugs (and I have also purchased and installed TP-Link Switches), these work great and, while the App could be a little more user friendly, thus only 4 Stars, they so far out-distance the Wemo stuff that the decision on which to buy is, in my opinion, a no-brainer. The set-up process is, I guess, standard for these types of devices, but it worked flawlessly with each of the 4 plugs and 5 switches I have purchased. They are reliable and I have had absolutely no issues with them as far as function and reliability. As I said, the App is a bit clunky and could be more usable, but it is not THAT bad and, again, completely blows away Wemos in functionality. They also all work flawlessly with my Amazon Echo with minimal delay. As a matter of fact, I have made the decision to replace the 3 original Wemo plugs I bought with TP-Link plugs because the Wemos have become unusable in 80% of their function and completely unusable for a lot of uses for which I purchased them. I apologize if this seems more like a comparison report, but I figure that if you are reading the reviews, you are trying to decide which Smart Plug brand to purchase. TP-Links would be my very clear recommendation.

Im used to setting everything up via my computer. But you have to use your phone to set this up. At first, I couldnt get it to see the wireless account I needed. (My computer modem was seeing it but not my smart phone) I called the help line a few times and then I thought, Maybe I should restart my phone. This was after I tried everything else. I felt kind of dumb taking that long to realize that because Im usually pretty good around electronics. I did the turn off the phone, turn the phone back on thingie and it popped up. I also had to move the device closer to my modem to set it up, but its just a simple thing to move it to the room you want to use it in once you get it set up. It worked great... then my cat walked across my laptop and somehow turned it off. I must learn to close the lid when I walk out of the room.... Was able to reset it and its working great again. One thing to note.... I *think* that if you want to use the remote settings you must use the wireless account they give you. As it was, I used my own network address which works fine here. Not sure, need to check all that out. Ill come back and update this review once I do that. I know that it sounds like I had a lot of problems but they werent that bad and the help line people did their best to help. I plan on getting one or two more of these. Now that I know how to hook them up it will only take minutes set them up. I gave it 5 stars because of the help desk. Yes, they were all from another country but I could understand them and they did do their best to get me up and running. Now that Ive had it for awhile I have something to add. I moved to a new apartment building and thought Id have to set up my plugs again. Didnt happen. Just plugged them in and they worked fine. No re-setup needed. It could be because Im using the same modem and stuff but it was nice not having to do a re-set. Id like it enough Im saving up money to buy one more for the extra bedroom in my apartment.

Sometimes we clearly invest in tech that does NOT make our lives easier. Im in the 1% demo for tech savvy - in short 2 comp sci degrees, Crestron Smart Home - 1 full GHz broadband - you get the picture. If your home has more than (1) SSID - i.e. guest network or any private networks for anything from a NAS, Print Server, Airplay - and so on - this may not be the right choice. 1st only 2.4ghz - know that up front. So if youre using a 5 ghz network solely (or as much as possible) - no dice. Plus what do you get with a device that is typically place very low on the wall and has the most picky reception ever - connectivity issues. If I spent one more minute configuring or reconfiguring these plugs - I will throw them in the lake! Not saying only 2.4ghz is a new thing - many devices such as smart thermostats and more will only use it due to range - 2.4 flat out goes through walls better - I get it! But many of us have dual band (or beyond) routers right - so if sitting here wasting time on a Friday Night messing with these plugs is not your idea of fun - skip this one! Oh wait instead of getting up to turn something off I will jump from my preferred iPhone Network (5ghz) cause its f a s t e r - and skip over to the 2.4ghz and to make sitting on my butt for 4 minutes monkeying around with these plugs my preference over getting up! One solution is to find the brand of old school A/C on and off plug adapters here on Amazon (best seller starting with E) with the simple white remote with number 1-5. Guess what when you kill power to them - #1 they kill the nominal drain to your appliance super well and #2 I read they had a 100 line of sight range.... But it wasnt until I purchased it that I realized they are low cost RF Remotes. That means radio-frequency - or dont have to point like a sharpshooter or worry if the plug adapter is low on your wall or behind a piece of furniture - imagine that! Basically if you are in the largest room (and beyond) of your home and the plug is hidden - no problem! Further the plugs (bought the 5 plug adapter kit for $29 here - yes (5) of them for the cost of one TP-Link - and some person whose actually done customer service actually printed numbers 1-5 on them and the small convenient remote (they gave 2 with purchase) has one vertical row 1-5 for ON and beside it one vertical row of OFF numbered 1-5. No configuring - no jumping wifi networks - and no muttering four letter words to yourself because youre gonna have to sit through the TP-Link app wizard or find your phone to reconfigure these. If youve read this far - Im amazed - so for you - YES they are Amazon Echo Compatible - oh joy! got me with that too - in for three of them for about $100. So when youre sitting there repeating the name of the device to Echo or you hear it tell you one more time that I cant find the device wrong name that Echo reiterates like it need to spell or have Ivy League Phonetics on Adams Network or Sorry Im having trouble right now, what is the name of the device youre looking for - and ps - Echo was still at volume 8 - because its best as your alarm clock - or youre scrambling for another remote so Echo can understand you which interrupts your game or movie. Ugggggh - honestly Im writing this narrative to save you the pain of spending your money to have these oversized disasters not work consistently or easily. PS - its not joy to maybe find a 2nd plug that can squeeze to the point of breaking something just to share a 2-outlet space for this near baseball sized adapter. If its not ungrounded (2-prong) or takes any liberties deviating from the smallest footprint possible - this big guy is the only thing that your 2-outlet space is gonna host! Ive wasted 15 minute chunks regularly over a few months before I spent $29 bucks for the 5 adapter E-brand with 100 radio frequency remote with zero programming, zero wifi and zero BS....... I submit this knowing I sound like a serious hater - but I know that some Amazonions will thank me!

Wow, I got this thing installed in less than 5 minutes. The app was very user friendly and detail with step by step setup instructions, except they got the App name wrong on the manual, it did not match the name in the App Store, however the icon was correct. So make sure you look at the app icon, not the name and install the correct version. To test it I have tried to unplug it and it relinked with my router within seconds. So far very reliable, after testing a few events and the power all turned on and off at the right time. For those who are unfamiliar with setting up schedule using the concept of events, just remember to program the ON event first followed by creating a second event to turn the power OFF, total of 2 events needed to turn you light on and off, otherwise it would just stay ON all the time. One event does one action On or OFF but not both. The smart plug works as follows: When it is powered and connected to the Wifi, it awaits an event signal ON or OFF and memorizes schedule(s) set with the App even when unplugged. but if there is no Wifi signal it will not be able to execute the event signal and the device will be at the state it was before the Wifi is disconnected. So for example, if you scheduled an ON event at 9am and an OFF event at 10am but if there was a power failure at 9:50am and came back at 10:05am, it would not have received the OFF commend at 10am and therefore would have remained in the state of ON until it receives the next OFF command. If you are going to use this to power appliance that are dangerous if left on, this can not be a fool prove solution. This model is for up to 15A about 1500W device and it costs about $7 more compared to the mini one which handles only 10A at about 1000W.

I continue to love these units. Originally, I had a problem remembering that my beds headboard light was on a smartplug, but eventually, that problem disappeared because I decided to make it a non-smart light. (It is now my power-failure security light, the only light I can turn on when the power fails, plugged into a UPS). I love being able to ask Alexa (my Echo device) to turn lights on and off while Im in bed. I have four of these units and two of their smart lightbulbs. I have * my bedroom ceiling (smartbulb) * living room ceiling (smartbulb) * my office recliner (smart plug) which has a second normal light. * bathroom hanging light (smart plug) * christmas tree (smart plug) which will go back to controlling a different light in January) * security camera (smart plug) Two of the lights I have set to random on-and-off times so that when Im not home, the lights are going on and off. Unfortunately, the random vacation mode does not appear to be a choice for the lightbulbs) but I have them on a fixed schedule. Finally, I also have some of the lights grouped as Everything so I can turn a bunch of things off at once. That is a great feature. I can turn things on and off by group name or by item name, and all the names are things that I defined. When I do decide to use a smart plug in a different place, its easy to rename it on my smartphone, then Alexa figures it out without my having to tell her anything. I love these units, especially the fact that I dont need to have a special controller to use them, and I dont have to use contorted commands, like Alexa ask whatever to do whatever that is required by some remote control devices. (I dont use another device that requires such contortion).

Oh my god, it was like buttah! setting the TP-Link up with the Amazon Echo. Thank you so much TP-Link Support for responding to another persons review, because that made me more inclined to purchase this! I along with my mother - who is on the other side of Texas - have been having weird problems with the Wemo plug and Echo, where it only works when it wants to. The times you need the Wemo, it wouldnt work and I would have to go into the Alex app and have to discover the Wemo plug again - it wouldnt be discovered if I simply asked Alexa to do it. Seems that that lots of people started having this problem starting @ 4-6 weeks ago. So the TP-Link was at the top of my list, but I didnt know if it worked with the Amazon Echo. After seeing a reply from TP-Link support regarding the echo and saying it now works, I thought I would give it a try. I set up the TP-Link Kasa for iPhone on my iPad, signed up, followed instructions, and the app itself was breeze - especially compared to the Wemo app. Remeber, you have to start in the TP-Link Kasa app and be signed in. Follow instructions. When it tells you to leave the app, that means that you then go to your settings for wifi and then select the TP-Link device as your wifi. Then, go back to the TP-Link Kasa app to finish. After you are done in the Kasa app, go into the Alexa app. In the Alexa App, go to the menu and select Smart Home, then go to Device Links - find and select Link with TP-Link Kasa. This will bring up a menu where you put in your TP-Link Kasa email & password. When you are done with that, go back to Smart Home in the Alexa app, then Devices, where you will then select Discover Devices. Let Alexa discover the TP-Link and Viola, youre done!!!

These things are great- Ive got 3 of them, and will probably get more once I can get my hands on an amazon dot for the other rooms in my house. I have them set to different names, and you can group them as well- for example, my three lights are all in the living room, but sometimes I just want to have the corner light on when watching a movie. I can say turn on the living room lights and all 3 will turn on- or I can specify which light to turn on or off via my Amazon Echo (the corner light, the hall light, etc) Even guests have no problem getting it, as its fairly intuitive as long as your labels make sense. Its simple to set up, and I havent had any connectivity issues and have even lost power a few times (just for a few minutes at a time) and havent had to reset anything. The Kasa app works wonderfully- as sometimes Ive forgotten to turn off a light, and while in bed I can grab my phone and turn off the lights without yelling and hoping that Alexa will hear me. (Please, Amazon Dot, come back!) The one drawback to these plugs is their size- they will take up both slots on your outlets, so it might not be entirely suitable for all areas, given the aesthetics of the bulky device. I have mine hooked up with 1 foot extensions to get around this. I considered taking a star off for having to use these extra cords to make this work for me, but given that these devices have worked so flawlessly otherwise, theyre keeping the star.