TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini Review - Review 2022

For $29.99, the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini lets you control annihilation electronic—from your lamps, to your coffee machine, to your air conditioner—straight from your phone. It also offers voice control via Amazon Alexa and Google Banana, as well as integration with other smart home devices through If This So That (IFTTT) and Nest compatibility. Surprisingly, information technology besides works with Microsoft'southward Cortana phonation assistant, but information technology lacks back up for Apple's HomeKit. It works every bit advertised, though the iHome iSP6X SmartPlug offers a broader range of third-party integrations and stronger scheduling options for the same toll.

Design and App

At 1.5 by 2.6 by 1.half-dozen inches (HWD), the Kasa Mini is 1 of the smaller smart plugs we've tested. It'southward slimmer than both the iDevices Switch (i.6 by 2.seven by 1.7 inches) and the iHome iSP6X (one.5 by 2.8 by 2.1 inches), and then you won't have whatsoever issues slotting it in your typical two-socket wall outlet, and information technology should fit all only the most cramped ability strips.

The front of the plug holds the 3-prong outlet. On the right side is a transparent plastic border, the meridian corner of which houses an LED indicator light. Inside the border is a foursquare ability button.

To control the Mini, you need to download the free Kasa app from the Apple tree App Store or Google Play. On the main screen, yous'll detect a list of your connected devices. There's a plus button in the top right corner, which you tin can tap to add devices and view instructions for setting upwardly third-party integrations. At the bottom of the screen yous'll observe tabs for Cameras, Scenes, Smart Actions, and Activity. The Camera and Smart Actions tabs aren't relevant unless you have a Kasa photographic camera or smart home router.

The Scenes tab is where you tin create custom schedules for multiple smart devices. For example, you can create a scene for specific activities such as coming habitation, which will automatically turn on any connected lights. The Activity tab is basically but a record of deportment you've performed.

From the primary screen, you can as well tap on a specific continued device to view more details about it. You lot'll see the type of device it is, how long information technology'south been on, and a ability icon to plow it on or off. If you tap on the solar day'south total run time, you can access a more detailed breakup of how long y'all use a particular device per day, calendar week, or month. Even so, unlike the iDevices Switch or the Belkin Wemo Insight Smart Plug, you don't get data on how much energy you're using.

You can also create time-based schedules, gear up timers, and activate Away style. While those start two actions are pretty self-explanatory, Away manner is a special preset that lets you simulate occupancy in your business firm while y'all're on holiday or at work past turning connecting devices on and off.

Setup and Functioning

Setting up the Mini is a breeze. Once you've downloaded the Kasa app, you lot'll exist prompted to create an account and verify your email address. Later on you've done that, it helps to make certain your phone is connected to a 2.4GHz network, as the Mini does not support 5GHz Wi-Fi.

Plug the Mini in, and the Wi-Fi indicator lite should alternating flashing betwixt amber and blue. You'll so be prompted to open up your phone's Wi-Fi settings, connect to the plug's own Wi-Fi network, so return to the Kasa app to enter the password for your dwelling house network. The whole process should accept less than ten minutes.

Pairing the Mini with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Microsoft Cortana involves a few extra steps. In each case, yous take to enable the TP-Link Kasa skill and link your account information in the private apps you desire to use for voice command. From in that location, your vocalization assistant of pick should be able to place the plug and you lot can use vocalization commands to plow it on or off. Cortana is a notable feature here, equally virtually of the plugs we've tested typically feature Alexa, Google Assistant, and/or Apple Siri (via HomeKit), merely support for Microsoft's voice assistant is a rare and welcome sight.

Using IFTTT is also like shooting fish in a barrel. All you accept to do is load up the IFTTT app and search for (or create your own) Kasa applets, which volition enable you to apply the plug with other devices. For example, you tin create an applet in which the plug turns on or off based on your phone'south location.

And if you have a Nest device, you lot tin can connect it directly through the Kasa app's Add together Device bill of fare. Doing and then will permit you to automate your plugs based on whether your Nest production detects that you're dwelling or away.

The Kasa Mini delivered solid performance in testing. I set up multiple schedules and scenes, and in each case, the plug responded accordingly with negligible latency. Vocalism commands also worked without a hitch.

Conclusions

The TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini is easy to install, simple to employ, and for $xxx, offers a expert variety of scheduling features and smart habitation integration. In addition to Amazon Alexa and Google Banana, you can link it upwards with IFTTT and Nest products. Information technology besides stands out as the only smart plug we've tested that works with Microsoft Cortana.

That said, it'southward not the all-time choice for Apple-centric homes, as information technology lacks HomeKit support. And while y'all get some energy usage metrics, they're not detailed enough to give you a true sense of how much wattage you're using or how much you can save. If you're looking for HomeKit support and meliorate energy monitoring, the iDevices Switch is a solid alternative. If you can live without free energy reporting, our Editors' Choice remains the iHome iSP6X SmartPlug, which works with more smart dwelling house devices than any other plug we've tested.

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Source: https://sea.pcmag.com/home/21341/tp-link-kasa-smart-wi-fi-plug-mini-review

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