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

I have a water well and one year the outdoor plumbing from it froze. We had no water pressure when that happened because the part that froze was a 2 inch section of pipe that had the pressure sensor on it. You cant buy heat tape for a 2 pipe! The well tech said to insulate that pipe and place a heat lamp near that pipe, turning it on when it gets close to freezing. That involves clamping a heat lamp near the pipe and running an extension cord from the well head to my house, turning it on when it gets cold. It rarely stays cold enough during the day here, but it could happen. But what would I do if I was not home? This WiFi smart plug will hopefully be the answer. Basically, this is a WiFi relay/switch. You download the app, plug in the device to a wall outlet and the app connects the plug to your home network after you supply your routers WEP code. You next specify when the device will turn on. Generally, accessing the device turns it on. The icon on your smartphone Kasa app will turn green. You can have it turn on and off at a certain time on a specified day of the week but not on a specific date on the calendar. By doing so, it acts like setting a smartphone alarm. It asks for your location for sunrise/sunset information and can turn on the device at sunset, etc. There is an option to turn on the device for a low temperature situation, which I assume means outdoor temperature, but there is no setting for what that temperature is when it will turn the device on or at what subsequent temperature will it then turn it off. What if there are conflicts between the set schedule and the temperature? I will have to ask the company about that. In the meantime, I can check the weather and turn it on an off remotely. How long does it take for the smart plug to turn on or off when using the app? It is almost instantaneous. How far away is the smart plug from my Comcast router? About 80 feet.

I sincerely regret the heavy investment I made in these (Tp-Link/Kasa) devices. Ive bought a LOT of the wall switches, smart plugs (both with and without energy monitoring) and lightbulbs (both white and color). I am so bloody sick and f****** tired of the steaming pile of dog poo AKA Alexa. Alexa NEVER works, is always going offline, showing the red ring of death while yapping that something is wrong. And its NOT my Wifi, I have THREE AeroHive AP250 mesh WAPs (very high power enterprise class device) covering a two story home of 1,200sqt per floor which is massive, massive overkill. So its NOT my Wifi, at all. Anyway, Alexa is complete and utter GARBAGE and is 100% unreliable. The only thing you can be sure of with Alexa is that it never works. I hate and despise Alexa with a raging passion like nothing ever before in all my 60 years on this rotten rock. Im just about two more “Sorry, I’m having trouble understanding right now. Please try a little later” blathering from taking a hammer to every freaking one of them in my house. I am permanently disabled and wheelchair dependent, I got these things to assist me, supposedly to make my life a little better. Theyve done nothing of the kind. A consequence of Alexa never working is that all these nifty Kasa devices dont work either, when I need them to! Alexa is garbage. Im so done with it. Im now at the point where I need to abandon Alexa and my dependency upon it and replace it with Homekit/Siri. I keep my iPhone attached to me at all times, specifically for fall detection. Siri responds when I request it but it can not control the Kasa app or the Tp-Link devices in my home. The other annoyance is that there is no local control ability at all. I tried hard to find some sort of like, wireless remote that will control things purely by local control, for like when Alexa isnt working, which is 1000 times a day! Im so bloody mad that I spent so much money on all this junk and it ends up being almost worthless to me. I think maybe Ill sell it all and replace everything with bluetooth controlled switches so that its never dependent upon a remote server or connecting to the outside world at all. Let me be clear, my complaint is that these things are locked in to Alexa, Siri isnt allowed access and Alexa is extreme garbage. With Alexa always broken these devices dont work. OPEN THEM UP TO HOMEKIT/SIRI !!!!!!!1 I wish I could send it all back for a refund but its waaaay past that time and Im to deeply invested in it to just trash it without an immediate, drop in replacement system. Bottom line, IF I had a way to do it all over again, I wouldnt even go down this path at all. There must be better ways than this.

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 new Echo compatibility works very well and allows grouping controllers under a single group name. I just set up three controllers and now I can say Alexa, turn on the living room lights and viola, theyre on! Much easier than finding each lamps on/off switch on a cord behind a piece of furniture. I can also schedule them to turn on and off when were away from home. Go to the TP-LINK support site for full instructions and to the Alexa app if youre using an Echo to control the switches. The set up was mostly straight forward once I read the TP-LINK full instructions, but below is an more detailed hint for part of the instructions that werent clear to me at first. I spent about 30 minutes puzzling this out, but the rest was fast and easy. The controllers can be configured with Kasa to be local or remote connected. To be controlled by Echo each individual controller must be set to Remote Control ON, in the Device Settings menu. That menu is accessed in Kasa with this process after the controller is initially set up: From Kasas home page tap the device name; a screen for that device appears, with selections for Schedule, Away, Timer, an off/on button and at the top right corner an icon that looks like three little sliders. Tap that icon to open the Device Settings screen and then slide the Remote Control slider icon to the right so that it lights green. Do that for all controllers you want to be controlled through Echo.

I bought one and liked it so much, I went out and bought several more. It was equally easy to set up either using the included Kasa app, which was very intuitive and great for easy scheduling and simply turning on and off. But I really purchased it for the Amazon Echo integration and this was seamless. I admit, I couldnt get it to work at first so I called TP LInk customer support which was excellent and they lead me through the problem very quickly. When I bought more, I again couldnt remember and this time I called Amazon Echo customer support. They too were able to quickly help. Both times the problem was that I forgot to check off that I wanted remote access enabled. I use these on several devices but mainly for my AC units. I didnt think it would work since they are all digital but they do - The AC units (which are all 5 years old and from several different makers including both off-brands and major brand names) are designed to recognize when the power has been cut and will turn back on once the power has been restored, making these smart plugs ideal to use for scheduling purposes. The only con is that they take up both sockets which is problematic. Even on most power strips. The solution for myself was to buy a 10 pack of these short extension cords which were on sale for $13.99 and were great for these and many other devices that take up too much room on a power strip: https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Extension-Listed-Upgraded-Version/dp/B00CEJW0WQ

I got this as part of the Black Friday promo for purchasing an Echo Dot. Like the other TP-Link products I have purchased, the set-up is pretty easy from the TP-Link Kasa app. I think some people might get stuck when they attempt to connect to their own wi-fi network. For what ever reason, I notice that the TP-Link products always list my neighbors network first instead of mine. I solved that by clicking the option below the listed network to find my own. As for the product I have had no problems connecting or loss of signal. My plug is on the second floor of my home about twenty feet in distance from the wi-fi router. Not bad considering all the flooring and walls. My only complaint is that the smart plug covers the entire outlet. Not a problem for the room I am using as it only had one lamp running to that wall outlet. All the same, I cannot plug anything else into that wall outlet. My suggestion is that you might want to use this smart plug for a single appliance like a fan or Christmas lights. If you want to have smart features for a lamp, I would suggest purchasing a smart light bulb (see my review for the TP-Link Smart Wi-Fi Light Switch HS200) which is likely to have more features and allow you to keep full access to your wall outlet.

Works as intended which is always a good thing. The only negative Ive found is that once you connect it to one device it and decide to use it with something else it does not want to connect with it. That is a problem. If you leave the same device connected all the time it should work great.

This review is more about the provider than the Plug. Purchased this item in December 2016 shortly after obtaining my first of 3 Amazon Dots/1 Amazon Flex. Installed the KASA plug shortly after receiving it. It was a little complicated, but then AI in general was new to me. Plug has worked FLAWLESSLY. I upgraded my internet somewhere in between 2106 and now. The gentleman from the internet service helped me update the few AI devices I had at that time. All were a piece of cake for him, except the KASA plug. It took him longer to get that one updated than all the others combined. I recently upgraded my modem and router when increasing my internet speed. The provider installed the new modem/router. I upgraded all of the 12 devices I currently have as peripherals for the Alexa Dots. Absolutely NO PROBLEM with my phone, thermostat, multiple Alexa plugs, Roku, TV, etc. etc. I checked with Amazon/Alexa department if they had any information about how to update the address info on the KASA HS100 plug. Unfortunately they did not, but they did provide an telephone number for the KASA Company. After being disconnected three times following long hold sessions to reach an a representative, I finally was on the phone with someone at KASA. Explained my need for instructions to reconnect the plug so it could be recognized by Alexa. After being given multiple. serially changing directions, 49 minutes on the floor under my desk in order to have plug within less than 1 of the modem, the plug was still not connected. The representative said that since I seemed to be confused he was going to send me an e-mail with written instructions. I asked two questions: If I couldnt follow directions with an expert talking me through the procedure, was it likely I could follow written ones? He ignored that question. I also asked more than once; how, since at no time during your fluid directions did we do ANYTHING that included providing the plug with my new wifi name/password, could we expect this to be a successful effort; which surprisingly he ignored every time I asked. I had successfully added a KASA app on my phone and opened what appeared to be a new KASA account during this time; neither of which helped with my problem. The second sentence of the e-mailed directions told me (without any directions as to how to do so) to create a cloud account. I have successfully avoided having a cloud account for years and years and alas thus didnt have a clue, nor understand the need since the plug has worked for years without the presence of one. I called back to the KASA Company and received a new representative who from direction #1 gave me an ENTIRELY DIFFERENT SET OF DIRECTIONS THROUGH THE ENSUING 50 more minutes under my desk. (Did I mention Ill be 79 next month?). One of the directions the 2nd fellow gave me this time was to enter the new WIFI name/password into the plugs memory. Hallelujah! I was optimistic. He also had me touching, pushing, holding etc entirely different parts of the plug this time. Another hopeful indication. He then told me we had added the plug to the KASA list. But what about Amazons list I asked. Not necessary he replied. I asked him to please give me 3 more minutes of his time while I toted the newly updated plug to the room where it was going to be used to see if it would communicate with Alexa. He said we didnt need to do that. It was added to KASA and it was going to work and could he help me in any other way. I am thinking I dont need to tell you that Alexa still could not recognize a link to a foyer lamp, though she dutifully kept asking me did I mean couch light. I quickly received an e-mail Survey regarding my satisfaction. I responded pretty much as above. One question was do I still need to be contacted. YES was the reply. Today I received another e-mail asking why I had not replied to the first one and was I satisfied. They did not receive my Survey response and apparently cant receive my response from today either. They wont let you respond via your regular e-mail, they provided an alternate system which obviously I also havent mastered. Ive only worked at a job for 23 years using a computer 12 hours a day for anywhere from 4-7 days a week. And I have used a home computer, sometimes two at a time, for 39 years more days than I probably should have. So it is understandable I suppose that I dont have a Degree in technology, and apparently only have a passing ability to follow directions that even a child would recognize as not going to be successful as provided. I am going to send the KASA Plug back to the company and buy yet another Alexa plug. To get them connected and working you need about 5 minutes tops and NO PHD in Technology. I recommend if you need workable, easy to use, understand, set up, and connect plugs to for Alexa to communicate with you START from Day 1 with only ALEXA Plugs. I have multiple ones connected to multiple items around my home and they NEVER fail and when you update you ALEXA WIFI information, it covers all your specific devices, all your plugs, etc. Separate items like Roku boxes, speakers, TV, etc are pretty easy on their own. Please save your self much grief, aggravation, and possibly a near serious brush with a stroke and buy ONLY ALEXA plugs. Alexa will appreciate you and so will your blood pressure.

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.

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.