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

The ONLY reason that I bought this was because it was about a $5 add on to an Echo Dot. It was a PITA to find the correct app, as on the Apple store, it kept taking me to some Kentucky Assoc (KASA). I found the app thru the TP-LINK website, but it wasnt easy to find. I own 4 WION plugs, and I found them to be easy to set up. I am still working on the TP Smart Wi-Fi Plug. I have found the KASA app to be extremely buggy, and have had it freeze several times in the first hour that I have tried to figure it out. I have been on chat 2x w customer service. They refer me to articles on their website. The articles arent nearly as good as they s/b! I CAN PROMISE that after this, I will NEVER buy another TP-LINK device. I own 4 Nest cameras, 2 SONOS ONE speakers, and the 4 WION plugs. Those were all very easy to get up and running. This plug...not so much. Even if the app didnt lock up, it looks like it was written for children w stupid ICONS that I have NO IDEA why they EVEN have such. I GOT it to install on my iPhone. I THINK that I might have the app working on both devices, but I fret it locking up. EVEN if it works as its supposed to, this exercise has been way more than it should have been. So...yes...I think it might be working now; I still would never purchase any device that runs the LP Kasa app. And, I havent tried to connect it to Alexa yet. Will try tomorrow. After another 30 min to an hour, the app locked up on my iPad. I have turned it off to see if that helps. I CANNOT get the app to install on my iPhone because it doesnt recognize that I already have such plug ON my Wi-Fi. It keeps asking me to connect to the TP-LINK first, which of course I did when I installed the app on my iPad. Thus, I have an app that is locking up on my iPad and wont open on my iPhone. AMAZON, how much $$ will I get back if I send the plug back. I like the plug, but not the app!!! I find the app to be lousy in a word. The plug looks fine. I will probably get it to do what I want, but it could have been WAY more user friendly. If I change my mind, I will update this review. I like the plug, it is nicely made. I cant yet say much good about the app. It is confusing at best. Likewise, the locking up is concerning if that happens w regularity. The app seems better on my iPhone than my iPad. Id perhaps call this 2 stars because of the plug. THE BIG ISSUE is the instructions are NOT helpful AT ALL. I FINALLY got it working, and today...it seems fine. I DO LIKE the plug, and I could sit down and write FAR better instructions. Such were pitiful. But for that Id rate a 4. SINCE MY FIRST PURCHASE I HAVE BOUGHT 2 MORE OF THE PLUGS...and the TP-LINK Smart Plug, which I had an electrician wire. Once having figured out where the App was and how to use it, I like the plugs and the switch.

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.

Installation was a bit of a nightmare at first. Even though the app loaded just fine on my phone, and even though my phone (a HTC Volt 2) was on the this should work list, the app kept freezing whenever it tried to name the plug. I must have done it over and over 500 times, until I was ready to drop the entire thing into an active volcano. If youre having trouble with setup, forget the helpdesk and try using another phone or tablet. (Once the plug is synced and working, the app on my phone controls it just fine. Setup just has a few bugs in it). I finally used a tablet that has Google play on it to download the Kasa app and install the plug instead of my phone. So setup is kinda hit or miss depending on how the app works with your phone, but once its working, the plug is fantastic! Its way better than Wemo in that it never loses connectivity or needs to be reset. I actually have five of them now that I use with Alexa, and they are all 100% responsive. (Be sure to name the plug something easy for Alexa to understand if you go that route. She sometimes cant tell the difference between Bed and Bath if I mumble or have the TV on, but that isnt the plugs fault). So yes, I highly recommend this smart plug once it is up and running.

I never thought Id buy one of these. But I got one as a gift with an Amazon Echo (also not something I thought Id ever buy). It sat for months until I finally decided, what the heck, Ill set up a floor lamp using this. Set up was relatively simple. The app can be kind of glitchy though and sometimes it loses my preset schedule, but then it appears again, so Im not sure what that is. I moved in with my boyfriend so it migrated to his house. He enjoyed getting to give the lamp a ridiculous name. Its actually turned out to be very convenient because we no longer come home at night to a dark house due to the schedule the lamps are on. And when were watching tv/movies, we can turn off the lamp without getting up. It became so convenient we bought one for the lamp on the other side of the room, which my boyfriend also enjoyed giving a ridiculous name. Now I kind of want one for the floor lamp in the bedroom (its such a first world problem, but its a pain to get out of bed to turn off the lamp when you just got in it). However, wed need another Amazon smart device, and I havent decided if I want to buy one of those yet. Still a little iffy on Alexa listening to all that I do, and do I really want her in the bedroom listening?

UPDATE 12/11/16: Ive since purchased the mini version for my Christmas tree and it works just as perfectly as its larger siblings. Setting it up and using it is exactly the same as with the larger versions, and the only difference is that this only blocks one power outlet instead of two. I imagine that eventually they will all be this small, as theres really no reason to buy the bigger one unless youre looking for the power monitoring. Anyway, it still works great, was even faster to set up than the originals since I already had Kasa ready to go, and is especially useful for Christmas tree lights instead of bending or hunching down to reach the power. Awesome value, excellent price for the convenience. I still very strongly recommend this product. **************** After finally getting my Hue lights set up and working with Alexa, the next step of my home automation process was to begin to integrate wi-fi smart plugs into the equation. I wanted smart switches for my televisions, fans, air conditioners, air purifiers, and wax burners. What I didnt want was to pay through the nose for it. Ive learned over the years that you generally do get what you pay for, but some of the pricing on these smart gadgets is ridiculous; the Hue ecosystem is insanely overpriced, and while I like it, youre essentially paying for the guarantee that you wont have to deal with the troubles that buying non-brand cheap Chinese electronics brings. Ive purchased other TP-LINK products before (wi-fi adapters), but I was hesitant to get these because all of the other, branded, smart plugs were much more expensive. I thought Id become a victim of the cheap Chinese electronics phenomenon. Im glad I listened to the reviews and chose to buy one, because it works perfectly and does exactly what I wanted. Its well-made and was pretty easy to set up. Id read that before there was direct Alexa integration it was kind of a pain to set these up but now, after theyve added the integration, I found it incredibly simple. Here are some abbreviated directions that Ive streamlined from TP-LINKs two or three setup pages; do it in this order for the easiest setup: 1) Download the TP-LINK Kasa app from your app store of choice. 2) Install and open the Kasa app 3) Create a Kasa cloud account (requires email verification), 4) Allow Kasa to discover your plug 5) Set your plug to remote control on to allow Alexa to control it 6) Name the plug (i.e. Bedroom TV) 7) Exit the Kasa app and enter your Alexa app 8) Swipe down to Learn More Skills and search for Kasa 9) Authorize Kasa in the Alexa app by entering your email and password 10) Go back to the main Alexa screen and discover new devices 11) Once Alexa has found it, assign your plug to whatever group you want it in (Bedroom group for Bedroom TV plug) 12) Enjoy The first one I set up was for my TV in the bedroom. Keep in mind, in order for one of these smart plugs to work with Alexa to turn your TV (or other device) off AND back on, it must have an auto restart after power failure function. If it doesnt youll only be able to turn it off, but have to use the remote to turn it on. I have various groups set up in Alexa in order to achieve various functions. Ive included the TV in the the turn everything off group so that I can turn it off at the same time as my 5 other Hue ambient lights. Ive also got it in the Bedroom group so that I can turn it on and off by itself. The way you do this will depend entirely on how you have your room/house setup. For me, Turn everything off applies only to the bedroom and leaves the rest of the house alone, because this is something I usually only use when Im laying in bed and ready to sleep, and Ive already turned the other stuff off before going to bed. You could use these switches instead of buying smart bulbs, but I find it more convenient to have all the lighting independent of the plug. The normal white light Philips hue smart bulbs, and the other brands, are already less expensive so youre not saving anything. I find this option attractive for controlling non-lighting electronics. Ive since ordered and connected these to my fans, air conditioners, wax burners, and electric fireplace. Anything you want to work completely with these MUST auto restart after power failure, because that is essentially all you are doing when you turn it on and off - removing and supplying a power source. For example, I had to buy a floor fan that had a manual mechanical switch because the one I had with a remote wouldnt function except to turn off. My air conditioner automatically restarts when power returns after the (simulated) power interruption that these plugs create, so I didnt need to replace it even though it is smart and has a remote and no switches. Its not something thats widely discussed, but important for people who are just getting into home automation to know. Until the technology improves to allow deeper integration, youre stuck completely controlling (mostly) dumb devices. All told, this is an excellent bargain for getting into home automation. It works very well, and the build quality is excellent. The only complaint I have is that it covers more than one socket on your outlet, but as I understand it, almost all of these do simply because it is necessary to house the wi-fi components. Expect to have to also buy additional power strips for areas where you plan to use these. They are less expensive than the brand name smart plugs and have excellent compatibility with Alexa. Ive already purchased 6 of them, and will continue to buy more as I expand my home system. Pro tip: you can use one of these to control the power to a power strip, enabling to you to simultaneously connect and control more than one device. Ive successfully done this with this Amazon Basics power strip (

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

If I could give a product a minus number as a rating, this would be IT. Heres the skinny after two hours of screwing with my networks: Right from their live tech support ----- george ure I do not have a smartphone but I do have a PC and an Amazon Dot. How do I get it connected? Jerry A Unfortunately you need to install the app for IOS or Android for the device to work. [I didnt bother mentioning everything else on my network (printers, hubs, audio devices, mass storage...all somehow manage to work george ure 12:48 pm YOU DONT HAVE ON ONLINE OR A PC APP!!!!!??????wtf --- THAT SHOULD BE THE WARNING before any of specs or anything else: THIS PRODUCT ISNT FOR PC/ LINUX or another OS except the two (Android AND IMac) Would not even work with WeMowhatever, either. Heres my time-sunk bottom line on this little gobbler: I am all in favor of home automation. BUT instead of just being discoverable on your network, this clown posse app demands you set up an account on their server and log in just to pair with your Echo or Dot (which we do love, BTW). Now lets think this through: One of this switches was to simply turn on my laser printer so it didnt burn power all day. You know Alexa, turn on printer was what I was thinking. Nope. First I need a phone. Friend, I live in rural Texas. I mean its 15-miles to a gas station out here. We are at the end of the string for phone service and there is NO CELL coverage at all. We pay a bundle for satellite access. Still I thought Gee, this would be fun... So I ordered a couple of them. Came in a box (duh). Followed directions as far as Download the app on your phone and set up the account language. Then I got papa indian sierra sieraed. Who are people that think everyone is dumb enough to have a cancer-causer in their face all day? If you think Im just a grumpy old man in the woods, 69 aint old... Save your money and by a clapper. Amazons gottem. They will work as good as a smart whozzit like this thing. No set up an account requirement (with a password on who knows what server) either. Take the money you save and give it lto the homeless. For now, this kind of home automation is just another online layer of nonsensical complexity and another thing to break when the net goes down. Whew...feel like I have helped the non-phone addicts wise up enough to avoid my aggravation. Have a nice day...Peace out. ====== Updated 5/9/18 Got it to work. Pairing is devoid of logic. But now, for the price, I can turn my shop lights on or off from 5,000 miles away. Do you have any idea what a breakthrough this is for humanity? You have to enable stuff in this occult setup world...but it can be done by any idiot (which Im well qualitied for) I need to visit China now to I can once (before I die) turn off my shop light from Beijing. My lifes mission will be complete.

I bought these over a year ago and when I had first used them, they seemed to work just fine, which is why i bought four more. Well as time went by, it seems as if Alexa no longer wanted to work with them anymore and the kasa app would continuously disconnect. So I just ignored it for a bit, but after I did a little digging today and googled possible problems as to why I couldnt set the remote toggle to on, I stumbled onto this same problem someone else had and posted in a forum on the tp-link site. My plugs wouldnt stay connected to the wi-fi, and couldnt be remotely managed by Alexa. After seeing this link to a zip file on the tp-link forum, it said it was probably a firmware problem. I decided to try to download it and try it. I could not download and install the firmware updated directly from the Kasa app as it could not connect to the server I assume to get notified that my plug needed the firmware update. So I had to go find one of my windows machines (Im a MAC user) to use the application in the zip file. Here’s where I got the fireware software.... static(dot)tp-link(dot)com/iotUpgradeTool_V1.0(dot)zip So anyway, the text file basically tells you to just run the main executable file. What I did was reconnect my plugs to the the Kasa app (reset the plugs to default and set up), then i would run the main exe file. At first it didnt want to work so I kept hitting the scan and upgrade buttons. Every once in a while (because I had to upgrade all five of my plugs) i would wait a little after connecting to my kasa app and my wifi network, then i would try the scan and update, and i eventually got all five of mine back up and running! So basically, the firmware the forum suggest would fix everything seems to have worked, and i can now control the plugs with both Alexa and the Kasa app. Im happy theyre working as they were intended to be used again. I just wish there was an easier way to get the firmware updates, rather than having to google it and stubble across it. I guess I could have contacted them, but since I found the solution, I thought Id share it here in case anyone else might be having the same problem connecting theirs to their wifi and alexa. The fact that the firmware could not easily found from their site is the reason I gave it 4 stars. But I still like the product when it works.

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.

Works smoothly with Alexa. After you install the TP-LINK software / app, Alexa is able to link with the cloud based TP-Link app and discovers the devices registered with TP-Link. Alexa will discover the device name(s) given at the TP-Link site. If you want to change the device name, because some may sound similar and Alexa has trouble to understand correctly, youll have to visit TP-Link to change the name and have Alexa possibly re-discover. I have a few of them smart plugs to switch certain lights on / off that dont have a dedicated light switch. If I remember correctly, the plug is rated at 1800 Watt and can switch heavier loads than light bulbs. There are other switches / plugs on the market that may be a little less expensive, but I didnt want to mess around with there link apps for security reasons. TP-LINK is in the business for network devices some time and I trust (hopefully) they made the app reasonably secure against hacker. I believe it is best to keep any of your skills to a minimum (in particular the free with adds), so I just use TP-Link products since they can be controlled by one app / skill. Each device acquires a seat in your router (with DHCP enabled IP-Addressing) also using the embedded MAC (Media Access Control Number) to keep it reasonably safe from intruders. Most routers can assign 255 IPs hence 255 devices. I havent tried, but one could probably run the devices on MAC. As of the time of this review, all is working as intended! Alexa can hear my commands over a distance of a little more than 10 feet, although I have to admit, she is a little shielded from my voice. (Placement for strong router signal) Since I am somewhat lazy, I purchased a second Echo-Dot with a little bluetooth speaker for my Bedroom. This way I tell Alexa to switch off my bedroom light and play some music for a given time. I also, have some difficult to reach light switches e.g. behind doors and replaced them with TP-LINK WiFi light switches.