Kasa Smart Plug Classic 15A, Smart Home Wi-Fi Outlet Works with Alexa & Google Home, No Hub Required, UL Certified, 2.4G WiFi Only, 1-Pack(HS105) , White

After researching automated light switches and outlets to control my lights, I picked TP-Link because they do not require a separate hub to work. Out of the box, install or plug-in, load the Kasa app and create an account, discover using the Kasa app (connect the device to your WiFi at home) and you're ready to go.I absolutely LOVE the light switches and the outlet plugs. The online TP-LINK installation videos are awesome; short and concise with clear instructions. These Smart devices work perfectly every time using the Kasa app, Alexa and now the Google Assistant. When the power went out once, the devices automatically reconnected and worked flawlessly. BEST PURCHASE EVER!!!I bought the Amazon Echo Dot - 4 times - and controlled my lights from anywhere in the house simply by speaking to Alexa.Then, as of 3/25/17, Google Assistant got in the action. So now I can also tell my phone "Ok Goggle, turn on the Basement" and the two Smart Plugs (one mini and one original-sized) turn on together since I made a "basement" group to include them both.If you're buying these Smart Plugs or Smart Switches for the first time, the below info will be helpful to know to avoid asking yourself "why is it not working for me the way people say they do?"1. You need to install the Kasa app and create a user account to operate your devices using your phone/tablet. The Smart devices must be able to connect via the WiFi in your house to be operated remotely (by you not manually touching the device). Although you can still operate the devices manually, you bought these to operate them remotely. The Kasa app let's you name each Smart device (IMPORTANT: NAME EACH DEVICE AND GROUP AS YOU WANT TO CALL IT OUT USING ALEXA OR GOOGLE ASSISTANT) and create "Scenes" to group multiple Smart devices to turn on/off at the same time. Tapping on the device name in the Kasa app opens the options to set schedules, timers and more.2. Got an Amazon Echo? Install the Alexa app on your phone/tablet, add the Kasa Skill, link the Kasa Skill to your Kasa account (from point #1 above), discover devices, then create Groups - similar to the Scenes in Kasa - and select which devices to include in the group for Alexa to know what you meant to turn on/off at the same time. If you DON'T create groups in the Alexa Skill: A) Simply ask Alexa to turn on/off the individual Smart device name, and... B) Alexa will NOT know which multiple Smart devices to turn on/off at the same time - even though you created a Scene (group) in the Kasa app, key phrase here... "in the Kasa app". After you create a group name and include Smart devices in the Alexa Skill, you'll feel like one of The Jetsons, a Star Trek crew member or a millionaire, with the power to command lights on and off using you voice: "Alexa, turn on the Living Room".3. Got an Android smartphone/tablet with Android version 6.0 or higher? Google began sending upgrades to those devices to install the Android Assistant - the same Artificial Intelligence (AI) used with the Google Home device (the device that competes with Amazon Echo). Here's the deal, similar to the Alexa Skill, you NEED to enable and setup the Android Assistant using the similar steps I described in topic #2 above: Link it to your Kasa account, create Group names and add Smart devices to the group, etc. To set up your Android Assistant to operate your TP-LINK Smart devices, start by saying "Ok Google, turn on my LIGHTS" - the AI is smart and will prompt you with a bubble for you to setup Google Home interfaces. It's da bomb!Hopefully this will help you enjoy your TP-LINK Smart devices as much as I do.If you're thinking "I'm still not sure if I should get these or another brand..." GET THESE!!! You will not regret it. They work great! Also, when I had questions, their customer support was very responsive. The love is definitely there.My goal is to get my entire house upgraded to use only TP-LINK light switches. In time, as the budget allows, it will happen.

This review will include all the stuff that I installed since Dec. Will come back later for a long-term update.All of them installed on a managed network.10 TP link Kasa Switches Single Pole2 TP Link Kasa Smart Plug Mini Outlet10 TP Link Kasa LB 110 (2700K)3 TP Link Kasa LB 120 (2500-9000k)1 TP Link Kasa LB 130 (Color)6 LIFX Mini White 800L (2700K)3 LIFX A19 (Color)Initial Installation:I have zero trouble on installation, zero connecting issue or losing connection issue. I guess most of the complains are from older review and the new firmware fixed the problem. Both brands have a very simple straight forward installation. First you down load the app, next you install the bulb, then you click ADD device and follow the screen instruction then voila. Bear in mind that at first the device is trying to connect to your phone/tablet DIRECTLY to initiate the process, so stay close to it and make sure both device on the same network 2.4ghz. After you enter the Wi-Fi info on screen, they will switch back to connect to the Wi-Fi instead of each other, so give it some time to do that. From that point everything should be smooth sail and you and proceed to update the firmware and finish the installation.Performance:Both TP Link and LIFX performs really well on the white bulb, both are nice and bright and providing about the same amount of light but the LIFX has a way better dimming performance. The TP link dim at 1% is not really 1%, is at least 20% I would say, where the LIFX dim is really at 1%. If dim to 1% is important for you, I will forget about TP link, it can't go below 20% IRL even it is showing at 1%. If dimming to 1% is not that important to you then I will say both are good and it will be depending on the price point. I got both at $14.99, no complains there.On the color bulb, the LIFX A19 will blow the TP Link LB130 away. LIFX A19 is rated at 85W and the LB130 is only at 60W, the brightness on the LIFX A19 is just pure awesome especially in color mode. Overall the LB130 is just weak, not bright at all on color and the one I have is kind of limping and became very dim on 3rd day so I end up returned it.On the switch and the plug. They are awesome, zero hick up at all and very responsive to command, is like instant on and off no delay there, very solid product and the price is good too. I am glad that they are one of the cheapest but performing very good.If you are putting 2 switches together, this is a perfect fit cover to usehttps://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01D0Q81YW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1If your recess base is too small for the bulb base to go through, this is a good adapter to use but beware of the depth of your recess, it might stick out.DiCUNO E26 to E26 Socket Extender, E26/E27 to E26/E27 Lamp Bulb Socket Extension, Lamp Holder Adapter (10-Pack)I wasn't going to do that before because the price was crazy. $40 regular bulb? You are kidding me.But at $14.99 a white bulb, I think is more doable now and I pulled the trigger, that's pretty much the same price when GE first came out the led bulb to replace filament decades ago.

I have owned this smart plug (outlet) for over 3years and it has performed like a champ. It was not terribly hard to set up and has performed flawlessly. I have used this outlet to remotely turn a power supply off and on in my ham radio station. It can be operated locally vi a push button switch on the side and has a blue indicator so you can tell whether it is on or not. Remotely, I use a free app on my Android phone and a free app on my windows PC. I do not use Alexa and Google Home, so I cannot comment on how they work under those conditions.