TP-Link HS105 Kasa Mini Light Controlling Smart Plug
Last updated: January 4, 2022
With a 15-amp electrical rating, the TP-Link Smart WiFi Plug Mini can tackle high-power appliances like space heaters and air conditioners. The small size and low price also make it a great fit for many households. It's compatible with a wide range of smart home devices to give you full voice control.
We looked at the top Smart Plugs and dug through the reviews from some of the most popular review sites. Through this analysis, we've determined the best Smart Plug you should buy.
Product Details
Key Takeaway: Large appliances need a powerful smart plug, and the TP-Link Smart WiFi Plug Mini delivers.
In our analysis of 106 expert reviews, the TP-Link Kasa Mini Light Controlling Smart Plug placed 14th when we looked at the top 15 products in the category. For the full ranking, see below.From The Manufacturer
Control lighting and other appliances from anywhere with the Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug mini. Schedule connected devices turn on when you get home, then power down when you go to sleep. Control each outlet individually or as one, set schedules or scenes, even use voice commands with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Microsoft Cortana. Frequency Range: 2.4GHz; Protocols Supported: IEEE 802.11b/g/n. Operating Temperature: 0 ºC~ 40 ºC ( 32°F ~ 104°F ).
Expert Reviews
What reviewers liked
Compact design, which makes it possible to add two to an outlet. We liked the Kasa app, which was easy to use and has a robust set of features, such as the ability to create schedules and an Away mode that turns your lights on and off at random intervals while you're out of your house.
It offers voice control via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, as well as integration with other smart home devices through If This Then That (IFTTT) and Nest compatibility. Surprisingly, it also works with Microsoft's Cortana voice assistant.
The Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini fits into any standard outlet, and its rectangular design keeps the plug from blocking outlets above or below it. With so many smart plugs on the market, that's a requirement for me these days.
With an electrical rating at 15 amps, it should safely be able to handle your highest powered appliances. This is incredibly important if you plan to use it to control a space heater or air conditioner unit.
Installation was dead simple on our Android and iOS devices via the intuitive Kasa app, which holds your hand through the entire process. During our long-term testing, the Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini never lost its connection to our WiFi network, and the handy remote control feature let us easily control the plug over a cellular connection when we were away from home.
- Reviewed
I love that this plug turns any old electrical object into a smart, connected device. It also integrates with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Nest, and IFTTT, so you can command things with your voice just like a real life Matilda!
A solid performer as its stablemate: we had no issues with connectivity during the testing period, and it was very responsive to commands on both iOS and Android devices.
A great starting point, allowing you to turn off devices in your home remotely, also using Alexa and Google Assistant – and again, they don't require hubs. They also come with Away Mode, so they can turn your lights on randomly to pretend you're home.
Comes with an Away Mode that can randomly turn on and off your lamps when you’re away so that it looks like you’re home and active. A feature like this is super handy, especially if you don’t want to just set an easily-guessed light schedule.
Lets you control your devices from anywhere using your iOS or Android compatible smartphone. It works with Alexa and Google Assistant for hands-free voice control over your electronic devices.
What makes this outlet really special though is its size. Most smart outlets are bulky and take up an entire standard outlet, meaning you can only plug one thing in at a time. But with the TP-Link Mini you can finally have both your outlets back again!
- Ideaing
Designed to be small at 1.5-inches thick and allows consumers to plug the device into an outlet without blocking outlets nearby.
From a top name in connectivity, the TP-Link Kasa is no wider than the average wall plug's faceplate, enabling it to fit where other units won't. It uses your existing WiFi and lets you operate appliances from anywhere in the world, via the cloud.
The HS105 is a standout because of its size.
The mini smart plug works in tandem with the Kasa mobile app and it is also compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant. More on that in a moment. Essentially, this is one of the most basic components of a potential smart home. You simply leave the appliance (floor lamp, coffee machine, whatever) on, and the smart plug can then be turned on and off based on voice command, mobile app, schedule, and other triggers.
It is one of the smaller smart plugs on the market and only covers one single outlet without blocking adjacent sockets no matter where you plug it in.
- Homedit
Reliable and easy to use Kasa App for scheduling and automation.
It is relatively inexpensive, giving you great value for the money you spend.
The TP-Link is a nifty device once you get it set up and running. It has a ‘home away’ mode which allows you to control it as well as the attached appliances from anywhere with a Wi-Fi connection.
What reviewers didn't like
It lacks support for Apple's HomeKit.
The TP-Link Kasa Wi-Fi Smart Plug Mini isn't HomeKit-compatible.
Perhaps the only feature missing from the Kasa Mini is energy monitoring. While the plug will track how long it’s been on or off, it won’t tell you how much power it’s using. This might be a limitation based on its size, but we’d love to see it added in the future.
The only real downside to this plug is its lack of energy monitoring.
- Reviewed
One thing the plug lacks is energy monitoring. You won’t be able to track your energy usage through the mobile app. It also doesn’t have a “home mode”, which is basically a way to control multiple devices at once when you’re home.
Costs more than the Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring and, well, doesn’t offer energy monitoring.
It does not work with Apple Homekit.
Lack of HomeKit support.
You’ll notice the translucent ring in its rounded square shape on the same side as the power button. I thought that the entire ring would light up with notifications. Instead, it’s just a single, very small color LED situated on the top-left corner (when viewed from the side).
There is no energy monitoring on this smart plug.
- Homedit
With the main difference being only the size, it is more expensive than the HS-100.
It can get a little difficult to see the status light on the device.
The status light is sometimes hard to read and the reset button is easy to accidentally activate.
View our Smart Plug buying guide for in-depth advice and recommendations.