TP-Link Launches Matter-Certified Kasa Smart Plug With Energy Monitoring

[MacRumors]

TP-Link’s Kasa Smart brand today announced the launch of its first Matter-certified smart plug, the KP125M. The KP125M is able to connect to HomeKit, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Samsung SmartThings setups because of the Matter connectivity.

Matter-compatible devices that are added to a HomeKit setup work the same as HomeKit-enabled devices as long as there is a HomeKit Matter hub, which includes the HomePod, HomePod mini, iPad, and Apple TV. If other people in the home use a different device compatible with a smart home platform from Amazon, Google, or Samsung, the Kasa Smart Plug can be used with that platform as well provided an appropriate Matter hub is available.

The Kasa Smart KP125M provides scheduling and timer capabilities, plus it can be used to monitor energy consumption over time for keeping an eye on energy costs.

According to TP-Link, the KP125M features a compact and flame-retardant design that is meant to keep it from blocking additional outlets. It is designed to work over Bluetooth, and with HomeKit setups, it can be used with the Home app and with Siri voice commands.

The KP125M Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim is priced at $40 for a two-pack, and it can be purchased from Amazon.com.

Article Link: TP-Link Launches Matter-Certified Kasa Smart Plug With Energy Monitoring

 

[AppleTO]

I have tons of these things. They can’t just firmware update the older model..?

 

[Aichon]

Bluetooth-only is a non-starter after using Thread-based devices. There’s no going back once you get used to how fast and reliable Thread is compared to Bluetooth, and it’s frankly surprising to me that they’d launch it with Matter support without Thread.

 

[mystery hill]

Eve Energy supports Matter over Thread, but it’s twice the price of the Kasa.

 

[mystery hill]

Bluetooth-only is a non-starter after using Thread-based devices.

Wi-Fi.

 

[Verified Whiskey]

Bluetooth-only is a non-starter after using Thread-based devices. There’s no going back once you get used to how fast and reliable Thread is compared to Bluetooth, and it’s frankly surprising to me that they’d launch it with Matter support without Thread.

I was so hyped for this! A decently priced smart plug that supports Matter?? I’d rather have Thread and no Matter than Matter over Bluetooth (or even just Matter over WiFi). I’m building out my Thread network in my home and need it for future proofing.

 

[tivoboy]

I like tp-link products but really? 2.4 ghz WiFi only? I only have one five year old device that requires that channel band anymore. Not going to add another.

 

[BootsWalking]

Is this a matter of fact?

 

[MrRom92]

One major issue with HomeKit is that there is no way (that I know of) to prevent other members in a home from controlling certain devices, or to exclude them from generalized commands.
I have several sensitive devices placed on smart plugs for my own personal convenience but unfortunately all it takes is one person pressing buttons or making the wrong Siri command to cause a very expensive problem for me. For example, if they’re leaving and they say “Hey Siri turn everything off” versus “Hey Siri, turn all the lights off”

Imagine having kids and they’re wreaking havoc with all the lights or other devices around the house? Want them turning on the disco lights and stereo in your room when you’re trying to sleep?

I’m hesitant to put more things on Smart plugs until Apple offers more controls over who can control what.

 

[mystery hill]

Is this a matter of fact?

It’s a matter of course.

 

[TinyMito]

Does it sense how much wattage being pulled or I have to set up like this unit uses 100w, whatever it is on? Starts calculating?

 

[TrenttonY]

One major issue with HomeKit is that there is no way (that I know of) to prevent other members in a home from controlling certain devices, or to exclude them from generalized commands.
I have several sensitive devices placed on smart plugs for my own personal convenience but unfortunately all it takes is one person pressing buttons or making the wrong Siri command to cause a very expensive problem for me. For example, if they’re leaving and they say “Hey Siri turn everything off” versus “Hey Siri, turn all the lights off”

Imagine having kids and they’re wreaking havoc with all the lights or other devices around the house? Want them turning on the disco lights and stereo in your room when you’re trying to sleep?

I’m hesitant to put more things on Smart plugs until Apple offers more controls over who can control what.

Not to be mean, but… couldn’t you just use a light switch? I’m not sold on a “smart home” yet, I still think it’s a first world gimmick.

 

[anakin44011]

I like tp-link products but really? 2.4 ghz WiFi only? I only have one five year old device that requires that channel band anymore. Not going to add another.

This is the deal-breaker for me. I have another brand...and I've had to turn off my 5Ghz in order to get each one of these set up (then turn 5GHz back on).

It reminds me of tweaking my very first Linksys router 20+ years ago...all for a smart plug!?! Or toying with my first few inkjet printers to get a decent print.

How are these things not easier to set up?

And don't get me started about setting these up for my mother...Look, Mom, you can tell Siri to turn on your dining room lamps...
"Son, my living room lights won't turn off"
"Son, the power went out, and now my living room lights won't turn on"
...and so it goes.

 

[CarAnalogy]

Wi-Fi.

Wifi is better but not much. Once you start getting several devices, especially since these are 2.4 only, you start getting latency and congestion.

Thread works on a different frequency and was designed for this, it’s always been the best option.

 

[CarAnalogy]

This is the deal-breaker for me. I have another brand...and I've had to turn off my 5Ghz in order to get each one of these set up (then turn 5GHz back on).

It reminds me of tweaking my very first Linksys router 20+ years ago...all for a smart plug!?! Or toying with my first few inkjet printers to get a decent print.

How are these things not easier to set up?

And don't get me started about setting these up for my mother...Look, Mom, you can tell Siri to turn on your dining room lamps...
"Son, my living room lights won't turn off"
"Son, the power went out, and now my living room lights won't turn on"
...and so it goes.

Even smart lights, much less any of the other smart home stuff, are still not for people that aren’t prepared to futz around with it at least once a year, probably more.

As expensive as it is, Hue is best for this because of the hub. But I’ve even started having trouble with some Hue bulbs lately that are only a bit over a year old.

 

[mystery hill]

Wifi is better but not much. Once you start getting several devices, especially since these are 2.4 only, you start getting latency and congestion.

Thread works on a different frequency and was designed for this, it’s always been the best option.

Yes, I’d get the Eve Energy.

There aren’t many other Thread smart plugs.

 

[CarAnalogy]

Not to be mean, but… couldn’t you just use a light switch? I’m not sold on a “smart home” yet, I still think it’s a first world gimmick.

With all of these smart bulbs, if they’re working at all, you can toggle the power on and off and it will usually just default to a warm white middle brightness.

The best way is with smart switches like Caseta so people don’t even know they’re “smart.” But all the best stuff is expensive, these cheaper things will always be more fiddly.

 

[Phogro]

several sensitive devices placed on smart plugs for my own personal convenience

I don't know if I'd trust sensitive devices on homekit even if there was user management controls. Some things just aren't worth risking for the sake of saving a few seconds.

 

[Rychiar]

I thought originally matter devices were gonna be required to have thread. bluetooth only is trash. not even worth the hassle for free

 

[stevet]

Not to be mean, but… couldn’t you just use a light switch? I’m not sold on a “smart home” yet, I still think it’s a first world gimmick.

Depends what you‘re using it for. I use switches like this to control other equipment based on other sensor data. For example, I use HomeAssistant and I have a sensor that reads humidity, if it falls below 45% then I have it power up my humidifier until it gets above 50%. One example Of many other use cases where you don’t want to have to monitor manually.

 

[msackey]

Not to be mean, but… couldn’t you just use a light switch? I’m not sold on a “smart home” yet, I still think it’s a first world gimmick.

I too am mostly a NOT smart-home person. I have one smart home device and it is our thermostat. Our home is geofenced (by the phones) and when anyone of us leaves the house, it changes the thermostat to the Away setting. Other than that, we have zero smart-home devices.

I think too many smart home devices is just a pain, especially when after a few years many either need to be upgraded (firmware) or troubleshoot with the network, etc. I want a simple to use device and don't want to spend time creating my own little Administration Office to manage the house. LOL.

 

[jonblatho]

I have several sensitive devices placed on smart plugs for my own personal convenience but unfortunately all it takes is one person pressing buttons or making the wrong Siri command to cause a very expensive problem for me.

If you have very sensitive devices based on smart plugs, that sounds like…a personal choice. One that I certainly wouldn’t make, but you do you.

I don’t have a huge HomeKit setup — a couple dozen lights from Nanoleaf and an Eve Energy smart plug. The latter is by far more unreliable than any of the lights have been.

Edit: Come to think of it, I’m not sure why you couldn’t set up a second “home” in the Home app with only these very sensitive devices, give them their own home hub device assuming you’d like remote access, and just not give access to the second home to anyone you don’t trust with it.

 

[TrenttonY]

I too am mostly a NOT smart-home person. I have one smart home device and it is our thermostat. Our home is geofenced (by the phones) and when anyone of us leaves the house, it changes the thermostat to the Away setting. Other than that, we have zero smart-home devices.

I think too many smart home devices is just a pain, especially when after a few years many either need to be upgraded (firmware) or troubleshoot with the network, etc. I want a simple to use device and don't want to spend time creating my own little Administration Office to manage the house. LOL.

I agree. I think the only useful items to be “smart” would be security/doorbell cameras & HVAC systems.

 

[MrRom92]

Not to be mean, but… couldn’t you just use a light switch? I’m not sold on a “smart home” yet, I still think it’s a first world gimmick.

Lots of things are a first world gimmick. Electricity in general is a first world gimmick, we survived just fine with sticks and flames when we lived in caves. But it does enhance our lives. In my moderately filled-out smart home I like the additional control that I have over things I have in my house, not to mention automations, timers, monitoring, etc.
The problem is that not everything needs to be controlled by everyone. Parental controls and security settings exist to prevent unwanted access to other aspects of our digital lives… I don’t understand why HomeKit has to be a free-for-all.

 

[Cndnmax]

I like tp-link products but really? 2.4 ghz WiFi only? I only have one five year old device that requires that channel band anymore. Not going to add another.

5Ghz/6Ghz is complete overkill for any smart device. Unless you live in a tiny apartment, 2.4ghz is the best frequency as it can travel almost 6 times further (ideal conditions). You don’t even need to turn off 5Ghz to set these up so there’s really no point in turning that band off.