Review on 🔌 Streamlined Google-Compatible Smart Outlet: Easy Setup Required by Tim Harrington

As a software engineer and home automation enthusiast, I rarely find an electronic device that does exactly what I need. When I do, I buy a few without immediately having plans for them because I never know when they will be discontinued and replaced with a newer version that just doesn't work. This Kasa Smart Plug from TP-Link is one such diamond in the rough. After getting one up and running, I bought four more just to have on hand. Decisive factor? Full local control. I hate IoT gadgets that rely partially or fully on the cloud for their functionality, as their usefulness diminishes or disappears when their manufacturers go bankrupt, are acquired, or simply decide they no longer want to support their legacy product lines. These smart Kasa sockets work without you having to "call home". In fact, I blocked my device's MAC address in my router's firewall, so it can't connect to the internet because I have security issues with IoT gadgets and it can still be used via local protocol on my local network. Of course, cloud integrations don't work in this configuration, but that doesn't bother me. I particularly appreciate that the KP115's power management features are also available via the local protocol. The only feature that may not work if the device is not provided with internet access is the scheduling feature as the device cannot set its internal clock without internet access. (I haven't researched whether there is a local command to set the clock.) [UPDATE 2021-09-07: The device has a command that allows it to set its internal clock. Once the clock is set, the device starts storing daily and monthly electricity usage statistics that can be accessed via the local log.] But I still wouldn't count on the device itself; I would do this in a home automation program. I only need the device to turn it on and off on command and do it reliably and for that purpose the KP115 works great, especially for the price. You can't buy a Kill-A-Watt meter at this price point, and they don't have Wi-Fi or switching capability. In addition, voltage, current, power and energy readings are more accurate than Kill-A-Watt. The only downside, if you can call it that, is that the Kasa doesn't have a display; You need to read the meters over Wi-Fi. No big deal to me. Electricity meter *survives* in the event of a power outage. There is a local command to reset it to zero. Aside from the local control aspect, the physical unit is attractive and sleek. It will not block any other outlet in a duplex outlet. The blue LED power indicator, which illuminates when the switch is closed, can be turned off if distracting. The mechanical switch makes a click when shifting, but not too loud. The switch remains in its current state when power is removed from the device and remains in that state when power is restored with no audible click at any time. My understanding of this is that the switch is not a simple relay but is actually a bistable mechanism, probably one that consumes little to no power except when transitioning between states. The pins are rated for 15A. So the Kasa KP115 is a GREAT smart plug if, like me, you're wary of allowing gated (unverified) devices to access the internet in your home, or the devices you're buying just don't want to become one today become a dump when the companies that made them refuse to support them. As long as 2.4GHz 802.11n continues to make its way into home Wi-Fi networks, these smart KP115 plugs should continue to do their job admirably.