The Smart Plugs That Made Me a Home Automation Monster
“I bought cheap smart plugs that disconnect more often than they connect. Kasa plugs by TP-Link — a company that actually makes networking equipment — cost $7 more for 4 and stay connected. Revolutionary.”
Teckin Smart Plug 4-Pack (Wi-Fi Only)
19,876 reviews
Pros
- +Four plugs for $23 — basically free
- +Works with Alexa and Google
- +Schedules and timers
Cons
- -Disconnects from WiFi weekly
- -App is a nightmare of Chinese-translated English
- -No energy monitoring
- -2.4 GHz only — good luck if your router is smarter than the plug
Kasa Smart Plug Mini (TP-Link) 4-Pack
87,654 reviews
Pros
- +TP-Link actually makes real networking equipment
- +Stays connected — novel concept for a WiFi device
- +Clean app that's in actual English
- +Compact design doesn't block the second outlet
Cons
- -Still 2.4 GHz only
- -No energy monitoring on the Mini model
- -You'll want more — it's addictive
The Story
It started with one lamp. I wanted to tell Alexa to turn off the living room light without getting up from the couch. Reasonable request. So I bought the Teckin 4-pack for $23 because why buy one smart plug when you can buy four and automate your entire apartment?
Day one: set up all four plugs. Connected them to WiFi. Connected them to Alexa. Said 'Alexa, turn off the lamp.' The lamp turned off. I felt like Tony Stark.
Day three: 'Alexa, turn off the lamp.' 'The device is not responding.' The plug had disconnected from WiFi. I walked over and unplugged it, plugged it back in, waited 30 seconds, and it reconnected. I did this three more times that week.
The Teckin plugs have an app that reads like it was translated from Mandarin to English by someone who speaks neither. 'Please to connecting the device with the router of 2.4 GHz band for the smart life experience.' I had a smart life experience alright — spending 20 minutes every week reconnecting plugs.
Kasa plugs are made by TP-Link, a company that has been making routers and networking equipment since 1996. Their plugs stay connected to WiFi because that's literally what the parent company does. The app works. The plugs work. They cost $7 more for four.
I now have 12 Kasa plugs. The coffee maker turns on at 6am. The desk lamp turns off at midnight. The Christmas lights go on at sunset. I am a home automation monster and it's TP-Link's fault.
The Lesson
Buy smart plugs from a company that makes networking equipment. A WiFi plug made by a company that doesn't understand WiFi is just a regular plug with extra steps.
Affiliate Disclosure: Links on this page go to Amazon and include an affiliate tag. If you buy something, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This is an honest comparison of products I've actually used. Product details, prices, ratings, and review counts are approximate and may be outdated. This page was created with AI assistance. Not professional product advice — just one guy's experience.
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Glen's Musings — AI, investing, and building things. Occasional. Free.
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