I enjoyed installing the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Light Switch and testing it out for this review.  TP-Link has created a dependable switch with a decent price in a very competitive field. 

I decided to install this switch for the exhaust fan in the bathroom.  My main goal was to set an automatic timer to turn the fan off after running for a set amount of time, sounds lazy, but that is what tech is for – doing things that I don’t have to remember to do. Unfortunately, I found out later after playing with the app that I was not able to do this without an additional purchase of their router.

Installation was made easy with the Kasa Smart app and was truly useful during installation.  The app did mention using labels to identify wires during install but I didn’t see anything inside the box. Not a big deal, just spent some time looking for labels with no success and I wanted to save you guys some time during your install.  Account creation is not required if you want to control the switch within your home wireless network, but you will have limited options for any additional features offered.

Now its time to get into the real reason I bought this device and that is to control this exhaust fan like it is maintaining a negative airflow for a critical laboratory in bio-safety level-2 research wing.  Let’s run through the checklist of program options available:

Schedule

This feature allows you to setup a schedule to control your switch.  Perfect for automatically turning the porch light on at 7 pm and off at 1 am.  Great for making the appearance that someone is home during vacation.

Timer

This is not the auto-off time that I was hoping for. The feature must be initiated in the app each time and is used to start a countdown timer to turn the switch on or off.  The countdown must be started from the device menu in the app and is not activated by physically turning on the switch.  This was a bummer for me because I really wanted my exhaust fan to turn off after being on for a set amount of time.

Away Mode

Allows the switch to randomly turn on and off during a set time and day.  This was a new feature I never really considered and is a neat idea that might be an alternative to scheduling.

Runtime

This feature shows the amount of time your smart switch has been on for the day, week, and month.  This is a good way to see if your scheduling is working correctly and how much time the switch is on.

Scenes

An element that allows grouping of other devices together to create a setting.  This feature is perfect for turning off the bedroom lights and starting a humidifier for night time comfort of a little one.  Scenes can only be activated by using the app and clicking on your set and a TP-Link router must be purchased for scheduling a scene to occur.  I did not have the ability to test this feature out completely, but it did work with my one switch during my review.

Smart Action- This Feature was not available during testing and only promoted their router hub that enabled additional features available after purchase.  The features included are the ability to schedule a Scene, further automation using sensors and the ability to set an Auto-off timer.  To get my bathroom fan to turn off after being turned on would require me to purchase their device to enable the Auto-off timer feature. This was a big downer because that was the only feature that I wanted for my setup but not worth the purchase of an additional router when I already have one.  Yes, you can have two routers in the same house, but it seems a little overkill for this feature. This is no longer relevant as Kasa TP-Link has changed their Smart App to offer additional features outlined below. I will leave this here to show Kasa has improved their app to support their customers’ requests.

Update 9/28/19 – This feature is now available making the previous information above obsolete. Where an advertisement for their product once graced the app now, lies a lot more options available to customize your set up. I am thoroughly impressed and very satisfied that my opinion and suggestions were heard and implemented, Great Job Kasa!

Smart Actions

The new Smart Actions section now has Motion Sensing, Scheduling a Scene and my long-awaited and most appreciated – Control With a Switch and my all-time favorite, the Auto-Off Timer! This is an exciting moment, I really like Kasa products and now they are competitive with their price range competition by adding these new features!

To finalize this review-

The Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Light Switch smart switch allows you to control a light or fan with a few clicks in a well-designed app without having to physically interact with the light switch.  All features mentioned above are great to have and should be the basic options offered on any devices like this.  I believe this switch is a good addition to any home looking to get connected and take some tasks off the occupants’ daily routine.

Thanks for reading my post and I hope you have enjoyed this as much as I did during testing and writing this review.  If there is something I left out or questions that need answering, don’t hesitate to leave me a comment below.