Kasa Smart Plug Power Strip HS300, Surge Protector with 6 Individually Controlled Smart Outlets and 3 USB Ports, Works with Alexa & Google Home, No Hub Required , White

I love, love, LOVE this Kasa Smart Plug Power Strip. Im one who tends too keep their mobile phone plugged up into the charger anytime Im home. Studies prove that doing this leads too the battery loosing the ability to hold a full charge in a shortened period of time. So Ive purchased this power strip specifically for my home office, and have attached several important items too each of the six plugs. 1. Charging plug for my iPhone 8. 2. Cordless Panasonic Link to Cell handset. 3. Paper Shredder. 4. Portable Bluetooth speaker. 5. Electric Bug Zapper. 6. Charging plug for my Logitec H600 Headset. Configured everything very easily using the Kasa app for iOS. Assigned an appropriate name for each device plugged into a designated smart outlet on the strip (Outlet 1 - 6.) 1. iPhone 2. 2nd phone (Already have cordless phone 1 plugged up in living room) 3. Shredder 4. Bluetooth Speaker 5. Zapper 6. Headset Next I linked my TP-Link Kasa account after activating the Kasa Alexa skill on Amazon.com. Did this so I could turn On/Off each individual plug/device using Alexa and the many Echo dots/plus/Studio devices I have positioned all over the house. Then I proceeded too set daily on/off schedules for when I wanted devices like my iPhone, 2nd phone and headset too be recharged during the day/night. This was so easy to do using the Kasa app installed on my iPhone. Thats it. Nothing else needed too be done. Now I have a system in place that keeps my portable devices fully charged whenever I use them (Without compromising battery life.) I can also say Alexa, Turn on Zapper when Im covertly bitten by a blood thirsty mosquito. Love catching the little buggers off guard and hearing that beautiful Pop sound when they land on it. Then I say Alexa, Turn Zapper Off once their gone! I owe it all too this Kasa Smart Plug Power Strip. Have now made my entire automated home system centered around Kasa Smart Plugs.

This thing is AWESOME! A little tricky to set up at first, but if you use a timer for any outlets, you need to get this, it saves so much space. And if you add yhe cost of several timers and a power strip, the cost comes out about the same.

The product works as expected. I connected it with Google Assistant and I am quite please. Although, as an Apple user, I notice there isnt Apple Homekit Integration. That is not surprising since that feature is pretty underdeveloped and lacking with partners. The application is easy and intuitive. I set it up quite easily. Mostly I use it for my light, computer screens, aroma diffuser and heater. Probably will replace it with a fan in the winter. All things I want to automate around my desk. Cannot do much. Just Screen off, Lights On (doesnt actually turn on because my desk lamps require a press for first use), Lights Off (thats nice when I am tired.) and heater On/Off. This can be a fan in the summer. Thoughts on Application/Smart Devices: It seems they want to add feature to the app but havent quite gotten to it. I dont know if they ever will. In my humble opinion, I am a bit worried for the future if the apple will be maintained. For now, support seems great but down the line, you have to remember this is an appliance with a long product life. Unlike physical products, application have a short life. Although it is a worry, that is a risk you take with all smart devices.

I was looking for a power strip that had individual switchable outlets for a particular project. This one has that plus can be globally switched also. I didnt pay attention to the power use measurement, that is a cool addition that I might use. My biggest challenge was I couldnt use any of the Google/Samsung/Apple integrations because of what I wanted to do with the scheduling. I needed to use one of the open source suites. I found that very easy, TP-Link has integrations for all the major home automation software. I tested it with - openhab (the one I choose to use) - home assistant they both worked very easily. I scheduled what I needed: once per month on for 12 hours and then off until the next month. Most automation suites are based on 7 day repeating schedules. The annoying thing is you have to use the Kasa software on your phone to do initial setup of the device and for some devices (this one included) you are mandated to create a logon. I wish that was easier because I have no intention of using the software at all for automation.

Initially connecting it was seamless and serves its purpose. The major design flaw is that when plugged in the direction the plug is oriented it faces backwards/upside down. Very strange design flaw I did not see mentioned by many.

A person can get back what s/he pays for this smart power strip in savings from electric utilities in about 1 to 3 months. This is how I use the power strip to hunt down which of my home appliance and electronic device uses the most power. It turns out to be my large screen TV, which consumes 100W. I used to have my TV on most of the day even when I am just playing music from Spotify or YouTube. In San Diego, electricity costs $0.42 to $0.52 per kWh. Over 30 days at 24 hours per day, the TV was sucking in (30x24x100)/1000 = 72kWh or $29 to $36 a month. Over a period of 2 months, I simply made sure to turn off the TV when I was not watching it or when I was just listening to music. I was able to reduce $20 per month in electricity bill - $40+ over 2 months, which pays for the power strip. And the saving continues. And the saving continues...

I love and own many tplink devices (cameras, door bells, lightbulbs, smart plugs and smart strip). Had only one issue that their self-help support couldn’t resolve. Turns out a factory reset fixed it. Can’t imagine i am the only one that would benefit from that simple suggestion. So, if anything isn’t working right, reset it. My issue was scheduled on or off never worked. Using the on off button on demand- no problem. Using the timer - no problem. Only schedules failed. All plugs all ports on any outlet. Weird huh? I even did the “have you turned it on and off again (unplugging from wall) no help. No clue why all features via the software/app worked except for schedules. You could set up a schedule, It would show it would be the next thing to run but would never actually control any outlet. Its great as a support for growing my tomatoes and other herbs and veg from seed, controlling the heat mats and lights independently.

I havent used any other brand for smart power bars but I enjoy using my Kasa with my Google home. You can schedule when to turn on and off your devices or if youre away from home for some time just to shut the power off for everything. Just wish I could do that with the USB outlets. I own quite a few of these and would definitely recommend them.

This works great with Google home and Samsung smart things, no issues, no complaints.

Why is it great for tinkerers/homelabs you may ask? Its a power strip thats regularly on sale for $45. You may think thats a lot for a power strip, but once you realize that it has not only INDIVIDUAL CONTROL on each outlet, but also power monitoring on each outlet? Thats an INSANE feature to have. Currently, I have one on a 3D printer. It controls the printer itself, the light, and the monitor (which doesnt always have to be on) - the ability to see a rough estimate (I havent verified the accuracy of the power usage) of the power usage, and integrate with OctoPrint to automatically turn the printer and light on/off is amazing. I ordered a second one to use for the server rack and be able to monitor the power usage of the core network (Modem, Router, Switch) as well as a quick remote reboot for them all. Its plastic, so its not the most sturdy power strip ever. WiFi signal is actually pretty good, never had communication issues with it even when other devices struggle. The firmware is old enough that it can be directly accessed/toggled, though this isnt guaranteed to be the case for long - the smart plug minis have been updated (so I hear) to disable it due to security concerns, who knows if that affects or will be applied to this. Sure, you can get more open ones, or even ones that work better with your setup. But for the price, and the feature set, Id 100% recommend this hidden gem just because it has much more than you expect at first glance. But only on sale, I dont believe its worth the full price of $80.