Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug-In Dimmer (KP-405) Review, Pros & Cons and Specs 2022
THE BOTTOM LINE for Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug-In Dimmer (KP-405)
The TP-Link Kasa KP-405 is an external smart plug designed to control light. It offers dimming capabilities, responds to voice commands, and supports many integrations.
Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug-In Dimmer (KP-405) PROS
Easy to install
Brightness presets
Supports Alexa and Google Assistant
Lots of third-party integrations
Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug-In Dimmer (KP-405) CONS
Provides only a single outlet
Lacks HomeKit support
Doesn't generate usage reports
KASA SMART WI-FI OUTDOOR PLUG-IN DIMMER (KP-405) SPECS
Size 3.1 by 2.8 by 1.5 inches
Amazon Alexa Yes
Apple HomeKit No
Apple Siri No
Energy Reporting No
Google Assistant Yes
IFTTT Yes
Of all the outdoor smart plug-ins we've tested, the Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Dimmer KP-405 ($ 29.99) is the first we've designed specifically for outdoor lighting. A single-plug device, the KP-405 supports in-app and scheduled dimming, and works with third-party devices via IFTTT. It's easy to set up and configure, though it doesn't figure out how much power you use. If that reporting ability is important to you, check out Wyze Plug Outdoor ($ 10.99), a selection of our more affordable editors. That plugin doesn't support dimming, but it does offer two outlets and the same number of integrations.
A weatherproof enclosure, but only one outlet
The black wall of KP-405 has IP64 weather proof rating against dust and water exposure. It measures 3.1 by 2.8 by 1.5 inches (HWD) and has a six-inch power cord that protrudes from its curved top. At the bottom of the enclosure is a three-pronged outlet with a protective rubber cover. At the front is a power button with a status indicator that glows green when plugged in. Shines green and orange during setup; And red when the plug loses its Wi-Fi connection. There's a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi radio inside to connect the plug to your home network.
If you plan to use an outdoor plug, you should install the KP-405 at the GFCI outlet to protect your home's electrical wiring, as well as use a dim light bulb. You can use Alexa or Google Voice commands to turn the attached bulb on and off, in addition to cycling through the four brightness presets. You can also add the plugin to the SmartThings home automation system or use the IFTTT applet to connect it to other smart home devices.
App features and controls
The KP-405 uses the same Casa Smart app (available for Android and iOS) as other Casa devices, including the Kasa Spot 24/7 recording (KC400) camera and the Kasa Smart Lite HS-103 smart plug. Once you link it, the KP-405 appears in a panel in the Smart Plug section of the Devices screen, along with another Casa Smart Plug. A button next to the plugin name indicates its status: it turns green when the plug is on and gray when it is off. Tap the device in the panel to open the screen with a large power button and four dim preset buttons. By default, Casa sets the buttons to 25, 50, 75, and 100% brightness levels, but you can edit the settings by tapping any button and adjusting the brightness dial.
At the bottom of the screen are the Preset, Schedule, Timer, and Remote buttons. The preset button takes you back to the screen. In the Schedule section, you can create a schedule for your connected lights. For example, you can configure them to be turned on or off at a specific time and on a particular brightness preset. You can also choose to turn the lights on and off immediately or turn them off at a certain rate (between 5 seconds and 60 minutes). With the timer button, you can set the dimmer on or off after a certain time. Use the Away button to create a schedule in which the lights go on and off at random times when you are not at home. To configure dimming to work with other Casa devices, use the Senses or Smart Action button at the bottom of the device screen.
To access the plug settings, tap the gear button in the upper right corner. Here, you can change the dimming speed (quick, fast, medium, slow), turn the LED indicator on or off, calibrate the dimming range, and see a short tutorial on how to do it. can. The power usage reports you get with the Wise Plug Outdoor app are missing.
Easy setup, smooth to use
The KP-405 plugin is easy to install. Just download the mobile app, create an account, and tap the plus icon in the upper right corner of the Devices screen. Select KP-405 from the Add a Smart Plug menu, power up the plug, and tap Next when the Wi-Fi LED flickers. Use your phone's Wi-Fi settings to plug in, go back to the app, and then select your home Wi-Fi SSID when prompted. Once you enter your Wi-Fi password, the app automatically appears in the list of your account and your Alexa device. Give the plugin a name to complete the installation.
KP-405 worked flawlessly in testing. I used the Smart Plug to connect to the courtyard light and it responded quickly to Alexa Voice commands (as well as commands via the app) to turn the light on and off and set the brightness level. The remote feature worked as intended, and the plugin followed my schedule without any problems. With Alexa Routine, whenever my color floodlight cam detected motion, I set the plug to turn on at 50% brightness. This routine works perfectly every time.
A smart choice for outdoor lighting
Casa's single outlet, Weather Proof KP-405 Smart Plug lets you convert your traditional outdoor lights into smart lights without much money. The plug-in enables you to control outdoor lighting with your phone or voice, and offers the ability to dim the brightness with four custom presets. It also works with many other smart devices, including Casa and other third party manufacturers. Our biggest complaint is that it can't track how much power you're using, and the price is higher than the $ 10.99 Wise Plug Outdoor, the winner of our Editors' Choice for Outdoor Plug. But if you're looking for a light-focused solution, the KP-405 is definitely worth considering.
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