Travel & Lifestyle: Kasa Smart Plugs Make Life Easier, And They’re On Sale

I don’t remember exactly why I bought my first Kasa smart plug. According to my Amazon history, it was May 9, 2021, and I can’t remember what I was doing then except spending lots of time at home. But I do know this: I don’t want to remember life without one. They’re so good, so helpful, so useful, that now I have 10.

Why did I go from zero to 10, and why should you? Turning every outlet in your home into a tech-y smart one you can control by app or voice assistant opens up a world of possibilities. And right now on Amazon, you can grab one of these Kasa smart plugs with energy monitoring — so you know exactly how much power an outlet is using — for just under $9. This is the lowest price this model has been all year!

I have houseplants under grow lights in darker corners of my home, and I can turn those on and off even if I’m halfway around the world. I can put them on a schedule when I travel, but still turn that schedule off if someone needs to stay in my apartment.

I can leave an appliance running and turn it off while running errands. I can use my smart plugs for Christmas lights or to make it appear someone is home for safety. I have a bedroom air purifier set to turn on one hour before my usual bedtime and to turn off in the morning, right as my living room air purifier is scheduled to turn on (doing this with a coffee maker or fan is an absolute no-brainer).

Beyond automation and energy savings, I also use one so that I can turn a lamp on without having to strain to reach behind my couch to find its switch. For hard-to-reach outlets or behind-furniture outlets, they are an absolute game-changer. I can think of a thousand more uses.

All this automation might sound complicated, but I promise it’s easier than you could dream possible. All you have to do is plug one in, push a button to connect it to your WiFi, add it to the phone app, and live your life. In the more than two years I’ve been using these every day, I’ve never had an issue with dropped connections or an inability to find WiFi. The Kasa app is straightforward, and if you prefer, you can simply use Alexa or Google Home instead (or both).

One thing I love most about the Kasa mini smart plugs is that if you only use one, it’s small enough to leave the other socket in your outlet free without covering it up or making it impossible to plug something else in.

(Amazon has a new and compact Alexa-enabling Echo Pop smart speaker, if you don’t have a voice control system set up.)

Unlike most smart plugs on the market, this particular Kasa Smart Plug Mini has energy monitoring with the Kasa smartphone app. Once it’s paired, the Kasa app will give you real-time data and show the current power usage (watts), voltage and energy consumption of your plug. That can help you save major money on bills in the long run, and maybe even recalibrate where your smart plugs should go around your home!

“The energy monitoring feature sets the Kasa Smart Plug Mini apart from traditional smart plugs,” raves one Amazon reviewer. “With real-time energy monitoring, you can track and analyze the energy consumption of your connected devices. The detailed energy reports help you identify power-hungry devices and make informed decisions to reduce your energy usage, ultimately leading to energy and cost savings.”

“With the Kasa app, you can remotely control and schedule your devices with ease. Whether you want to turn on your coffee maker in the morning, set a schedule for your lamps, or switch off appliances when you’re away from home, the Kasa Smart Plug Mini puts control at your fingertips. The app also offers grouping and scene features, allowing you to create custom settings and control multiple devices simultaneously with a single tap.
The energy monitoring feature sets the Kasa Smart Plug Mini apart from traditional smart plugs. With real-time energy monitoring, you can track and analyze the energy consumption of your connected devices. The detailed energy reports help you identify power-hungry devices and make informed decisions to reduce your energy usage, ultimately leading to energy and cost savings. […]
With its built-in Wi-Fi capabilities, the Kasa Smart Plug Mini eliminates the need for additional hubs or complicated installations. It seamlessly connects to your home network, providing reliable and instant control over your devices. […]
In conclusion, the Kasa Smart Plug Mini with Energy Monitoring is a must-have addition to any smart home setup. […].” — Danny (This review has been edited for length. Read the full review.)

“Hey tech enthusiasts! Let’s chat about a nifty little gadget that’s taken my smart home game to the next level – the Kasa Smart Plug Mini. It’s a definite 5-star performer in my books!
This compact device may be small, but it sure is mighty. With the Kasa Smart Plug, I can control my appliances from anywhere via the handy app. I can’t tell you how great it is to switch on my coffee maker from the comfort of my bed!
But it doesn’t stop there. The energy monitoring feature is a game-changer. It’s helped me become more energy-conscious by letting me track power usage of my devices. Now, I’m not just making my life easier, but also greener.
The compatibility is a huge plus. Whether you’re Team Alexa or Team Google, this plug’s got you covered. I’ve got mine hooked up to Alexa, and the integration is seamless.
For value, this little gem really shines. It offers all the features of a high-end smart plug, but without the hefty price tag. It’s made my home smarter without making my wallet lighter.
In short, the Kasa Smart Plug Mini with Energy Monitoring is an absolute winner. It’s a convenient, money-saving, energy-conscious solution that truly deserves its 5-star rating. It’s made my life easier, and I’m confident it’ll do the same for you!” — the_dominicx

“With the Kasa app, you can remotely control and schedule your devices with ease. Whether you want to turn on your coffee maker in the morning, set a schedule for your lamps, or switch off appliances when you’re away from home, the Kasa Smart Plug Mini puts control at your fingertips. The app also offers grouping and scene features, allowing you to create custom settings and control multiple devices simultaneously with a single tap.
The energy monitoring feature sets the Kasa Smart Plug Mini apart from traditional smart plugs. With real-time energy monitoring, you can track and analyze the energy consumption of your connected devices. The detailed energy reports help you identify power-hungry devices and make informed decisions to reduce your energy usage, ultimately leading to energy and cost savings. […]
With its built-in Wi-Fi capabilities, the Kasa Smart Plug Mini eliminates the need for additional hubs or complicated installations. It seamlessly connects to your home network, providing reliable and instant control over your devices. […]
In conclusion, the Kasa Smart Plug Mini with Energy Monitoring is a must-have addition to any smart home setup. […].” — Danny (This review has been edited for length. Read the full review.)

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