You need the Kasa app to use this plug. The Kasa plug is not compatible with Smart life app so I needed yet another app to use this plug. If you have another TPLink app then just log in without creating another account. I found this out the hardway. To bad they don't tell you that before trying to create an account. Just another frustration in using apps that are not user friendly. After installing the plug in the Kasa app, Alexa did not automatically connect to the plug. Compare these annoyances to installing BN-Link plugs with SmartLife app and auto connect to Alexa. Kasa 2, BN-Link 9. Pay the extra dollar for the BN-Link 4 pack and avoid the frustration.

Otherwise, the plug appears to work fine. It responded well to Alexa voice command. It is a little cheaper (see above) and is slightly smaller than the BN-Link plug.

All in all a 4 star rating, losing a star for user interface issues.

Surprising features was this thing has a built in power meter, useful to know how much your appliances are consuming. Setting this to turn on my EV charging when the rates drop at 9 PM and turn it off at 4 PM will save me enough to pay for this - but also good for the planet.

One of my previous gen plugs actually broke in a pretty upsetting way. The plug would no longer turn off. You could press the button and it would "toggle" and show off in the app but everything in the plug would stay powered. I was using it as a nightly safety shutoff for a lithium battery charging station. I'll come back and update this review if these fail. But once again my above experience was not with this product, it was with the last version of this product.

The monitoring on these plugs is next level compared to the older gen. The wattage and energy usage charts are great. I also love how it calculates how much money that power is costing.

Summary: Reviewing three similar Kasa (TP-Link) smart plugs. After my initial review of the HS103P2, I found the KP115 with Energy Monitoring, so ordered that one too. Also ordered the outdoor version.

Observations (construction): Like most modern manufactured items, this one is a snap together setup. The construction is decent. The relay is a 200V and 16A version, and should be able to pass full power (1875W for a 15A circuit).

Recommendation: The newer model plug is KP115, released in Oct 2020; whereas the older model is HS103P2, released in March 2018. The newer plugs are more expensive, but I would pay the extra cost for the energy monitoring feature if needed.

Software Setup: After downloading the app (iPhone), setup was straight forward. It appears to only connect to a 2.4Ghz Wi-Fi network; however, with my phone on the 5GHz network, I was still able to control the device. Generally 2.4GHz has better range, and 5GHz has better bandwidth, so 2.4Ghz is the appropriate band for this device (and most IoT devices). Upon completion of setup, the app offered to update the firmware (which completed in less than 5 minutes). Setup was the same for both (the outdoor didn't need a firmware update).

Software Observations: Biggest disappointment with the Energy Monitor plugs is that the energy usage cannot be reset with the Kasa app. After doing some internet research, found that if you're on iOS, search for "Watt for Smart Devices" app in the Apple Store, it allows you to reset the energy usage. The Kasa app works okay. I do wish they had a lock out feature, making it a two step process to turn off power, which would be very important on a device like a computer.

Pros: simple setup; firmware updates.

Cons: energy usage not resetable via the Kasa app.

Conclusion: At $22 for the KP115, rating this 4-stars (software deficiency, energy usage reset). I also ordered a two-outlet Outdoor plug (listed below), which I am rating 5-stars, and the older HS103P2 at 3-stars (one DOA).

Related Products:

Kasa Smart Plug Mini with Energy Monitoring, (KP115), ~ $22
4.4 out of 5 stars 14,686 ratings | 211 answered questions
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08LN3C7WK

Kasa Outdoor Smart Plug, ~ $16
4.6 out of 5 stars 13,373 ratings
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B091FXH2FR

Kasa Outdoor Smart Plug, 2 Sockets, IP64 Weather Resistance, ~ $16
4.6 out of 5 stars 13,373 ratings
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B091FXH2FR

I wasn't sure if I wanted to review an electrical plug but having lived with it now for about a year, have to admit it's a really good product. Alexa integration was a piece of cake and we let Alexa turn on the light at sunset. Also because our isp isn't the best, our internet connection goes down but the plug has a button that manually allows us to switch on power. It's not optimal but works in a pinch. Also, the unit does not prevent the use of the other plug in the socket like so many other products these days. Good design.