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See Top Ranked Plug-In Smart OutletsAmazon Smart Plug (2018) vs TP-Link HS105 Kasa Smart Plug Mini
Amazon Smart Plug (2018)
Excellent
Reddit: Loved
See our analysisTP-Link HS105 Kasa Smart Plug Mini
Great
Reddit: LovedSee our analysisAnalysis:
The Amazon Smart Plug (2018) has managed to do great in various roundups conducted by reviewers from highly trusted sources that perform objective in-depth testing, like TechGearLab, PCmag, and Wirecutter - it was dubbed "Best Bang for the Buck for Alexa Users" by TechGearLab, "Best for Alexa Aficionados" by PCmag, and "Other good smart plugs" by Wirecutter. Any product that's held in such high regard by some of the most reliable sources should be considered by everyone who's looking for a Plug-In Smart Outlet at this price.
Returning to the TP-Link HS105 Kasa Smart Plug Mini, it managed to impress reviewers from two sources that are considered to be some of the most highly trusted on the internet, thanks to their in-depth hands-on testing - TechGearLab and CNET. It performed great in their respective Plug-In Smart Outlet roundups - it was named "Best Runtime Tracking on a Budget" by TechGearLab and "The best smart plug" by CNET. That's quite an endorsement, especially coming from such high-quality sources.
We analyzed all of the review data that we could find on these two Plug-In Smart Outlets. First, we examined sources that tested and scored both of these products - CNET favored the TP-Link HS105 Kasa Smart Plug Mini over the Amazon Smart Plug (2018), whereas reviewers at TechGearLab, PCmag, and The Ambient haven't shown a preference for either.
Then we took a look at which sources liked them the most - we found that the Amazon Smart Plug (2018) was best received by Android Central - it gave it a score of 9, whereas the TP-Link HS105 Kasa Smart Plug Mini got its highest score of 8 from reviewers at Tom's Guide.
Lastly, we averaged out all of the reviews scores that we could find on these two products and compared them to other Plug-In Smart Outlets on the market. We learned that both of them performed far better than most of their competitors - the overall review average earned by Plug-In Smart Outlets being 6.8 out of 10, whereas the Amazon Smart Plug (2018) and TP-Link HS105 Kasa Smart Plug Mini managed averages of 7.2 and 7.6 points, respectively.
Due to the difference in their prices, however, it's important to keep in mind that a direct Amazon Smart Plug (2018) vs. TP-Link HS105 Kasa Smart Plug Mini comparison might not be entirely fair - some sources don't take value for money into account when assigning their scores and therefore have a tendency to rate more premium products better.
Tech. Specs Comparison
Amazon Smart Plug (2018)
TP-Link HS105 Kasa Smart Plug Mini
$16
Bluetooth support
No
No
Energy Reporting
No
No
HomeKit support
No
No
Indoor
Yes
Yes
Number of AC Outlets
1
1
Outdoor
No
No
Supports Alexa
Yes
Yes
Supports Google Assistant
No
Yes
Wi-Fi support
Yes
Yes
Z-Wave support
No
No
ZigBee support
No
No
Reddit Threads (8)
in "Surgery date!!"
Last updated: 29 Dec 2020
in "I asked the salesman at the fireplace store if any of the fireplaces were Alexa-enabled and he looked at me like I was crazy."
Last updated: 30 Nov 2020
in "Looking for a plug in Laughlin hmu"
Last updated: 6 Sep 2020
in "Daily Discussion - Jul 21, 2020"
Last updated: 22 Jul 2020
in "Smart plugs no App required?"
Last updated: 6 Dec 2018
in "What item under $50 drastically improved your life?"
Last updated: 17 Jan 2021
in "Alexa Smart plug and heat cables"
Last updated: 5 Jan 2021
in "What should I buy? Electric blanket? Electric mattress or electric heating pad to make myself warm enough to get myself out of the bed early in the morning?"
Last updated: 11 Dec 2020
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Reddit Threads (7)
in "Need a WeMo replacement"
Last updated: 14 Dec 2020
in "Smart plugs for pre warming"
Last updated: 20 Sep 2020
in "I need multiple smart plugs that work with Alexa, but can’t spend a ton. Any deals left?"
Last updated: 25 Nov 2018
in "UK users... Can anyone recommend a cheap homebridge compatible plug, that I can use for automations? I already have a few WeMo and Elgato Eve ones."
Last updated: 5 Mar 2018
in "TP Link vs. Wemo Smart Plugs?"
Last updated: 11 Dec 2017
in "PSA Do not try to use your Wyze plug to control heaters. Customer asked me to troubleshoot why his garage heater wasn’t working. Could have burned down the house. These IOT devices are not rated for the higher amps a heater can pull."
Last updated: 16 Jan 2020
in "Smart plug for lamps"
Last updated: 14 Sep 2018
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Has average expert review score
6.9
Overall Avg. for Plug-In Smart Outlets
7.2
Avg. Review Score
Score
Higher than average expert review score
6.9
Overall Avg. for Plug-In Smart Outlets
7.6
Avg. Review Score
Score
Highly recommended by trusted experts
Highly Trusted SourceDepth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
Best Bang for the Buck for Alexa Usersin “The 5 Best Smart Plugs of 2023”
Last updated: 4 Jul 2023
Highly Trusted SourceDepth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
Best for Alexa Aficionadosin “The Best Smart Plugs and Power Strips for 2023”
Last updated: 29 Jun 2023
Wirecutter
Highly Trusted SourceDepth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
Other good smart plugsin “The Best Smart Plugs”
Last updated: 24 May 2023
Highly Trusted SourceDepth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
in “Best Surge Protectors in 2020: Power strips and smart plugs”
Last updated: 7 Nov 2020
Highly Trusted SourceDepth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
in “The best smart plugs in 2023”
Last updated: 29 Apr 2023
livingetc.com
Trusted Source-
Depth of
analysis
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Testing
Best Overallin “Best Alexa smart plugs: Set routines and add voice control to any socket”
Last updated: 3 Apr 2022
Trusted SourceDepth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
Runner Upin “Best smart plugs for starting a smart home in 2023”
Last updated: 3 Aug 2023
Trusted SourceDepth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
Runner Upin “Best smart home devices: Your shopping list for the best connected tech”
Last updated: 26 Oct 2020
Trusted SourceDepth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
The best smart plug for Alexain “The best smart plugs and switches 2023: control everything from anywhere”
Last updated: 26 Jun 2023
Trusted Source-
Depth of
analysis
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Testing
Best for Alexa Usersin “The 7 Best Smart Plugs of 2023, According to Our Hands-On Experience”
Last updated: 23 Jun 2023
Trusted SourceDepth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
Best for Alexain “The Best Smart Plugs for a More Connected Home”
Last updated: 11 Aug 2022
Trusted SourceDepth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
Best valuein “The 15 Best Amazon Alexa-Compatible Gadgets You Can Buy”
Last updated: 25 Jul 2022
Trusted SourceDepth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
Amazon's Smart Plug does not require you to own an Echo speaker to use voice commands — it connects directly to the Alexa app and lets you control lamps, fans, or appliances and set schedules from your phone. It's a great option if you're sticking with the Amazon Alexa ecosystem or buying for someone who already owns an Amazon Echo speaker.in “Best cheap smart home products under $50”
Last updated: 3 Jul 2022
Trusted SourceDepth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
in “The best Amazon devices you can buy right now!”
Last updated: 20 Jan 2022
Depth of
analysis
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Testing
Best Overallin “If You Have This Tech Gadget, You’ll Love This Other Thing”
Last updated: 19 Dec 2018
zdnet.com
Depth of
analysis
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Testing
Runner Upin “The 5 best smart plugs of 2023”
Last updated: 13 Feb 2023
refinery29.com
-
Depth of
analysis
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Testing
Runner Upin “These Are The Amazon Devices R29 Editors Actually Use (& They’re On Sale)”
Last updated: 11 Oct 2022
Depth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
in “Best smart plugs 2023: add Alexa & Google to any socket”
Last updated: 25 Jul 2023
Depth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
in “36 Best Amazon Tech Products That Are Equally Cool and Convenient”
Last updated: 1 Dec 2022
Depth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
in “Top 20 products Business Insider readers bought on Black Friday 2019”
Last updated: 18 Aug 2021
esquire.com
-
Depth of
analysis
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Testing
in “The 20 Best Amazon Alexa-Enabled Accessories to Go Along With Your Echo”
Last updated: 24 Jun 2021
gearhungry.com
-
Depth of
analysis
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Testing
Best Overallin “Best Smart Plugs In 2022”
Last updated: 7 Oct 2022
cosmopolitan.com
-
Depth of
analysis
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Testing
in “35 Best Housewarming Gifts on Amazon That’ll Delight Any Host”
Last updated: 25 Jan 2023
Highly Trusted SourceDepth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
in “All of Amazon's Echo Devices Compared: Which One Is Best for Your Smart Home?”
Last updated: 26 Jun 2023
Trusted SourceDepth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
Runner Upin “10 Best Smart Plugs in 2023, According to Tech Experts”
Last updated: 1 Mar 2023
Trusted SourceDepth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
Best smart plug for Alexain “The best smart plugs: Alexa, Google Assistant and HomeKit smart power”
Last updated: 27 Jan 2021
Trusted SourceDepth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
Amazon's branded Smart Plug will set itself up once you plug it in within range of your Echo Plus, making it hands-down the best smart plug for Echo users. It only works with Alexa, but if you own an Echo Plus, that shouldn't be a problem.in “Top 12 Smart Home Devices for Amazon Echo in 2020”
Last updated: 9 Jun 2020
livingetc.com
Trusted Source-
Depth of
analysis
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Testing
in “Make your life easier, save energy, and reduce bills with our picks of the best smart plugs”
Last updated: 12 Apr 2023
Trusted SourceDepth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
in “12 New Amazon Products That'll Make Your Home Smarter”
Last updated: 21 Sep 2018
Depth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
in “Top 20 products Business Insider readers bought on Black Friday 2019”
Last updated: 18 Aug 2021
cosmopolitan.com
-
Depth of
analysis
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Testing
in “22 Best Amazon Gadgets to Upgrade Your Entire Life”
Last updated: 10 Jan 2023
Highly Trusted SourceDepth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
in “Tech on a Budget: 16 Great Gift Ideas Under $25”
Last updated: 30 Nov 2022
Trusted SourceDepth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
Best smart plug for Alexa usersin “How to set up a smart home in 2023”
Last updated: 15 Jun 2023
Trusted SourceDepth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
in “68 best tech gifts for gadget lovers in 2023”
Last updated: 1 Aug 2023
Highly Trusted SourceDepth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
in “Best Father's Day gift ideas under $30 in 2021”
Trusted Source-
Depth of
analysis
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Testing
in “The Best Smart Plugs for a Smarter Home”
Last updated: 18 Jan 2023
Trusted SourceDepth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
in “Best smart plug 2022: For Alexa, Google Home and Homekit”
Last updated: 9 Sep 2022
Depth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
in “The 10 Best Smart Home Gifts to Buy”
Last updated: 18 Jul 2023
-
Depth of
analysis
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Testing
in “7 Best Smart Plugs (2023): Compact Plugs, Power Strips, and Advice”
Last updated: 7 Jul 2023
Depth of
analysis
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Testing
in “Best Smart Plugs”
Last updated: 18 Sep 2022
Depth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
in “KnowTechie’s best tech gifts under $50”
Last updated: 11 Sep 2022
usatoday.com
-
Depth of
analysis
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Testing
in “The Best Smart Plugs of 2023”
Last updated: 25 May 2023
Depth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
in “The 10 Best Smart Home Gifts to Buy”
Last updated: 18 Jul 2023
Trusted SourceDepth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
in “Best accessories for Amazon Fire 7 & Fire HD 8 tablets 2023”
Last updated: 4 Jul 2023
Depth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
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Testing
in “The 15 Best Tech Gifts Under $50”
Last updated: 9 Dec 2020
Depth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
in “Amazon Black Friday best sellers: Echo Dot, Fire TV Stick”
Last updated: 26 Nov 2018
Depth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
in “The 15 Best Tech Gifts Under $50”
Last updated: 9 Dec 2020
Depth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
in “Amazon Black Friday best sellers: Echo Dot, Fire TV Stick”
Last updated: 26 Nov 2018
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Highly recommended by trusted experts
Highly Trusted SourceDepth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
Runner Upin “Best Google Home devices under $100”
Highly Trusted SourceDepth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
Best Runtime Tracking on a Budgetin “The 5 Best Smart Plugs of 2023”
Last updated: 4 Jul 2023
Trusted SourceDepth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
Best Overallin “The best smart plugs: Alexa, Google Assistant and HomeKit smart power”
Last updated: 27 Jan 2021
Depth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
Best Overallin “The 15 Best Home Gifts Under $50”
Last updated: 20 Jul 2023
zdnet.com
Depth of
analysis
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Testing
Best compact smart plugin “The 5 best smart plugs of 2023”
Last updated: 13 Feb 2023
esquire.com
-
Depth of
analysis
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Testing
in “The 10 Best Google Home Accessories for Living Smarter”
Last updated: 11 Feb 2022
gearhungry.com
-
Depth of
analysis
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Testing
in “Best Smart Plugs In 2022”
Last updated: 7 Oct 2022
Highly Trusted SourceDepth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
The best smart plugin “Best Smart Home Products for 2023 That Aren't Made by Amazon or Google”
Trusted SourceDepth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
Best smart plugin “Best smart home devices: Your shopping list for the best connected tech”
Last updated: 26 Oct 2020
Depth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
Best Overallin “The 15 Best Home Gifts Under $50”
Last updated: 20 Jul 2023
Highly Trusted SourceDepth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
Best smart plugin “Best Smart Home Devices of 2023”
Highly Trusted SourceDepth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
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Best smart plugin “Best Nest and Google Assistant Devices for 2023”
Highly Trusted SourceDepth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
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Testing
Best smart plugin “Best Amazon Alexa Devices of 2023”
Highly Trusted SourceDepth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
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Testing
in “15 Affordable College Graduation Gifts That They'll Love”
Last updated: 5 Apr 2019
Trusted SourceDepth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
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Testing
in “Best smart home devices 2023”
Last updated: 26 Jul 2023
Trusted Source-
Depth of
analysis
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Testing
in “12 Essential Gadgets Under $20 That Everyone Should Own”
Last updated: 29 Jan 2022
Trusted SourceDepth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
in “Best Google Home compatible devices 2023: Google Assistant smart devices”
Last updated: 10 May 2023
Trusted SourceDepth of
analysis
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Testing
in “Best SmartThings devices 2023”
Last updated: 2 Jun 2022
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Find the best product and price, effortlessly.
Discover deals on the best products
We do the research. You save the money.
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