The new Kasa Kp115’s are on sale at Best Buy for $12.99 or two for $24.99 with free same day pickup. They integrate with Sense and Homekit.
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Nice… What is the difference between the recently introduced KP115 and this KP125?
I have 13 KP115 smart plugs littering my household… Just wondering how the KP125 differs from what I am used to with the KP115s.
Update: Interesting, I just went to the TP-Link Kasa website and it looks like KP125 is tagged as a “New” product… So probably even newer than the recently released KP115… I looked at the specifications (but not side-by-side yet)… I can’t figure out the difference based on a cursory glance through the specs…
I think the main difference is price. Somehow they figured out how to provide the same capabilities at reduced cost. While they were at it, they added support for Homekit in the newer model.
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I don’t think these would work with Sense. Description doesn’t mention power monitoring at all. I think this is the same switch as the KP115 but with no power monitor so it’s slightly cheaper to make.
@waterboysh,
There’s good news here on that from - KP125 is compatible.
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The KasaSmart website says it does energy monitoring.
Kasa Smart WiFi Plug Slim with Energy Monitoring
Energy Monitoring
Monitor connected device’s real-time and historical power consumption with the Kasa Smart app.
As far as I know the only difference is the new KP125 can additionally integrate with Homekit.
I don’t use any Apple products so I really don’t know anything about Homekit.
Otherwise they are the same as the KP115.
Back in 2019 Kasa made a big press release it would soon be offering support for Homekit. Shortly after Kasa announced they wouldn’t be supporting Homekit. Assuming the KP115 & KP125 contains the same hardware my only guess is licensing issues. Something like it being cheaper to release a new product (KP125) that can integrate with Homekit vs. having to pay Apple for the rights to upgrade (the firmware) on existing devices (KP110) which few would actually use. I doubt many actually use or care about Homekit.
Nonetheless compatibility is a marketing tool, allowing them to be sold alongside Apple Products. Apple benefits as well having more (reliable) products that are compatible with Home kit. That little “works with Apple Homekit” logo on the bottom of the KP125 box really is a big deal (to them). Apple must have given them a great deal for Kasa to be able to sell them cheaper than the KP115’s.
At the retail level exposure generates sales, Best Buy offering the KP125 for sale now at ‘Black Friday prices guaranteed’ could lead to selling a few more Homekits which have a higher profit margin, so they are willing to make a little less profit on the KP125.
Amazon focuses on Alexa, so they would rather sell items that aren’t compatible with their competitors. Amazon blocking Google Play Store on Kindles as an example. Hence why Amazon isn’t even selling the KP125’s (yet). Not to mention Amazon has plenty of KP115’s inventoried. Many people buy from Amazon without even comparing prices to other retailers so they have no reason to discount the KP115. I do expect Amazon to have some sort of sale on KP115’s when their models dictate the best time.
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I’m an extensive HomeKit user, and recently bought a 115. It’s still unopened, and I’m trying to figure out if I should return it and buy the 125 or not. I could save $10, so that might be worth it, but I’m more struggling with what I’d want power monitoring and switch capability on. Rarely do I need both. I have basic HomeKit outlets already that I use for small LED lamps. I have light switches and door locks I can HomeKit. The closest thing I have is a dehumidifier that I’ve been turning off remotely, but I’ve been turning off the Kasa itself because then the dehumidifier turns back on when I turn the outlet back on. I don’t like turning the dehumidifier off in the middle of it working, so I keep an eye on Sense to see when it’s off, then turn off the Kasa.
As the KP125 is priced less than the KP115 (not talking Black Friday Price), your licensing cost rationale makes no sense, imo.