Choosing the Best Outdoor Plug for Your Smart Home

Choosing the Best Outdoor Plug for Your Smart Home

Choosing the Best Outdoor Plug for Your Smart Home
Choosing the Best Outdoor Plug for Your Smart Home
2023-06-29 00:19:21 - last edited 2024-03-16 00:31:05
Model: EP40A   KP405   EP40  
Hardware Version:
Firmware Version:

Comparing Outdoor Smart Plugs from TP-Link Kasa

 

Outdoor smart plugs are a great way to add smart home functionality to your outdoor lights, holiday decorations, and other devices. They allow you to control your devices remotely from your smartphone or tablet, and you can even set schedules and timers so that your devices turn on and off automatically when the sun rises.

 

 

EP40M

EP40A

EP40

KP400

KP401

KP405

Outdoor Plug with Matter

Outdoor Plug with HomeKit Support

Outdoor Plug

Outdoor Plug

Outdoor Plug

Outdoor Plug-In Dimmer

fd4ac66c0083429b9887b357da8c659f

7d7d1eeefc014ba2bc8f07bdc113dfa2

bd83c05b5e0d48bab0768e01808d7948

7c325cb47ce04a0794f9ebadf4232605

0d3c50d79d634fb89c0d86f7be042a6f

27208ad869994ec0922a467298777a58

Product Overview

EP40M

EP40A

EP40

KP400

KP401

KP405

Connection Method

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi

Number of Outlets

2

2

2

2

1

1

Individually Controllable

✔️

✔️

✔️

✔️

✖️

✖️

Weatherproofing

IP64 Rain and Dust Protection

Maximum Load

15A / 1875W

15A Maximum Load, 1875W, 1/2 HP Motor

15A / 1875W

15A / 1875W

15A Maximum Load, 1875W, 1/2 HP Motor

300W Max Incandescent

150W Max LED

Input Voltage

125V ~ 60Hz, 15A

125V ~ 60Hz, 15A

125V ~ 60Hz, 15A

125V ~ 60Hz, 15A

125V ~ 60Hz, 15A

125V~ 60Hz

Apple HomeKit

✖️

✔️

✖️

✖️

✖️

✖️

Voice Control

✔️

✔️

✔️

✔️

✔️

✔️

Away Mode

✔️

✔️

✔️

✔️

✔️

✔️

Dimmable

✖️

✖️

✖️

✖️

✖️

✔️

(Trailing-Edge Dimming / TRIAC Phase Cut)

Buy Now

Amazon

Amazon

Amazon

Amazon

Amazon

Amazon

*Please Note: Dual-Outlet Smart Plugs use a Combined Maximum Load. Both Connected Devices Must Have a Combined Load that is less than the listed Maximum Loads.

 

 

Looking for a Specific Feature?

Apple HomeKit – The EP40A is the Only HomeKit Compatible Outdoor Smart Plug Currently Available from Kasa

Outdoor Dimmer Plug* – The KP405 is not a conventional Smart Plug for on/off control. Instead, the plug allows you to control the Power delivered to the connected lights. Please ensure that the lights you are connecting using compatible dimming technology. (Trailing-Edge Dimming / TRIAC Phase Cut) Common Users for the Dimmer Plug are Hanging Patio Lights and Outdoor Fans.

Only Need To Control One Device? – The KP401 Is the Only Outdoor Smart Plug with One Available Outlet, The EP40 and EP40A feature Attached Plug Covers for the Unused Outlet. The KP405 also has only one outlet but is a Dimmer Plug with Brightness Control.

*It is Not Recommended to Use a Dimmer of Any Sort with Smart Devices (Dimmer Switches or Plugs). Smart Devices and Lights rely on receiving the maximum power of the switch – delivering less than 100% will most likely cause your Smart Device to fail and will stress the internal components of the powered light.

 

FAQs:

Can I Use a Dual Smart Plug with Only One Outlet In Use?

Yes! Dual Smart Plugs are individually controlled in your Kasa App and have an included cover for each outlet when not in use.

Can the Away and Schedule Functions Still Work When the Smart Plug Does Not Have an Internet Connection?

The configuration for these features are saved on the device itself, so the schedule and away modes can function without an active internet connection. This Does Not Extend to schedules created using Smart Actions, as Smart Actions require an active cloud connection.

 

Please Note: Once the Kasa smart device is unplugged from the outlet and is plugged back in, you must connect the plug to the internet to sync the time, otherwise the schedule/away mode will not work correctly. (It is recommended not to Rely on Local Scheduling, as Power Outages May prevent the plug from activating)

 

How Waterproof is the IP64 Rating of Smart Plugs?

IP64 rating indicates Dust Tight protection against solids and liquid protection against Splashing Water. This means you would not want to allow the product to become immersed in water or subject it to a direct spray, like from a hose; but the plug will withstand dripping water and light misting.

How Can I Ensure That My Plug Is Safe from The Weather?

  1. Secure the Plug with the Provided Clamp and Screw
  2. Keep the Socket Face Down (This Will Prevent Water from Pooling Near the Outlets During Rain)
  3. Keep the Plug at Least 12 Inches Off the Ground to Prevent the Plug from Falling in Water, and To Prevent Water Splashing up to the Outlets)
  4. When Not in Use, Keep the Socket Covered with the Weatherproof Cover

c9f3a0787bdf4b7e9f9a0ef9d9217fc1

Make Sure To Keep an Eye Out for Upcoming Smart Plug Releases from Kasa. We Expect More Models with Additional Integrations and Functionality to Be Released over the Coming Months!

  0      
  0      
#1
Options
4 Reply
Re:Choosing the Best Outdoor Plug for Your Smart Home
2023-08-16 16:44:44

  @Riley_S One advantage of the EP40 & EP40A is that they have a right-angle plug, which is better suited in many outdoor applications.  My EP40 (not EP40A) has a right-angle plug, so your EP40 image above is wrong.

  0  
  0  
#2
Options
Re:Choosing the Best Outdoor Plug for Your Smart Home
2023-08-16 18:58:56

  @DeanGibson,

Thanks for letting me know. I completely forgot that the EP40 was changed to a right-angle plug, specifically for your reasoning. It is possible that an EP40 can still be purchased with the straight plug, but it is far more common to see the right angle now. You can actually see that our store is still advertising the straight plugs, so i will see what i can do about a wider update to the product info.

  0  
  0  
#3
Options
Re:Choosing the Best Outdoor Plug for Your Smart Home
2023-12-09 04:04:39

  @Riley_S Any word on the release date or if they added 5GHz functionality on the upcoming EP40M? I am having difficulty connecting both my Android phone and EP40 to my Guest network on my Deco XE75 when set to only use 2.4GHz because my phone will not connect. If my phone is connected to the identical guest SSID on 5GHz, I cannot add devices on 2.4GHz.

  0  
  0  
#5
Options
Re:Choosing the Best Outdoor Plug for Your Smart Home
2023-12-11 18:24:06

  @Miggity,

I do not believe that there are any plans to release a 5GHz smart plug. Normally, more difficulties are experienced when attempting to use the 5GHz network due to its decreased range and increased susceptibility to interference. Normally, your device should have no problem connecting if the SSID is meshed together. You may consider disabling the 5GHz network entirely on your Guest or IoT networks if they are only being used for smart devices, as most devices do not support 5GHz.

  0  
  0  
#6
Options