I’ve all the time been a fan of TP-Hyperlink for each their networking {hardware} and the good house gadgets.
For sure, the TP-Hyperlink Tapo and Kasa good plugs are my favorite good plug socks I’ve used. I’m within the means of reviewing the brand new Tapo P110M matter-enabled plug, and I feel this or the beforehand none-matter P110 are one of the best good plugs in the marketplace as they’re extraordinarily inexpensive and have vitality monitoring, which is a good way to watch what electronics use probably the most electrical energy.
I’m additionally a large fan of good thermostatic radiator valves. I work at home and reside in an previous, inefficient house, so controlling the heating on a room-by-room foundation can save tons of per 12 months in heating prices.
Subsequently, I used to be fairly excited after I noticed that TP-Hyperlink Kasa had launched their very own KE100 Sensible Radiator Thermostat.
Over Black Friday, the KE100 KIT (which features a hub) dropped down to simply £30.95, which is insanely good worth for cash for a wise TRV, and I impulsively purchased one to check out.
This assessment has loads of criticism of the present state of TP-Hyperlink Kasa and Tapo, however my criticism is probably going related to extra superior customers.
On the time of writing, the worth has shot as much as £70, however in the event you can decide up the TP-Link Kasa KE100 KIT at a diminished value (it’s virtually all the time underneath £50), then I feel it is a superb good TRV that’s excellent worth for cash. Contemplating a conventional dumb TRV can simply value £10-£20 doesn’t make a lot sense to spend money on these older valves when you’ll be able to decide up a KE100 for a couple of kilos extra.
Specification / Options
- Exact Temperature Management – Get the best temperature everytime you need it.
- Schedule & Timer – Be sure that it’s as sizzling as you want with presets and schedules that fit your life.
- Voice Management – Fingers-free management that syncs with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri ShortCuts.
- Frost Safety – Maintain your pipes unfrozen and your own home secure.
- Extremely-Lengthy Standby – Works with lot hub, promising longer battery life (over one 12 months).
- As much as 32 Radiators – Every hub can join and handle as much as 32 radiators.
- Versatile Compatibility – Suits on most radiator valve physique thread (M30x1.5) and the six adapters(RA, RAV, RAVL, CAL, M28 and GIA) included permit extra compatibility.
- Hub Included – Merely substitute your previous radiator valve with Kasa and get began straight away.
TP-Hyperlink Kasa and Tapo is a multitude of a wise house ecosystem
TP-Hyperlink began off with Kasa and later launched Tapo. It appeared like an odd factor to do at first, however the thought was that Kasa can be the premium vary and Tapo the inexpensive vary, which is one thing I used to be OK with, and it appeared to make sense.
Over time, the variations between the 2 manufacturers blurred, and it turned more and more irritating that there have been two separate apps for gadgets that do the identical factor all from the identical major model.
Again in March 2022, I used to be instructed:
TP-Hyperlink is engaged on an integration between Kasa and Tapo into one app to verify there may be continued performance for each merchandise units collectively as Kasa goes finish of life.
That was speculated to occur in Q3 2022, however they lastly rolled out the mixing in November 2023.
TP-Hyperlink appears to have modified their thoughts about Kasa as they’ve continued to launch gadgets underneath this model, which would come with this KE100 good TRV.
No downside, the 2 ecosystems work collectively now. However it isn’t fairly so simple as that.
As of December 2023, the Tapo app doesn’t but assist the administration of KE100 / KE100 Package, and there are additional integration issues.
Identical hub {hardware}, no cross-compatibility
Initially, I impulsively purchased the KE100 by itself with no hub with out studying the outline that claims it requires a hub. I went forward and tried to put in it, pondering I might combine it with the Tapo H100 hub, however this didn’t work in any respect as a result of above lack of assist.
I had dedicated to reviewing it, so I purchased the KE100 Package. Upon opening the equipment, the Kasa KH100 is actually the identical {hardware} because the Tapo H100 hub, it’s even named virtually the identical.
This enraged me as it’s ridiculous that TP-Hyperlink requires two separate hubs that are equivalent to work with Tapo and Kasa.
After studying the press launch concerning the Tapo/Kasa integration and the dearth of KE100 assist, I’m hopeful this may occasionally change sooner or later, however you by no means know with these corporations.
Tapo T110 sensors required for open window detection
Simply so as to add to the confusion, underneath the FAQs for the KE100 KIT, TP-Hyperlink states that the KE100 helps open window detection, however to try this, you want the Tapo T110 contact sensor.
The Kasa app will will let you add Tapo sensors to the hub, nevertheless it works with sensors you might have paired in Tapo with the Tapo H100 Hub. You’d must reset it and pair it with the Kasa hub.
The Kasa hub does present up within the Tapo app, so it is likely to be doable to pair all my Tapo sensors and switches with that to keep away from the necessity for 2 hubs.
Doesn’t work with Tapo App but
Simply to reiterate to verify nobody misses this data, as of December 2023, the Tapo app doesn’t but assist the administration of the KE100 / KE100 Package, and there are additional integration issues.
I assumed this can be as a result of it’s fairly a brand new product, however folks on Reddit have been moaning concerning the lack of matter assist of the KE100 six months ago.
Matter might repair the issue
In case you take a look at the TP-Hyperlink Matter web page, the Central Management Hub Tapo H100M ought to resolve many of those issues and permit seamless integration with the opposite Matter-compatible merchandise.
Nonetheless, that’s been in improvement for months and nonetheless no phrase of it.
Once more, including to the confusion, many good house manufacturers have upgraded their hubs to assist Matter. However, I used to be instructed in March 2023:
The present H100 mannequin doesn’t at present assist Matter, nonetheless, there’s a newer model popping out later this 12 months that may.
There may be one final twist: it could appear that TP-Hyperlink may very well be rolling out Matter assist to the traditional Tapo H100 Hub. The Tapo H100 is licensed for Matter by the CSA, and it’s reported that this can be accessible with firmware 1.4.0. My H100 is at present on 1.3.9.
In case you are left confused by all of the above, don’t fear, so am I.
With all that out of the way in which, let’s transfer on to the traditional assessment.
Set Up & Set up
As soon as I lastly had the proper hub, organising the system was easy. It’s a must to undergo the standard steps so as to add the hub to your Kasa app. For me, this included connecting to the open SSID on the hub.
You then want to put in the TRV earlier than including it to Kasa. This has a barely totally different design to a few of the TRVs I’ve used. The highest of the TRV has a grove that lets you twist the cap off, this then exposes the battery compartment and the small gap for reset.
The KE100 comes with numerous adaptors for various radiators, however I used to be in a position to mount it straight.
With it mounted, I had to make use of the included plastic pin to carry down the reset button and start the pairing course of.
As soon as paired, the valve was calibrated, and the whole lot labored. I didn’t have any calibration points like I did with the Aqara TRV.
App & Settings
The settings inside the Kasa app are fairly primary, nevertheless it has the primary performance you want.
Going into the primary web page for the KE100, the inexperienced energy button allows/disables the TRV. With it disabled, it is going to enter frost safety mode and cease any schedules you might have.
The good management part is the place you arrange your schedules. It’s primarily the identical as Tado and Genius Hub. You’ll be able to have one schedule for the total week, or a piece week and separate Saturday and Sunday schedules or particular person schedules for every day.
You’ll be able to then add as many time blocks as you need.
In case you press the cog icon, you’ll be able to allow early begin, which tells the TRV to pre-heat the room to the goal temperature to your schedule. Alternatively, it solely prompts initially of the schedule.
Third Social gathering Integration
Including to my frustration with this good TRV, third-party assist is poor. You have got the ever-present Alexa and Google Dwelling assist however nothing else.
On the time of writing, you cannot add the KH100 hub or KE100 valve to Homey, or Samsung SmartThings although all of those companies assist Kasa.
And, as beforehand highlighted, you’ll be able to see the KH100 hub inside the Tapo app, however not the related KE100.
Just lately, some intelligent folks have been in a position to get the Kasa KH100 hub and KE100 to indicate up within the Tapo Home Assistant HACS. Mockingly, the official TP-Hyperlink Kasa integration can’t see the hub or TRV.
I like that there are resourceful folks on the market that develop these integrations, nevertheless it appears rediclous that the fanatic neighborhood is extra competant at improvement than the unique producer.
Efficiency
Because of all the restrictions, there may be not a lot to jot down about the way it has labored since I put in it. It really works as marketed; it comes on primarily based on my schedule, and I haven’t seen it being excessively noisy like some valves.
Throughout the app, there’s a good report web page, which exhibits a graph of the temperature of the room for every day. The graph exhibits some small orange traces which signifies the schedule and goal temperature, which I feel is kind of useful.
In case you simply need primary good management over your radiator, then this can be a completely good possibility.
Worth and Different Choices
The Tapo retailer has the KE100 KIT listed at an RRP of £80, with the person valves being £60.
That makes the Kasa TRV across the identical value as valves from Hive, Tado (the fundamental valve), and Honeywell. The Aqara Sensible Radiator Thermostat E1 has an RRP £50, cheaper at £55.
On the RRP, I’d strongly advise towards investing within the TP-Hyperlink Kasa KE100 TRVs. The one promoting level is that the KE100 KIT works out cheaper than the likes of the Tado Sensible Radiator Thermostat – Starter Package V3+, which has an RRP of £130. Tado could also be costlier upfront, however it’s a vastly superior system, and you’ll improve to full good house heating management with their Wi-fi Sensible Thermostat Starter Package with Sizzling Water Management.
I in all probability want the KE100 to my Aqara Sensible Radiator Thermostat E1 valves. The scheduling and app are higher, however Aqara has significantly better third-party assist, together with Dwelling Assistant.
Nonetheless, the Tapo KE100 / KE100 KIT are hardly ever at full value. On the time of writing, the KE100 KIT, was £30.95 from the 17th to the 28th of November, and the KE100 by itself was £27. The KIT hardly ever goes above £42, and the valve hardly ever goes about £35. That will make the Tapo KE100 / KE100 KIT the most cost effective good radiator valve in the marketplace by a substantial margin, which makes up for all its shortcomings.
On the time of writing, the SONOFF Zigbee Thermostatic Radiator is the one different inexpensive good TRV (from a good model) priced at £35.
Total
I purchased the Tapo KE100, pondering it could be a fast assessment, and I might find yourself strongly recommending it as a result of extremely engaging pricing. I used to be mistaken.
The Tapo KE100 and corresponding Package, clearly have a big variety of issues. It looks like a half-baked product that wants some vital firmware enhancements.
However, you’ll be able to’t ignore the truth that it persistently undercuts each different possibility in the marketplace from recognized manufacturers. Not everybody needs a posh good house the place the whole lot integrates properly. For those who simply need an inexpensive method to arrange schedules for his or her radiators.
A dumb thermostatic radiator valve will usually value between £10 and £20, so it appears effectively value it to spend a bit additional on the Tapo KE100, you’d doubtless recoup the fee in diminished heating payments inside a couple of months.
In conclusion, the Tapo KE100 fails to compete with the competitors, however I nonetheless suppose it’s a good product attributable to the truth that it’s so low cost. I’ve ten radiators in my home and if I used to be upgrading all of them from dumb TRVs, I’m not positive I might justify the expense of the competing choices. For folks in an identical scenario, then the Tapo KE100 is effectively value contemplating.
Initially revealed on Mighty Gadget
TP-Hyperlink Kasa Sensible Thermostatic Radiator Valve KE100 KIT Evaluation
Abstract
In comparison with different good TRVs, the TP-Hyperlink Kasa KE100 good thermostatic radiator valve is poor. The Tapo and Kasa integration is a little bit of a multitude, and the general performance of this KE100 is effectively beneath common. Nonetheless, the fundamental performance works completely effectively, and this can doubtless be adequate for most conventional consumers. Based mostly on the traditional discounted costs, it’s vastly cheaper than the competitors, which buys it loads of leeway. For anybody seeking to substitute previous dumb TRVs and needs inexpensive zoned heating, then the TP-Hyperlink Kasa KE100 and hub are effectively value contemplating.
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Options – 45%
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Worth – 90%
Professionals
- Least expensive good radiator valves in the marketplace (when discounted)
- Straightforward to put in
- Principally performance works effectively sufficient
- Works with Dwelling Assistant by way of HAC Tapo app
Cons
- Doesn’t work with Tapo (not like all the opposite Kasa gadgets)
- Poor third-party assist & regardless of
- No choices for direct boiler management not like Tado/Hive
I’m James, a UK-based tech fanatic and the artistic thoughts behind Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Obsessed with all issues expertise, my experience spans from computer systems and networking, to cellular, wearables, and good house gadgets.
As a health fanatic who loves operating and biking, I even have a eager curiosity in fitness-related expertise, and I take each alternative to cowl this area of interest on my weblog. My numerous pursuits permit me to carry a singular perspective to tech running a blog, merging way of life, health, and the most recent tech traits.
In my tutorial pursuits, I earned a BSc in Data Methods Design from UCLAN, earlier than advancing my studying with a Grasp’s Diploma in Computing. This superior research additionally included Cisco CCNA accreditation, additional demonstrating my dedication to understanding and staying forward of the expertise curve.
I’m proud to share that Vuelio has persistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of many high expertise blogs within the UK. With my dedication to expertise and drive to share my insights, I goal to proceed offering my readers with partaking and informative content material.
Final replace on 2023-12-08 / Affiliate hyperlinks / Photographs from Amazon Product Promoting API
