[Update – 12th February 2024] I initially wrote this evaluation again in December 2023 and criticised this TRV as a result of mess that was the Tapo and Kasa interoperability.
I expressed annoyance that the Kasa sensible hub had the identical {hardware} because the Tapo sensible hub, however you couldn’t add the KE100 to the Tapo hub, but if you wish to use the KE100 with sensors, you’d must pair up Tapo sensors with the Kasa hub.
Since then, TP-Hyperlink has fastened this downside. Within the Tapo app, when you choose add system, now you can toggle to Kasa and add the KE100 to the Tapo hub.
Moreover, Tapo has up to date the Tapo H100 Hub to help Matter, whereas Tapo had beforehand prompt the Tapo H100M was a unique piece of {hardware}.
This, subsequently, modifications my general choice of the KE100 considerably. I assumed it was a very good sensible TRV within the first place as a result of low worth it was accessible for, however now it really works with Tapo correctly and has Matter help, it is likely to be top-of-the-line choices in the marketplace for those who don’t want the boiler management options that manufacturers like Tado and Genius Hub present.
I’ve at all times been a fan of TP-Hyperlink for each their networking {hardware} and the sensible dwelling units.
No doubt, the TP-Hyperlink Tapo and Kasa sensible plugs are my favorite sensible 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 the best smart plugs in the marketplace as they’re extraordinarily reasonably priced and have vitality monitoring, which is an effective way to observe what electronics use essentially the most electrical energy.
I’m additionally an enormous fan of smart thermostatic radiator valves. I make money working from home and dwell in an outdated, inefficient dwelling, so controlling the heating on a room-by-room foundation can save a whole bunch per yr in heating prices.
Subsequently, I used to be fairly excited once I noticed that TP-Hyperlink Kasa had launched their very own KE100 Sensible Radiator Thermostat.
For the January replace, the value of the valve by itself is £35 on Amazon UK, with the bottom worth being £27 again in November. You may then get the Tapo H100 sensible hub for simply £15.
Alternatively, the TP-Hyperlink retailer has the Kasa KE100 KIT for £45.
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Specification / Options
- Exact Temperature Management – Get the appropriate temperature everytime you need it.
- Schedule & Timer – Be sure it’s as scorching as you want with presets and schedules that fit your life.
- Voice Management – Palms-free management that syncs with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri ShortCuts.
- Frost Safety – Preserve your pipes unfrozen and your home protected.
- Extremely-Lengthy Standby – Works with lot hub, promising longer battery life (over one yr).
- As much as 32 Radiators – Every hub can join and handle as much as 32 radiators.
- Versatile Compatibility – Matches on most radiator valve physique thread (M30x1.5) and the six adapters(RA, RAV, RAVL, CAL, M28 and GIA) included enable extra compatibility.
- Hub Included – Merely change your outdated radiator valve with Kasa and get began straight away.
TP-Hyperlink Kasa and Tapo was a multitude of a sensible dwelling ecosystem
TP-Hyperlink began off with Kasa and later launched Tapo. It appeared like an odd factor to do at first, however the concept was that Kasa could be the premium vary and Tapo the reasonably priced 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 grew to become more and more irritating that there have been two separate apps for units that do the identical factor all from the identical essential model.
Again in March 2022, I used to be informed:
TP-Hyperlink is engaged on an integration between Kasa and Tapo into one app to ensure there’s 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 combination in November 2023.
TP-Hyperlink appears to have modified its thoughts about Kasa because it has continued to launch units beneath this model, together with this KE100 sensible TRV.
No downside. The 2 ecosystems work collectively now. However it’s not fairly so simple as that.
After I initially reviewed this in December 2023, the Tapo app didn’t but help the administration of the KE100 / KE100 Equipment, and there have been additional integration issues.
This has now modified, and the KE100 is supported inside Kasa and Tapo and can be utilized with the Tapo sensible hub.
The Kasa/Tapo scenario continues to be a little bit of a complicated mess however it’s considerably higher than it was.
Identical hub {hardware}, no cross-compatibility
Initially, I impulsively purchased the KE100 with no hub with out studying the outline that claims it requires a hub. I attempted 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 help.
This has now modified, and the KE100 could be paired with both the Tapo or Kasa hub.
Tapo T110 sensors required for open window detection
Underneath the FAQs for the KE100 KIT, TP-Hyperlink states that the KE100 helps open window detection, however to do this, you want the Tapo T110 contact sensor.
The Kasa app means that you can add Tapo sensors to the hub, however it works with sensors you might have paired in Tapo with the Tapo H100 Hub. You’d must reset the sensor and pair it with the Kasa hub.
With the January replace, the KE100 could be paired with both hub and any sensors you’ve will must be on the identical hub for them to combine correctly.
Matter Now Works
Within the preliminary evaluation, neither the Kasa nor Tapo hub labored with Matter. TP-Hyperlink had additionally indicated that the Tapo H100M hub could be totally different {hardware} to the Tapo H100. Nevertheless, they’ve rolled up an replace to allow Matter on the present hubs.
I’ve struggled to get the hub to work correctly with Residence Assistant however I’ve built-in it wonderful with SmartThings and Google Residence with the Google Nest WiFi Pro.
Set Up & Set up
As soon as I lastly had the proper hub, organising the system was easy. You need to undergo the same old 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 number of the TRVs I’ve used. The highest of the TRV has a grove that means that you can twist the cap off, this then exposes the battery compartment and the small gap for reset.
The KE100 comes with varied 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 all the things 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, however 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’s going to enter frost safety mode and cease any schedules you might have.
The sensible management part is the place you arrange your schedules. It’s primarily the identical as Tado and Genius Hub. You may 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 may then add as many time blocks as you need.
In case you press the cog icon, you may 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-Occasion Integration
With the current replace, third-party integration has been considerably improved. You continue to can’t add it to the Kasa integration on Homey, however because of Matter, it is best to be capable of use it with the Homey Professional or some other Matter-enabled sensible hub/ecosystem.
Just lately, some intelligent individuals have been in a position to get the Kasa KH100 hub and KE100 to indicate up within the Tapo Home Assistant HACS. Satirically, the official TP-Hyperlink Kasa integration can’t see the hub or TRV.
Efficiency
Attributable to all the restrictions, there’s 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.
Inside 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 helpful.
In case you simply need primary sensible management over your radiator, then it is a completely good choice.
Value and Various Choices
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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 worth as valves from Hive, Tado (the fundamental valve), and Honeywell. The Aqara Smart Radiator Thermostat E1 has an RRP £50, cheaper at £55.
On the RRP, I’d strongly advise in opposition to investing within the TP-Hyperlink Kasa KE100 TRVs. The one promoting level is that the KE100 KIT is cheaper than the Tado Smart Radiator Thermostat – Starter Kit V3+, which has an RRP of £130. Tado could also be dearer upfront, however it’s a vastly superior system, and you may improve to full sensible dwelling heating management with their Wi-fi Sensible Thermostat Starter Equipment with Scorching Water Management.
I choose the KE100 to my Aqara Sensible Radiator Thermostat E1 valves. The scheduling and app are higher, however Aqara has significantly better third-party help, together with Residence Assistant.
Nevertheless, the Tapo KE100 / KE100 KIT are not often at full worth. On the time of the unique evaluation, the KE100 KIT, was £30.95 from the 17th to the 28th of November, and the KE100 by itself was £27. That will make the Tapo KE100 / KE100 KIT the most cost effective sensible 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 reasonably priced sensible TRV (from a good model) priced at £35.
Total
I purchased the Tapo KE100, pondering it will be a fast evaluation, and I might find yourself strongly recommending it as a result of extremely enticing pricing. I used to be mistaken.
I had important points with the Tapo KE100 as a result of lack of Kasa/Tapo compatibility, however this has now modified, and also you additionally get Matter help.
A dumb thermostatic radiator valve will sometimes value between £10 and £20, so it appears properly value it to spend a bit additional on the Tapo KE100, you’d possible recoup the price in decreased heating payments inside a couple of months.
In conclusion, I initially thought the Tapo KE100 was a very good choice for anybody eager to improve from conventional TRVs to sensible TRVs. It was a flawed product however nice worth for cash.
With the current updates, that is now considerably higher and doubtless the very best reasonably priced choice in the marketplace.
