We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.
If you’re part of the Apple ecosystem and have an Apple TV or HomePod smart speaker that works as a Home Hub, having HomeKit support in a smart home gadget can be very convenient. It not only allows you to control compatible devices directly from your Apple device without having to fiddle with apps from multiple manufacturers, but also set up automations, share devices with your family, and even potentially record security camera feeds to iCloud. TP-Link, primarily known for its Wi-Fi networking products, makes several popular devices that aren’t routers, including various smart home products under its sub-brands like Tapo and Kasa that are compatible with Apple HomeKit.
If you’re setting up your smart home or looking to add affordable gadgets to your existing HomeKit-powered smart home, TP-Link’s offerings are definitely worth considering. You can find everything from smart switches to smart LED bulbs in the company’s portfolio, and we’ve picked out some of the most useful HomeKit-compatible options to get you started.
Tapo Mini P125 Smart Plug
Looking to convert your existing wall outlet to a smart outlet? The Tapo Smart Plug Mini P125 can help you. It is capable of handling up to 15A of current and 1800W of total load, making it compatible with a wide variety of household electronics. It also has a compact design, which allows it to avoid protruding too much from the wall. If you have two outlets below each other, you should be able to use the smart plug in both without issue. You also benefit from fire-resistant construction.
Apple HomeKit support lets you control the outlet from your Apple devices, including via Siri. If you want remote control, you’ll need a Home Hub, such as a HomePod speaker or an Apple TV device. Automation and scheduling are also possible. It costs $24 for a two-pack or $44 for a four-pack; however, it is often reduced. The Tapo Smart Plug is also highly rated by Amazon shoppers, who gave it a 4.6 rating. Buyers appreciate its ease of installation and reliability; However, some people say they had to try more than once to pair it with HomeKit or experienced disconnection issues.
Tapo L535E smart bulb
Another smart home gadget you can consider is Tapo’s L535E, which is one of our top smart bulb recommendations. As it supports the Matter Smart Home standard, it is compatible with a wide range of smart home ecosystems, including Apple HomeKit. However, you will need an Apple Home Hub to take advantage of HomeKit connectivity. Like the smart plug, HomeKit will enable features like Siri support, remote control, automations, scheduling, and more.
The L535E can provide 1,100 lumens of brightness, which is equivalent to the brightness offered by a 75W incandescent bulb. The company also claims that its CRI of 90+ indicates excellent color fidelity. Like most smart bulbs, dimming from zero to 100% is supported and you can choose from three color temperatures: warm, daylight and cool, to suit your needs. Additionally, Tapo claims that the bulb has a lifespan of 25,000 hours, which is more than six years even if you use it daily for 10 hours.
You’ll have to pay $15 for a single unit, $24 for a two-pack, and $45 for a four-pack. The LED bulb also earned a decent average rating of 4.3 from Amazon buyers, who appreciate the simplicity of the installation process and the reliability. However, some buyers note difficulty setting it up with HomeKit, experience disconnection issues, note the absence of HomeKit’s adaptive lighting feature, and claim that colors are different in Apple Home and the Tapo app.
Kasa KS225 smart dimmer
Kasa’s KS225 smart dimmer switch is a good option if you want to replace the non-smart light switches in your home with something smarter. The KS225 is a single-pole option that supports brightness control and dimming from 1% to 100% to avoid sudden changes in light intensity. Since it’s also Matter certified, it can work seamlessly with HomeKit, giving you access to hands-free control, Siri access, scenes, automation and much more. However, like any other Matter device, you’ll need an Apple Home Hub to use it with HomeKit. The switch also needs a neutral in your wiring and is limited to the 2.4GHz Wi-Fi band and up to 600W lights.
Among other highlights, the company has included physical brightness controls. It also has a standard wall plate size and has a relatively simple installation process with simple instructions. Its single pack costs $25, while you can buy a three-pack for $56. Amazon buyers are generally happy with it, giving it a good average rating of 4.6. Buyers confirm that setting up HomeKit is seamless and installation is simple. They point out that these dimmers rely on TRIAC LED dimming and you’ll need compatible lighting to avoid any complications or buzzing. However, some customers report stopping IFTTT support and receiving defective products that stopped working after weeks or months.
Tapo P210M Smart Wall Socket
The Tapo P210M Smart Wall Socket is quite versatile and allows you to better control the power supplied to your household electronic devices. It’s essentially a duplex outlet that you install in your home, either by replacing an existing non-smart unit or installing it as a new wall outlet. While it includes physical controls for both wall outlets, its Matter compatibility allows you to integrate it into your favorite smart home ecosystem, including Apple HomeKit, and control it using voice, your phone, or any other compatible device.
It can track power consumption at outlets, automatically cut off power when a connected mobile device is fully charged, and even set thresholds for the exact amount of power each outlet provides to connected devices. However, you’ll need the Tapo app for many of these features, as Apple Home will only offer tap controls, scenes, automations, and remote access. The Tapo offering also requires neutral wiring and only supports the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi band.
It is priced at $25 and has accumulated a good average rating of 4.5 on Amazon. Buyers like the easy HomeKit support and build quality. However, they do mention the lack of Thread network support and the need to use the Tapo app for some of its features.
Tapo C225 security camera
If you want a TP-Link security camera with HomeKit support, you might want to consider the Tapo C225. It’s an indoor camera with 2K video resolution, two-way audio, and flexible storage options, including microSD card support. You also get a built-in motion-activated light and sound alarm, virtual fence for surveillance, people and pet detection, and movement tracking. Additionally, the company has included a physical button that lowers the camera lens for complete privacy.
Speaking of HomeKit, there’s support for Secure Video for storing recordings in iCloud and streaming them through Apple Home, as well as smart notifications, recording modes, and activity zones. As it is a relatively old model, it is not as easy to find on marketplaces outside of the Tapo site. Amazon buyers gave the camera an average rating of 4.5, highlighting its video quality, HDR support, and privacy-focused features. However, there are complaints about faulty units and people having issues with the company’s after-sales service.
Did you find this useful? Join our free weekly newsletter for smart tech purchases and products to avoid.
