Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug-In Dimmer (KP-405)

Of all the outdoor smart plugs we've tested, the Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug-In Dimmer KP-405 ($29.99) is the first we’ve seen that's designed specifically for outdoor lighting. A single-plug device, the KP-405 supports in-app and scheduled dimming, and works with a host of third-party devices via IFTTT. It’s easy to set up and configure, though it doesn't track how much power you use. If that reporting capability is important to you, check out the Wyze Plug Outdoor ($10.99), our more affordable Editors’ Choice pick; that plug doesn't support dimming, but it offers two outlets and just as many integrations. 

A Weatherproof Enclosure, But Only One Outlet

The KP-405's black enclosure carries an IP64 weatherproof rating against dust and water exposure. It measures 3.1 by 2.8 by 1.5 inches (HWD) and has a six-inch power cord that protrudes from its curved top. The bottom of the enclosure houses a single three-prong outlet with a protective rubber cover. The front has a power button with a status indicator that glows green when the plug is on; flashes green and orange during setup; and red when the plug loses its Wi-Fi connection. Inside is a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi radio for connecting the plug to your home network.

If you're planning to use the plug outdoors, you must plug the KP-405 into a GFCI outlet to protect your home’s electrical wiring, as well as use dimmable light bulbs. You can use Alexa or Google voice commands to turn the connected bulb on and off, in addition to cycling through four brightness presets. You can also add the plug to a SmartThings home automation system or use an IFTTT applet to connect it with other smart home devices.

App Features and Controls 

The KP-405 uses the same Kasa Smart app (available for Android and iOS) as other Kasa devices, including the Kasa Spot 24/7 Recording (KC400) camera and the Kasa Smart Lite HS-103 smart plug. Once you link it, the KP-405 appears in a panel in the Smart Plugs section of the Devices screen, along with any other Kasa smart plugs you use. A button next to the plug’s name indicates its status: it's green when the plug is on and gray when it's off. Tap the device in the panel to open a screen with a larger power button and four dimmer preset buttons. By default, Kasa sets the buttons to 25, 50, 75, and 100% brightness levels, but you can edit the settings by tapping any of the buttons and adjusting the brightness dial. 

At the bottom of the screen are Presets, Schedule, Timer, and Away buttons. The Presets button takes you back to the aforementioned screen. In the Schedule section, you can create schedules for your connected lights; for example, you can configure them to turn on or off at a specific time and at a particular brightness preset. You can also choose to turn the lights on and off instantly or have them fade in and out at a specific rate (between 5 seconds and 60 minutes). With the Timer button, you can set the dimmer turn on or off after a specific amount of time. Use the Away button to create a schedule in which the lights turn on and off at random times when you're not at home. To configure the dimmer to work with other Kasa devices, use the Scenes or Smart Actions buttons at the bottom of the Device screen.

To access the plug’s settings, tap the gear button in the upper right corner. Here, you can change fade speeds (Instant, Fast, Medium, Slow), turn the LED indicator on or off, calibrate the dimming range, and view a short How-To tutorial. Missing are the power usage reports that you get with the Wyze Plug Outdoor's app.  

Easy Setup, Seamless to Use

Installing the KP-405 plug is easy. Simply download the mobile app, create an account, and tap the plus icon in the upper right corner of the Devices screen. Select the KP-405 from the Add A Smart Plug menu, power up the plug, and tap Next when the Wi-Fi LED begins blinking. Use your phone’s Wi-Fi settings to connect to the plug, return to the app, and then select your home Wi-Fi SSID when prompted. Once you enter your Wi-Fi password, the app automatically shows up on your account and on your Alexa device list. Give the plug a name to complete the installation. 

The KP-405 worked flawlessly in testing. I used the smart plug to connect to a patio light and it responded instantly to Alexa voice commands (as well as commands via the app) to turn the light on and off and to set brightness levels. The Away feature worked as intended, and the plug followed my schedules without issue. With an Alexa routine, I configured the plug to turn on at 50% brightness whenever my Ring Floodlight Cam detected motion; this routine worked perfectly every time.

A Smart Choice for Outdoor Lighting

Kasa's single-outlet, weatherproof KP-405 smart plug lets you turn your traditional outdoor lights into smart lights for not a lot of money. The plug enables you to control outdoor lighting with your phone or voice, and offers brightness-dimming capabilities with four customizable presets. It also works with many other smart devices, including those from Kasa and other third-party manufacturers. Our biggest complaints are that it can't track how much power you’re using and that it costs more than our Editors’ Choice winner for outdoor plugs, the $10.99 Wyze Plug Outdoor. But if you're looking for a lighting-focused solution, the KP-405 is definitely worth considering.