Smart Plug Comparison TP-Link vs SONOFF

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Smart Plugs: The Foundation of Home Automation

Smart plugs are the easiest entry point into home automation. They turn any device into a smart device—coffee makers, lamps, fans, holiday lights, and more. But with so many options, which brand should you choose for Home Assistant?

In this comparison, we pit two popular brands against each other: TP-Link Kasa (WiFi) vs SONOFF (Zigbee). Both work great with Home Assistant, but they serve different use cases.

TP-Link Kasa Smart Plugs – WiFi Champion

TP-Link Kasa Smart Plug Mini (4-Pack)

TP-Link Kasa Smart Plug Mini KP125M (4-Pack)

Price: ~$40 (4-pack), ~$10 each

Pros

• No hub required: Connects directly to WiFi
• Energy monitoring: Track power consumption in real-time
• Compact design: Does not block adjacent outlets
• Official Home Assistant integration (local control, no cloud required)
• Kasa app: Easy setup with smartphone app
• 15A rating: Supports high-power devices like space heaters
• Schedule and timer support built-in
• Alexa and Google Assistant compatible

Cons

• WiFi congestion: Each plug needs its own WiFi connection
• 2.4 GHz only: No 5 GHz support
• Cloud dependency for initial setup (but works locally after)
• Larger footprint than Zigbee options

Best For

• Users who want plug-and-play setup without coordinators
• Energy monitoring enthusiasts
• Renters who cannot install Zigbee infrastructure
• Small smart home setups (5-10 plugs)

SONOFF Zigbee Smart Plugs – Mesh Network Powerhouse

SONOFF Zigbee Smart Plug (S26R2ZB)

SONOFF Zigbee Smart Plug S26R2ZB

Price: ~$12 each

Pros

• Zigbee mesh networking: Acts as router to extend range
• No WiFi congestion: Operates on 2.4 GHz Zigbee, not WiFi
• Low latency: Faster response than WiFi plugs
• Works offline: No cloud dependency whatsoever
• Compact design: Smaller than Kasa plugs
• 10A rating: Sufficient for most household devices
• Battery backup memory: Remembers state during power outages

Cons

• Requires Zigbee coordinator ($20-40 additional investment)
• No energy monitoring on this model
• Manual pairing process (press button for 5 seconds)
• Lower amperage rating (10A vs 15A)

Best For

• Users with existing Zigbee infrastructure
• Large smart home setups (20+ devices)
• Users who want local-only control
• Building a mesh network to extend range

Head-to-Head Comparison

Home Assistant Integration

TP-Link Kasa Integration

1. Set up plugs using the Kasa app first
2. In Home Assistant: Settings → Devices & Services → Add Integration
3. Search for TP-Link Kasa Smart
4. Plugs are auto-discovered on your network
5. Energy monitoring data appears automatically

SONOFF Zigbee Integration

1. Ensure you have a Zigbee coordinator set up (see our Zigbee coordinator guide)
2. Go to Settings → Devices & Services → Zigbee Home Automation
3. Click Add Device
4. Hold button on plug for 5 seconds until LED blinks
5. Plug appears in Home Assistant within 30 seconds

Real-World Performance

WiFi (Kasa) Performance

• Reliability: 98% uptime in my testing (occasional WiFi hiccups)
• Response time: ~500ms from command to execution
• Range: Limited by WiFi coverage (60-100 feet from router)
• Network impact: Each plug uses ~50-100 KB/day bandwidth

Zigbee (SONOFF) Performance

• Reliability: 99.9% uptime (rock-solid mesh network)
• Response time: ~100ms from command to execution
• Range: Unlimited with mesh (each plug extends range)
• Network impact: Zero WiFi bandwidth usage

Use Case Recommendations

Choose TP-Link Kasa If:

• You want plug-and-play setup without hubs
• Energy monitoring is important to you
• You have fewer than 10 smart plugs
• Your WiFi network is reliable and not congested
• You want the Kasa app as a backup control method

Choose SONOFF Zigbee If:

• You already have a Zigbee coordinator
• You plan to build a large smart home (20+ devices)
• You want the fastest response times
• You need devices to extend Zigbee mesh range
• You want 100% local control with no cloud dependency

Alternative Options Worth Considering

Budget WiFi: Gosund Smart Plugs

Gosund Mini WiFi Smart Plugs (4-Pack)

Price: ~$25 (4-pack)

• Can be flashed with Tasmota firmware for local control
• Great budget option
• No energy monitoring

Premium Zigbee: Aqara Smart Plug

Aqara Smart Plug (Zigbee 3.0)

Price: ~$20

• Energy monitoring included
• Extremely compact design
• Premium build quality

Outdoor-Rated: TP-Link Kasa Outdoor Plug

TP-Link Kasa Outdoor Smart Plug KP400

Price: ~$35

• Weatherproof (IP64 rating)
• 2 independently controlled outlets
• WiFi connectivity
• Perfect for holiday lights, fountains, outdoor speakers

My Personal Recommendation

If you are just starting with Home Assistant and have fewer than 10 devices, go with TP-Link Kasa Smart Plug 4-Pack. The energy monitoring alone is worth it, and setup is dead simple.

If you already have a Zigbee coordinator or plan to build a large smart home, invest in SONOFF Zigbee Smart Plugs. They are faster, more reliable, and scale better as your smart home grows.

You can also mix and match! Use Kasa plugs for devices where energy monitoring matters (space heaters, dehumidifiers), and SONOFF plugs for everything else.

Automation Ideas

• Coffee maker: Turn on at 6 AM on weekdays
• Christmas lights: Automatic sunset-to-midnight timer
• Dehumidifier: Turn off when humidity drops below 50%
• Fan: Auto-on when temperature exceeds 75°F
• Space heater: Energy monitoring alerts when usage is high
• Phone charger: Turn off at 100% battery (with smart plug + automation)
• Aquarium light: Sunrise/sunset simulation for fish tank

Related Tutorials

• Best Zigbee Coordinators for 2025
• Creating the Perfect Morning Routine
• Motion-Activated Lighting Setup Guide

Conclusion

Both TP-Link Kasa and SONOFF make excellent smart plugs for Home Assistant. Kasa wins for ease of use and energy monitoring, while SONOFF wins for performance and scalability.

Whichever you choose, smart plugs are the easiest way to add intelligence to “dumb” devices and create powerful automations without rewiring your home.

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