The TP-Link Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Wall Outlet Extender offers a compelling blend of smart home functionality and power distribution, but a critical flaw in its surge protection capabilities holds it back from being a must-have gadget.
This review dives deep into the Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Wall Outlet Extender’s features, performance, and that significant shortcoming, to help you decide if it’s the right fit for your smart home.
Smart Home Integration and Power Distribution
The Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Wall Outlet Extender excels in its smart home integration and power distribution capabilities. It seamlessly connects to your 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network (supporting up to WPA3 security) and boasts compatibility with major smart home ecosystems, including Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple Home. It also works with Samsung SmartThings, Siri Shortcuts, and IFTTT, offering extensive automation possibilities.
The device provides three individually controlled smart outlets and three always-on “dumb” outlets, effectively expanding a single duplex outlet into six. Additionally, it features three fast-charging USB ports (one USB-C and two USB-A) capable of delivering up to 18 watts of power, perfect for quickly charging your mobile devices.
Tapo Smart Wi Fi Wall Outlet Extender front
The Surge Protection Problem
While the Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Wall Outlet Extender touts surge protection, it lacks a crucial feature: a warning mechanism to indicate when the protection is no longer active. Surge protectors typically use MOVs (metal oxide varistors) that degrade over time and eventually lose their effectiveness. The Tapo extender offers no indication of this degradation, leaving users unaware of when their connected devices are vulnerable to power surges.
This absence of a warning indicator is a significant oversight. TP-Link acknowledges this as a potential area for improvement in future iterations, but for this current model, it represents a serious concern. With a limited surge protection capacity of only 205 joules and no warning system, its surge protection is practically negligible.
Tapo Smart Wi Fi Wall Outlet Extender back
App Control and Features
The Tapo smart home app offers comprehensive control over the device. You can individually toggle the smart outlets, schedule on/off times, set away modes to simulate occupancy, and use countdown timers. While the smart plugs don’t track energy consumption, they do log usage hours. The app also allows for the creation of routines and integration with other Tapo and TP-Link smart home devices, enabling complex automations.
Tapo Smart Wi Fi Wall Outlet Extender screenshots 1
The Verdict
The Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Wall Outlet Extender excels as a smart power strip, offering convenient control, scheduling, and integration with popular smart home platforms. Its well-spaced outlets and fast-charging USB ports further enhance its practicality. However, the flawed surge protection, lacking any warning mechanism, significantly undermines its value.
Tapo Smart Wi Fi Wall Outlet Extender buttons
While the smart features and power distribution capabilities are impressive, the unreliable surge protection makes it difficult to recommend wholeheartedly. If surge protection is a critical requirement, consider alternative options with robust protection and clear indicators. If, however, you prioritize smart control and expanded power outlets, and surge protection is a secondary concern, the Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Wall Outlet Extender might be a suitable choice.
Tapo Smart Wi Fi Wall Outlet Extender screenshots 2
