One of the biggest challenges of using smart home tech is keeping up with what’s going on at your favorite smart tech companies. This gets even harder when a company fumbles a product launch. TP-Link has left some big questions on the table, and we’re going to answer them.
The biggest differences between Kasa and Tapo is that Tapo is the newest brand from TP-Link, and it can operate on a 922MHz network, instead addition to just over Wi-Fi. Tapo and Kasa devices will likely not be able to connect with each other without using a workaround. TP-Link has stated that neither brand name is discontinued (in America), and new products are coming out for each of them.
If you’re a fan of Kasa devices, or you’re looking to see what’s on the smart home horizon, this article has exactly what you’re looking for.
Who Are TP-Link?
TP-Link is a familiar brand name for people all over the tech world. After being founded in 1996, TP-Link built up their name as a leader producer of modems, routers, and adapters. TP-Link is most known for their routers and modems, but their smart brands are only getting more widely recognized.
TP-Link has been in the smart home tech market for a while now, and it looks like they are shaking things up. TP-Link has been behind the Kasa smart home brand, and they have just launched their Tapo brand. TP-Link has issued statements signaling more smart products on the horizon.
What Is TP-Link Tapo?
Tapo is the new smart product line from TP-Link. Tapo is in fact so new that there are currently few products on the market for this smart brand. However, we do know plenty of information about what makes the Tapo brand unique and how that will impact owners of Kasa devices.
These Tapo devices make one major departure from TP-Link’s Kasa devices. Rather than solely connecting over Wi-Fi, they have the option of connecting over a different frequency that allows you to free up Wi-Fi space. This means that all systems are able to operate with a central smart hub, such as the Tapo H100 hub:
This is going to have some important benefits as more Tapo products start to roll out. You’ll be able to get all of your smart devices connected without putting that additional burden on your home’s Wi-Fi network. This could be especially appealing for individuals who have high internet demands like gaming or uploading large files like videos.
Note: however whilst some of Tapo’s initial products seemed to require this hub, some of Tapo’s newer products can connect over Wi-Fi instead. So this is another area where TP-Link aren’t really consistent. Hopefully going forward, all of Tapo’s products can use the hub or Wi-Fi – but we’ll see.
There’s also some evidence that suggests that TP-Link is going to favor the Tapo app going forward. Some of these statements imply that TP-Link plans to combine the Kasa app and the Tapo app under the Tapo brand name.
Ultimately, we’re going to have to wait awhile for the Tapo brand to start to solidify and more products are being released. As it stands, the biggest difference is the change in how these devices communicate with the rest of your smart home ecosystem.
What Is TP-Link Kasa?
Kasa is the first smart brand to come from the TP-Link company. There are people that have literally hundreds of different Kasa devices in their smart home ecosystem. You can even use Kasa devices to put together an entire smart home ecosystem from the ground up.
Kasa covers everything from smart switches to smart light strips. You’ll be able to find your standard smart light bulbs as well as the gear you need to put together more complicated smart home setups. It’s the wide range of products that have made the cost of line stand out in a crowded Arena of smart home devices.
Kasa is now one of two brands being operated by TP-Link. This has given people some reason to worry about the future of the Kasa product line. Generally speaking, TP-Link has stated that they have no intention to leave Kasa behind and are actively creating new Kasa products… but this varies depending on where in the world you live.
Is Kasa Being Replaced By Tapo? Is Kasa Discontinued?
Answering whether TP-Link is replacing Kasa with Tapo is a little complicated. TP-Link might be replacing some of the Kasa functionality with the Tapo brand. The company has made statements suggesting that they will be rolling in the Kasa app functionality into the new Tapo app.
This means that you’re going to be able to find your Kasa controls and functionality inside of the Tapo app. Outside of using the new branding, this app is going to be able to fully control your Kasa devices.
There was a lot of talk in the online rumor mill about TP-Link for placing their Kasa products for Tapo products. A good amount of this miscommunication draws from the truth about Kasa and Tapo.
TP-Link has decided to not make the Kasa and Tapo products able to communicate with each other. There are workarounds, so you can get these devices functioning in tandem, but TP-Link hasn’t announced any potential support for having Kasa and Tapo devices work together.
Indeed, TP-Link’s statement in 2022 mentions that they have continued plans for Kasa – but it doesn’t mention Tapo directly. So it does look like TP-Link are firmly standing behind the Kasa brand for now.
This position is certainly true in America and some other countries. However some British sales people have told UK customers that the “Kasa” line-up is being discontinued. So the situation might vary depending on where in the world you live.
Is Tapo Being Discontinued?
Another common misconception is that TP-Link is going to be discontinuing their Tapo products. After all: if TP-Link are firmly backing Kasa, what will happen to Tapo?
Thankfully a lot of this information is simply just speculation in online forums that are responding to a company that hasn’t been very forthcoming about their big changes.
TP-Link has released the Tapo product line in the United States, and elsewhere in the world. These smart devices are going to operate differently than the Kasa system, and each product range will have some different and unique products.
There is a grain of truth to the rumor though. TP-Link has also stated that they’re going to be slowly rolling in the Kasa app functionality into the new Tapo app. This means that individuals are going to eventually need to switch over to the Tapo app to control their Kasa devices. TP-Link haven’t said when this switch will happen, though.
In Short: It’s confusing! TP-Link have given slightly unclear and sometimes contradictory information to different customers in different parts of the world. Right now, it is clear that both Kasa and Tapo products will continue to work – although you might have to switch from the Kasa app to the Tapo app at some point.
Will Tapo Work With Kasa?
One of the most important things to know about the new product line from TP-Link is that Tapo and Kasa devices are currently not compatible with each other. These devices are currently not able to communicate with each other, but they can still be organized using a third-party app like Alexa. TP-Link has also stated that they’re rolling the Kasa app functionality into the new Tapo app in the near future.
Having both apps in one is going to help you be able to control these devices together. However, this does not necessarily mean that Tapo and Kasa devices are going to be able to work together very seamlessly. The big difference comes down to how these two types of devices connect.
Kasa devices came first in this means that they have a more old-school approach to smart Home conductivity. Instead of using a different radio communication frequency, they’re using standard Wi-Fi. This means that there is a risk of Kasa devices adding undue burden to your home’s Wi-Fi network.
Tapo devices use a completely different approach to conductivity. Many of Tapo’s initial products required a 922MHz connection to a Wi-Fi- enabled Tapo Hub, which will then control all the other devices. This means that Tapo devices should not be interfering with your home’s Wi-Fi. However some of Tapo’s newer products now allow for “hub free” connections over Wi-Fi.
Nonetheless, right now Tapo and Kasa devices are designed differently and cannot directly work toegher.
Here’s one quick tip for getting your Tapo and your Kasa devices to start working together even though they do not have the ability to directly connect with each other. You can use a central, third-party app such as Alexa to get both of these brands working in tandem. This will get these devices acting like they work together even though they can’t on a technical level.
This is possible using things like Alexa routines, allowing you to turn on a Kasa light bulb when a Tapo smart camera detects motion. For more information on this, check out our flashing light doorbell article.
