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LIFX vs TP-Link Kasa

LIFX logo

LIFX

Software

WiFi-enabled smart lights with no hub required

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
TP-Link Kasa logo

TP-Link Kasa

Software

Affordable smart home devices with easy setup

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: LIFX the Internet Archive's capture of LIFX's products page on 19 July 2016 priced the White 800 bulb at $39.99 USD (890 lumens) and the Color 1000 bulb at $59.99 USD (1,055 lumens); this is a 2016 capture and current prices likely differ.; TP-Link Kasa devices are sold individually rather than as a subscription, for example the Smart Video Doorbell Camera costs 49.99 USD and the 4-pack Smart Light Bulb costs 39.99 USD
  • They diverge on capability: LIFX covers 16 Million Colors, TP-Link Kasa covers Affordable.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which LIFX and TP-Link Kasa actually diverge.

Attributes where LIFX and TP-Link Kasa differ
AttributeLIFXTP-Link Kasa
PlatformsIOS, Android, Windows, MacOSIOS, Android, Web
Founded20121996

Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (one-time), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in LIFX

  • 16 Million Colors
  • WiFi Direct
  • High Brightness
  • HomeKit
  • Windows support
  • MacOS support

Only in TP-Link Kasa

  • Affordable
  • Energy Monitoring
  • Scheduling
  • IFTTT
  • Web support

Both cover

  • No Hub Required
  • Alexa
  • Google Home
  • SmartThings
  • IOS support
  • Android support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

LIFX

  • Ambient lightingnot TP-Link Kasa
  • Gaming setupnot TP-Link Kasa
  • Photography lightingnot TP-Link Kasa
  • Smart homenot TP-Link Kasa

TP-Link Kasa

  • Energy monitoringnot LIFX
  • Automationnot LIFX
  • Voice controlnot LIFX
  • Budget smart homenot LIFX

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

LIFX

  • The Internet Archive's capture of LIFX's products page on 19 July 2016 priced the White 800 bulb at $39.99 USD (890 lumens) and the Color 1000 bulb at $59.99 USD (1,055 lumens); this is a 2016 capture and current prices likely differ.

TP-Link Kasa

  • Devices are sold individually rather than as a subscription, for example the Smart Video Doorbell Camera costs 49.99 USD and the 4-pack Smart Light Bulb costs 39.99 USD

Pricing, plan by plan

LIFX

On request
  • LIFX Bulb$40/month
    • 16M colors
    • WiFi direct
    • No hub required

TP-Link Kasa

On request
  • Smart Plug$10/month
    • WiFi
    • Voice control
    • Scheduling
  • Smart Switch$20/month
    • In-wall installation
    • Dimming
    • 3-way support

Which should you pick?

Choose LIFX if

  • You need 16 million colors.
  • You work on IOS, Android, Windows, MacOS.
  • You also want wifi direct.
LIFX review

Choose TP-Link Kasa if

  • You need affordable.
  • You work on IOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want energy monitoring.
TP-Link Kasa review

Questions people ask

Is LIFX or TP-Link Kasa better?
Neither clearly leads. LIFX starts at On request and TP-Link Kasa at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, LIFX or TP-Link Kasa?
LIFX starts at On request and TP-Link Kasa at On request.
Does LIFX or TP-Link Kasa run on more platforms?
LIFX runs on IOS, Android, Windows, MacOS. TP-Link Kasa runs on IOS, Android, Web.
What is LIFX best used for?
LIFX is most often used for ambient lighting, gaming setup, photography lighting, smart home. Of those, ambient lighting and gaming setup are not what TP-Link Kasa is typically brought in for.
What can LIFX do that TP-Link Kasa cannot?
LIFX covers 16 Million Colors, WiFi Direct, High Brightness, HomeKit. TP-Link Kasa covers Affordable, Energy Monitoring, Scheduling, IFTTT. Both handle No Hub Required, Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings.
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Related pages

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