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LIFX vs TP-Link Kasa

LIFX logo

LIFX

Smart Home

WiFi-enabled smart lights with no hub required

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

TP-Link Kasa

Smart Home

Affordable smart home devices with easy setup

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only TP-Link Kasa has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • 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 plus plan only covers one camera per subscription
  • They diverge on capability: LIFX covers 16 Million Colors, TP-Link Kasa covers Affordable.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

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
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelone-timefreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsIOS, Android, Windows, MacOSIOS, Android, Web
Founded20121996

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Smart Home).

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

  • Home security camera recording and playbacknot LIFX
  • Smart home automation monitoringnot LIFX
  • Pet and baby monitoringnot LIFX
  • Outdoor property surveillancenot 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

  • Plus plan only covers one camera per subscription
  • No free trial mentioned for paid tiers
  • Premium plan requires annual commitment discount to reach $100/year pricing
  • Video retention limited to 30 days even on paid plans

Pricing, plan by plan

LIFX

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

TP-Link Kasa

Free
  • Free TierFree
    • Live streaming
    • Push-to-talk
    • Activity zones
  • Plus$3/month
    • 30 days of video history
    • Manual clip recording
    • Video sharing
  • Premium$10/month
    • Covers up to 10 cameras
    • All Plus features
    • Snapshots with alerts

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 want to start without paying.
  • 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 Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, LIFX or TP-Link Kasa?
TP-Link Kasa has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for LIFX and Free for TP-Link Kasa.
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.
Can I use TP-Link Kasa for free?
Yes. TP-Link Kasa has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. LIFX starts at On request.
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.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

LIFX: Does LIFX require a subscription to use its smart lighting products?

No, LIFX products do not require a subscription. Bulbs and fixtures connect directly via Wi-Fi with no hub, wiring, or recurring fees.

Source
TP-Link Kasa: Does Kasa Care offer a free plan?

Yes, Kasa's free tier includes live streaming, push-to-talk, activity zones, and activity notifications at no cost.

Source
LIFX: What is LIFX's return policy?

LIFX offers a 30-day return window for customers who are unsatisfied with their purchase.

Source
TP-Link Kasa: What's the difference between Kasa Plus and Premium?

Plus costs $3/month and provides 30 days of video history per camera. Premium costs $10/month and covers up to 10 cameras with all Plus features. Premium is billed at $100/year vs Plus at $30/year per camera.

Source
LIFX: Do LIFX light bulbs have a trial or money-back guarantee?

Yes, LIFX provides a 30-day return period. Additionally, first-time customers can apply coupon code Welcome20 to save 20% off their first order.

Source
TP-Link Kasa: Can Premium cover all my cameras?

Yes, Kasa Premium covers up to 10 cameras under one $10/month subscription, making it more economical than Plus for multiple devices.

Source
LIFX: What shipping costs apply to LIFX orders?

LIFX offers free shipping on orders over $79. Individual product prices range from $17.50 to $199.99 depending on the type of light.

Source
LIFX: Does LIFX offer commercial or bulk pricing for businesses?

Yes, LIFX references 'Lighting at scale' and provides a Bulk Order Enquiry contact page for commercial customers, though specific enterprise pricing details are not disclosed on their homepage.

Source
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