Verdict
Neat , round-eyed to fit and easy to use , TP - Link ’s Tapo S220 Smart Light Switch add overbold control to a lighting circuit . It ’s a keen mode to integrate non - smart and specialist bulbs into lighting and other automation scenario , but it does have some restriction - chiefly that it ’s no use for two - way wiring such as on the stairs . Still , at this cost it ’s a bully addition to an be smart setup .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
Smart lightbulb are getting more varied , but you ca n’t yet find one for every meet or lotion . Step forth TP - Link ’s S220 , a two - gang saucy light replacement to replace a single formal one .
The S220 ’s two switch can toggle the major power to two freestanding lighting circuits , or you’re able to control them manually or automatically via the Tapo app .
The S220 should gibe the existing backbox behind most stock modern Inner Light switches . There ’s also a single switch version , the S210 . Each circuit can deal up to 600 watts of lighting , or a cap lover of up to 50W.
While most Tapo devices plug in flat to your existing Wi - Fi web , the S220 and S210 require either the H100 or H200 hub . you’re able to bribe the former for around £ 15 .
Design and features
The TP - Link Tapo S220 Smart Light Switch has a modern , fuss - detached design . Rather than two small shift on a large backplate , it ’s all switches – you simply press either side gently to toggle the business leader on and off .
Unlock the front plate , pull it off and you could fit out and change the batteries without going near any unrecorded wiring .
In many cases , the S220 is a square switch for a formal light switching , but there are some requirements and limitations . First , it uses low - energy 868MHz wireless communications , so you ’ll involve either the Tapo H100 or H200 hub to plug into it to your web and get smart control of it .
secondly , this and the undivided - gang S210 are both one - way switches , intend their power is either on or off , rather than switch over between two possible outputs . This means you ca n’t use them where you presently have two switches control a individual light lap , such as on the stairs .
Provided you ’ve bring forth a suitable switch to upgrade , it should n’t be too severe to outfit the S220 . Because it ’s bombardment powered you could supply it via the Tapo app and get it configure before physically connecting it . After twist off the relevant lighting circuit ( or the whole house if you want to be more cautious ) from your fuse boxwood , you’re able to unscrew the existing try-on , take Federal Reserve note of its wiring shape and remove it .
The Tapo app shows you how to telegraph the S220 up , and I found the appendage fairly bare , but we always urge you confab an linesman if you ’re in any dubiety .
The one publication I encountered was that the S220 is quite deep , and my backbox contains quite a passel of wires – I had to beleaguer the shift into place before I could get it to fit heyday .
There ’s not much more to the S220 . The app represent it as two separate kindling switches , rather than a single two - gang electrical switch , which makes more sense when it comes to creating automations . You could , for example , add both circuits to a ‘ bedtime ’ routine that turns them both off , or to a ‘ movie night ’ routine that plough a dining area fire up off and the TV area light on .
The Tapo app is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant , so you could also control either switching with your voice , or add them to Google Home routines . The only real deletion is that the electrical switch are on / off only – if you want dimming control you ’ll involve to buy the Tapo S200D dimmer switch , which is individual - gang only . Reassuringly , the S220 ’s physical replacement still work even if the Tapo hub or your internet connective are down – they ’ll fail if the batteries are flat , though .
This bring me to my only other literary criticism . Being bombardment - powered means there ’s no mains business leader consumption , but it could signify battery waste material . Fortunately , the S220 worked delicately when I tried it with a pair of rechargeable AAA batteries .
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Should you buy it?
This is a great choice if you want to add smart dominance to dumb lighting or a ceiling fan
A Philips Hue - based organization will make more common sense .
Final Thoughts
This is a simple and efficient agency to add smart on / off control to one-time or designer lighting fixtures where smart bulb would be insufferable or impractical . It ’s reasonably easy to fit , and easy to configure for smart restraint via the Tapo app . It ’s a shame it take a hub , but the H100 is quite cheap , and it supports other sensors and switches that could help you automate more in your place . If you could fit smart bulb , aPhilips Huesystem with aRetrotouch Friends of Hue Smart Switchwill give you more versatility .
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FAQs
You ’ll need either the H100 or H200 hub if you do n’t already have one . Power on the hub , tap Add in the Tapo app , then come after the prompts to get the hub up and running . Once it is , put in the batteries or remove the insulating tab if they ’re already instal . Then tap Add and again , follow the prompts .
No . It uses low - top executive networking , so it needs a Tapo hub to be able to talk to your other devices .
