Article illustration 1

As smart home technology evolves, accessibility remains key to widespread adoption. The Kasa Smart Plug Ultra Mini—now at a record-low $13 for a two-pack—exemplifies this principle, offering robust automation capabilities in an exceptionally compact form factor. For developers and tech-savvy households, this deal presents an opportunity to experiment with IoT implementations without breaking the bank.

What makes this plug stand out in a crowded market? Its ultra-compact design ensures it doesn't monopolize outlet space, allowing adjacent plugs to remain usable—a frequent pain point with bulkier alternatives. More crucially, it delivers enterprise-grade reliability in connectivity and voice control, a feature ZDNET's testing confirmed through extensive real-world use.

Article illustration 2

Kasa Smart Plug Ultra Mini's compact design (Image: Maria Diaz/ZDNET)

The setup process leverages Amazon's Frustration-Free Setup protocol, automatically detecting devices on your network. For those preferring granular control, the Kasa and Tapo apps provide scheduling, automation rules, and "Away Mode" configurations. One practical implementation highlighted by ZDNET's reviewer: automating traditional Christmas tree lights. By connecting dumb lights to the plug, users gain voice control via Alexa and can schedule automatic activation aligned with daily routines—like turning on when children return from school.

"It's one of the most reliable smart plugs I've ever tested, both in connectivity and voice control integrations," notes ZDNET's Maria Diaz, emphasizing its performance in a tech-stacked home environment.

At $13 for two units (35% off), this deal reflects a broader trend of premium smart home gear becoming democratized. For developers, such accessories offer low-risk platforms for prototyping automation workflows. The plugs support energy monitoring as well, enabling power consumption analysis—though this feature wasn't the focus in holiday lighting scenarios.

While Prime Day has ended, this price persists for now. As smart homes transition from luxury to mainstream utility, cost-effective, dependable components like the Ultra Mini accelerate innovation at the DIY frontier.