Kasa Smart Motion Sensor Switch, Dimmer Light Switch, Single Pole, Needs Neutral Wire, 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, Compatible with Alexa & Google Assistant, UL Certified, No Hub Required(ES20MP2) White 2-Pack

Why I put a motion-dimming switch in spaces I forget to switch off

I started with one Kasa motion dimmer in a windowless pantry where I constantly left the light on. A week later I added the second in a garage stairwell where my hands are usually full. In both spots, the combination of motion sensing and built‑in dimming made a bigger difference than a standard smart switch ever did: lights come on exactly when I need them, they don’t waste energy when I leave, and I rarely touch the paddle anymore.

This model is a single‑pole, Wi‑Fi switch that requires a neutral wire and works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and SmartThings—no hub required. If your wiring supports it, the Kasa app walks you through the install, then gives you granular control over motion behavior, brightness, and schedules.

Below are the highlights from living with the switch for several weeks.

Installation: straightforward if you have the right box and conductors

• Wiring: line, load, neutral, and ground. No traveler since it’s single‑pole only.
• Requirements: neutral wire in the box and a 2.4 GHz Wi‑Fi network.
• Load ratings: up to 150 W for dimmable LED, 300 W for incandescent. Don’t use with non‑dimmable loads or fans.

The app‑guided setup is clear, and the included pigtails and wire nuts are decent. The one caveat: the body is deeper than a basic toggle. In a shallow or crowded metal box (older homes, multi‑gang with several splices), you may need to rearrange splices with low‑profile connectors or upgrade to a deeper box to make everything fit comfortably. If you’re not confident identifying line vs. load or managing a neutral bundle, hire an electrician—it’s quick work for a pro.

Once powered, pairing on 2.4 GHz was uneventful. I added both to the Kasa app, named the rooms, and linked to Alexa. No hub, no extra bridges.

Design and manual control

The paddle feels firm and predictable, with tap for on/off and press‑and‑hold for dimming. It’s a practical, no‑nonsense design that blends with standard Decora plates. All the “smart” control lives in the app or voice assistants, but importantly, the local manual control still works even if Wi‑Fi hiccups.

Motion sensing that’s actually useful

The motion features are the reason to buy this switch, and they’re thoughtfully implemented:

• Auto‑on with motion, auto‑off after a set idle time (from under a minute to longer timeouts).
• Daylight detection that can keep lights off when there’s sufficient ambient light.
• Sensitivity options to tune the trigger behavior for the room.

In the pantry and stairwell, auto‑on is instant enough that I’m never walking in the dark. In smaller spaces it’s easy to set and forget. In larger or open‑plan areas, sensitivity tuning matters. Typical PIR behavior applies: it’s most responsive to movement across the sensor’s field of view, and it can be less responsive to someone approaching directly along the same wall. I dialed sensitivity down to avoid picking up movement from an adjacent area, and that solved false triggers. Expect a bit of trial and error to match your room geometry.

One thing I appreciate is the ability to run “vacancy style” behavior (manual on, auto‑off). For a media room where I don’t want a stray movement to brighten the space, I leave motion off for on‑events but keep auto‑off to ensure the lights don’t stay on overnight.

Dimming performance and light compatibility

With a mixed set of dimmable LED bulbs, I saw smooth dimming and stable low levels with no flicker. Two notes:

• Always use dimmable bulbs, and stay within the 150 W LED total. If you’re pushing the limit with a long strip or many cans, plan the load accordingly or split the circuit.
• Avoid pairing with smart bulbs. You don’t want double dimming or two competing brains; this switch is meant to control a standard (“dumb”) fixture.

The Kasa app lets you set default brightness for motion events. For my stairwell, motion triggers to 50% at night and 100% during the day. In the pantry, I keep it at 70% full time. Those per‑mode defaults make a noticeable difference in comfort.

App and automations

Kasa’s app is clean and responsive. The important pieces:

• Motion behavior: on/off logic, idle timeout, sensitivity, and daylight detection thresholds.
• Schedules: basic timers and away mode (randomized on/off within a window to suggest occupancy).
• Scenes and groups: control multiple Kasa devices together.
• Smart Actions: simple if‑this‑then‑that within the Kasa ecosystem (e.g., motion on this switch can trigger another Kasa light).

Voice control via Alexa and Google Assistant worked reliably; I routinely ask for “pantry 30%” or “turn off the garage stairs.” SmartThings support is there if you’re already invested. There’s no native Apple HomeKit or Matter support, which is the biggest ecosystem limitation. If you’re standardizing on Matter or HomeKit, that’s a consideration.

Reliability and connectivity

After setup, both switches stayed online without drama. Commands from the app and voice assistants were near‑instant on my 2.4 GHz SSID. A tip for crowded homes: keep smart home devices on 2.4 GHz and reserve 5 GHz for high‑bandwidth phones and media devices; it reduces contention and helps keep IoT stable.

Motion triggers were consistent—no missed walk‑ins, no phantom activations once sensitivity and daylight detection were tuned. Auto‑off timers have been accurate to the minute.

Safety, certification, and warranty

The switch is UL certified, and Kasa provides a two‑year warranty. For a device wired into the wall, that third‑party safety certification and clear load limits matter, and they’re present here.

Where it shines

• Small utility spaces: pantries, closets, laundry rooms—places where your hands are full and you often forget to turn lights off.
• Transitional zones: garage entries, mudrooms, hallways and stairwells that benefit from hands‑free lighting.
• Bathrooms and powder rooms: auto‑off is great, and daylight detection keeps lights from popping on in bright conditions.
• Energy‑conscious households: motion plus dimming drops run time and wattage without any extra effort.

What could be better

• No HomeKit or Matter: If your home is Apple‑first or you want vendor‑agnostic Matter scenes, this isn’t a fit.
• Single‑pole only: Not for 3‑way or 4‑way circuits. If you have multi‑location switching, you’ll need a different model.
• Requires a neutral: Many older homes don’t have a neutral in the switch box. Without it, this device isn’t compatible.
• Depth and box space: In crowded or shallow boxes, plan on some wire management or a box upgrade.

Practical setup tips

• Check your box before you buy: verify neutral and box depth. Snap a photo for an electrician if unsure.
• Use dimmable bulbs from reputable manufacturers. Set a conservative low level in the app to prevent flicker.
• Start with medium motion sensitivity, then adjust. Use daylight detection to avoid daytime activations near windows or skylights.
• Consider “vacancy mode” behavior for rooms where accidental turn‑ons are disruptive: manual on, automatic off.

The bottom line

The Kasa motion dimmer is a thoughtful upgrade for the kinds of spaces where hands‑free lighting actually makes daily life easier. Its motion engine, daylight awareness, and per‑mode brightness defaults are more flexible than a basic motion switch, and the dimming performance with quality LED bulbs is smooth. Add straightforward voice control, reliable app automations, UL certification, and a no‑hub setup, and you’ve got a solid, practical smart switch.

It’s not universal: you’ll need a neutral wire, it only works on single‑pole circuits, it runs on 2.4 GHz, and there’s no native HomeKit or Matter. If those are deal‑breakers, look elsewhere. But if your wiring is compatible and your home runs on Alexa, Google, or SmartThings, this is an easy recommendation.

Recommendation: I recommend the Kasa motion dimmer for single‑pole locations where motion‑based control makes sense—pantries, halls, stairwells, garages, and bathrooms. It reduces energy waste without adding cognitive load, the motion and dimming are dependable once tuned, and the app features (especially daylight detection and away mode) round it out as a well‑priced, low‑maintenance smart home upgrade.