Smart plugs is a little gadget that connects your electrical outlet to almost any other device. Once installed, you can use your smartphone or voice assistants like Alexa and Siri to turn gadgets on and off.
You may also use connected applications to plan on and off timings, such as brewing coffee while still in bed or turning on the porch lights at sunset.
Smart plugs (also known as smart outlets) are switches that you can operate wirelessly at their most basic level.
More complex plugs use your WiFi network to provide smart-home capabilities like energy use tracking, built-in nightlights, and other home automation advantages.
What are the capabilities of smart plugs?
Smart plugs can control lights, fans, and appliances from within the home or from afar using voice and smartphone commands. They also add to the simplicity of your smart-home setup by allowing you to create zones that control several devices at once.
1. Take command of any device
With the installation of a smart plug, almost any plug-in electrical item may become "smart." Coffee makers, televisions, laptops, gaming systems, washers and dryers, and slow cookers are also popular choices. You can add a smart plug to any outlet that can be turned on and off and isn't a hard-wired wall outlet.
2. Use speech recognition or an app to control your device.
you may use voice assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple iOS's Siri to operate your smart-plugged gadget. One of the most significant advantages of smart plugs is the ability to group devices together. For example, you could link all of the lights in a room to single voice command and just say, "Alexa, turn on the living room."
Some folks plan movie nights, meal times, bedtimes, and mornings. When you replace five or six wall or device switches with WiFi smart plugs, you'll notice the largest improvement in ease of use.
3. Boost your home's security.
For example, the TP-Link HS105 Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini, for example, allows you to create timers and schedules. To deter possible thieves, switch on your porch and living room lights at sundown or make it appear as though someone is home while you're away. For extra convenience, certain smart-home products, such as the Etekcity Voltson Smart Wi-Fi Outlet, include built-in nightlights.
4. Cut down on your carbon footprint.
Energy monitoring is included in certain smart plugs and applications, such as the Oomi Z-Wave Smart Plug-In Outlet and the Topgreener Heavy-Duty Smart Wi-Fi Plug-In Outlet. This allows you to measure how much power a gadget consumes over the course of days or weeks, offering you tips on how to reduce your energy expenditures. These devices can also provide access to switches that are difficult to reach. Consider how convenient it would be to automate that basement light you forgot to turn off since the switch isn't easily accessible, or Christmas lights you forgot to disconnect over the holidays.
5. Keep your connection active
Some smart plugs, such as the Ubiquiti Networks UniFi SmartPower Plug, can detect a loss of internet connection in your house and automatically restart your WiFi router. Every time your connection drops, you won't have to go through the troubleshooting process again.
Which smart plug is the best?
The ideal smart plug is one that is tailored to your individual requirements. They are available in a variety of sizes and feature sets. Some, like the Eve Energy Strip, combine several smart plugs with surge protection into a single smart power strip.
Compatibility with voice assistants is one of the first things to think about.
- Look for Apple HomeKit-compatible products for iPhone households.
- You should check for Google Assistant compatibility if you have a lot of Google (Android) devices.
- You're in luck if you possess any of Amazon's Alexa-enabled gadgets, such as the Amazon Echo Show or Echo Dot because they work with the great majority of smart plugs.
Another thing to think about is whether the smart plug connects directly to your house's WiFi or requires a "home hub." That's a little gadget that acts as a bridge between your WiFi router and any smart devices that are compatible. A hub isn't required for most smart plugs, but it's something to consider.
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