SafeWise is an independent review site. We may earn money when you click links on our site. Learn more. Smart Home FAQ. Best Smart Plug. WeMo Mini. View on Amazon. Read Review. Best for Customization. Best Smart Outlet. GE Enbrighten Smart Outlet. By Kaz Weida. November 22, Share Article. Compare the best smart plugs and outlets. See full disclaimer.
Reviews: Best smart plugs and smart outlets. WeMo Mini: Best smart plug. Best smart plug. Easy to use. Compact design. Programmable schedules. Away Mode randomizes lights. Compatibility with most platforms.
Slightly more expensive price. No web browser control. No energy monitoring. Best for customization. Superior scheduling and customization. Less expensive price. Energy usage monitoring. Requires full outlet. Has no Apple compatibility. Best smart outlet.
Normal outlet appearance. Ability to schedule events and create scenes. Compatibility with any Z-Wave hub. This Kasa model turns one outlet into six independently controlled smart ones, with built-in energy monitoring and integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant but not HomeKit.
It also has three USB ports. The Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip HS is a little pricier than the average smart plug, but it transforms one wall plug into six independently controllable outlets, so you can turn different devices on and off as well as create separate schedules and triggers. Of the smart power strips we tested, it also has the most USB ports three and the longest power cord.
I first started testing smart-home devices back when the only smart-home devices were X If you have a smartphone and an empty outlet, you can use a smart plug to control, schedule, and automate nearly any electrical device. And if you have mobility or dexterity issues, a smart plug can make it much easier to set lights, fans, speakers, slow cookers, and air conditioners on a schedule, or to control them with a smart speaker and the sound of your voice.
For each smart outlet in our test group, we downloaded the appropriate app to an iPhone SE, an iPad, a Nokia 3. Most of the switches easily connected to Wi-Fi and were simple to operate from inside and outside, when needed our 1,square-foot house.
To test remote capabilities, we played around with the settings of a variety of items—including, at different times, several table lamps, two fans, a white noise machine, a radio, and Christmas lights—while at the grocery store 2 miles away , the gym 10 miles away , and other locations up to 50 miles away.
All of the plugs operated well, except where noted in the Competition section. During testing, we connected all devices to a Firewalla Blue , a firewall device that monitors the communications of all devices on a network and reports which devices are sending out data and to what country.
Once we narrowed down our pick candidates, we reviewed their privacy policies and sent our own questions to the company behind each candidate, specifically looking for clauses or activities that were outside normal practice in this category.
Wirecutter takes security and privacy issues seriously and investigates as much as possible how the companies we recommend deal with customer data.
As part of our vetting process for smart outlets, we looked at all of the security and data-privacy practices behind our picks. We also reached out to all the companies that produced our top picks and had them answer an extensive questionnaire to confirm information we thought should be of primary concern for any potential buyer.
Here are the results. Wirecutter long-term tests all of its picks, and that includes keeping track of hardware and software incidents. Notably, the Wyze Plug is sold in pairs for the same price as most single smart plugs. In early , Wyze released a newer version of the plug with an upgraded chipset, and which now uses Bluetooth for a quicker setup process; it is otherwise identical to the model we tested. This new version of the Wyze Plug is sold on Wyze. When setting up the plug, the app will ask you to choose between the new and older version of the plug.
Those integrations enable voice commands, so you can turn the plug on and off hands-free. You can also create Routines sets of automated actions , so you can pair the Wyze Plug with other devices to do cool smart-home things. For instance, in our testing, we created a Routine that would tell the Wyze Plug to turn on a table lamp every time an Arlo Video Doorbell our top smart doorbell pick detected motion.
Wyze devices can also trigger other Wyze devices natively in the app, so we paired our Wyze Plug with a Wyze Cam an indoor camera pick. My house has a lot of weirdly placed outlets, but I have never had a problem squeezing the Wyze Plug in successfully. Both the iOS and Android apps are easy to operate and laid out well.
Like many higher-priced plugs, the Wyze Plug can keep tabs on daily device use, as well as a seven-day average. Scheduling and automation options are tucked under the Settings icon. If you browse Amazon, you can find plenty of similarly priced plugs, and many of those are sold in multipacks.
We strongly recommend choosing smart-device brands that have a track record—those companies tend to be the ones that update their products regularly and have actual hopefully good customer service.
The app also includes information about device usage by day, week, and month; we found we were using that lamp for roughly 16 hours a week. For instance, you can set the plug to turn a lamp on and off randomly from 7 p. We also tested the Kasa HS , which combines two outlets that you can control individually or group together into one receptacle.
And, at just 1. But if compatibility with lots of smart-home devices and platforms matters to you, this Wemo may be the best pick. But the newer model is also a lot easier to set up. When we first started testing this new model, we were very happy to see that the HomeKit code had been moved to the side of the plug with the Wemo Mini, you had to unplug it, scan a code on its back side, plug it back in, and then wait for it to turn on.
But during testing we were able to group Wemo and other devices, as well as schedule them together, using both Alexa and HomeKit. The KP can operate in temperatures of -4 to degrees Fahrenheit, which is pretty typical for outdoor plugs temperatures below or above those numbers may not even be an issue—the KP is just not guaranteed to work in those conditions.
Like most outdoor smart plugs, this model is listed as being weather-resistant, versus weatherproof. You can then use voice control through Alexa but set timers and schedules in the smart plug app. Multi-outlet: Smart plugs come in both single and double outlet models. Multi-outlet smart plugs come in vertical and horizontal designs and give you more options for controlling your lights or other devices.
Some are large enough to cover the entire electrical outlet, while others leave the adjoining outlet available for use. If you choose a multi-outlet smart plug, you also have to choose between dual and single power control. A single power-control plug means that both outlets are turned on or off by the same power button. Dual control provides more options and versatility.
Usage, electricity meter, and cost analysis: A few plugs record electricity use and display it in the app. Some even include a way to calculate a cost analysis to get an idea of how your power usage affects your electricity bill. This feature is also a good way to monitor the efficiency of your appliances, including refrigerators , freezers, and stoves. Schedule: Smart plugs with a scheduling feature let you turn on the lights before you get home from work or before guests arrive.
Scheduling can also be a money saver. Away mode: The Away mode is at the top of our list of favorite features. If you have more than one plug, you can set them to different schedules, increasing the believability of your ruse. Condition automation: Condition automation is usually found on outdoor smart plugs. Sensors in the casing detect temperature and humidity and allow you to set a schedule based on those readings.
These plugs can usually handle higher amps for heaters or air conditioners. Of course, on the more basic side of things, they can also be used to automate your outdoor lights.
These inexpensive models may come as a single or dual pack but are usually only single outlet. Most of these smart plugs are compact, so you can use more than one per home electrical outlet. However, there are a few standouts in this category that work beautifully even though they lack advanced features like an Away mode. Models that have more features will come in a single pack, while basic models in multipacks can be found in this range, too. Know what you want to plug into the smart plug before you buy.
Make sure the plug has the right power capacity and decide whether you still want access to the second outlet. Use your smart plugs to control a variety of devices. Smart plugs for Alexa can give you voice control over any number of home devices, such as the speakers, lights, and printer in your home office, which you can run from your office chair. Smart plugs can work for almost any electrical device as long as they have the right power capacity.
Are there smart plugs that can be grouped and connected to other smart devices?
0コメント