SET COUNTDOWN TIMERS] - Get peace of mind by utilizing the countdown timer to set a specific time for lights or other home devices to shut off. Great for a light in a child’s room before bedtime. Before purchasing a smart plug, make sure it has all the features you need and can connect with the voice assistant or hub that you may be using. So, you’ve decided to take the plunge and join the 21st century by converting your home into a smart home. Alternatively, opt for a smart outlet that replaces your existing power outlet. However, you won’t have as many models of this type of smart plug to choose from, and you’ll need to access your home’s wiring to replace these, which will mean calling in a professional. Find out more in our article What is a smart plug, and how it can stop your fear of leaving the coffee maker on? Do smart plugs and switches save energy?

Best Smart Plugs (2023): Compact Plugs, Power - WIRED 7 Best Smart Plugs (2023): Compact Plugs, Power - WIRED

Which? bought 10 smart plugs from popular online retailers and marketplaces, ranging from well-known brands, such as TP-Link and Hive, to less well known names such as Hictkon, Meross and Ajax Online. Smart plugs and switches can save you money, but only if you’re the sort of person that forgets to turn off electrical devices. For example, if you leave your laptop constantly on charge, even when the battery is full it will continue to use energy, or perhaps you regularly forget to lights, side lamps, or the radio off when you leave the room? If so, then using a smart plug or switch could be the answer. Do smart plugs and smart switches work with Alexa (and other voice assistants) The process to achieve this is simple. The first step is to plug the smart plug into a wall outlet.

How Do Smart Plugs Work?

Whether you’re looking to turn your lamp off when you’re not home or turn the coffee pot on from your bedroom, smart plugs provide you with the functionality you need to get the job done. Now, plug in any appliance or device that you want to control with your smartphone into the smart plug.

Smart Plug with 2 USB Smart WiFi Ports, Remote Control Home Smart Plug with 2 USB Smart WiFi Ports, Remote Control Home

Want to limit the amount of time that your kids use the TV and play video games? Choose a schedule that limits when the TV can be turned on, program it into your smartphone app, and let the smart plug do the work for you. Ever leave the house and forget that the curling iron or space heater is still on and heating up? With a smart plug, you have the ability to turn it off while you're away and have peace of mind that your house is safe from the risk of fire and damage. Smart plugs make it easy to automate and control small appliances and devices in your home. And because they are low cost, they are an affordable option for you to begin turning your home into a smart home. There are many smart plugs out there with similar features and designs, so buying one might come down to price and brand. Here are some others we like.

Roku Outdoor Smart Plug

With that in mind, the first thing to consider is where you want to place your smart plug. While most are svelte enough to fit next to one another in your typical wall outlet, not all of them are, and power strips are a different story entirely. If you have a crowded power strip, it's important to consider the plug outlet's location. For instance, some feature outlets on the side. Whether this layout is easier or more difficult to access depends on the type of power strip you're using. Scenes (this is the term most often used, but it might vary) let you program several devices to interact with each other. Some let you program scenes based on conditions such as temperature, humidity, and sunrise or sunset times. Others have preset "away" scenes for when you're on vacation, that turn connected devices on and off to make it look like someone is home. Scene options vary from plug to plug, so it's good to keep in mind what automation options fit your lifestyle. Some plugs feature native support for a particular brand of smart home products, while others can interact with nearly anything via IFTTT. We've noted which features each plug supports in the chart below to help you determine which one best fits your needs. You can create schedules for when you want lights or other appliances to turn on and off with smart plugs. You can even alter the schedules on different days of the week and hours of the day. A smart plug or smart switch is ideal for making any standard appliance smart so it can be controlled from an app on your smartphone. Perhaps you want to be able to brew your coffee without having to get out of bed, or perhaps you’re forgetful and are looking for a way to switch your hair straighteners off after you’ve left the house.

smart plugs could expose you to hackers, or - Which? Cheap smart plugs could expose you to hackers, or - Which?

Smart plugs convert ordinary devices and appliances in your home into “smart” ones. They do this by allowing you to control the power supply to the appliance through an app on your smartphone. Some smart plugs allow you to schedule when they will turn on or off. You can program this schedule by the day and by the hour using the smartphone app. I however have a problem. AHRise hasn’t corrected this problem. I spent 30 minutes looking for the reset button. AHRise hasn’t corrected this, it included the setup instructions for a product they don’t even sell anymore.

Hive said: 'We agree any potential vulnerability is serious and we will be reviewing the full findings to evaluate the seriousness of this claim. Some smart plugs and smart switches connect to your smartphone using Bluetooth, but that means you’ll only be able to control them if you’re close by. However if you’re the forgetful type that struggles to remember to turn devices off, a model with Wi-Fi built-in or that uses a bridge to connect to the internet and relay instructions from the cloud, will ensure it can be switched on or off even if you’re no longer at the property. Innr claimed that, after investigating, the issue Which? found was more with the Zigbee implementation on the hub used in the testing. Which? remained in conversations with the brand at the time of publication over how to mitigate this issue going forward. Or how about realizing that you forgot to turn off the hall lights once you’ve snuggling down under the covers for the night. Ugh.

Smart Plugs | Kasa Smart Smart Plugs | Kasa Smart

But the similarities with old-school switches end there. This switch taps into an app called Kasa that lets you create different scenes that turn on or off certain lights, or set lights to turn on when your home's motions sensors detect movement, for example. USB CHARGING] - Get the added benefit of this multipurpose plug with two (2) USB ports that can easily charge or power devices in addition to using the smart plug (AC outlet). You can control the USB ports independently from the AC outlet via the App. Smart light switches mean any lights in your home, even those that can't have the bulbs swapped for smart versions, can be controlled by your smartphone or a voice assistant. Do you want to turn on the lights before you get home from work late at night? Smart plugs allow you to turn your lights on with a tap on your smartphone so you don’t have to stumble into a dark house.The adaptor may seem a little bulky at first, but most smart plugs are neutral in color, so they blend in with the surroundings very well. After a while, you’ll hardly notice the smart plug is there. Smart plugs are a low-cost way to upgrade your home appliances or devices to smart ones. They have many advantages including improving energy efficiency and safety. What Is a smart plug? A smart plug is a small adaptor that can be plugged into a regular electrical wall outlet. It can be connected to a Wi-Fi network. Smart plugs are made by many different companies and come in many shapes and sizes. They are sold in electronics departments online, in stores, or directly from the manufacturer. Through the app on your smartphone, you can connect to the smart plug and receive information about its usage.