For instance, geofencing is a feature that turns your plug on and off based on the location of your smartphone. So far, the iDevices Switch is our favorite HomeKit option. Within the Kasa app, you can set a detailed schedule for each device on your Kasa platform. And we had them answer an extensive questionnaire (see Privacy and security: How our picks compare) to confirm information we thought should be of primary concern for any potential buyer. I tested out the smart plug with a table lamp, but supported load types reach up to 1,500 watts for appliances like heaters and irons. Both the iOS and Android apps are easy to operate and well laid out. At 2.7 by 1.1 by 1.5 inches, the Wyze Plug isnt the smallest plug weve seen. All of these scheduling commands and power controls work remotely, as long as you're somewhere with an internet connection. It has an app thats easy to use, and it works well with Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT. This model is built to support Matter over Thread. The app also includes information about device usage by day, week, and month; we discovered we were using that lamp for roughly 16 hours a week. In early 2021, Wyze released a newer version of the plug, which now uses Bluetooth for a quicker setup process; it is otherwise identical to the original model. It has an easy-to-use app and works well, and it can also track how many minutes and hours youre using a device. And you can use the Away Mode (which some manufacturers call Vacation Mode) to randomly turn the plug on and off, so it looks like youre home when youre away. Its compact, reliable, and easy to use, but it is just a wee bit bigger and more expensive than our top pick. Of the smart power strips we tested, it also has the most USB ports (three) and the longest power cord. Its also about $2 cheaper than our outdoor pick. Those integrations enable voice commands, so you can turn the plug on and off hands-free. Speed up future orders, see order history, create wish lists, and more. Here are a few easy tips to get the most of smart lighting. I plan on using the power strip for my hone entertainment areas, however I have a few places I wanted to put a stand alone. The TP-Link Kasa Wi-Fi Smart Plug Mini isn't HomeKit-compatible. Add at least two items to compare. The email address you entered was an invalid email.
Ultimately, we found both to be frustrating, thanks to a lot of extra steps and error messages.
You can control all of these through the clean, well-designed Kasa app for iOS or Android devices. Most of the switches easily connected to Wi-Fi and were simple to operate from inside (and outside, when needed) our 1,650-square-foot house. The energy-usage feature provides a peek at real-time power consumption based on readings from the embedded power-meter chipset, as well as daily, weekly, and monthly averages in kilowatt-hours. More than any device we tested, the Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip (HS300) stretches smart-home capabilities, with six independently controllable outlets and three USB ports. For example, we created this Routine: Every time we said, Alexa, make Christmas magic, the EP10 would turn on our Christmas tree lights, and Christmas music would play from an Echo speaker. Once we got it connected, we were disappointed that this $25 outdoor smart plug has two outlets but that they cant be controlled independently. TP-Link's $30 Kasa Wi-Fi Smart Plug Mini adds scheduling, voice commands and remote access to everyday devices. But the Wemo app isnt as user-friendly, doesnt include device or energy monitoring, and is a little more expensive than our two top picks, the Kasa EP10 and EP40. 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. If youre looking to extend your smart home outdoors, the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug (EP40) is easy, reliable, and affordable, and it includes two outlets you can control independently. (Just remember, it should still be installed with a covered outlet.). Every scene and device in the app comes with the option to assign it a name and an icon.
You can start a new thread to share your ideas or ask questions. In addition to smart plugs, TP-Link makes several other Wi-Fi smart home products including smart LED light bulbs, cameras and light switches. In our testing, the Duo responded slowly at bestand often not at allboth outside and when it was installed indoors right next to our router. I am a bit confused on thr differences betweenthe other plugs and which are the current models (specifically mini vs lite vs slim). The temperature range is too narrow for an outdoor plug (just 32 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit), and we found our custom schedules were routinely ignored. Or you can set them on a schedule so they go on and off at the same time every day. GE/Jasco offers two lines of plug-in smart outlet: the Enbrighten and the UltraPro. 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. But it does offer two-factor authentication (along with the Wemo), for added securitysomething wed like to see offered on all of our picks. But the app isnt as easy to use, and its special features are really confusing since no instructions are included or available online. Its well built, but the Cync Outdoor doesnt have special features (such as an Away Mode, energy monitoring, or even a timer) like our top outdoor pick. On top, it has separate buttons to manually control each outlet. 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. Many smart-home devices ask you to enable location services on your smartphone to unlock specific features. 2022 CNET, a Red Ventures company. Those integrations enable voice commands and allow for Routines, or automated actions that you configure using the app. Otherwise, the TP-Link Kasa Wi-Fi Smart Plug Mini is a great choice for a feature-rich, space-saving smart plug. She hopes her neighbors read this bio because it would explain why she always has four video doorbells running simultaneouslyoutside her home. Only the Kasa HS300 power strip actually keeps tabs on kilowatt-hours (kWh); this can help you dictate not just how much youre using a device but also how much youre spending to use it. When possible, we paired switches to an Amazon Echo Dot, an Echo Plus, an Echo Show 5, HomeKit (via an Apple TV), a Google Home Mini, IFTTT, and other switches. It also performs basic smart-plug tasks reliably and can track the amount of time (in hours and minutes) youre using electrical devices. This smart plug is a great option for anyone interested in scheduling, voice commands and remote access to everyday devices up to 1,500 watts. We also reached out to all of the companies that produced our top picks. And even though theyre both inexpensive, neither one sacrifices any features. 2022 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company, TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini (EP10), TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug (EP40), Security, privacy, and plug-in smart outlets, Our pick: TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini (EP10), Our pick: TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug (EP40), Power-strip pick: Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip (HS300), Privacy and security: How our picks compare, TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Light Switch Dimmer HS220, TP-Link Tapo P125 Smart Mini Plug and the TP-Link Tapo P306 Wall Power Strip, Monoprice Stitch Wireless Smart Power Strip, Leviton D215P-2RW Decora Smart Wi-Fi Mini Plug-In Switch, Leviton D23LP-2RW Decora Smart Wi-Fi Mini Plug-In Dimmer, Peace by Hampton Single Outlet Smart Plug, UltraPro Plug-In 1-Outlet WiFi Smart Switch, Meross MSS630 Smart Wi-Fi Indoor/Outdoor Plug, The Best Smart Plugs and Power Strips for 2021. All of the companies behind our picks said they never share data. Our house has a lot of weirdly placed outlets, but we never had a problem squeezing the Wyze Plug in successfully. When setting up the plug, the app will ask you to choose between the new and older version of the plug. Bringing smart functionality to your home doesnt have to be complicated or expensive. It also has a constantly lit red LED (which we wanted to be able to turn off), along with a blue LED that popped on whenever the plug was in use. An in-wall smart outlet replaces a traditional electrical outlet and makes automation a permanent part of your home. Just getting into smart plugs in my hone setup. (And Wemo requires it for new accounts.) Those timers need to be scheduled, which means if you set a lamp to turn off after a minute, it will do that every time the lamp is turned onuntil you unschedule the timer.
Although some plug-in smart outlets use Bluetooth (or other wireless technology), most connect via your homes Wi-Fi. There is a page within the Kasa app that displays the current length of time your device has been on, as well as 7-day and 30-day averages, but with TP-Link's mini smart plug, you won't see anything with regard to kilowatt hours. Manufacturer rebates, terms, conditions, and expiration dates are subject to manufacturers printed forms NYC DCA Lic. And you can control it with its app as well as with Alexa, Google Assistant, or SmartThings. It doesnt work with Apple HomeKit, but this plug is an excellent choice if thats a feature you dont need. You can also group the outlets together (perhaps in an Outside group), so that one tap of a button on your phone or a voice command turns off both outlets. Deal. Notably, for our surge-protector guide, the models we test are generally rated to lower surges, to 330 volts, in the same situation. Just plug one into any standard electrical outlet, and add a lamp, fan, or other on/off device.
You dont need programming skills or an installer on speed dial to set up smart outlets, and they become immediately useful with very little fuss. We also recognize that the following may not paint a complete picture of a products supply chain and overall environmental impact.
At 2.36 by 1.50 by 1.21 inches, the EP10 is slightly smaller than the Wyze Plug (but not as small as the Wemo WiFi Smart Plug), so it fits a little better in tight spaces you cant or dont want to reach that often, such as behind furniture. & Home App. The HS105 (mini) and HS107 can do a max of 15 amps , while the HS103 (lite) does 10 amps. You can also set up schedules to turn on and off at sunrise or sunset. So you can pair the EP10 with other devices to do cool smart-home things. The apps have the same features as those of our top and power-strip picks. In my testing, both assistants set up quickly and executed commands with little to no lag. Deal. All of the companies behind our picks state that they use recyclable materials in their packaging, but none currently employ any particularly sustainable manufacturing processes or offer upgrade programs. However, if you opt to connect to Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Samsung SmartThings, or IFTTT, you are bound to their rules. All of the plugs operated well, except where noted in the Competition section. However, the trigger timers are a bit peculiar: This model can be set to turn the power off but not on, and that needs to be set up instead using a Schedule. It will count down a set number of minutes or hours to when you'd like the device to turn on or off. Once you've paired the plug and connected it to your Wi-Fi by following the steps in the app, everything is ready to go. The Geeni Smart Dot performed well in tests, but it doesnt offer the extras our top picks do, and the app isnt as user-friendly.
We had some setup problems with the GE Enbrighten Wi-Fi Outdoor Smart Plug. I first started testing smart-home devices more than 20 years ago, back when the only smart-home devices were X10. The Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini fits into any standard outlet, and its rectangular design keeps the plug from blocking outlets above or below it. Available for iOS and Android, the Kasa app lays out each outlet as if it were a separate device. Many Wirecutter readers are concerned about how the world is impacted by the manufacturing, shipping, and normal use of the products we recommend. This is also the only power strip that includes energy monitoring that can track kilowatt-hours for each of those smart outlets, as well as an Away Mode. The Tapo P125 is similar to our current pick, the EP10, but includes support for Apple HomeKit and is made with V-0 flame retardant materials. Wirecutter long-term tests all of its picks, and that includes keeping track of hardware and software incidents. Like many of the smart plugs we tested, the EP10 is easy to connect to Wi-Fi, and it responds to both app and voice commands quickly. We also had less than a handful of connectivity issues, so we dismissed it. Smart homes might center around smart speakers, lights and interesting gadgets, but smart plugs are the unsung heroes, quietly turning everyday devices into the smartest versions of themselves. The Satechi Dual Smart Outlet packs two outlets into a strip that doesnt crowd the wall receptacle and offers energy monitoring in kWh. Put Amazon's Alexa to work for you with these great smart-home devices. But the newer model is also a lot easier to set up. Both the Geeni Outdoor Smart Plug and the Geeni Outdoor Duo have a temperature range of 14 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit, which isnt as good as on the Kasa EP40.
The Wyze Plug is very similar to our top pick. Read this first, The best Google Assistant and Google Home devices of 2019. Not responsible for typographical or illustrative errors. *At the time of publishing, the price was $47. 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. Serv.
We then tested plugs using several table lamps, fans, a white noise machine, a radio, and Christmas lights, both inside the house and while at the grocery store (2 miles away), the gym (10 miles away), and other locations (up to 50 miles away). And although the company refers to it as a surge protector, wed suggest its more accurate to consider it a smart power strip. All rights reserved. Although its not the most widely compatible plug we tested, the EP10 can be paired with Alexa and Google Assistant. This thread has been locked for further replies. (And Apple says no data is shared with third parties via HomeKit.). TP-Link also announced the Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini (EP25), with real-time energy monitoring and support for Alexa, Google Assistant, and HomeKit. This Kasa plugs Away Mode is more advanced than the Wyze Plugs Vacation Mode; it allows you to set specific start and end times, as well as specific days of the week. Log in to submit feedback. They can also be a crucial aid for those who have difficulty reaching light switches or turning inline rotary light switches. Weve also added 10 models to the Competition and Other good plug-in smart outlets.
For budget-conscious outdoor users: The Wyze Plug Outdoor performed reliably in our testing, and it keeps track of kilowatt-hours used (although its combined for both outlets). For instance, companies may share the location of your smartphone, in order to trigger smart plugs to go on and off based on sunrise and sunset times. We tested a number of smart plugs that we didnt prefer as overall picks but that are perfectly fine choices. Topgreeners TGWF115PQM is more compact but lacks the options of our top picks. Its just a little bit bigger and more expensive than our top pick. Touching on each device in the app brings up another on/off option, as well as scheduling and timer features. Setting up the Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini doesn't take much time at all. Theres a timer and Vacation Mode (which randomly turns the Wyze Plug on and off, so it looks like youre home, even when youre away). Unlike our other picks, the Wemo WiFi Smart Plug doesnt include any sort of energy or device tracking (which we didnt mind, but this could be a dealbreaker for some people).
(You should never attempt to use a typical smart plug outdoors.) : Elec. The Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini has a handful of features beyond just automated on and off control. We ruled out Levitons DW3HL-1BW and Topgreeners TGWF115APM because they were bulky and/or expensive, especially considering that neither of them offered anything that warranted the extra space or cost. And we found this $80 single-outlet model (which also requires the $80 Lutron Smart Bridge for remote operation) to be lacking some of the special features our lower-cost picks offer. As such, we dont think anyone should buy this Kasa power strip for its surge protection as much as for its smart-home capabilities. That means it cant tolerate being submerged in water, but it can withstand splashes and dust. Available in Q4 2022, the EP25 will be sold in a two-pack for $30 and a four-pack for $50. It can even keep tabs on the amount of hours and minutes youre using devices, with a daily, weekly, and monthly tally, so youll know how much youre running that window air conditioner or fan. Since 2016, Ive been covering smart-home gear for Wirecutter, and Ive had my hands on everything from in-wall light switches, smart bulbs, and water-leak sensors to smart video doorbells, indoor security cameras, and security systems. You can rename each plug, too, so you dont have to remember whats plugged in where. So weve kept tabs on new and existing models, as well as on what features to expect: All three of our single-outlet top picks are usually available for $15 or less. Also, the operating temperature is 14 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit, making it a poor choice for some climates. If you need to integrate your smart plug into an Apple HomeKit system, the Wemo WiFi Smart Plug is the one to get. After tons of research I decided on the Kasa family of products. The Monoprice Stitch Mini is just as affordable as our top two picks, the Kasa EP10 and EP40 (and almost as small).
This option makes it simple to call out voice commands like Alexa, turn off the table lamp.. Also, we routinely had connectivity issues with the W118 Mini, and both D-Link plugs were overpriced at the time of our review. Seems a lot are no longer sold on Amazon or Best Buy. The HS300 also includes limited surge protection, though not enough to offer much functional value. Any help would be appreciated. The Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug (EP40) is built to weather the outdoors. The Wemo WiFi Smart Outdoor Plug is a disappointment on many levels. The WiZ Smart Plug is a Wi-Fi model made by Philips, yet it isnt compatible with the companys lineup of Hue devices. For instance, you can plug in a table lamp, a space heater, a radio, and other necessities, and make them controllable via voice commands. Otherwise, the Wemo Android and iOS apps are almost identical, offering on/off controls, scheduling, timers, and an Away Mode. The TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plus Mini (EP10) works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Samsung SmartThings, but it does not integrate with Apple HomeKit. The most obvious difference between the Wemo WiFi Smart Plug and the older Wemo Mini is the size of the two plugs. Since it has the longest cord (38 inches) of any of the power-strip models we tested, you can tuck the HS300 in a corner, out of sight. These include keeping track of how many hours and minutes devices are used on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis, as well as scheduling of individual devices (you can use a third-party system such as Alexa to schedule groups) and an Away Mode. Unlike the apps of our top two picks, the Wemo app doesnt allow you to group plugs. An LED on the side of the plug indicates connectivity, and a manual power button on the end offers a way to turn the plug on and off at the outlet. Sometimes you want more than one thing to be automated. Yet it leaves enough room for you to plug another device (including a second Wyze Plug) into the remaining receptacle. It also allows you to keep tabs on how much you use a device (in hours/days). Learn more. By pairing this plug with a third-party platform, you can create Routines (sets of automated actions). And there is an option to disable the Plug Status Light, which illuminates a small blue LED when the plug is on.
The Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini works with your Wi-Fi, so you'll need a good 2.4GHz internet connection. We also recommend the Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip (HS300), if space isnt an issue and you want to be able to plug in and independently control and automate multiple devices. However, we have never experienced any issues with other outdoor plugs in New England rain, snow, and wind. Smart plugs allow you to control the amount of time you use any electronic devicewhether thats by putting it on a set timer or making sure that a table lamp is turned off after youve already embarked on a weeklong vacation.
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