
Best 10 Smart Plugs
As Of March 2021
Do you wish to have your coffee ready in the morning when you wake up? Or tell your lights to switch off before you go to bed? Just say “Lights off!” and puff! They are off! Amazing, right?
No, it’s not sorcery. It’s technology! Welcome to the 21rst century, where you can make your appliances intelligent. Pick the right smart plug for your home and start your home automation today. Want to know more?
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Bring Your Home To The 21rst Century with Smart Plugs
Making your home smart is any gadget person’s dream. A voice command to get things done? Wow! All the more people choose home automation to make their lives more care-free. “One more thing less to worry about” as many would say. That peace of mind is what many modern families have very much in need. Once upon a time, all these used to exist in Sci-Fi movies or to wizard worlds but nowadays, it is more real and accessible than ever.
Step into a new smart living and start enjoying its perks. We can assure you that there are a lot of them. If you want to learn more, about smart living and smart plugs, continue reading.
What is a smart plug?
A smart plug is basically a socket with a chip in that sits between the ordinary electrical outlet and the device you’re plugging in. It is the simplest and cheapest way to start making your home smarter. Smart plugs come in all shapes and sizes and can be found in prices that fit all budgets. They are perfect for rented houses because you don’t need to have a smart outlet or spend a fortune on smart devices; all you need is a smart plug to turn any appliance intelligent. If you want more devices connected to one outlet, you might want to consider a smart power strip. Both work in the same manner. Now, picking the right one for you can be a little tricky, but we are here to help.
How does a smart plug work?
The majority of smart plugs work via a (free) app that you need to download on your smartphone or tablet. Most are compatible with the well-known voice assistants, like Amazon Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant to switch your devices on and off. But be aware that not all smart plugs work with all voice assistants. In this case, you will need to purchase a smart speaker that is compatible with the brand of your plug. Another alternative is to buy a phone or tablet that has the voice assistant you need, built-in. You can even have more than one connected devices and get them to work together, even if they are not by the same manufacturer.
Why should you buy a smart plug?
There are so many benefits of owning a smart plug as they are the perfect solution for someone who wants to start slowly to enter the smart living world. You don’t need to have smart home products; all you need is a smart plug that will turn your “dumb” device smart. Easy-peasy! Here is why you should give them a go:
Switch Lights On and Off
How many times have you gone to bed and forgot to switch off the kitchen lights? So, you need to get back down the stairs in the middle of the night to shut it off. Or how many times have you neglected to close the bedroom light when you exited your house? Then you have to walk back in there to switch it off. You get the point. With a smart plug, you can control all that by your ios or android phone via apps without having to take a single step.
Wake up
The alarm goes off, and you wake up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee and baked bread by merely walking to your kitchen. Grab them and go to work! It was never easier. How? They allow you to set schedules based on your daily routine so you can accommodate your needs. Live effortlessly by plug-in your devices into smart plugs.
Keep Your House Safe
Connect your security camera on a smart plug and control it from your iPhone or any other smartphone or tablet. Keep tabs of what’s going on in your house when you are at work or travelling. Plus, you can easily fool potential burglars by looking like you are home. How? You control your lighting and turn them on and off just as you would do if you were at home. So, no one would think to enter because the house will not seem to be vacant—no need to have smart bulbs to do this. Just plug your regular lighting to a smart plug and then to the outlet.
Eco-friendly House
Reduce energy consumption and save money as well as the planet. Most have a timer that you can set to switch off your tumble dryer overnight, for example. If you want to put your clothes in the dryer at night and go to bed, that means it will stay on until the morning that you will wake up and shut it off. If your dryer is on a smart plug though, that means that you can set the timer and save energy.
Children Safe
Some of the smart plugs have a sliding cover that is very helpful with small children running around and putting their little fingers in the sockets. Also, you can control their consoles or TV by switching them off when they need to stop playing video games or watching TV so they can finish their homework.
Climate Devices
Keep your home warm during the winter and cool during the summer without wasting electricity. You can switch the heater on when you leave the office so you can walk in a cosy home instead of a cold one. During the summer, cool your house down before you arrive to set the atmosphere. Feel comfortable from the minute you walk in, no matter the weather.
How do I know the smart plug will work on my home network?
You need to check the required connectivity. Most smart plugs for domestic use connect to your router via standard 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and don’t require a hub, such as Z-Wave or Zigbee. These are low-power networking systems that communicate with a wired hub - the hub may cost extra. Plus, in the case of a wired hub you will need a spare ethernet socket on your router to connect it to.
Lastly, you need to consider the reach. If you plan to install the smart plug on a bedroom two floors up, you need to make sure that it has a stable connection to the router in order to work.
Do I need an Amazon Echo or Google Home to use a smart plug?
Not necessarily. Most of them come with voice assistant hardware, so the smart plug is all you need. If not, then that is what smartphones are for. There are apps that you can use to remotely control your smart plugs and set schedules. Simply connect to your WiFi network, plug your not-so-smart appliances into smart plugs and enjoy. Who needs smart home devices anyways when you can buy cheaper home devices and turn them into smart?
Always keep in mind that….
There are many smart plugs to choose from that will help your everyday run smoother. There are a lot of perks to going smart, and if you have yet tried it, you are missing out! Make sure, though, before you start making purchases to check their compatibility with ecosystems such as Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, or IFTTT. Just check on the instructions the “works with” and you are good to go. Most smart plugs work with Alexa or Google Assistant but make sure to check it out just to be sure. Choose the right smart plug for your house and untie your hands from unnecessary back-and-forths. Secure your house and improve your daily routines for a happier, stress-free life. Make the smart choice and pick the best one for you today!