The best smart switches and smart plugs can make a big change in your smart home. They can control devices, and allow you to schedule hours. Keep your home safe, and, most importantly, save on energy consumption.
They may not be the most exciting home smart devices you can buy. We know that installing colorful, smart lighting, or robotic vacuum cleaners. Which may make finding one of the best smart speakers more useful and appealing. But all of this would be even better. If your home is equipped with at least one or two smart plugs or switches.
So where do you start with smart plugs? As with most smart home products these days, there are plenty of options available. This means that it can be difficult to imagine which people are worth checking out.
With this in mind, we have now put together a guide. To show you the best smart plug and switch lights on the market.
Elgato Eve Energy Smart Switch /Plugs
The switch is very easy to install and update. All you have to do is plug in an electrical outlet. Then plug in your device.
The switch is compatible with Apple HomeKit and connects exclusively via Bluetooth. And not to your home Wi-Fi. Despite this unconventional connection method (in the smart plug/switch space), Bluetooth works perfectly fine here.
Like most smart sockets and switches, the Elgato design is on the larger edge. Although you can still access the upper switch by attaching it to the lower. The application is also easy to use and controls energy consumption. In addition to the estimated cost of energy of your device.
It is not the most exciting, or least expensive, smart switch on the market. However, it hits many of the right squares and feels good at home.
Active hive plug
Hive started as a manufacturer of smart thermostats. But has become one of the biggest names in all types of smart home devices, including lights, cameras, locks, and plugs. It is one of the cheapest ecosystems to enter. Cheaper than Philips Hue, if you are interested in trying smart lighting.
The Hive Active Plug requires a Hive Active heating or Hive Hub thermostat, but once you have it, it is easy to install and use. You can create a schedule (with six-time intervals per day). Activate the plug using the Hive app on your phone, or connect it to a Hive switch or sensor.
Not only is it one of the cheapest smart plugs, but the Hive Active Plug is also relatively small. Making it the most discreet (if not stylish) option available.
Belkin WeMo Insight Smart Plug
Belkin Vemu Insight is a small device. Ok, it’s not “small” at all, given that it is larger than it looks in the pictures, so be prepared for a bulkier plug that covers the top outlet if you put it down (same right. Not if you reverse order)
We like that you provide information on your energy usage, and also give you an estimate of how much you are spending on energy. This is great if you want to cut your monthly energy bill and be a little greener at the same time.
The only downside is that you do most of your work in the app with WeMo Insight, and the app leaves a lot to be desired. Yes, you can turn the device on and off from the application’s home screen, but once you start digging deeper, you get into trouble. Removing devices from the app is difficult, which is annoying.
A valuable quality of the app is that you can use it to integrate your plugs with other services, such as IFTTT, Alexa, Google Assistant, Nest, and (informally) Samsung SmartThings.
The only thing missing from this smart plug party is Apple’s HomeKit, although you can connect using a HomeKit Bridge, which is sold by Belkin. For more flexibility, see Belkin WeMo Dimmer Light Switch.
TP-Link HS200 Smart Wi-Fi Light Switch (the US Only)
Sure, you have decorated your home with smart LED bulbs like Philips LED, but if they are not connected to smart switches, you will lose connectivity if the lights are not controlled by the smartphone.
This is where smart switches like TP-Link HS200 come. This well-designed switch can be connected,
Ikea TR IkDFRI Wireless Control Socket
If you are looking for a simple and cheap smart plug, go to your local IKEA to see the brand’s TRÅDFRI range of smart home products, which offer this minimal but reliable smart plug.
You can control it through an app, operate it manually, or make it work on a schedule. If you already have some smart devices connected to the Apple ecosystem, this makes HomeKit support a solid option.
This is where smart switches like TP-Link HS200 come. This well-designed switch can be connected, but it also gives a satisfying click just like the old model.
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But the similarities of the old-school switch end there. This switch takes advantage of an application called Casa, which is similarly designed. With the app, you can create different scenes, for example, to turn on or off some of the lights on your home’s motion detection motion sensor.
The switch works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can ask both of them to turn the TP-Link switch on or off in your home.
It may not be as good as the Belkin WeMo Smart Plug, but TP-Link will make your home a more connected creature, which is great for making your home into the 21st century.