What Are Smart Outlets and Plugs?

Smart outlets are an inexpensive way to turn your everyday appliances and fixtures into smart devices. With a smart outlet, you can turn your appliances off and on from your phone or (in certain situations) your voice by using: Amazon Echo, Google Home, Apple Home Pod, or a host of other devices. If you are searching for something less complicated, there is another way to make dozens of your electronics a little smarter, and that's smart plugs. Smart plugs give you capable control over your home appliances while connected to a power outlet. Like standard smart home devices, they give you remote control from almost anywhere in the world, but they are more affordable than purpose-built smart home products.

How Do You Install Smart Outlets and Plugs?

For smart plugs, set up is easy. You insert your smart plug into any standard electrical outlet and add a fan, lamp, or other devices. Then just set it up with an app, and everything is ready to go. If you are installing smart outlets, you do not need to take a programming class or have a professional electrician on speed dial to set them up. They come instantly enabled with little effort, simply cut the power to the desired outlet, remove the old one by disconnecting the wires, and swap in the new one.

What Are the Benefits of Smart Plugs and Outlets?

In addition to the energy savings, smart plugs can make your life a little easier. They are essential for anyone who has difficulty reaching light switches or turning inline rotary light switches. Connecting just one smart plug to your ordinary table lamp, for example, ensures that you will never need to enter a completely dark living space. Do you have mobility or dexterity issues? If so, a smart plug can make it much easier to set up fans, speakers, lights , crock pots, and air conditioners on a schedule or control them with the sound of your voice.

What Are the Drawbacks of Using Smart Outlets and Plugs?

Because not all appliances will work with smart outlets, limitations do exist. Although many lamps or light fixtures use a digital switch these days, you can also find space heaters, air conditioners, and other newer appliances that still use mechanical switches. You will need to check before purchasing them, as more devices are using electronic controls. Here is an easy way to make sure your appliance has the right kind of switch: turning it on, unplugging it while it is still on, and then plugging it back in. If it does not automatically turn back on, then it will not work with a smart outlet.