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 install 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, cut the power to the desired outlet, remove the old one by disconnecting the wires, and swap in the new one.

Do Smart Outlets and Plugs Save Energy?

A positive aspect of using smart plugs is cutting energy costs. When appliances use smart plugs, you can set their schedule to turn off and on to fit your needs. For example, a household may program one smart plug to switch on their clothes dryer or pool filter only at low peak times, when electricity is less expensive to purchase. Another instance could be someone who uses a small heater in their home during the winter months. Space heaters typically warm up a room quickly — but many older models don't have effective thermostatic control or energy efficiency. So once the room reaches the desired temperature, the heater needs to be turned off to avoid becoming too warm. Using a smart plug can automatically switch the heater off after a certain amount of time. Smart outlets and plugs can control lights , televisions, air conditioners, fans, water heaters, electric blankets, and many other appliances. This ensures that devices only work when needed to reduce energy consumption when not in use.

What Are the Best Brands of Smart Outlets and Plugs?

Here is a shortlist of the best smart plugs on the market today: Emporia Smart Plugs Wyze Smart Plug Kasa's Smart Plug, Smart Power Strip and Outdoor Plug, and GE Z-Wave

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 Cons of 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 still 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 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.