Smart plugs 101: What to know before you but

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Ever wanted a more flexible way to control your devices and appliances? Smart plugs can fill that void, but where do you start if you’re new to the game?

Now that smart homes are a mainstay, we’re seeing more and more nifty ways to make life easier at just the touch of an app or the sound of your voice. And smart plugs, they’re a go-to for making your non-smart household items compatible with the latest tech.

But how do they work? Do you even need one? Let us guide you through the all-important question on smart plugs and provide you with some of the bestselling smart plug models on the market.

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Smart plugs are tiny adaptors that fit into any power socket in your home. You can control every single device that you plug in using this single adapter. This can easily be done through voice command or by using an app on your phone. The plugs can even connect to your Wi-Fi, making these nifty devices even more powerful and unlimited in their uses.

So while a smart plug might appear to be a standard adapters, they can make a world of difference to your home.

Smart plugs work by turning every gadget you plug into a 'smart' device. What this means is that when you plug something that isn't powered by smart tech into a smart plug, you have control over it as though it is 'smart'. This gives you complete control over the power supply that the plugged-in device receives.

No more rushing here and there to switch things on or off. Instead, you can control everything from anywhere in your house — or even on the go.

The best thing? These adapters work with most any standard wall outlet without altering it in any way. Once the smart plug is connected to the power switch, all you have to do is to install the manufacturer's app on your smartphone. The app will then keep you notified on the operations of the smart plug.

With a smart plug, you’re one step closer to having the smart tech home you’ve always wanted.

Smart plugs allow precisely the right amount of power a device requires, something which is not possible with ordinary plugs. You also never know the amount of energy a device requires to operate efficiently, but a smart plug can help with that. Not only does this help with energy bills, it also helps to save the environment.

Moreover, an ordinary plug doesn't offer you the ability to set schedules for devices. Smart plugs allow this; you can schedule the specific times you want to power on or power off an appliance. Now, everything will switch on and off at set timings during the day, even if you’re not around.

Living in the modern world, we are surrounded by appliances and devices claiming to make life easier. Smart plugs are just another type of gadget designed to do just that. You might not feel like it's necessary to have one, but it may improve your quality of life more than you might expect.

Imagine you’re not at home and you’re worried you might have left the coffee maker on or not turned off your curling iron. If you have a smart plug installed, you can reach for your phone and use the app to limit the smart plug's power.

If you are someone who is tech-savvy and already has a smart home hub, seek out a smart plug that's compatible with your device. This way, you can streamline your smart devices, making them controllable through a single app or device.

Smart plugs are also a great alternative to pricey smart gadgets. Instead of buying extravagant appliances for over £50, go for a smart plug with a starting price of only £8 and watch how everything at home becomes smart in the blink of an eye.

Not only does this smart gadget help you schedule set timings, it is a great way to save some extra pennies on the power bill. You will understand which appliances require more power, and you can save money by scheduling appliances to be switched on only during the hours you spend at home.

More than that, it can prevent several fire hazards by keeping the power supply in check and turning off devices at desired timings.

There are so many smart plugs available on the market, it can be difficult to choose the right one. However, here are some recommendations.

The Meross Smart Plug is a customer favourite,owing to the reasonable price and efficient connection to Amazon Alexa. It's pretty simple to use, and setting it up will barely take you two minutes. One thing that makes this plug stand out is the compact design that doesn't take all the space in an outlet. It leaves room for more plugs and offers a struggle-free experience. Just be aware that the HomeKit remote control requires an iPad or HomePod as a hub.

The TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Minis are slim, compact, and are one of the best ways to control every electronic appliance at home while you’re out. You can free your hands thanks to the simple voice command feature. It also stands out because it puts your safety first and is UL certified. It takes up to 15A of load, making it compatible with many devices like your hairdryers or heaters.

The Wemo Smart Plug has a modern touch and is relatively compact. The only thing you need for these plugs is a stable Wi-Fi connection, and you’re good to go! It offers voice command features, including pairing it with Apple's HomeKit for hands-free voice control. It's designed in a compact form to save space so it won't hamper the sockets in its vicinity.

Now that you know which plugs to buy, here are the best devices for use with smart plugs:

Coffee makers: these devices are perfect for use with smart plugs. Everyone knows what a challenge it is to wake up early in the morning. If you want to feel fresh, you surely need a hot cup of coffee to start your day with. And let's face it, who wants to miss waking up to the smell of fresh coffee? You have the control, so decide if you want the device to start brewing before you wake up or switch the plug on through your app while you doze in bed. Check out our favourite coffee machines right here!

Cooking appliances: This is for all those people who are all about set-and-forget meals. You might be one of those people who like to cook stuff rapidly and rush out. If you’re away, you can rely on the smart plug to switch the cooker on and turn it off at the scheduled time so you can come home to enjoy the perfect meal. This is perfectly effective for appliances like the Instant Pot. Read our review of the Instant Pot here!

Holiday lights: Make sure there are people around to enjoy these lights; otherwise, you will just be wasting energy and running up your electric bill. Smart plugs can help save some money by automatically switching these lights on and off as you please.

Prices updated on 17/01/2021. We are not responsible for any changes on the prices mentioned above.

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