Smart outlets in 2018 – top 5 + 1

How often have you had to go home from work or hurry back from a trip because you suddenly had the annoying feeling that you forgot to unplug the power cord?. It’s usually unreasonable, but it can be justified. Particularly dangerous if left unattended heaters. These situations are not only unpleasant, but also pose a serious threat to your home and even to the lives of others. But today there is a great way to avoid this kind of trouble and save a lot on your electricity bill. Smart outlet, what it is, and what value it can bring to your life – about all this we will tell in our review.

Smart outlet at first glance is no different from an ordinary one. But it only seems that way at first glance.

A smart outlet is an electrical outlet that turns on and off automatically or with commands in the app.

Today there are so many options on the market for such smart devices that it is very easy to get confused and choose the perfect one for you. We help you make the right choice. And at the end of the article a little bonus awaits you. So be sure to read to the end.

5th place — Smart outlet iDevices Switch

Cost: 29.95$
Load capacity: Up to 1.8 kW
Compatibility: Android, iOS

iDevices Switch is a quality smart outlet from a well-known brand. The manufacturer produces a number of devices that, year after year, get a good response from users.

The outlet has a minimalist design with a light indicator. By synchronizing your smartphone with your gadget, you can remotely control turning appliances on and off, set timers, and get power usage reports. But users of the Android version of the app often have trouble connecting the device, so we wouldn’t recommend getting one. But owners of iOS devices can enjoy benefits like Siri and Apple HomeKit support. Add to that the low cost and you have a great solution for your home.

Advantages:

• Low cost
• Reliability

Disadvantages:

• Difficulties syncing with Android
• Rare connection loss

Features

4 place — Elgato Eve Energy

Cost: 49.95$
Load capacity: Up to 2.2 kW
Compatibility: iOS

This Bluetooth-connected smart outlet is designed for Apple product connoisseurs. No Android support and it’s not expected, which can be considered the main disadvantage. Either buy an iPhone or a different outlet. If you own an iOS device, then Elgato Eve Energy is an option for you.

The device supports full integration with Apple HomeKit services. Can use Apple TV as a hub and control functionality remotely. Owners can command by voice, aided by Siri compatibility. Unlike Chinese counterparts, the proprietary software for this outlet is localized in eight languages, including Russian.

Elgato Eve Energy will help you control the energy consumption of your home. You can get time-based reports and quickly decide which appliances should be replaced with more energy efficient ones.

If you are a fan of Apple, feel free to choose this Bluetooth outlet. Owners unanimously agree that it is one of the best devices in its segment.

Not having an Android app made it to number four in our ranking.

Advantages:

• Quick setup
• Reliable connectivity
• App localization

Disadvantages:

• High cost
• Does not work with Android
• Small feature set

Features

3rd place — Orvibo WiWo-s20-E2 outlet

Cost: 44.00$
Allowable load: Up to 2.2 kW
Compatibility: Android, iOS

Orvibo has a traditional design for such devices. Nice looking white plastic and compact size make it a universal solution for any interior.

In terms of functionality, it does not differ from its competitors. Via WIWO smartphone app you can remotely activate and deactivate the smart socket. A timer with a maximum delay of 18 hours is also available. The gadget can memorize up to 10 usage scenarios at a time. It will both heat the kettle when you arrive and turn on automatic lawn watering.

Of the main drawbacks should be noted frequent loss of connection with the Wi-Fi router. Users complain that from time to time you have to manually reconnect the outlet, which is definitely not happy. In addition, all settings are stored in the Orvibo cloud, so no internet – no smart features.

Benefits:

• Easy installation

Disadvantages:

• Does not turn on automatically after a power outage
• No localization
• High cost

Features

2nd place — Mi Smart outlet with USB connector

Cost: 19.99$
Acceptable load: Up to 2.2 kW
Compatibility: Android, iOS

Xiaomi and its line of smart outlets are not behind the competition, and in some ways even ahead of them. It has many devices to create a smart home and this smart outlet is an integral part of the ecosystem. It is made of high quality heat resistant plastic. Thanks to the laconic design it will look great in any interior.

You need to install the app on your smart phone to get started. And as is often the case with Chinese brands, there is no official localization. If this is a problem for you, you will have to look for a program with an unofficial translation. With a universal port, you can connect devices with different types of plugs to it. There is a USB socket on the bottom side, which is convenient for charging your smartphone and other gadgets. There’s also a light to show the power connection.

The gadget supports different usage scenarios. You can manually turn it on and off, check if any of the appliances left connected to electricity, as well as setting a timer.

Users complain about sudden but infrequent disconnections from the WiFi network, because of which the outlet has to be reconnected from time to time. It also doesn’t restore its operation on its own if it loses power. You have to do it manually. But as they say, safety first.

Advantages:

• Record breaking temperature resistance
• Availability of different connectors

Disadvantages:

• No Russian./ukr. language

Features

1st place — TP-Link HS100 Wi-Fi outlet

Cost: 21.99$
Allowable load: Up to 3.5 kW
Compatibility: Android, iOS

TP-Link HS100 is the best representative of its segment. The device has a simple appearance that will not stand out in any interior.

No discomfort in operation due to the ease of interaction. It is enough to download the Kasa app to your smartphone (both Android and iOS are supported), select the device you want to synchronize and configure it. When you connect multiple smart outlets, you can easily select an icon for each individual device. Can be limited to control only from home network or over the internet.

The owner can turn HS100 on and off, set the timer for automatic operation of the device, which is very convenient when working with a night light. Away mode is a useful addition. When it is activated, power comes on and off randomly. Thieves who might be watching your home can’t tell if you’re on vacation.

For those who are worried about the electricity bill, Usage mode is available. With it, you’ll know how much energy a particular device is using at a given time, daily and on average.

It would seem that everything is fine, but in the case of TP-Link HS100 not without some minor shortcomings. One of them is the lack of localization of the Kasa application. For some it does not matter, but for some it can be a serious challenge for the “taming” smart device. But the interface is simple, so to understand it will not be a problem.

This socket is the undisputed leader of our ranking. However, given TP-Link’s virtually flawless reputation, there’s nothing to be surprised about.