There are more and more products and accessories designed to reduce consumption and, in addition to saving money, let’s take care of the planet. One of the gadgets that in recent years has become almost indispensable are electrical outlets. They have many benefits and their price is cheap compared to what it will give you when you have them at home. Can you imagine being able to control all the appliances in your home from your mobile or tablet?
If you are thinking about making your home a little more smart house, at El Comprador de La Vanguardia we have selected the 5 smart plugs that have the most ratings on Amazon so that you can decide which of them is the one that may work best in your case. In general, they tend to have very similar characteristics, so you must pay attention to the details to choose one or the other.
The TP-Link TAPO P100 smart plug allows you to connect and disconnect devices from the application, you can also program and make this remote control automatic and you can also apply a timer. It is compatible with virtual assistants Alexa and Google Assistant. Its size is small and does not block adjacent sockets and is only for type C female socket. It is easy to configure.
The Meross wifi 16A 3840W smart plug is compatible with Apple devices: Apple HomeKit (iOS 13 or higher) and Apple Watch. Plus, also with Alexa, Google Home and SmartThings. You simply tell the virtual assistant to turn on the light, and it does. This will provide comfort and make your home smarter. Through the Meross application you can also turn on and off the light or any appliance. It allows you to check the status of the plug and program it. One of the features that this plug stands out for is that it has a longer Wi-Fi connection range than usual.
The ANTELA smart plug allows you to see from the app the hourly, daily and monthly energy consumption of the appliances that are connected to this gadget. You just have to connect the plug to the application via 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi (5GHz WIFI is not supported) and you can control it and program what you need from anywhere. It is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant. It has a function that allows you to share devices with other family members. Its maximum power and current are 3680W and 16A respectively. And, a very important detail: it is fire resistant and has protection against excessive currents, short circuits, overheating and overloads.
On the list we find another smart plug from TP-Link, the Tapo 110, a more updated version. In addition to being able to turn on and off, program and use the timer, this gadget has an option in its application with which you can monitor and control energy consumption and thus save money and energy, because you can configure the plug according to your needs. It is compatible with Alexa and the Google assistant and its installation is very simple.
The Refoss smart plug stands out, above all, for its mini size, which allows you to connect other plugs next to it without problems. They have reduced it to the maximum and measures 5 x 5.7 x 6.3 cm. And not only do you save space, but it is also more manageable if you want to take it on a trip. Like the rest, from the application you can control the on and off and program what you need. Even if the router is not connected to the internet, the plug can be controlled via the Refoss app, as long as the smart plug and phone are connected to the same WiFi. It is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant.
How are smart plugs installed? Overall, installing these plugs is quick and easy. You must plug the smart plug into an existing outlet. Next, download the application on your smartphone and connect the plug to your Wi-Fi network following the instructions in the app.
Are they compatible with all electrical devices? Yes, these gadgets are compatible with most electrical devices. You can put them in lamps, fans, coffee makers and televisions… any device that plugs into a standard outlet can be controlled by a smart plug. The only thing you should do is make sure to check the charging capacity of the smart plug in case they are devices that require higher power.
Do they require a specific Wi-Fi network? No, smart plugs work with most home Wi-Fi networks, those that operate in the 2.4 GHz band. You do need to make sure that the Wi-Fi signal is stable and strong where you put the smart plug so that have good performance.
What happens if the power goes out or the Wi-Fi connection is interrupted? If the power goes out, the smart plugs will return to their previous state once the power comes back on. In the event that Wi-Fi is disconnected, the plugs will continue to operate according to the last programmed configuration. You will not be able to control your electronic devices from the app until the signal is restored.
Are they safe to use? Yes, precisely one of their strong points is the security they offer. They are designed with security measures to protect both your devices and your home network, such as surge protection, security certifications, and data encryption for the Wi-Fi connection. It is a device as safe as it is efficient.
