A smart plug serves as an intermediary between a gadget and its energy source, playing a key part in switching the gadget on and off. Besides this fundamental function, it offers more features. It allows consumers to manage gadgets through vocal instructions or with a mobile application. Furthermore, it simplifies the linking of other gadgets to a smart home setup.
Smart plugs allow you to schedule the days and times when your appliances will turn on and off. Some can even collect information about energy consumption.
Features of Smart Plugs
Voice Control — Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant
Some smart plugs are voice-activated. That’s right; you can give voice commands to your plug through Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri. All you need is an Alexa or Google Home device to give the commands to. Once your smart home system is ready for use, you can control any appliances connected to a smart plug with your voice.
Tell your coffee machine to turn on, turn your lights on and off, and so much more.
Remote Control
Control your appliances remotely using your phone. Once an appliance is connected to the plug, it can be controlled using an app on your smartphone. Utilize this feature and start preparing dinner before you get home.
For example, you can connect your slow cooker to a smart plug. If you have a dish in mind that takes a few hours to make, turn the slow cooker on on your way home and get cooking.
Energy Monitoring
Some smart plugs can tell you exactly how much energy an appliance uses when it’s connected to the power source. Use that knowledge to decide whether you should start looking for a more eco-friendly model that consumes less electricity, or simply keep the appliance switched off.
You don’t need to buy a separate smart plug for each appliance. Just give all your appliances some time alone with the plug and it will show you how much energy each one consumes.
Set Schedules, Timers, and Delays
Smart plugs allow you to set timers and create schedules that fit your lifestyle perfectly. Use these features to optimize your life and make every household process easier.
For example, if you like to fall asleep with the fan blowing and wake up with it off, you can schedule the fan to turn off at some point during the night. This way you don’t have to get up and turn it off yourself or wake up in the cold.
Random Modes for Security
Many people use their smart plugs for security reasons when they’re not home. You can schedule certain appliances to turn on and off when you’re not home to make it look like the house is occupied and scare off robbers. What’s even better—some plugs offer “away mode” as a feature.
When you turn on “away mode,” it randomly turns different appliances on and off when you’re not home. That creates the appearance of a busy home.
Routines & Scenes
Smart plugs, just like any other device that you can connect to your smart home system, can take part in the routines and scenes that you set up. The easiest example of that is lights. The lights connected to your smart plug will follow any routine you set up through the app.
Setting up scenes and routines allows you to control your whole house with the touch of a button. A scene can activate a routine.
Easy Installation With Wi-Fi
Smart plugs are very easy to set up and start using. All you have to do is plug it into a power socket and choose an appliance you’d like to connect to the plug. Then, download the app of the smart plug and connect it to the plug. Use a smartphone app to control your plug.
Connect your plug to Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri to complete your smart home system.
Example Usages of Smart Plugs
Smart plugs can power almost any appliance for your kitchen, living room, bedroom, or garden. If you’re struggling to imagine how a smart plug would fit into your smart home, here are some ways they can be useful to you:
- Use the scheduling feature to plan your day in advance. For example, if you want to wake up at 6 a.m. on a winter morning, schedule the lights in your bedroom to turn on at 6 on the clock. Get an energy boost from your morning coffee and start the day off right. You can also schedule your coffee maker to turn on at the same time and start brewing you a cup of coffee.
- Use the “away mode” when you’re gone for long periods of time. If you’re planning a vacation, for example, turn on “away mode” to create the appearance of a busy house. The smart plug will turn appliances on and off at random times. This way robbers will be too scared to break in, as they’ll think someone’s home.
- If you have an appliance you always forget to turn off, like your iron, curling iron, or stove, plug it into your smart plug. This way you can turn it off using your phone even if you’re not home, and you don’t have to worry about burning your house down.
- If you feel like you need to cut down on your electricity consumption, use your smart plug to measure how much electricity each appliance uses. This will help you find the one to eliminate.
What Is a Wi-Fi Plug?
A Wi-Fi plug is a very simple device you use to connect your appliances to your smart home system. You just plug your smart plug into a power socket and plug an appliance into the plug.
The plug uses Wi-Fi. You can use your internet connection to turn your appliances on and off in the phone app. You can even create schedules for devices and track your energy consumption.
What Does a Smart Plug Do?
The purpose is to connect an appliance to your smart home system. You can connect any appliance—like a hair straightener, a stove, or an iron—to your smart home and control it from your phone. A smart plug serves as a connector between the appliance and your smart home.
It allows you to turn your appliances on and off using your phone and Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri.
How Do Smart Outlets Work?
Smart outlets or smart plugs work in a very simple way. All you have to do is plug yours into a power socket and it’s ready to go. Using your home’s Wi-Fi network, set up your plug in the company’s phone app and start using it.
Plug an appliance of your choice into your smart outlet and control it using the app. The smart outlet serves as a connector between the power source and your smart home.
What is a Smart Plug: The Verdict
A smart plug can be very useful for those who already have a smart home system and are looking to hook more appliances up to that system. Once your appliances are connected, you can control them from anywhere using a smartphone app. Never leave your iron on again!