best smart extension cord

When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. Within the Ring app, you can configure the two outlets to work together or separately, and create schedules for when it turns on and off. It's cheap, but it doesn't skimp on quality or function. Setup couldnt be easier, being compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, SmartThings and IFTTT, and you can schedule exactly when you want your lights on and off. Here are our top choices, plus a shopping guide that will help you decide which one is right for you if none of our picks fits your needs. And even though it is only compatible with Amazon Alexa, you can still use the APC Home app on your iPhone for full control. Extras plugs cost about $54 each. Most are rated to handle just a few hundred watts of power consumption, which is fine for a lamp or a coffee maker, but you might encounter problems if you connect a hair dryer or a professional blender to one. There are LED lights on the unit to indicate when it's properly connected, and it is compatible with Alexa and Google Home. Yes, even Siri. If you have other TP-Link devices installed, adding the Kasa Wi-Fi Plug Lite to the mix is a no-brainer. Please refresh the page and try again. That last feature can help keep your energy bills at a minimum too. Provides surge, overvoltage, and overcurrent protection, We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices, Kasa Smart Kp400 Outdoor Smart Plug Lifestyle, How to transfer data from your old iPad to your new iPad, Developers can now sign up for August's App Store sessions, Will Smith's Emancipation could still see a 2022 premiere, Read everything from iPhone to Apple Watch, Mags delivered straight to your door or device. The Ring also comes with three screws and wall anchors. Here's what you should be wary of purchasing. You can control its two outlets independently, for example, and thanks to its integrated photo cell, you can program the device to turn its outlets on at sunset and off at sunrise, even if the plug is out of range of your Wi-Fi network (just program while connected to your network and then move it to its final destinationthe instructions will be stored in its memory). The Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip features six grounded outlets that can be independently controlled and scheduled, plus three fast USB charging ports.

Thoughtful touches such as the generously spaced, 90-degree outlets make worrying about fitting bulky adapters in a thing of the past. However, its worth it for spaces where you have several appliances set up, like in a home office or entertainment center. The Eve Energy Strip provides a sleek, modern take on the traditional power strip. We found this device easy to set up and control, but theres not a lot thats unique about this ecosystem to recommend it over any that of any other brand, ranging from Levitons Decora Smart to TP-Links Kasa Smart and Wyze Labs. When you have a smart power strip, you get both convenience and functionality in a single, easy-to-use package. Like most outdoor smart plugs, the Wyze Plug Outdoor is a black box, with a cord on one end and two outlets on the other. TP-Link's Kasa Smart Outdoor Plug KP400 comes with two outlets, which means you can control two devices separately. Away mode turns the plugs on and off randomly during the time you choose, without your having to actually set timers and schedules. You will receive a verification email shortly. Unfortunately, there are only small spaces between the outlets, which might make plugging in your devices difficult. Plus, thanks to the fact that you can schedule the power, you can deter burglars while youre away by lighting up the house in the evenings. While these are the best overall smart power strips, we also have some of the best HomeKit power strips if you want more HomeKit integration. Each of the Eve Energy Strip's outlets works independently from each other through the iOS Home app, the Eve for HomeKit App, Siri, and with the physical buttons on the device itself. The Kasa Smart KP400 is also weather resistant with an IP64 rating, so it'll withstand any weather condition you're in. Her favorite thing to test has to be stand mixers as she loves to bake in her spare time. We like that the Amazon Smart Plug has a physical on/off button and an LED to indicate its status. However, the app unfortunately lacks two-factor authentication. It has two outlets, so you can control two devices independently. By For the price, the Kasa Smart WiFi Lite is perfect for adding to all your homes lamps or other low-power gadgets. Some Amazon reviews from 2019 show plugs that have overheated to the point of melting.

APC takes protection seriously and backs up its surge protector with an equipment protection policy that will reimburse customers for any losses. If you want to invest in smart plugs, but youre not sure which to choose, worry not. Hubspace devices in the big-box retailers house brand familiesCommercial Electric, Defiant, EcoSmart, and Hampton Bayconnect directly to your 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network. While the APC Smart Plug Surge Protector is only compatible with Amazon Alexa for voice control, it can work with both iOS and Android via the APC Home App. Smart plugs are useful in more ways than one. Leviton continues to make our favorite smart plug, and its second-generation devicemodelD215Padds HomeKit compatibility to its repertoire (although we encountered a little difficulty getting that feature to work right off the bat). If youve not used one before, a smart plug essentially sits between a plug and an outlet and controls when the power can flow through. Alexa, Google Assistant, SmartThings, IFTTT, 12 essential tips for saving on your energy bill, 10 things you never knew you could do with a smart plug, Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 review: A new standard for Android tablets, Apple M2 chip New feature, specs and everything we know so far, The best laptops in 2022: 20 top picks tested and rated, PS5 and Steam Deck just got some good supply chain news, The best tech tutorials and in-depth reviews, Try a single issue or save on a subscription, Issues delivered straight to your door or device. A Bigger Powerstrip (With Smart USB Ports). To revisit this article, select My Account, thenView saved stories. It of course offers protection from power surges as well. Gentle LED indicator lights will not light up your space at night, and a child lock prevents unwanted cases where an outlet is shut off by accident. These switches include hardware buttons to control dimming directly on the switch itself in addition to app-based control.

If youd like a smart power strip for less, our favorite choice is the Teckin Smart Power Strip. This power strip includes APC's device protection policy and features little things such as handy USB ports that make it stand out from the rest. It supports grouping as well, so if you have more than one of these, you can organize them as you see fit, right from your smartphone. 3. They work just the way they sound: The outlet in the wall doesnt change, you just configure the add-on plug using an app, connect it to your network, and use it to control whatevers plugged into it. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Christopher Close Wired may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. Like most smart power strips, you can name each outlet so you don't have to guess what is plugged in where. APC's strip works to keep your gear safe. Perhaps Google Assistant and Siri could be added down the line, but well have to see. last updated 13 May 22. Kasa plugs are usually a tad cheaper and come from a better-known brand, but I personally like all Nooie products so far. The breakthroughs and innovations that we uncover lead to new ways of thinking, new connections, and new industries. Most of these smart power strips also have built-in surge protection to keep you and your devices safe. Surge protection and four smart outlets make it suitable for most tasks. This helps to reduce the number of bulky charging blocks that you may have, making it perfect under a desk or nightstand. It is the essential source of information and ideas that make sense of a world in constant transformation. We tested three popular photo scanning apps against a scanner. Some smart plugs, such as this GE by Jasco model, accept only two-prong plugs and are not directly grounded. The cord is a little short at around 6 inches, and the plug is in-line with the cord, so it was a bit harder to cram it into my outdoor outlet and close the cover. This low-cost power strip covers all of the basics. To reiterate, many smart plugs are not as secure or easy to use as advertised, so theres something to be said for TP-Links consistency and versatility. To top things off, the APC Smart Plug Surge Protector includes four USB ports, which add a little extra convenience. If you are in the market for the absolute best smart power strip that has a solid, durable design with smart capabilities and protection, you just can't beat the APC Smart Plug Surge Protector. My priorities are wifi and precise power monitoring. It's small enough to fit anywhere outside, allowing you to control two devices with full weather resistance and voice control. Upgrade your WFH setup and work in style with these comfy seats. published 23 June 22, These are the best smart plugs for raising your home's IQ. If you have Amazon Echo, Google Home, or Apple HomePod smart speakers in your home, youll love being able to turn sockets on and off with voice commands. But, if you dont have Alexa, make sure the smart light youre looking at can connect to the alternatives, such as Google Home. Indoor vs. outdoor: Most smart plugs can only be used inside, since they arent weatherproof. Just below the buttons is a small light sensor; this can be used to tell the outlet when to turn on or off, based on the ambient lighting conditions. Christopher spends most of his time writing and dreaming about all things HomeKit. Smart plugs can actually do much more than you'd first think, check out these 10 things you never knew you could do with a smart plug. Using the Teckin Smart Plug app, you can remotely monitor and control your appliances, and can control and schedule each outlet individually. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). At the top is a 6.5-inch cord thats long enough to plug the Ring into an outdoor outlet, but still be able to close your outlets door. Before you start shopping for a smart plug, you'll need to keep a few things in mind. Whats more, you can incorporate the kit into a broader smart home system, and its compatible with Apples HomeKit ecosystem, too. New York, After testing dozens of available smart plugs, we think the best overall is the $25 Wemo WiFi Smart Plug. We've also added an outdoor plug from Cync and Kasa's power strip as an option. Smart plugs arent just for inside your home. Wyze has built a reputation on making good low-cost smart home devices, and the Wyze Plug outdoor is yet another such product. In all, the Ring Outdoor Smart Plug is a good device for those invested in the Ring ecosystem. If you want a smaller design, check out TP-Link's HS105, the iHome ISP6X, and the Belkin WeMo Mini. This nearly became our favorite power strip, but its biggest downfall is that it only works with Alexa. The Starter Kit includes a handy remote, but you can skip that if you want to control it with your voice assistant. (We like smart bulbs for this reason, too). This strip has six smart outlets enabling the ultimate in control. The Teckin Smart Power Strip also offers more features than most of the other best smart plugs. In addition to regular schedules and timers, Nooie also includes a loop timer. In addition to making sure the plug actually turns on the thing that's plugged into it, we also evaluate the plugs on several factors: Design: Can you fit more than one plug into an outlet? Setup: How easy is it to connect the plug to your Wi-Fi network, and to its app. Others can be scheduled, so you can make your home look lived in while youre away on vacation, or so that you can limit the hours your kids can play video games or watch TV. We love the app that comes with this device and its really what sets it apart from other outdoor smart plugs. Not all plugs are created equal. The Wyze app is easy to navigate and the control screen is straightforward. Wi-Fi plugs typically dont require a hubyour router serves that rolewhile Zigbee and Z-Wave models do. This is an excellent solution for connecting the best HomeKit cameras. There are many smart plugs out there with similar features and designs, so buying one might come down to price and brand. Grounded or ungrounded: Some smart plugs offer only two-prong, ungrounded power. Weatherized switches (almost always black) are clearly denoted as safe for use outside. Power plug manufacturers tend to bury their maximum wattage ratings in the fine print, so check carefully beforehand if you expect the outlet to support high-draw appliances. The Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip also includes power monitoring and scheduling options to help keep your costs down. Features: Are there any other features that distinguish the plug from others? If you need dimming functions, consider Levitons second-gen Decora Smart Mini Plug-In Dimmer (model D23LP). Similar to a power strip, this has a cord that plugs into the wall, so you get two smart outlets while only taking up one in the actual wall. iMore is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Works with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. Its a large outdoor plug, measuring 4.9 x 2.4 x 2.3 inches, but its housing does contain a Wi-Fi radio which can connect to a router 300 feet away. That said, we believe its worth the investment because the kit requires very limited input once you set it up with your smart home routines. It might seem expensive at around $80, but its actually a pretty strong deal when you compare it to dual-outlet smart plugs that cost about $60. This one has just four outlets rather than the standard six, but it's affordable and works well. 2. Each outlet can be individually controlled through Alexa or Google Assistant, via TP-Link's App, or even by pressing a conveniently located button. The Wyze Plug has two sockets; at the top of the front of the Plug are two buttons to control each socket, with small LEDs that show which is active. Sitting at a desk for hours? Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, Alexa Guard works like vacation or travel mode on the other plugs, where it turns off and on automatically to make it look like you're home. Like all of the Wyze products, the Wyze Plug is affordable connected home gadget that's great for your small light fixtures or coffee maker. Scheduling: How robust is the scheduling feature in the app? Copyright 2022 IDG Communications, Inc. You could hire an electrician to rip out your existing outlets and replace them with smart in-wall models, but theres an easier, less-expensive way: Stick a smart plug in those outlets. This includes unlimited access to WIRED.com and our print magazine (if you'd like). NY 10036. Its design is thin enough that you can fit two per outlet, too. Not all smart plugs are as good as the claim, so we spent hours testing options to find the best smart plugs worth buying. This protector includes a total of six outlets, three of which are smart, and status indicator LEDs offer additional peace of mind when it comes to the protection of your devices. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, These smart Wi-Fi-enabled power strips give you the ability to control, monitor, and manage all of your devices, anytime and anywhere. Integrated dimming: If youre hooking up a lamp to a smart plug, you can easily turn it into a dimmable lamp if the switch includes an onboard dimmer. Every room in your house has them: power outlets, and theyre about as dumb as technology can be. Wyze Labs smart plug wont report your energy consumption, and its limited to on/off functionality, not dimmingbut its the least-expensive smart plug youll find, and it incorporates into the broader Wyze Labs smart home ecosystem, so it was an easy choice to be our top pick in the budget category. A flat plug at the end of the power strip allows placement neatly behind furniture, and it follows a traditional power strip design, making it blend into your space without screaming smart device. This version is rated for 15 amps. You can also click here to see a list of the all the smart plugs weve reviewed to date. It is small and compact, so it won't look bulky and out of place outside of the house. Weve conducted extensive online research and have tested a range of models for ourselves to find the best. This doesn't affect our editorial independence. Certified protection ensures that your gear will be safe. TP-Links Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip includes six grounded smart outlets in one. For just under $200, you get two plugs, two remotes and the necessary Wi-Fi bridge. Surge protection and energy monitoring make it a solid choice. But at only $29.99, it's less than half the price of its upscale competitors. Reviewing a smart plug isn't as simple as plugging it in. She has tested and reviewed kitchen appliances for over 6 years, so she knows what to look for when finding the best. The fact that it has a total of six outlets, with three of them being smart, as well as four USB ports, means you have a ton of flexibility. , Smart connectivity and voice control are brilliant features to have nothings more convenient than asking Alexa to switch off your lights, and watching technology do the rest. It also has a clever Away mode.

Its IP64-rated, so it can endure everyday rain, but you should still leave this plug facing downwards with the outlets covered when not in use. This smart plug has a physical switch, so if you dont want to use your voice or an app to turn your appliance on or off, you can click the switch on the Wemo. Zigbee is one of the more popular smart-home protocols on the market. TechHive recently showered praise on a model from TP-Link. Is the app any good? Before you decide which smart plug is best for you, heres some things you need to consider: 1. Eve's strip comes in an aluminum frame that is sure to last for years. APC's power strip has six outlets, three of which are smart, and two of the four USB ports are smart. The less premium smart plugs come with less intuitive apps, which can make it difficult to schedule and control your smart plug. Priced at just $8 per plug, the Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Mini Plug is one of the best smart plugs in terms of value. It comes packed with all the features of Alexa, including compatibility with routines, schedules, timers, and other advanced automations. With either the Alexa app or any of the best Alexa speakers, you can control the Amazon Smart Plug from wherever you are in your home. You can control each connected device individually using the Kasa app, Alexa or Google Assistant, or buttons on the device itself. Alternatives: We've tried, and like, a bunch of other TP-Link products. Which smart plug is best for your home? Energy monitoring features let you use the devices mobile app to track power consumption over time, giving you a better argument to use against your wasteful, wasteful children who never turn off the TV.

Smart plugs might seem like a commodity, but they cover a wide range of design styles, capabilities, and compatibilities. In the Gadget Lab, we prefer Google Assistant, but if you use Alexa, the Amazon Smart Plug might be worth considering. Here's how to make them vanish. Heres an easy and inexpensive way to control the lamps and small appliances in your smart home. These designs are small enough that they wont block secondary outlets. We consider indoor as well as outdoor smart plugs to find the best for every circumstance. Support for Apples Siri is less common, but not hard to find. Katie Mortram HomeKit support: If youre looking for compatibility with Apples HomeKit devices (and want to tell Siri to turn lights on and off), youll need to look for this support, which should be well-labeled on a products website and packaging. Even with its lower cost, this strip offers four outlets that work independently, as well as basic surge protection. A few of our other picks have this setting too. TP-Link's Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip provides a total of six smart outlets and three USB ports, enabling it to handle as many devices as you can throw at it. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. Plus the Kasa app has a wide collection of automation features, including scheduling and the ability to control those other TP-Link-brand smart home products. Naturally, you can control an outlet's power individually or turn the entire strip on or off at once. Power limitations: You cant plug anything into a smart plug. Here they are. You can also set a vacation mode, where the Plug will turn on and off so it looks like youre home, but Im not sure how useful that is for an outdoor light. Weve even come across apps which arent fully translated into English. It not only beats the competition on price, it also delivers some features those devices dont have. If you don't want to pay for the word processor, and Google Docs won't work for what you need, you have options. However, you can also create a schedule based on a set time of day, as well as sunrise and sunset though theres no offset, such as 15 minutes before or after sunrise. To create a true smart home, you need to upgrade the way your wiring works, so that it can be controlled, managed, and monitored from afar. And surge protection comes with the best smart power strips and smart plugs, which makes them even more of an essential tool to have around the house. I've never been disappointed by a Wyze product, and that includes this smart plug. Tom's Guide is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Some smart plugs are chunkier than they look in the pictures, so make sure you check and measure out the dimensions. It's bigger and bulkier than other power strips because of its two rows, but it has a handy 6-foot-long power cord and can be mounted to keep it off the ground. It's more compact than most offerings out there, so you won't block your outlet, too. As always, full reviews of all the smart plug hardware on the market follow at the end of the buyers guide. Please refresh the page and try again. Some designs offer two plugs, but only one of them is smart; the other is an always-on pass-through plug. The 30 Best Gift Ideas for the New Grad in Your Life. Here are our favorites (and a few we don't like). It's more compact than the previous category champ, ironically called the Wemo Mini, while maintaining all the handy scheduling features. Many of these deviceseven those with a single-plug designcover up both wall sockets, which can greatly limit their utility. It's also expensive. If you plug lamps into them, you can make it look like someone's home and potentially thwart burglars. If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. Alexa and Google Assistant should be givens. And its slim form factor means you can plug two of them into the same duplex outlet. If you need three-prong, fully grounded electricity, be sure to purchase one of the many smart plugs on the market that includes this feature. The hub in Lutrons starter kit can control more than just the smart plugs that come with it. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. An internet-connected plug can give any basic appliance a brain. How to Remove Your Personal Info From Google's Search Results. You can set each outlet to turn on or off based on various environmental factors such as time, temperature, humidity, sunrise and sunset or the actions of other smart-home devices. An aluminum silver and black frame with its three outlets make the energy strip stand out from the competition and is something that you may not want to hide under the desk. This helps support our journalism. 11 Ways to Upgrade Your Wi-Fi and Make Your Internet Faster. Better yet, if you have the Wyze Bulb, Wyze Cam or Wyze Smart Lock, you can integrate the Wyze Plug with your existing system. The app includes two-factor authentication and a child-lock feature that disables the power buttonit can stop a curious kid from turning off appliances. It also supports Lutrons in-wall dimmer switches and you can use it to schedule and automate Lutrons line of Serena powered window shades. Another Power Strip We Love: The TP-Link Kasa Smart Power Strip ($25) works well. Voice assistant compatibility: Many smart plugs work with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or both. Theres isnt a lot of competition in this area, but its not just that TP-Link wins by default. The APC Smart Plug Surge Protector combines state-of-the-art electrical protection with the convenience of smart outlet control. Some brands, such as iHome, can also work with Apple Homekit. WIRED is where tomorrow is realized. In my testing, schedules set to simultaneously turn off one device and power on others worked flawlessly. We just wish there were more outletsthere's only three, plus two USB ports (those are not smart). Do any Smart Switches turn on device based upon a yearly rather than weekly schedule? Like Kasa, Nooie also has a travel mode for turning lights on at random times to mimic someone being home. Wireless standard: As with all smart home gear, smart plugs support one of several wireless technologies, including Zigbee, Z-Wave, or Wi-Fi. We haven't personally experienced this and have been testing them since 2020, but it's a concern we're keeping an eye on. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. By Some smart plugs replace a single plug, some replace two. The Lutron Caseta Dimmer Switch Starter Kit is one of the best smart plugs because it works with any desk or table lamp (and up to 800 different bulbs), making the "dumb" device smart.

Number of plugs: Designs vary widely here. (This is done in part to dissuade you from attaching heavy machinery to the outlet.) That said, at $79 for the unit, it's a bit pricey compared to other options. There was a problem. With four outlets and four USB ports, it can accommodate as many devices as some surge protectors can. Christine Chan NY 10036. These are our favorite smart plugs we've tested (and ones we didn't like). These compact plugs from Nooie are easy to set up and manage. I liked being able to control them without going outside, especially for nights when I tucked myself into bed before remembering they were still on. One of the benefits of the Wyze Plug is Vacation mode, which is similar to the Wemo's Away mode. When the Wyze Plug is on this setting, it will turn your stuff on and off your electronics at random, making it seem like youre home. On the front of the Ring is a large circular button thats blue in the center; you can press on either side of the button to control each outlet independently. Heres why you can trust us. Linganzh's Smart Power Strip is an affordable option for those who are looking for just the basics in smart control. Hub requirements: If you need to control the switch through a third-party hub like SmartThings or Wink, thats one more piece of gear youll need to budget for.

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best smart extension cord