Here’s another smart device for your home – a mobile-enabled Wi-Fi smart plug, which will allow you to do simple things like turn off the lamp or start the kettle.
Belkin Wemo Switch
One of the early entrants of the smart plug market is Belkin. Simply plug a device into this WeMo Switch, have it join the network, and you start turning on or off your appliances from anywhere with the free WeMo app. (You can set schedules for recurring actions.) It also works with Amazon Alexa for voice control and IFTTT.
TP-Link HS100 Wi-Fi Smart Plug
Like the WeMo smart plug, TP-Link’s HS100 can be controlled (and remotely accessed) with a mobile app, and do things like scheduling the switch to automatically power a device plugged into it on and off as needed. It works with Amazon Alexa, too.
The HS100 is easily found in stores here. For example, Challenger has it going for S$49 for its members (else S$54). This is easily the most affordable smart plug available here.
TP-Link HS110 Wi-Fi Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring
Looking just like the HS100 with the exception of its faceplate color, the HS110 is basically the HS100 but with additional energy monitoring function. The app will not only show you real-time energy consumption but also historical power consumption, so you can track your energy use over time.
Challenger is selling this plug at S$59 for its members (else S$64)
D-Link DSP-W215
D-Link is another networking player that got into the Wi-Fi smart plug game early. Controlling the plug and setting schedules on your mobile device aside, D-Link’s DSP-W215 can also monitor energy usage and is smart enough to cut the power automatically if the plug overheats.
Like Belkin's WeMo Switch, this D-Link DSP-W215 isn't exactly new, so you may have to hunt around for it here. It has a suggested retail price of S$69, though there are online stores that sell it for less. During the recently concluded IT Show 2017, it was going for as low as S$39!
Elgato Eve Energy
If your whole family uses iOS devices, then you should consider the Elgato Eve Energy. Yes, like the other smart plugs, you can see how much energy your devices are using and switch them on or off with a tap; but because the Eve Energy supports Apple’s (very secure) HomeKit framework, control is easily done via the Apple Home app (from iOS 10 and WatchOS 3) or with Siri voice control. Remote access is also possible if you use a recent Apple TV to serve as a home hub.
Axtro Smart is selling the Eve Energy for S$79.
ASUS SmartHome Meter Plug (MW250)
ASUS has joined the smart home scene too, and its SmartHome range of products are now available in Singapore. Among them is the S$99 MW250 smart plug, which supports remote access, scheduling, and energy tracking. It also has built-in over-current and surge protections.
That said, this plug is a bit different from other Wi-Fi smart plugs. Being a Zigbee-based plug, it needs to pair with ASUS’ S$399 gateway. While the initial cost outlay seems high, this makes sense from an integration and savings perspective if you’re going to add more ASUS SmartHome/Zigbee products to your home down the road.
- TAGS:
- Electricity
- Home Security