The Amazon Smart Plug makes lamps, fans, and coffee makers smarter, letting you turn them on and off with voice commands through Alexa. This is possible because the plug connects directly to Wi-Fi with no additional hub required, so all you have to do is plug it into a wall outlet, enter the required information in the app, and you’re ready in minutes. Because it takes up very little room, you can still use the second outlet that’s left available on the wall. Schedules, timers, and routines allow you to automate the products you use daily.
A compact smart plug that puts ordinary appliances on Alexa
A smart plug is a way to turn normal electronics into devices you can control remotely with Alexa. When you tell Alexa to “turn on the living room lamp” via an Echo speaker or the Alexa app, it simply flips the power to whatever item you have attached. You can also label each plug with a name of your choice, making it easier to identify what each one does. You don’t need to change anything about your lamp, fan, or holiday lights.
You can do all setup entirely within that same app. You simply plug it into an electrical outlet, follow the steps to connect to your home’s Wi-Fi network, and assign a name. You don’t need to purchase any hubs or download any additional apps beyond the one tied to your Amazon account, so the process stays uncomplicated and straightforward if you already have Echo devices throughout your home.
Schedules and timers help prevent you from forgetting to do things. Your porch light can automatically switch on at sundown and turn off at bedtime. Your space heater can automatically turn itself off after an hour of operation. And a coffee maker programmed the previous evening can begin brewing before your alarm clock goes off.
Routines let you tie multiple plugs together with other smart devices and triggers. For example, saying “Alexa, goodnight” simultaneously turns off your lamp, locks a compatible smart door lock, and lowers the temperature setting on your smart thermostat. That way, you only need to say one phrase instead of several.
You don’t need an Echo speaker to operate it, either. The app on your phone functions as the remote controller, so you can toggle individual devices on and off, see their current state, and create new schedules using only the app. If you own an Echo speaker, you can issue voice commands from anywhere within range.
Since the app enables remote control access, you can check in on your devices even when you’re away. If you can’t remember whether you turned off a hair dryer or space heater before leaving, a quick glance at your smartphone shows its status, and you can turn it off from anywhere. The Amazon Smart Plug works with the Alexa app on iPhone and Android and pairs with any Echo device you already own.