The first one is the hot wire and the second is the neutral wire and both of them are creating a path of electricity to go all the way around through your device and back to your panel. The circuit comes from your electrical panel and provides power to your smart switches and there are two wires that create this power. The neutral wire is considered half of the circuit. Why some Lutron Caseta switches don’t require a neutral wire?.Is the neutral wire the same as a ground wire?.Our final selection represents the best smart plugs in each category, which include best overall and best bang for your buck, along with specific use cases such as the best smart plugs for lighting and power strips. After unboxing each and noting first impressions of overall quality and clarity of instructions, we got to work to see how each measured up, taking into account metrics like compatibility, user experience, power, size, and aesthetics. We dug into our own smart home expertise and consulted our tech colleagues at our sister publication Best Products to inform our initial research, then called in samples of the latest smart plug models available from top brands, such as Kasa, Lutron, Amazon, Wemo (made by Belkin), and Wyze. For large appliances like air conditioners or space heaters, it’s best to buy a smart plug with 15 amps or more. For gadgets and smaller appliances, you’ll probably be fine with a plug that caps off at 10 or 12 amps. Take stock of everything in your house you want to connect to determine how many amps you need for each appliance or devise you want to connect, because every smart plug has a limit. We checked out the apps for the smart plugs we tried out to ensure the user interface is easy to understand and use. It’s also imperative that the smart plug app is intuitive and offers features that meet your needs, including things like scheduling and Away Mode. Not all work with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple HomeKit-or not yet, anyway, though there are up-and-coming universal standards. Likewise, think of what you might want to power down or switch off for safety after you fall asleep or leave the house.Īnother great way to use smart plugs is to control electronics that are physically out of reach-things like an attic fan or ductless air conditioner may be contenders, or modems set on a high shelf or under the sofa that need occasional restarting.Īs mentioned above, it’s essential that the smart plug you buy is compatible with your smart home setup. To kick off brainstorming, think of all the appliances and gadgets that would be helpful to automatically turn on or charge before you open your eyes or get home: a coffee maker, your hair straightener, a heated blanket, a Crockpot. But once these handy gadgets are in your possession, figuring out creative ways to use them is sure to follow. Best Power Strip: Kasa Smart Plug Power Stripīettering home security and monitoring energy consumption are perhaps the most common reasons people initially seek out smart plugs.Best for Alexa Users: Amazon Smart Plug.Best for Lighting: Lutron Caseta Smart Plug. Looking for more smart home devices and gadgets? Check out our stories on the best smart locks and smart bulbs. Read on for our top recommendations, plus tips on the best ways to use smart plugs and shopping advice to consider before you buy. That’s why we got our hands on some of the best smart plugs out there to see how they compare in terms of features, ease of setup, and overall design. Another differentiating factor is performance, as a smart plug is only as good as the app that supports it. While most smart plugs look the same, you can’t count on their compatibility with your smart home ecosystem of choice. A free outlet and a smartphone are all you need to gain remote control of everything from fans and lighting fixtures to coffee makers and other small appliances. Adding a few inexpensive smart plugs around your home can help increase security, save energy, and make everyday living more convenient.
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