# The Shelly Plug US Gen4: An In-Depth Review
Selecting a smart plug often resembles taking a chance, particularly given the numerous protocols present in the market. Recently, Belkin discontinued support for its Wemo product line, underscoring the unpredictability within the smart home accessory domain. In contrast, Shelly has opted for a different strategy by integrating various connectivity options into its newest product, the Shelly Plug US Gen4. This article delves into the features, connectivity choices, and overall functionality of this cutting-edge smart plug.
## Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 and Matter
A key highlight of the Shelly Plug US Gen4 is its flexible connectivity. Unlike several smart plugs that require users to choose between Zigbee and Wi-Fi, the Gen4 accommodates both protocols, increasing its interoperability with numerous smart home systems. It comes with Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), representing a significant advancement over older Wi-Fi generations typically found in smart devices.
Wi-Fi 6 boasts numerous benefits, including the capacity to manage multiple IoT devices at once without hampering performance. This is especially advantageous in settings with a high number of connected devices, as it delivers swifter and more consistent connections, even in areas with “noisy” radio frequencies. However, it’s important to mention that the plug does not support the 5 GHz band, which might impact its effectiveness in specific situations.
Moreover, the Shelly Plug US Gen4 is compatible with Matter, a universal protocol that streamlines integration with major smart home platforms like Apple Home, Google Home, and Amazon Alexa. This allows users to seamlessly incorporate the plug into their smart home configuration without the need for a proprietary bridge. For those utilizing Home Assistant, the plug can even be configured to function as a Zigbee device, granting further customization possibilities.
## The Standout Feature: Power Metering
One of the most remarkable aspects of the Shelly Plug US Gen4 is its accurate power metering functionalities. This feature enables users to keep track of the energy consumption of devices connected to the smart plug. However, Apple users may encounter a limitation: while the plug gathers detailed energy usage metrics, Apple’s Home app does not showcase this information in a user-friendly way.
To counter this, Shelly has introduced two smart solutions. First, the LED ring on the plug changes color based on the power draw. It glows green for low consumption and shifts to red when high power usage is identified, such as when a space heater is activated. This visual indicator enables users to quickly gauge power consumption at a glance.
For more in-depth analysis, the Shelly Smart Control app offers detailed insights into energy usage, allowing users to precisely monitor how much power their devices are consuming. Additionally, the plug can be programmed with safety automations, like a “forgotten appliance” rule that automatically disables the plug when it detects a high power draw sustained over time, enhancing household safety.
## Conclusion
The Shelly Plug US Gen4 establishes a new benchmark for smart plugs through its combination of connectivity features and advanced capabilities. Its support for Matter and Wi-Fi 6 guarantees its relevance as smart home technology progresses, while its power metering features provide essential insights into energy use. The sole downside is the lack of 5 GHz Wi-Fi support, which may restrict its performance in certain situations.
In summary, the Shelly Plug US Gen4 is a flexible and powerful addition to any smart home ecosystem, representing a valuable investment for users seeking to improve their home automation experience. It is available for purchase on platforms such as Amazon and directly from the Shelly store.