With energy prices soaring for various reasons, it’s prudent to minimize unnecessary or extravagant energy consumption as much as possible. Enter the contemporary smart plug, such as this $24 Kasa smart plug four-pack currently on sale for a 20% discount. Utilizing the mobile companion application or IFTTT, you can completely automate or schedule devices that are connected. Additionally, you can power them on or off using your voice through Alexa or Google Home by either pressing the built-in buttons or remotely via the app.
Smart plugs enable you to swiftly toggle a coffee maker or other small electronics on and off when they are not in use. If a smart bulb isn’t your preference, you can also link them to lamps for automation purposes. You can create numerous scenarios through Alexa and similar services. In my residence, I have “TMNT” and “Mortal Kombat” arcade cabinets powered by Kasa smart plugs, and when I say “game time” to Alexa, she activates them. Silly? Perhaps. Cool? Certainly.
Aside from the entertainment setup, they serve as a fantastic method to automate various electronics. Schedule and manage Christmas lights, decorations, appliances, lamps — you name it. They connect to your home network using 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and are very simple to install and set up — I use Kasa’s larger plugs, which are also on sale. However, the U.S. may potentially ban TP-Link routers from American households, and the fate of its smart home products remains uncertain.
Why would you desire Wi-Fi-enabled smart plugs?
With Kasa smart plugs, you can set specific on and off schedules, allowing devices or lights to activate and deactivate at particular times throughout the day. This feature enables you to create a routine that automatically turns something on in the morning as you’re waking up or when you arrive home from work. It’s also useful when you go on vacation and want lights to turn on and off to give the appearance of someone being home. An Amazon smart plug is suggested in our essential smart home gadgets list, and although this isn’t Amazon’s brand specifically, the Kasa plugs are compatible with Alexa.
Through the Kasa app, you can also manage the plugs remotely, utilize your voice with Alexa, Google Home, and linked platforms, or automate them in other, more intricate ways through IFTTT.
BGR’s top recommendations for smart plugs feature Kasa and TP-Link options, even if not specifically the mini versions. Furthermore, out of nearly 26,000 reviews on Amazon, they boast 4.4 stars, with 77% of those reviews being five-star ratings. Users seem to genuinely appreciate them. Comments describe the Kasa mini as an “outstanding product,” assert that they deliver “great value,” and highlight that they’re “simple to set up and operate.” One thing is clear: this sale price is a bargain for a sought-after accessory.
