Smart products are becoming a popular fixture in many households. If you plan on creating a connected home, you don’t need to purchase several smart products. You can start home automation with the help of a smart plug. 

These highly convenient devices turn ordinary appliances smart and offer higher functionality. Here’s how to find the best smart plugs.

What Are The Best Smart Plugs?

To find some of the best smart plugs in the UK, visit Meteor Electrical. At Meteor, you can find various smart plugs in multiple configurations. From single smart plugs to smart strips and outdoor smart plugs, there is something for every consumer.

 Here are some of the best smart plugs Meteor has to offer.   

1. Knightsbridge 16A Smart Plug

The Knightsbridge 16A plug can be controlled via an app on your smartphone and is also compatible with a home assistant for added functionality. This device has an IP rating of 20, which means it is dustproof.           

The Knightsbridge smart socket will help you remotely control all your appliances. This 16A smart plug is conveniently shaped and sized, so you can fit it anywhere in your home. 

The round shape can fit in any location without any restrictions. These smart plugs come in a white finish that matches almost every switch and household socket. 

1. Knightsbridge Smart 3G Smart Strip

If you want to plug in multiple devices, you will prefer the Knightsbridge 3G smart strip. With this device, you can set multiple schedules for each plugged-in appliance. A smartphone, tablet, and app can control this smart strip. 

The Knightsbridge smart strip comes with a USB charging port for added functionality.  You can connect this smart strip to Wi-Fi, which is compatible with Google Home Assistant and Amazon Alexa. 

1. Knightbridge 13A Smart Outdoor Socket

The Knightsbridge 13A smart outdoor socket lets you turn ordinary appliances smart outside your home. With this device, you can control outdoor lighting with your smartphone, such as string and Christmas lights. 

You can also set schedules and timers through the SmartKnight app to control your plugged-in appliances better. This outdoor socket has an IP66 rating, which means it can withstand various outdoor elements, such as dust and water.

What Is A Smart Plug?

A smart plug is a power receptacle installed into a standard electrical socket. This device is a crucial component if you want to create a smart home network. Instead of purchasing multiple smart products, you can use one smart plug to turn several ordinary appliances smart. 

You can control any device you plug into the smart plug from an app on your smartphone or tablet. You can also control the device through a virtual home assistant device.    

Many homeowners use a smart plug to convert ordinary devices into smart devices. This feature gives you greater control and a customisable option on regular appliances and fixtures. For example, if you plug a standard table lamp into a smart plug, you can do much more than just turn the device on/off. 

With a smart plug, you can set a timer for the lamp and control it remotely from anywhere in your home. To access this level of controllability, you must connect your smart plug to Wi-Fi or any other internet network.       

Some additional devices that work well with a smart plug include coffee makers,  fans, clothing irons, etc. 

For access to many features and good reliability, it is recommended that you connect your smart plugs to a high-performing Wi-Fi connection. You can connect a smart plug to Wi-Fi directly or use a bridge that plugs the device into your router.       

What Can A Smart Plug Do?

Smart plugs are designed to do so much more than a regular socket. However, not all models are built the same. 

Make sure to recognise what you need from a smart plug before choosing one. Here are some excellent features you can enjoy with these high-quality plugs.  

Turn Ordinary Appliances Smart  

One of the biggest reasons to buy smart plugs is because they turn ordinary products smart. For example, you can plug a simple lamp or coffee maker into this receptacle and start controlling it with an app. 

You can instantly switch the appliance on/off with a smart plug without manual operation. If you’re away from home at night, you can switch off the lights to make it seem like someone’s home. 

If you forget to switch an appliance when you leave for work, simply log into the app and switch the device off. 

Control Operation With Scheduling

A smart plug can be programmed to create schedules like any other smart device. This means you can create operation schedules or set timers depending on how you use the appliances. 

With this feature, you can exercise better control over ordinary devices and cut unnecessary costs. 

For example, you can input these settings into the smart plug app if you forget to switch lights off or want them to switch on automatically when it gets dark. 

Create Zones

If you have multiple smart plugs, you can group them to create zones. For instance, you can create a lighting zone in your living room. In this group, you can control all the lighting in the living with just one app. 

Allow Voice Control Activation

Alongside hands-free control, many wifi sockets also have voice control activation, so you never have to use your appliance manually. 

You can use voice control with your smartphone or a smart home assistant device to carry out this task. 

Provide Energy Consumption Information

Since these devices are called smart wifi sockets, they are designed to help you conserve energy in every way possible. 

One of the best ways these plugs exercise this quality is by giving you energy consumption information.    

With most wifi sockets, you can check the app for information regarding how much energy your device consumes. You can also use this information to use your appliances more strategically. 

Protect Against Power Surges   

Many wifi sockets are manufactured to ensure your appliance's and electrical socket's longevity. Therefore, you must look for plugs that contain several safety features. 

One of the wifi sockets' most important safety features is voltage surge protection. This quality protects your device from overcurrent, high temperature, and overvoltage. In case of such hazards, the wifi socket will automatically de-energise to preserve the socket.       

What Things To Consider When Purchasing A Smart Plug?

Buying an excellent smart plug is not too complicated; however, since there is a wide choice on the market, you must look for specific features to narrow your search. 

Here are some essential things you must consider when purchasing a smart plug. 

Compatibility With Other Appliances

As mentioned, your smart plug must be compatible with the device you wish to plug in. Without compatibility, your smart plug purchase will go to waste. Make sure to check the specifications and other relevant information before purchasing. 

To determine which appliances work with a smart plug, look at how the appliances are switched on. Most devices come with a mechanical switch or an electronic switch. All smart outlets work the same - plug the device into an existing socket and connect it to your home’s Wi-Fi. 

Once the connection is set up, you can plug in an ordinary appliance and control it with your phone. However, when plugging in an appliance, this device must always remain on for the smart plug to control it. This feature is unavailable in all appliances as many have different ways of switching it. 

You must plug an appliance with a mechanical switch to be compatible with a smart plug. An appliance with a mechanical switch has a physical component that lets you manually control the device. This can be in the form of a toggle switch or a rocker switch. 

On the other hand, an electronic switch is a button that toggles between on/off states. When you press the button, the appliance will go into the opposite state it's currently in. This does not happen with a mechanical switch, as distinct on and off positions exist. 

When you operate a device with a smart plug, you basically unplug the appliance and plug it back in. Therefore, a smart plug works best with appliances with a mechanical switch. Make sure to consider this component when purchasing a smart plug.   

Compatibility With Home Assistants

While compatibility with a home assistant is unnecessary, it can be extremely beneficial. If you want to use a smart plug as the first step to building a smart home, you must purchase a smart plug compatible with smart home assistants. 

Not all smart plugs are designed to work in a manner; therefore, it is important to make the distinction before purchasing. Another thing to note is that not all smart home assistants are compatible with smart plugs. 

Some virtual home assistants are compatible with a limited number of smart plugs. Home assistants such as Google Home and Alexa work with a wide range of smart plugs; however, newer home assistants such as the Apple HomeKit have a limited number of smart plugs connections.   

Energy Monitoring

As mentioned before, some smart plugs have energy monitoring features. If energy savings are your number one priority, purchasing a smart plug with this feature will benefit you. 

Most energy monitoring smart plugs measure electricity in kilowatt-hours (kWh), and this consumption is tracked per day, week or month. You can find this data in the smart plug’s corresponding. 

All the data is presented in a clear and concise manner, so you don’t have to decode complicated information. 

An energy monitoring feature lets you keep your electricity bill low and control latent energy consumption. You can also use this data to switch out old appliances with more energy efficient models. 

The Size And Design 

You should also consider the smart plug’s size and design. The size of a smart plug is important as this will allow the plug to fit in seamlessly with other sockets in your home. The smart plug should not be too big to obstruct other appliances in your home. 

Away Mode

Away mode is a great safety feature available in some smart plugs. This mode will allow you to turn your lights and other appliances on while you are away for a limited period of time. With away mode, you can keep intruders away. 

Are Smart Plugs Safe To Use?

When it comes to plugged devices, you might be concerned about safety. If you are plugging multiple devices into a socket, there is a higher risk of electrical hazards. Many smart plug manufacturers take these issues into mind when creating these products. 

Smart plugs pass the same safety guidelines as other electronic devices you plug into a wall. However, you must still practice caution. It is best to avoid overloading the socket to reduce the danger of electrocution and other hazards. 

Some smart plug apps inform users when the plug is at risk of overloading. As for cybersecurity concerns, smart plugs on the market encrypt your data to protect against hacking and other cyber crimes.  

How Much Energy Do Smart Plugs Consume? 

If you want to use smart plugs to conserve energy, you must know how much power this device consumes. 

In general, smart plugs are designed to consume very low energy. These devices consume approximately 1 watts of power when in standby mode. This wattage also depends on the type of connection it uses. 

Since a smart plug is connected to something else in your household, it is always active. However, if you connect your smart plug to Wi-Fi, your plug will only use about 1 to 2 Watts maximum in a day. 

You can expect even lower energy consumption if you use Zigbee or Z-wave network for your smart plug instead of Wi-Fi. The average energy consumption for these networks is between 0.3 to 0.6 watts.  Regardless of which network connection you choose, the energy consumption of the smart plug unit will always be low.