Why there's no reason for most people to buy high-tech versions of products they already own.
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New smart appliances continue to hit the market, but what about the stuff you already have? Instead of buying high-tech versions of products I already had, I decided to try plugging them into a smart plug from TP-Link, and I'm glad I did.
If you're wondering what exactly a TP-Link smart plug does, it's actually pretty simple; it connects to your WiFi network and lets you turn anything you plug into it on or off from your phone. It won't let you have total control over the product, and it won't give your current product any additional functionality; it'll just regulate the power. That might not seem too impressive, but there is, pardon the pun, a lot of power in that ability.
The setup process was surprisingly straightforward: Plug in the smart plug, download TP link's app, create an account, log into your WiFi, done. The whole process took all of five minutes and I did it all from my phone. Then the fun began.
First, let me make one thing clear: You should not use the plug on high-voltage products like heaters or air conditioners, as it could overload the outlet and cause a fire. The power draw on large-scale appliances like those are huge. These plugs should be used on smaller-scale appliances, like a lamp or tea kettle.
I've used mine with an electric tea kettle and it's been working really well. With my kettle plugged into the smart plug, I leave it full of water and set in the "on" position at night. In the morning I can turn the smart plug on, and have the water start to boil for morning tea as I get dressed. Is it lazy? Kind of, but it's one less thing to think about doing in the morning. What's better is that TP-Link's smart plugs work with the Amazon Echo, so all I say in the morning is "Alexa, turn on my tea kettle" and I'm one step away from fresh tea. You can also put whatever you've plugged into a Smart Plug on a schedule, so if I wanted to make the process even easier, I could just set my kettle to turn on around the time I wake up. Using the smart plug with a lamp makes it smart without having to spend money on a set of Hue bulbs.
Overall I've been very pleased using the Smart Plugs, and if I have to knock them for anything, it's that they are a little bulky. Not grossly so, but they're about the size of your standard AC-Adapter. If outlet space is a concern, you've been warned.
There's no way these plugs would be able to give me the same fine-grained control over my non-smart appliances that I could have over newer, smarter models but that's not what I wanted. Instead, I'm able to command a couple of things in my apartment with my voice, and it makes my life a little easier. If you're looking to expand your smart home, these plugs definitely get my recommendation.
TP-LINK Wi-Fi Smart Plug, $34.77, available at Amazon.
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SEE ALSO: The 10 best devices to turn your home into a smart home
SEE ALSO: Here's an easy way to start your own smart home
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