Amazon Smart Plug for a Smarter Living – Review

It’s no wonder that Amazon sells its own smart plugs because they’re a cheap way to make your home smart by adding advanced features to your lights and other devices without buying expensive new ones.

The Amazon Smart Plug is a single plug that plugs into a wall outlet and connects to your home’s Wi-Fi network. This lets Alexa handle any electrical device plugged into it, like a lamp, air purifier, or hair straightener. You can also use the Alexa app on your phone to handle it, but if you’re thinking about getting this smart plug, you probably already have or are planning to buy an Echo smart speaker that works with Alexa and is ready to go.

Specifications of Amazon Smart Plug –

Amazon Smart Plug Price and Availability

The Amazon Smart Plug (White) costs ₹1,999 and can be bought on Amazon. You can set up “Routines” through the Alexa app, which will immediately turn the smart plug on or off. These routines can begin by saying a certain order or setting a certain time daily. These routines may also include other connected Alexa-enabled gadgets in your home. You could, for example, make sure that when you say “Good Morning,” your smart light turns on and the radio turns on. The Amazon Smart Plug is a smart purchase for people who are deeply involved with the Alexa community or want to learn more about what a smart home with Alexa can do.

Amazon Smart Plug Design

It doesn’t look like the Amazon Smart Plug is very appealing. It has a square shape, a white finish, and a small Amazon mark. Still, the plugs in the US and UK look a little different. To ensure it goes into vertical outlets without blocking the bottom outlet, the plug is 3.2 inches long, 1.5 inches wide, and 2.2 inches thick (w x h x d) in the US. Since outlets that are lined vertically aren’t familiar, this one from the UK is 5.6 inches (13 cm) long, 2.2 inches (5.6 cm) wide, and 2.5 inches (5.6 cm) high.

One plug and a small blue LED on the front of the smart plug light up when it is on. When it is in set-up mode, the LED flashes. A start button that you press by hand is on the left side. The smart plug only works on the 2.4GHz spectrum, so putting it in a room other than your router might make joining hard. Sadly, no Wi-Fi indicator will let you know if there are any issues with the connection.

Amazon Smart Plug  Performance

Setting up the Amazon Smart Plug, the most basic smart home device, is simple. After plugging it in, I opened the Alexa app and let it do all the work. It found the plug and connected it to my home Wi-Fi after I read a QR code on the quick-start guide. The QR code is also on the back of the plug, in case you can’t find the quick start guide.

Next, if you want, you can assign the smart plug to a room or group of devices, letting you control it with your voice or phone. When controlled by the app or Alexa, the plug turned on and off right away, and the “click” it made when it did so was reassuring during tests.

I was disappointed that the smart plug doesn’t have an “Away” mode that randomly turns it on or off, even though I could schedule it at certain times. Using this method instead of a calendar is a better way to help fake occupancy when you’re not home. These kinds of features can be found in TP-Link connections like the KP105. It’s also impossible to track how much energy is being used.

Pros and Cons

Examining Routines and Automaton

The ability of the Amazon Smart Plug to be included in Alexa routines defines its actual power. Playing about with several automation scenarios was rather entertaining. One of my favourite rituals consisted of organizing a “Good Morning.” My smart plug would turn on the coffee maker at 7 AM while Alexa sent me the daily temperature prediction and the most recent news articles. This schedule gave my mornings a little luxury, which helped to smooth out and organize the beginning of the day.

Still, another helpful habit was the “Away Mode.” I developed a schedule whereby, throughout the evening, when I was away, the lights attached to the smart plug would switch on and off at random intervals by combining with my house security system. This offered my property even more protection as it suggested someone was home.

Adding Control Outside of the House

The Amazon Smart Plug has among its most amazing features remote control capability. Using the Alexa app, I could turn on my smart plug from anywhere—at work, on vacation, or just running errands. This function proved quite helpful several times. For example, a single tap on my smartphone fixed a forgotten turn-off of an appliance right away when I left the house.

Remote control also came in handy in unplanned events. Once, while away from home, I experienced a power outage. I checked and regulated my gadgets using the Alexa app once the power was returned, ensuring everything was normal. Running my house from a distance brings quite a priceless piece of mind.

Growing My Smart Home Ecosystemution

Growing familiar with the features of the Amazon Smart Plug, I started to be excited to grow my smart home ecosystem. I placed more smart plugs linking several appliances and devices in different rooms. Every addition brought fresh degrees of efficiency and simplicity. I hooked the smart plug in the kitchen to my electric kettle. This let me start boiling water far away, which was ideal when I arrived home and immediately needed a cup of tea. I turned the smart plug in the bedroom to a fan so I could regulate the comfortable sleeping conditions without getting out of bed. Even my Christmas decorations have the smart plug approach, which helps me to create a cheerful atmosphere with little work.

Monitoring Energy Consumption and Efficiency

The Amazon Smart Plug’s effect on my energy consumption was among its unanticipated advantages. The Alexa app gave me information on the energy use of linked appliances, which enabled me to spot ones running more than required. Equipped with this knowledge, I choose when and for how long to utilize particular equipment. For instance, I found that leaving my living room lamp on for prolonged lengths of time costs a lot of energy. My electricity went down because of the need to create plans and shut off lights when necessary. Apart from saving money, the capacity to track and control energy consumption helped me lead a more environmentally friendly life.

Improving Convenience and Living Conditions

The Amazon Smart Plug has, in many respects, improved my way of living. A more simplified and fun everyday experience has come from the ease of voice control, the efficiency of automated procedures, and the comfort of mind from remote access. Once labour-intensive chores are completed with a tap on my smartphone or a voice command. Among the most important effects have been on my nighttime ritual.

After a demanding day, I value relaxing without concerns about appliances or light adjustment. My “Relax” ritual—which turns down the lights and runs calming music through my Echo speaker—has grown to be a beloved part of the evening before bed. The clever incorporation of the smart plug into this schedule has made my evenings more peaceful and fun.

User Experience

Overall Assessment

Conclusion

Unquestionably, the Amazon Smart Plug has changed my home’s interaction with me. Its simplicity, adaptability, and flawless Alexa interface have made it a daily must-have item. The smart plug has given my life layers of efficiency and fun, from voice-activated convenience to energy monitoring. I advise enhancing your house’s smart technology with the Amazon Smart Plug. It provides advantages regarding convenience, security, and energy economy and marks a portal to a smarter, more linked home. Accept the direction of home automation and see personally how a little gadget may have a great impact.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you use the Amazon Smart Plug?

The Amazon Smart Plug is a smart home device that lets you use voice commands with Alexa or the Alexa app to run your electronics from afar.

How do I get the Amazon Smart Plug to work?

Open the Alexa app, flip the plug on the gadget, find the “Devices” section, and press the “+” button to add a new gadget. It will tell you how to connect to your Wi-Fi network and what to name your smart plug.

What can I use the Amazon Smart Plug to control?

Up to 15A (1800W at 120V) of small items, like lamps, fans, coffee makers, and more, can be controlled.

Can I use the Amazon Smart Plug without an Amazon Echo?

You can use speech control with an Amazon Echo device, but you can still use the smartphone’s smart plug with the Alexa app.