- #KASA SMART PLUG REVIEW ANDROID#
- #KASA SMART PLUG REVIEW SOFTWARE#
- #KASA SMART PLUG REVIEW BLUETOOTH#
You only need to pair up the right smart home platform with the right device (and then just remember which speaker controls what). You might have an Echo Dot in the basement, a HomePod in the living room and a Google Nest Mini in the kitchen, each controlling their compatible devices. Of course, there’s no rule that says you have to stick with one home assistant. Nearly every plug we looked at clearly stated which platforms it works with, both on the packaging and retail product pages. For the purposes of our testing, we stuck with the four big players.
#KASA SMART PLUG REVIEW SOFTWARE#
You can also turn to open-source software like Home Assistant or go with the larger functionality of IFTTT if you want to, say, tweet to turn your lights on. HomeKit not only limits app access to Apple devices, but it’s also compatible with fewer plugs.
#KASA SMART PLUG REVIEW ANDROID#
The first two work with the widest range of brands and are compatible with both iOS and Android devices. There are four major “branded” smart home platforms: Amazon’s Alexa, Google Home, Apple’s HomeKit and Samsung’s SmartThings.
#KASA SMART PLUG REVIEW BLUETOOTH#
Some can continue to run on Bluetooth in the absence of another option, but the connection isn’t as reliable and you won’t be able to control the plug when you’re away from home, or perhaps even just on the other side of the apartment.īecause Matter is relatively new, it may be easier to consider the manufacturer’s system you’d use the most. Matter promises simplicity, but hasn’t delivered just yet.Īs for Bluetooth, most plugs, including all Matter plugs, use the short-range protocol to get the device set up for the first time. If the device also uses Thread, you might need a smart speaker that acts as a border router, like the ones listed above. These devices require a controller that stays at home, like a smart speaker, if you want to manage things when you’re out and about. Only a few such smart plugs are available right now, and they currently work via WiFi, Bluetooth and Thread networks. Matter is a new wireless standard intended to solve compatibility issues between different brands and manufacturers, while also improving security and reliability. These devices require a Thread border router, such as an Apple HomePod or TV, a fourth-generation Amazon Echo or Google Nest Hub.
It’s more secure than WiFi, tends to be more reliable and its mesh capabilities provide stronger coverage as more Thread devices are added. The majority of smart plugs use WiFi, but some newer plugs use a low-power network standard called Thread. Smart home devices connect through wireless protocols, often using more than one to communicate with your phone, smart speaker, internet connection and in some cases, one another. If you want to operate a plug from TP-Link’s Kasa, a bulb from GE’s Cync and a camera from Wyze, you’ll need to use a smart home platform, which means you’ll need to consider compatibility. But as you can guess, a manufacturer’s app only lets you control products from that brand.
Both the brand’s app and your smart home app will let you name the plug, set schedules and program “routines” which control multiple smart devices at once. You’ll use the manufacturer’s app to initially connect, after which you can add the plug to a compatible smart home ecosystem. Setup and useĪdding a smart plug to your home is relatively simple. But any device that needs to be programmed further, or requires a stand-by mode, isn’t ideal. And instead of an air purifier running all day, you could set it to just run when you’re away. You can load a basic coffee maker with grounds and water the night before and wake up to a fresh pot in the morning. If you want a plug-in fan to move some air around before you get home, a smart plug can help.
They work best with things that have an on/off switch, making them great for lamps and other lights. What to consider when buying a smart plugīefore you buy one, it helps to know what a smart plug can and can’t do.
0 kommentar(er)
