With the rise of smart home technology, numerous manufacturers produce smart home products. The multiple options and brands to choose from can make shopping for a smart outlet a complicated process.
If you are entirely new to smart home tech, this could be an overwhelming purchase to make. Here is a non-tech guide to point out the essential features that you should consider when purchasing a smart outlet.
Connectivity
One of the things that you should check is what type of wireless connection is being used. You have several options in this department. Besides the wifi controlled power outlet, connectivity can also be done through Bluetooth, Z-Wave, or Zigbee.
Remote control
You get more control when you can do things remotely – check if there is a distance limit between you and the smart outlet. Choose ones that do not have any limitations and allow you to control your devices even when you are out of the house.
Timer
You can choose to activate and deactivate the smart outlet’s power source through a timer so that you do not get to consume unnecessary energy. This is also great if you implement a fixed time for your kids to play games. It can also help lower your electric bills as most appliances and gadgets can still suck in power even if they are not being used. Some come with intelligent timing modes wherein lights are turned off in the morning and turned on after sunset.
USB Charging
A lot of devices now use USB charging instead of batteries. Getting a smart outlet with a USB charging port is more convenient because it allows you to plug in other devices simultaneously. If you can get a quick charge USB outlet, that is a good bonus too.
Physical on and off keys
Sometimes you leave your smartphone in another room, or you are out of town, and your kids need to turn on the smart outlet. The presence of a physical on and off key would be convenient in situations like this. But if you want to have total control of the smart outlets, you can do without the physical keys.
Voice Control
It helps to get a smart outlet that supports voice control. This way, you can tell Alexa to just turn off all the sockets when you are too tired or sleepy to get your phone and access the smart home app.
As you can see, you do not need to be a tech genius to get smart outlets for your home. After going through this list of factors to consider, you will surely know what you want in a smart outlet and limit the options you have. You are guaranteed to end up with the product that you really need. Make sure to do some research before making a final purchase – have a list of three to five products to choose from, then take the time to go online and read reviews about them.
