Smart plugs allow you to take any device that plugs into a wall and make it into a smart device. If you connect a smart plug to your holiday lights, you can control them remotely via a companion app. Voice control your holiday tree with Alexa, or connect a smart plug to an appliance to turn it into a smart appliance.
From the peace of mind that having full control over the appliances in your home while away brings — to taking control of your electric bill — they are handy devices to have. Here are our top five tips on what to do with your smart plugs.
Remember The Clapper? You could clap your hands to turn your lights on or off. Smart plugs are like a much quieter version of that. Most smart plugs also have scheduling features on their companion apps. This means your lights can turn themselves on before you get home and turn themselves off at bedtime. They can also be scheduled to come on at random times while you’re on vacation to deter would-be burglars. Another great idea is to use smart plugs to control your Christmas lights, so you don’t need to go outside at night to plug them in or turn them off.
If you’re the type of person who has to rush back home because you left the stove on or your hair straightener plugged in, then you definitely need smart plugs in your life. Plug the appliances you are always forgetting to turn off into a smart plug and you can turn it off remotely using your phone. This way, you’re never left second-guessing, which in essence of peace of mind. No need to hurry home.
With the addition of a smart plug, you can jump-start your mornings. You can turn a regular coffee maker into a smart one that starts your coffee before you roll out of bed, for instance. You can also schedule your hair appliances to heat up so they’re ready when you need them.
While many devices can be controlled with remotes or apps, you might have found yourself wishing you could turn on your fan or crack up the AC on a hot day without having to move. Utilizing smart plugs means you’ll be able to speak voice commands to activate fans and the air conditioner from anywhere in speaking range.
Smart plugs have optional features that allow them to analyze how much power your devices are using. You can take advantage of this feature to stop appliances from using energy when they’re on standby. The only way to stop standby energy usage is by unplugging the appliance or shutting off the power supply to the cord. Unfortunately, if the plugs are in hard-to-reach areas, this can be difficult. Adding a smart plug or smart power strip to these energy-sucking appliances can make turning them off—really off—easy. Some of the devices that go on standby are:
Outdoor security cameras are not always practical if you live in an apartment or rental. Drilling into an exterior wall may be off-limits, while pointing a regular indoor camera through a window can create another problem once reflections start showing up after dark.
Baseus is trying to solve both issues with the new PrimeSentinel W1, a $69.99 security camera designed specifically to monitor the outdoors through glass. It mounts directly to a window without drilling and uses a 4K Starlight sensor with an F1.0 aperture for full-color monitoring during the day and at night.
This post is brought to you in paid partnership with Best Buy.
Technology evolves every day, transforming how we live and work. Our devices are becoming more than tools we use. They are increasingly capable companions that help streamline day-to-day routines and spark creative ideas. If you have been waiting for the right moment to upgrade your tech setup, the Discover Samsung Shopping Event offers an opportunity to explore what connected, AI-powered living can look like.
With AI progressing so fast, it's only a matter of time before we start getting AI companions like the ones we used to see in movies like R2-D2, Wall-E, or Baymax. Now, Singapore-based OKA Technology has unveiled Mori, a cute little AI companion that looks less like a conventional home robot and more like someone turned the Pokémon Foongus into a table lamp.
Mori isn't meant to clean your house or control your smart home, but to serve as what OKA calls a "Nature Companion." It uses subtle movements, warm lighting, nature-inspired sounds, and small reactions to make its presence around the house feel calming rather than distracting. Mori can sit quietly while you read, sway along to music, welcome you when you enter a room, or encourage you to slow down for a moment without requiring a screen or a conversation.