Amazon Smart Plug Review, Pros & Cons and Specs 2022

THE BOTTOM LINE for Amazon Smart Plug

The Amazon Smart Plugin lets you control what's plugged into it using Alexa Voice commands, and it integrates with other Alexa-powered devices, but it also integrates with other home automation platforms. Doesn't work and lacks energy usage reporting.

Amazon Smart Plug PROS

Affordable

Easy to install

Works with Alexa voice commands and Alexa-enabled devices

Amazon Smart Plug CONS

Doesn't work with Apple HomeKit or Google Assistant

No IFTTT support

Lacks energy reporting

AMAZON SMART PLUG SPECS

Size                                                             1.5 by 3.2 by 2.2 inches

Amazon Alexa                                     Yes

Apple HomeKit                                     No

Apple Siri                                             No

Energy Reporting                                     No

Google Assistant                                     No

IFTTT                                                     No

If you're ready to use your Amazon Echo Speaker only for shopping, playing music and weather reports, you might be considering adding an Amazon Smart Plug ($ 24.99) to your Alexa EcoSystem. This single outlet smart plugin lets you control everything plugged into it using Alexa Voice Commands and the Alexa Mobile app. Installing this is a snap and works with some (but not all) Alexa smart home devices, but it doesn't work with other audio platforms and the choice of our editors, Connect Sense Smart Outlet 2, as much as Does not offer features. Priced at more than .9 59.95, but includes a second plug.

Design and Features

The Amazon Smart Plug is rectangular and measures 1.5 by 3.2 by 2.2 inches (HWD). It's not as small as the Geni Spot, but it's so small that it won't block access to the other plug of the two outlet wall receptacles. On the front is a single three pring outlet and LED indicator. The LED glows solid blue when the device is turned on, blinks blue when ready for setup, glows red when there is no network connection, and turns black when the device is turned off. An on / off button is located on the left side of the plug and there is a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi radio under the hood.

The plug-in can be turned on and off using the Alexa Voice commands and from within the Alexa mobile app for Android and iOS devices, but it lacks Apple Home Kit support, including Google Assistant and Siri Voice commands. Does not work with, and does not offer power. Reporting usage like ConnectSense Smart Outlet 2. Furthermore, it does not feature support for IFTTT applets which allows it to work with other IFTTT-enabled devices. On the plus side, you can use Alexa routines to trigger motion sensor cameras connected to your Alexa smart home system, but other smart devices such as door locks, thermostats and water leak detection There is no interaction with the planters. 

To control the plugin from within the Alexa app, tap the Devices button in the bottom right corner of the home screen, and then tap the Plug button. To open its control screen, go to the tab with the name of your plugin, where you will find an icon that tells you the status of the plugin (on or off). Just tap the icon to turn the plug on and off.

Tap Create a routine to create a schedule for turning the plug on and off at specific times of the day and specific days of the week. Here you can also create a routine to control the plugin based on your phone's location and react to other Alexa Smart Home devices as mentioned above. To edit the plugin's name and change its Wi-Fi settings, tap the gear icon in the upper right corner.

Installation and Performance

To install the Amazon Smart Plugin, you'll need the latest version of the Alexa app and an Amazon account. Just plug the device into a wall outlet, open the app, and tap the Devices button in the bottom right corner of the Alexa Home screen. Next, tap the Plus button and add the device, then select Plug from the Devices list. Select Amazon from the list of brands, tap Next, and use your phone's camera to scan the QR code in the back of the Quick Start Guide.

In testing, the plug was identified and automatically connected to my Wi-Fi network in seconds, at which point my Echo Plus called and told me that the device was connected and was named First Plug. At this point you can ask Alexa to rename the plugin or do it manually in the Alexa app. I taped Done and the installation is complete.

The Amazon Smart Plugin performed well in my testing. It responds quickly to on and off connected devices using the Alexa app and to my on / off commands. The plug-in followed my schedule and handled location-based routines without any problems, turned the plug on when I got home and turned it off when I left the house. When the color stickup cam detected motion, I made a routine to plug it in, and it works flawlessly.

Conclusions

The Amazon Smart Plug offers an easy way to turn common appliances such as coffee makers, lamps, and most home electronics into smart devices that you can control via Alexa voice commands. It's relatively inexpensive and a breeze to install, and it worked well in our tests. That said, it lacks some of the features you get with our selection of existing editors, Connect Sense Smart Outlet 2, including Second Outlet, Energy Reporting, Home Kit Compatibility, and Google and Siri Voice Commands.