Best smart Socket/Plug

OU812

Looking for a little advice from those in the know. Want to pick up a smart plug, was thinking demo, but is there a better one to go for ?

Roen

Are you looking for ones that replace existing socket boxes that you wire into the wall or ones that you plug in to an existing socket?

I think Wemo are the boys to go for in the latter case. Think I saw them recommended in another thread today.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=101764497&postcount=2

OldMrBrennan83

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ted1

Patww79 wrote: »

I tried to buy Wemo today but Amazon will only sell them to Prime subscribers.

Sign up for a free trial, just be sure to turn iff auto renewal

Irish Gunner

The TP Link are on sale at 16:50 but out of stock so not sure if to hold out or just go for the Wemo....Checked around could not find decent price and DID are out of stock
Not collecting Echo and Dot till 2 weeks so may resist the temptation

OU812

Ended up going for a wemo in the end. It was on offer for £30 so picked it up for the Xmas tree & then after Xmas the wife can use it for her GHD because she's always calling me to go back and make sure it's unplugged.

Can't really think of another use for it.

seamus

Bought a Wemo four years ago. Very handy cos we had a newborn, so in order to sort out feeds you needed to make sure you had freshly boiled water. So we'd set up the kettle and the wemo whenever we left the house and could trigger it to boil when we were on the way back. Or in the middle of the night without having to get out of bed.

Only problem is the kettle's automatic switch-off, so you could only ever boil it once, then you'd have to reset.

I like your idea - I think I'll use it this year to control the Xmas tree lights.

OU812

Just cancelled the wemo & went for the mihome bundle instead. difference of £20 but I can add TRVs at a later date. Also comes with a remote which will be handy for the kids

lafors

Sorry to hijack but I thought I'd try keep this question in the smart plugs thread....

I've got Philips hue lights (with hub) on the way and I've got a nest thermostat and also two Logitech smart remotes.
What I'm wondering is what is the best smart plug to go for?
Is there any that would work with these so that I could control via one place?

Btw I'm getting a Google home for Christmas so that would probably be the main control point.

OldMrBrennan83

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degsie

"seamus wrote: »

Only problem is the kettle's automatic switch-off, so you could only ever boil it once, then you'd have to reset.

But wouldn't you also have to refill the kettle anyway.

bk

Patww79 wrote: »

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It also supports IFTTT and that seems to work extremely reliably IME. So any plug that has support for IFTTT. The Wemo plugs do and considered one of the best.

The Energenie plugs (needs a hub) does too.

OldMrBrennan83

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bk

Patww79 wrote: »

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You can set three different phrases to use and I find it reliable.

Google is opening up their API to third parties in December, so I suspect there will be a flood of supported devices then.

Do remember that GH is like then 2 months old!

Stoner

bk wrote:

It also supports IFTTT and that seems to work extremely reliably IME. So any plug that has support for IFTTT. The Wemo plugs do and considered one of the best.

bk wrote:

The Energenie plugs (needs a hub) does too.

Just on another note. To highlight again the lightwaverf IFTTT channel supports events .

So you can call a number of functions.
Like a number of sockets, timers, fittings etc. Very handy if you want a socket to turn on and then off 2 minutes later with one single command

OldMrBrennan83

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Stoner

Patww79 wrote:

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The others could add those to their channel at any time though

bk

Stoner wrote: »

Just on another note. To highlight again the lightwaverf IFTTT channel supports events .

So you can call a number of functions.
Like a number of sockets, timers, fittings etc. Very handy if you want a socket to turn on and then off 2 minutes later with one single command

Yeah, when I mentioned wemo and energenie above, I hadn't realised yet that lightwave had also added IFTTT support. Great to see it, makes lightwaverf a very strong contender.

I'd love to see them add Yonomi support too, it is the next step up from IFTTT.

OldMrBrennan83

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Stoner

Patww79 wrote:

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I'd hate to have to fit a new build out with this stuff through. It would be about 20 purchase orders and delays etc .

Imagine the handover !!!

OldMrBrennan83

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Stoner

Patww79 wrote:

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If the socket or switch is on a brick or solid wall it's unlikely that they will fit without some work as the box might be too shallow.

On partition walls you should be fine.

OldMrBrennan83

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OldMrBrennan83

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Stoner

You've a better chance with sockets . Standard socket boxes are 25mm but switches are only 16mm.

I've sockets in brick walls with 25mm back boxes as the plaster work built it out, but not light switches.

Zascar

The TP Link HS100's are back in stock in argos, but they are back up at their original price of €35 http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/6254269/Trail/searchtext%3ETP+LINK+WIFI+PLUG.htm

They are on Amazon uk for £25 but they dont ship to Ireland so youd have to use parcel motel. https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-Control-Anywhere-HS100-UK/dp/B01I3ZCBFK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1480605182&sr=8-2&keywords=smart+wifi+plug+echo

Should we set up a "Bargain Alerts" thread for Home Automation stuff?

Graham

Zascar wrote: »

Should we set up a "Bargain Alerts" thread for Home Automation stuff?

Absolutely

HABA - Home Automation Bargain Alerts

A few people have already missed things through the bargains being spread over the sub-forum.

I'd also vote for no chat in the HABA thread so subscribers only get the bargains.

Zascar

Done! http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=101838284#post101838284

J.pilkington

Getting a smart plug has all of a sudden become top priority, I can't live with the thought of having to walk over and bend down to turn off the Christmas tree.

Damn you boards, you have already cost me more than enough over the last week

kennM

Zascar wrote: »

The TP Link HS100's are back in stock in argos, but they are back up at their original price of €35 http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/6254269/Trail/searchtext%3ETP+LINK+WIFI+PLUG.htm

They are on Amazon uk for £25 but they dont ship to Ireland so youd have to use parcel motel. https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-Control-Anywhere-HS100-UK/dp/B01I3ZCBFK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1480605182&sr=8-2&keywords=smart+wifi+plug+echo

Should we set up a "Bargain Alerts" thread for Home Automation stuff?

They're still €20 with PowerCity if you buy online... just picked up another 4 today I'm pretty sure I could get a wrapper in here and turn the house into a disco with the lights if the voice recognition and keep up with the plug namings

Zascar

[url]Http://www.powercity.ie/index.php?par=20-27-HS100&action=moreinfo[/url]

Good find thanks. I now need to decide between these and going down the the Energnie starter back route. Any advice?

kennM

Zascar wrote: »

[url]Http://www.powercity.ie/index.php?par=20-27-HS100&action=moreinfo[/url]

Good find thanks. I now need to decide between these and going down the the Energnie starter back route. Any advice?

I recently picked up an Amazon Echo, already have Nest Thermostats, 9 TP Link Smart plugs (3 or so of them will be used for Christmas) all controlled via Kasa and paired with Amazon echo..... pretty cool "Alexa turn off the kitchen lamp", OK. Done.

Have grouped them also... "Alexa turn off the downstairs lights" and everything on TP Link down stairs goes off. Couple of Dots on order too.

I follow a Facebook group in the UK around Amazon echo and Smart home and the TP Links at €20 you can't go far wrong at all! Remote control via app, schedules, timers, remote control, grouping into scenes, etc. via Kasa app.

lolliedog

Anyone know what the max load that can be switched on using the Tp link hs100 plug?

kennM

lolliedog wrote: »

Anyone know what the max load that can be switched on using the Tp link hs100 plug?

Maximum load seems to be 15amps - https://www.google.ie/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiggcLo59XQAhULDsAKHdEfBzYQFggpMAM&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FTP-Link-HS100-Control-anywhere-KIT%2Fproduct-reviews%2FB01KBFWW0O&usg=AFQjCNHH_Sga5iSSzfjQQz7_vReqsyaWCA&sig2=IFT15aSLKg_kuA1q4bjK8w&bvm=bv.139782543,d.bGs

lolliedog

Got my tp link hs100 plugs today. Had great fun with the kids. I told them I meet Santa and he gave me magic powers to turn on the Christmas tree. I told them that he said that if they don't behave he won't come. My Magic powers were very convincing!!

Zascar

I got two of the Hs100's in Power City right before they put the price back up. Easy to use and set up, work fast, they are great - recommended!

garbeth

kennM wrote: »

I follow a Facebook group in the UK around Amazon echo and Smart home and the TP Links at €20 yo

What's the Facebook group called

mik_da_man

Didn't realise that I needed these before reading the thread!

Missed out on the cheap TP link ones in Power city, best price for me now seems to be Argos @ 34.95 as I'm in Cork so no Powercity/DID local to me.

However I noticed the Energenie ones in the BA thread for £50 quid for 3.


Anyone have them and do they work with Alexa? not finding anything concrete on that...

Zascar

Yeah it does, see here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/alexafansuk/permalink/1113719782058550/?match=ZW5lcmdlbmll

mik_da_man

Cheers - No fb access in work, will check it out later.

Do you have them?

Doodah7

Has anyone tried the LIFX bulbs yet? They are Echo compatible. Attractive in some respects that the bulb is wi-fi rather than having to use a smart plug.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Colour-Multi-Colour-Dimmable-Required-Edison/dp/B018NNBJ4G/ref=sr_1_1?s=lighting&ie=UTF8&qid=1480940457&sr=1-1&keywords=lifx

I've also read that TP Link have released wifi bulbs in the US which, naturally, are compatible with their Kaza app and the Amazon Echo. No sign of them on this side of the pond yet.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HXM8X88/ref=twister_B01M7XAVH1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

bk

tallpaul wrote: »

Has anyone tried the LIFX bulbs yet? They are Echo compatible. Attractive in some respects that the bulb is wi-fi rather than having to use a smart plug.

I actually think that is a disadvantage rather then an advantage.

What happens when your wifi or internet goes down? Will you still be able to turn your lights on and off? Control them?

With the obvious exception of remote access, you still have full control over Hue bulbs with their bridge, even if your wifi/internet goes down.

Also each hue bulb requires less complicated and less expensive systems in each bulb and likely more energy efficient in standby.

Wifi bulbs only make sense if you are planning to buy one and just one bulb only. They really don't make sense for replacing multiple bulbs.

I'd say the same for smart plugs, though no one has done a really good two way communication smart plug system yet.

Graham

bk wrote: »

What happens when your wifi or internet goes down? Will you still be able to turn your lights on and off? Control them?

If the internet goes down, you still have local access to them via your WiFi.

If your WiFi goes down you switch them on/off as you would a normal (unsmart) light.

Doodah7

As another poster has said, wi-fi bulbs work like ordinary bulbs if wi-fi goes down. In addition, using these bulbs has a lower initial outlay and can be added to incrementally.

In addition, the Hue bridge is yet another device that has to be plugged in near my router. I also have an Apple Time Capsule, a NAS, a landline AND a lamp plugged in. The Philips bridge would be another plug. I also want to get the Hive thermostat system in and that would be ANOTHER device plugged in!!!

Wifi bulbs are autonomous and have certain advantages.

ted1

tallpaul wrote: »

As another poster has said, wi-fi bulbs work like ordinary bulbs if wi-fi goes down. In addition, using these bulbs has a lower initial outlay and can be added to incrementally.

In addition, the Hue bridge is yet another device that has to be plugged in near my router. I also have an Apple Time Capsule, a NAS, a landline AND a lamp plugged in. The Philips bridge would be another plug. I also want to get the Hive thermostat system in and that would be ANOTHER device plugged in!!!

Wifi bulbs are autonomous and have certain advantages.

The hive dies not need to be plugged in to your router. So doesn't need to be near it.

Doodah7

For those that are interested, most reviews seem to say that there is little difference between a LIFX bulb and a Hue. Indeed the LIFX seems to be brighter and last longer.

http://www.wareable.com/smart-home/philips-hue-v-lifx-smart-bulbs-1868

http://smarthomesolver.com/reviews/lifx-vs-hue-comparison/

Doodah7

ted1 wrote: »

The hive dies not need to be plugged in to your router. So doesn't need to be near it.

The Hive requires a Hive hub to be connected to your router for it to work no?

https://www.britishgas.co.uk/products-and-services/hive-active-heating.html

Graham

tallpaul wrote: »

For those that are interested, most reviews seem to say that there is little difference between a LIFX bulb and a Hue. Indeed the LIFX seems to be brighter and last longer.

http://www.wareable.com/smart-home/philips-hue-v-lifx-smart-bulbs-1868

http://smarthomesolver.com/reviews/lifx-vs-hue-comparison/

better range of colours too although that may change with the newest Hue bulbs.

Graham

tallpaul wrote: »

The Hive requires a Hive hub to be connected to your router for it to work no?

https://www.britishgas.co.uk/products-and-services/hive-active-heating.html

It does.

ted1

tallpaul wrote: »

The Hive requires a Hive hub to be connected to your router for it to work no?

https://www.britishgas.co.uk/products-and-services/hive-active-heating.html

Sorry I was thinking Of Nest which uses wifi

bk

Graham wrote: »

If the internet goes down, you still have local access to them via your WiFi.

That depends. With some routers if your internet goes down, then your wifi does too. I know that is pretty stupid setup, but not unusual for the ISP supplied routers that most people use.

Graham wrote: »

If your WiFi goes down you switch them on/off as you would a normal (unsmart) light.

If you still have a switch. Many people who go Hue, end up covering their physical switches as they aren't needed any more.

Even if your wifi goes down, you still have full control over Hue bulbs via the app (while home) or using their various switches. And that includes scenes, colours, dimming, etc.

Hue is unarguably more reliable then Lifx.

tallpaul wrote: »

As another poster has said, wi-fi bulbs work like ordinary bulbs if wi-fi goes down. In addition, using these bulbs has a lower initial outlay and can be added to incrementally.

The Hue hub can often be gotten for free when bought in a bundle.

Wifi is also much more complicated and expensive then zigbee. So you are trading the cost of the hub against the greater cost of each individual bulb. I note that the Lifx white bulb costs £40 versus just £25 for the equivalent Hue bulb.

There is also the higher ongoing running cost. Wifi uses way more power then zigbee, as a result Lifx bulbs use 2.7w of power even when off, while Hue only use 0.4w.

That extra power usage also means more heat, which may result in a shorter running life.

Finally, wifi requires more complicated circuitry. I note that Lifx don't have any GU10 type bulbs and even their normal bulbs are much larger then the equivalent Hue bulb. This is due to the larger electronics required for wifi and the reason that Lifx can't scale down to GU10 style bulbs.

The truth is wifi only devices is a failed concept in home automation. They are more of a toy, rather then a complete system. It is the reason why almost every company uses hubs now.