Amazon Smart Plug Review: Is the $13 Deal Actually a Home Office Upgrade?
The Amazon Smart Plug is an outlet Wi-Fi switch. It is supposed to be fixed into a wall socket, and then you plug your devices—computer, router, desk lamp, and others—into
The Amazon Smart Plug is an outlet Wi-Fi switch. It is supposed to be fixed into a wall socket, and then you plug your devices—computer, router, desk lamp, and others—into it. Once you’ve set things up, you should be able to use voice commands to control your plugged-in devices, especially with an Echo device or a connected phone.
But is it actually the right choice for your setup? In this review, we break down its performance, compatibility, and pricing to help you decide if it deserves a spot in your home office.
How Well Does The Amazon Smart Plug Perform?
It wasn’t possible to test the smart plug at the time of writing this article, but through other reviews, we were able to map out how the process works.
Firstly, longevity. Based on a review by ThriftyClik, over 500,000 verified buyers concluded that the smart plugs are highly reliable. Lamps that have been plugged in for over two years still automatically turn on and off at the scheduled time without interruption.
Secondly, router restart. A Solidaitech review on Amazon Smart Plug notes that the smart plug is perfect for router rebooting using Alexa Routines. By using a simple phrase like Alexa, reboot the internet,” you can trigger a 60-second reboot. After three months of daily rebooting, out of 90 rebooting cycles, there were between 83 and 85 successful cycles, while five to seven failed ones, amounting for to 94% success.
Each setup takes about 90 seconds to finish, and reviewers have crowned it as the fastest smart plug to set up, especially if you have your own Echo device. Most times, people don’t need the manual guide to set up the Amazon smart plug because of the automatic detection in the Alexa app.
Reviewers have also complained about the limitation with using Amazon smart plugs. The Amazon smart plug only works with Alexa. If you’re making use of Google Home, Apple HomeKit, you won’t be able to use the Amazon Smart Plug and it may be a pointless purchase.
Amazon Smart Plug vs. Kasa: Which Is Right for You?
Most reviews on Amazon smart plugs vs. Kasa smart plugs touch the surface but don’t get into the actual details.
Kasa smart plugs are the most versatile smart plugs for founders and work-from-home professionals. Unlike Amazon smart plugs that only work with Alexa, Kasa plugs can work with Alexa, Google Home, and some Apple Home models.
You may ask, why would you buy the Amazon smart plug when you can get the Kasa smart plug that works with everything, including Alexa? The only reason you should do it is if you already use a lot of Alexa devices in your home. The Amazon smart plug will fit like a glove, and you’ll be well-supported.
On the other hand, if you don’t own any Alexa devices, there’s no logical reason why you should spend your money on the Amazon Smart Plug instead of buying the Kasa option. It is better to buy a model that has no restrictions instead of one that is designed for a particular type of user.
Pricing and Global Availability
The Amazon smart plug prices are pretty much fixed, but you can get them at discounts depending on when you’re buyin.
United States
The standard price for an Amazon smart plug in the U.S. is $24.99. You can buy one for around 48% less at $13 during major sale events, which is where the headline comes from. If you don’t buy them during this sale window, you’re going to pay the standard price for it.
United Kingdom
Amazon smart plugs in the U.K. are sold on Amazon at a similar price to the U.S. market in pounds, and they also offer discounted prices during sale events. The plugs have a different shape from the ones sold in the U.S. The UK model is built to match the U.K’s horizontal outlet layout, while the vertical outlet ones are for the U.S. market. Apart from the hardware design, the features remain the same.
Canada
Amazon Smart Plugs in Canada are sold on Amazon.ca and at retailers like The Home Depot Canada. They’re sold between $30 and $39, with discounted sales during Canadian sale events.
Note: Whatever price you see on the article may not be the same as the current price in the market, so verify from the live product page before making a budget.
Three Home Office Automations Worth Setting Up
If you plan on getting one, here are some options on how you can set it up:
- Work schedule: Plug your computer or desk light into the smart plug and set an automatic schedule for when it should power on and off.
- Router reliability: If your internet connection becomes slow after a couple of days, schedule your router to automatically restart every night. But before you do, check with your network provider before doing this on your primary router to prevent avoidable call drops.
- Activate focus mode with one command: You can connect a desk lamp and a white noise machine, fan, or air purifier to the smart plug and use one single voice command for all of them.
Limitations
The Amazon Smart Plug doesn’t have an energy monitoring feature, meaning that it cannot measure how much electricity the smart plug uses daily, weekly, or monthly. Also, it doesn’t have an Away Mode, a feature that can turn lights on or off at random times to make it seem like you’re at home when you’re not.
Worth It Verdict
Worth it if: You already have Alexa devices in your home, and you want to be able to connect and control two or more devices simultaneously.
Skip it if: You don’t have any Alexa devices or if you want a smart plug that works with all home assistants.
Best alternative: TP-Link Kasa smart plugs.
If you’re looking for any other home office device, check out [the best noise-cancelling headphones for open-plan founders] and [our standing desk buyer’s guide for small home offices].
