Tapping the plug or power icons will take you to the on/off settings, or you can tap on the device name to see a graph of your plug's (that is, whatever's plugged into it) energy use over time. What stood out most to me, however, was the app's focus on energy monitoring.įrom the home screen display, you can see connected devices and their on/off status along with how much energy they are currently using. The Emporia smart plug comes with much of the same functionality as other smart plugs - instant on/off control, scheduling, Alexa and Google compatibility - not to mention the rounded edges that made the device feel a bit less bulky than others. The new universal smart home standard Matter, arriving later this year might help with that, but for now, Leviton is one of the few smart plugs compatible with Apple's Home ecosystem. Leviton is also compatible with Apple HomeKit (I connected via an iPad, but Homepods and Apple TV devices will do the job better), which is unique for a smart plug, as the majority of them only work with Alexa and Google. I had no problem connecting the smart plug to my Google Home Mini, but I did have to download the Leviton "skill" in order to connect to Alexa - an extra step, but one that only took about 30 seconds. Setting a schedule for the plug was also easy and intuitive.Īnother standout feature of the Leviton smart plug: It plays nice with all three of the major smart home ecosystems. The home screen displays all connected plugs (or other Leviton smart devices) and their status, along with the ability to switch them on or off with a tap. It's also slimmer than most smart plugs I've seen, which is nice if you're working with a limited space.ĭesign aside, I found the Leviton smart plug easy to set up and the app is pleasantly simple. I'm particularly fond of the little corner window that acts as a button to manually turn the device on and off and as an indicator light - features that most smart plugs keep separated. You can set the time perimeters for this, telling the app exactly when you want Away mode to start and stop.I liked the Leviton D215P-2RW smart plug right out of the box. Inspiration: The best uses for smart plugsĪway mode, another handy feature, will turn plugs on and off at random intervals, giving the impression that someone is home. There are three pre-loaded in the app - a Good Morning scene, a Good Night scene and a Movie Night scene - but there's also an option to build custom ones. If you do have other TP-Link products, you can build scenes here too. TP-Link offers scheduling on the Kasa Mini, so you can have the plug turn on and off at specified times of the day. Chances are you won't be all in on TP-Link products (or maybe you are - who are we to judge?), but even if you're only going into the app to control a couple of plugs, it's a cinch to use. One of my favorite features of the Kasa Mini is the companion app, Kasa Smart, which offers a clean and clear overview of the connected Kasa devices in your home. Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini: Features and smart assistant support Not enough decibels to be a real nuisance, but it's surprising for a plug of its proportions. Speaking of, one of our only niggles with the Kasa is that the click it makes to turn off is kinda loud. There's a physical button on the end of the plug too, which can be used to turn it on and off, should you rather do that than use the app or a voice assistant (or if the plug isn't responding). It's also used during the setup configuration. On one side of the plug is an LED that changes color to indicate whether the plug is on and whether it's connected to the Wi-Fi. Weatherproof security: Kasa Cam Outdoor review However the one I have living on a power strip in my living room does spill over to the outlets either side - but your mileage may vary. That means you can plug it into a standard outlet and not hog the space for the outlet above or below. Measuring 1.5 x 2.6 x 1.6 inches, the Mini also lives up to its name. It was quick to find a connection in setup, and overall took about five minutes to get the plug running. You will have to make an account in the Kasa Smart app to use it, then you'll just need to pair it with the plug.
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