The evolution of the smart home doesn’t always mean a new network for connecting devices or a new smart speaker with a new array of microphones. Sometimes evolutions come in the form of affordability and smaller designs.
That’s the case with Wemo’s Wi-Fi smart plug, announced again at the Consumer Electronics Show 2020 and finally available for $ 24.99. And you might be thinking, “Doesn’t Wemo make a smart plug anymore?” You are right: that is the Wemo Mini Smart Plug, which is ironically bigger and more expensive than this. It’s not being canceled, but it’s safe to say that attention is now on the center smart socket.
We spent about a week on Wemo’s Wi-Fi smart plug, specifically a three-pack version, and walked happily away. Let’s talk about why, and there is no better place to start than with what you see for the first time.
PHOTO: Jacob Krol / CNN
Compared to the Mini Smart Plug, the Wi-Fi Smart Plug is about a third of the size. It’s much shorter and a little thicker, but at least now it won’t block the sides of the output panel. Wemo also opted for a white plastic construction. The top, bottom, left and right sides get a matte finish, while the front is glossy white. There is also a Wemo logo in the lower right corner. The standard outlet is front and center.
It is simple and easy to plug into an outlet. The best news is that with this compact design, it only takes the output you want. Smart plugs have not always been known for their good design. Many of them are bulky, like the original Wemo, and eventually end up sacrificing more than one outlet for the ability to control one. It is not always worth it. Fortunately with this latest design, it takes up only one place. In a standard wall outlet, you can conveniently plug in the latest Wemo at the top or bottom, and still have room for another plug, even at the bulkiest end of the spectrum.
The only real control on the outside of the Wemo Wi-Fi Smart Plug is a circular power button and LED indicator on the right side. This is useful if you want to cut the power or physically turn it on again. To facilitate setup with Apple HomeKit, the scannable code is located on the left side as a sticker. Feel free to rip it off too, as identical decals are found in the packaging, a nice touch if you want a clean aesthetic.
The true intelligence of the Wemo Wi-Fi Smart Plug is found inside. It takes the form of a Wi-Fi chip that supports 801.11n 2.4GHz, and most (if not all routers) will be able to support this. If you want to integrate it only with your Apple ecosystem, it’s as simple as scanning the code on the side. Otherwise, you will need the companion app for Android and iOS. Rest assured, it’s easy and lets you integrate with Amazon’s Alexa or Google Assistant. The application itself allows control and programming of the output. It is a place that all your Wemo products can call home.
The large size and compactness of the Wemo Wi-Fi Smart Plug make it a clear winner.
PHOTO: Jacob Krol / CNN
A common fact of smart homes in 2020 is segmentation. There are different ecosystems, and not all are compatible with each other. Fortunately, Wemo doesn’t just play in one of the ecosystems. The Wi-Fi Smart Plug is compatible with Apple HomeKit, Amazon’s Alexa, and Google Assistant. You also don’t need an expensive hub or additional device to handle these connections. It’s all done via the Wi-Fi chip inside the socket and the Wemo companion app, all priced at $ 24.99.
With HomeKit setup, it’s as easy as plugging the plug into a power outlet and opening the Home app on your iOS device. Tap the “+” in the upper right corner and press “Add an accessory.” You will see a camera window open and scan the sticker on the left side of the smart plug. The Home app will recognize it and automatically add it to your Wi-Fi network. We really like the Home app and HomeKit in general for easy setup. You also don’t have to exit the startup app to control the plug. You can rename, enable or disable it, configure automation, create scenes, manage updates, and view status from the Home app.
For integration with other Wemo devices or to pair with Alexa or Google Assistant, you will need to obtain the Wemo app. It is available for free on Android and iOS. The only requirement is that you will need a Wemo account. It’s free if you don’t have one. Once inside, you will select “Add a Wemo” and follow the instructions on the screen. It shouldn’t take more than a few minutes.
After that, you are really ready. From the Wemo app, you can click “More” and then “Connect to our smart home partners” to pair with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. With any of them, you will link your Wemo account with the corresponding ecosystem account. Then you can control the smart plug of those voice assistants. It also occurs in real time, with no noticeable latency. You can also change the plug name, handle updates, and set a schedule. The latter is useful if you have a lamp connected to the power outlet, as you can set it to turn on or off when you’re not at home. That’s an easy way to get the flavor of a smart home from a single device.
At $ 24.99, you really can’t go wrong with the Wemo Wi-Fi Smart Plug. It is available now from Belkin directly and in presale on Amazon. With the latter, it should start shipping on August 3. We were big fans of the Mini Smart Plug, and Wemo didn’t remove any features here. It really condensed it all into a smaller package and, as an added bonus, cut $ 10 off the base price.
Note: Prices above reflect retailer listed prices at time of publication.
