I Tested And Reviewed 8 Best Smart Plugs For Home Assistant (2023)

The Ayococr Smart Socket is a versatile and affordable smart plug that offers a range of features and functionalities. Built on the Tuya Smart IoT platform, this product is similar to other no-name products available on Amazon. The setup process is straightforward, requiring the download of the "Smart Life" app, which is highly rated on iOS. While the "Quick Mode" setup did not work for this device, the "AP Mode" configuration proved to be effective.

Once the initial setup is complete, the Smart Life app allows for remote turn on/off and provides various timer functions. Integration with Alexa requires additional steps, including the installation of the "Smart Life" skill and configuration of Alexa. However, once this is done, the Ayococr Smart Socket seamlessly integrates with the Alexa ecosystem.

One unique advantage of this product is its multi-platform support, including Google and IFTTT. This sets it apart from the Amazon Smart Plug, although the setup process may feel disjointed compared to the latter. The plug itself is compact and well-designed, fitting into standard duplex outlets without obstructing the other socket. The product packaging is also attractive, adding to its overall appeal.

It is worth noting that the Ayococr Smart Socket does not have the ETL certification mark mentioned in the product description, but it does possess legitimate FCC and RoHS marks. However, more recent units have been found to have the ETL regulatory mark, providing greater confidence in their safety and quality.

I recently purchased the Gosund smart plugs and I must say, they have exceeded my expectations. Setting up smart devices in my home has always been a hassle, with each brand requiring its own proprietary app. However, the Gosund app has been a game-changer for me. Not only does it allow me to set up these plugs, but it also works seamlessly with other smart light bulbs and plugs that I couldn't get connected using their own apps.

One of the major challenges I faced was the compatibility with my Wi-Fi network. My AT&T fiber internet service doesn't allow me to alter the SSID of the 2.5 GHz band, which is required by these devices. However, to my surprise, the Gosund app was able to detect and connect to the 2.5 GHz Wi-Fi that broadcasts on the same SSID as the 5 GHz band. If you have a similar network setup, you might need to wait for the initial device search to time out before proceeding with the additional setup process. But once connected, each plug works flawlessly in under 5 minutes.

Not only did the Gosund app solve my connectivity issues, but it also proved to be a versatile tool. It even detects Bluetooth-enabled smart devices, which is a feature lacking in many other apps. Moreover, the app allows you to turn off the advertising, providing a clutter-free user experience.

Integration with Alexa has been seamless as well. After successfully setting up the plugs in the Gosund app, I simply opened the Alexa app on my phone and was able to control them effortlessly. With Alexa, I could easily assign names, create groups, and utilize various skills to enhance my smart home experience. The power button on the side of each plug allows for manual control, while still being responsive to commands from Alexa.

The plugs themselves are of high quality, with a 3-prong design and UL listing. However, it is worth noting that their round shape may restrict the use of the other outlet hole, especially for larger plugs. In my case, I had no issues fitting a power strip alongside the Gosund plugs, but it's something to consider based on your specific needs.

I have been using the Govee smart plugs for a while now and I have to say, they have exceeded my expectations. Setting them up was a breeze, especially since I wanted to integrate them with my Google Home. All I had to do was add the outlets on the Govee app, change their names, and then connect the Govee app to my Google Home. It was a simple and seamless process.

Compared to other smart plugs I have tried, the Govee plugs are a game-changer. They are compact and sleek, unlike some other brands that are bulky and unappealing. The app itself is user-friendly and offers a wide range of features. I particularly love the ability to set timers, which allows me to automate when certain appliances turn on or off.

One feature that I didn't initially think I needed but now can't live without is the Bluetooth connectivity. In the event of a Wi-Fi outage, the Govee plugs can still be controlled via Bluetooth. This means I don't have to manually reset everything when my Wi-Fi is down, as I had to do with other plugs. It's a small convenience that makes a big difference.

I have been using the Govee smart plugs for about three months now and have not encountered any issues. The only thing I wish they had is power usage tracking. I have another brand of power strip that offers this feature, and it's quite useful to see where my energy consumption is coming from. However, it's not a deal-breaker as the other features of the Govee plugs more than make up for it.

I also want to mention the excellent customer service provided by Govee. I had a minor issue with another Govee product, and their team was quick to reach out and resolve the problem, even though it was beyond my return window. It gave me peace of mind knowing that they stand behind their products and are committed to customer satisfaction.

I recently purchased these smart plugs to use with Tasmota, and I must say, they have exceeded my expectations. The process of disassembling them with a screwdriver and a spudger was easy, and the points for soldering were clearly labeled for programming. I was pleasantly surprised to find that there were no scratches or damage from the disassembly process.

What impressed me the most was the compatibility with Tasmota software. It was able to detect and display power factor, watts, apparent power, volts, and amps. This information is extremely useful for monitoring energy consumption. I did not bother trying the app that came with the smart plugs, as I have found that most smart outlet apps are not very user-friendly.

These smart plugs have been my favorite for quite some time, and the fact that they are now UL listed makes them even more appealing. I have also found that two of these plugs fit perfectly in the same socket without any issues. If you are interested in flashing them with Tasmota or any other open-source firmware, you will be pleased to know that the WiFi PCB remains the same, meaning all the profiles and templates will work seamlessly.

I cannot provide any feedback on the stock firmware, but I can vouch for the ease of flashing with Tasmota. It does require a bit of soldering, but the process is straightforward.

In terms of pros, these smart plugs are flashable, affordable, easy to use, and compatible with popular voice assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT. The power monitoring feature is also a great addition.

However, there are a few cons to consider. These smart plugs are a bit too big to cover two-gauge outlets, so keep that in mind. They may not be as fast as some other smart plugs on the market, and they do not support 5GHz Wi-Fi.

If you are interested in flashing a Sonoff S31 with Tasmota, you will need a Sonoff S31 smart plug, a USB to TTL adapter, a micro USB cable, and a computer with a terminal emulator. The process involves opening the Sonoff S31, locating the GPIO0 button and TX/RX pins, connecting the USB to TTL adapter, and uploading the Tasmota firmware through a terminal emulator.

I am extremely impressed with this product. It is truly refreshing to find a device that lives up to its promises without any hidden complications. As someone who is relatively new to the world of smart devices, I have already grown tired of proprietary implementations that force me to use specific apps or services. This product, however, provides a seamless local control experience, allowing me to have full control over my devices without any restrictions.

Setting up the product was a breeze. I purchased the four-pack and had all four devices up and running in less than 15 minutes. I was pleasantly surprised by the comprehensive array of options available. From monitoring voltage and power consumption to adjusting button and LED behavior, this smart plug offers a wide range of features that can be easily customized. I particularly appreciate the ability to integrate it with popular cloud services and voice assistants, giving me the flexibility to expand my smart home ecosystem if I choose to do so.

The documentation provided with the product is excellent. It is well-written, straightforward, and accurate. While the basic Getting Started guide is included, there is also a wealth of additional information available on the product's webpage and GitHub repositories, making it easy to explore the full potential of the device.

My only criticism is regarding the placement of important instructions in the manual. The recommendation to import the device into the ESPHome Dashboard for firmware updates and renaming entities is mentioned on page 12, which is located on the back of the previous page. Unfortunately, I discovered this information after I had already set up the devices and ended up with multiple entities named "Kauf Plug" in my energy dashboard. I would suggest reorganizing the manual or at least referencing this information in the "Adding to Home Assistant" section to avoid any confusion.

Despite this minor issue, I cannot praise this product and company enough. They have created a truly exceptional product that not only meets expectations but also goes above and beyond. It is clear that they prioritize consumer-friendliness and open-source interoperability, setting them apart from other competitors in the market. In my opinion, this product deserves all the applause it can get, and I would highly recommend it. It has certainly earned its five-star rating from me.

UPDATE: Improved Reliability and Support

I am updating my review to reflect the recent improvements made by Wyze with regards to their plugs. Initially, I had experienced connectivity issues with the devices, which caused frustration and inconvenience. However, I am pleased to report that Wyze has addressed these concerns and has taken steps to rectify the problem.

After posting about the issue on the Wyze forum, the company's team acknowledged the problem and updated the firmware change log to indicate that they were working on a fix. They also reached out to forum members, including myself, offering a beta release that would resolve the connectivity issue. I was able to sign up for the beta testing program through the app and installed the updated firmware.

I must commend Wyze for their prompt response and their dedication to resolving the issue. The support forum and the team's communication were impressive, and it is reassuring to see a company taking customer feedback seriously.

With the updated firmware, the plugs now perform as expected. When they are functioning correctly, they are excellent devices that provide convenience and control. I appreciate the efforts made by Wyze to address the reliability and availability concerns.

Taking all these factors into consideration, I am updating my rating to four stars. However, I still believe there is room for further improvement, and I hope that Wyze continues to refine their products and services.

ORIGINAL REVIEW:

I had high expectations for the Wyze plugs due to their affordable price and functionality. Unfortunately, my experience with these devices has been disappointing, particularly in the past few months.

One major issue I encountered is the plugs randomly losing their connection and entering pairing mode. This results in the device going offline, and I am unable to control them remotely. To resolve the problem, I have to repeatedly re-pair the devices with my Wyze app/account, which defeats the purpose of having WiFi-enabled plugs.

Despite using the latest firmware version, which was supposed to fix connectivity problems, the issue has only worsened. I have tried various troubleshooting methods, such as adjusting my router settings and ensuring a strong signal, but the problem persists.

I have sought assistance from Wyze's support team, providing them with logs and detailed information about the issue. However, their suggested solutions have been ineffective, and they seem to have difficulty understanding the problem.

Additionally, there are limitations with the log submission process through the Wyze app. If the device goes offline, it cannot transmit any additional event logs, rendering the logs on the app useless. Furthermore, the character limit for the log submission description field is too small to provide sufficient details.

In order to improve the overall user experience, Wyze needs to address several key areas. Firstly, the plug firmware should be more robust in handling lost connections, ensuring that they do not enter pairing mode and instead attempt to reconnect indefinitely. Secondly, it is important for the devices to retain their logs in memory, allowing users to reconnect and submit logs even after a loss of connectivity. The Wyze app should also be enhanced to accommodate more information in the log submission description field. Lastly, the support system should provide better feedback and allow for direct communication between customers and engineers.

While I appreciate Wyze's efforts to provide technical support, I cannot recommend these plugs until the connectivity issue is resolved. Consequently, I am giving them a rating of one star. I hope that Wyze takes these concerns seriously and works towards improving their products. Once the issues are addressed, I will be happy to revise my review accordingly.

The Vocolinc Smart Plug is a great addition to any smart home setup. I have been using these plugs for over a year and a half now and I couldn't be happier. Recently, I upgraded my router to one that has both 2.4GHz and 5GHz, which caused a bit of an issue as these plugs require 2.4GHz. However, I found a simple solution to force my iPhone to use 2.4GHz by turning on the "Maximize Compatibility" option in the Settings > Personal Hotspot menu. This allowed me to successfully set up the plugs and they have been working flawlessly ever since.

During the installation process, it's important to note that you must use the Vocolinc app, not the Google Home app, to install the plugs on iOS and HomeKit. Additionally, make sure to install the plugs in HomeKit mode on the Vocolinc app and temporarily connect your iPhone or iPad to a 2.4GHz network, not a 5GHz network. I also temporarily turned off data on my iPhone to ensure a successful installation.

Once the plugs are installed, the Vocolinc app immediately prompts to upgrade the firmware, which I highly recommend doing. After the installation is complete, the plugs seamlessly integrate into the HomeKit environment for further setup and perform perfectly.

I have multiple Vocolinc Smart Plugs throughout my home and they all work flawlessly. The setup process is very easy, and you can choose to use the Vocolinc app, Apple HomeKit, Alexa, or other compatible smart home platforms. If you're looking to start setting up a smart home, these plugs are one of the most economical and reliable options available.

One important thing to remember is to use a 2.4GHz network during the setup process, but once the plugs are connected, they work well with Apple HomeKit running on 5GHz. If you encounter any issues with the plugs functioning, a simple reset and reboot of your phone should resolve the problem. Just turn off the plug, hold down the button, and it will reconnect.

I recently downloaded the Govee app and set up the H5080 smart plug without any hassle. The instructions were straightforward, and I didn't have to deal with Bluetooth connectivity issues since my phone's Bluetooth was already enabled.

The smart plug works seamlessly with Govee window and door sensors, providing a strong and reliable link between the sensors and my phone. While I initially didn't plan on using the smart plug for its main purpose of turning devices on and off, I found it convenient to control my lamps, coffee pot, and air cleaner. In fact, I'm so impressed with Govee's products that I plan on purchasing three more sensors for my patio sliding doors.

During Prime Day, I came across a great deal on the Govee smart plug and decided to give it a try. Setting it up was a breeze, especially compared to my previous experience with another off-brand plug. The previous plug constantly gave me trouble, and I eventually had to discard it after the return window had closed. The Govee app, on the other hand, impressed me with its integration with Alexa and my Govee dehumidifier. This convenience motivated me to stick with Govee to avoid cluttering my phone with multiple apps.

Although I have 5G internet (ATT fixed wireless) in my rural area, the Govee smart plugs worked perfectly without requiring any modifications to my modem settings. I took the risk of not knowing if they would work, but I'm glad they did. The plugs resemble Amazon ones in appearance and functionality, with a handy manual on/off button on the side. Now, I can control my salt lamp and pet water fountain with ease.

The Govee smart plug has been a game changer for me, especially with my Rocket Giotto Espresso machine. It typically takes around 30 minutes to warm up, but thanks to the scheduled feature of the smart plug, I can have it ready every morning without fail. I haven't encountered any issues, and I find it amusing when people complain about minor quirks. This kind of technology is a blessing, and we should appreciate the convenience it brings to our lives.