TCP Smart 13A Wi-Fi Plug

Product Information

As you might expect, there’s integration with Alexa and Google Assistant so you can control power to the connected device using your voice instead of opening up the app each time. It also works with IFTTT. Those requiring Apple HomeKit support should opt for the Philips Hue Smart Plug, plus you can control this with Hue accessories such as the Dimmer Switch. For further options take a look at my guide to recommended smart plugs.

A recommendation service that carefully researches each product and consults with experts across many disciplines. Great for those who don’t have / want Alexa etc controlling their devices, but I think they are compatible with Alexa if you wish to combine them.Easy to set up and I got them when they were half price (even at full price I think they are great value for ease of use and the functionality). When you’ve added the plug in the app, you can tap ON or OFF to manually control the switch (even when away from home) but you can also set up timers. You’re free to create as many as you like for multiple power cycles each day and different times on different days.

So, can you actually turn the smart plug on and off with a tap on your phone screen? Yes, you can (we tested it with a living room light). Can you also turn the smart plug on and off with a voice command to Alexa and Google Assistant? Yes, you can do that too.

In This Article

There are two main ways in which a smart plug works, the most common being via WiFi. Most households in the UK have a WiFi connection, and we’re going to assume if you’re looking at home automation you have one too. Control your devices– Turn your devices on/off from anywhere in the world through the TCP smart app. I have an older version of this plug in my home and there isn't much difference between the versions, other than that setup was a lot easier for this one and my home WiFi had an easier time finding it. Like many plugs on the market, the Tapo P100 supports both Google Assistant and Alexa, so you can control it from a smart speaker if you have one. No additional hub is required. This makes even more sense if you want to use services such as IFTTT. To use IFTTT, you have to enable the Smart Life service, which then provides the option to select the brand you want to use: Smart Life, TCP Smart, Amarey Smart, GeoSmartPro, Homeflow and Hey!

The Eve Energy is a smart switch that also monitors how much power the connected device uses over time. It’s an Apple HomeKit plug, which means it only works with iOS devices. However, this also means you can control it with Siri voice commands and that it benefits from the full encryption that HomeKit offers.It's inexpensive though, and it works with Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can operate it in conjunction with other smart home kit that's not made by TCP. If you do own TCP lights or cameras or whatever, then obviously it makes more sense to get a TCP plug too. It’s worth noting, however, that you can’t use it with the Kasa app, so it isn’t ideal if you already have TP-Link smart plugs or other smart devices.

The Hey! smart plug is affordable, practical and easy to use, with no hub required. It’s the same hardware as the Humax, but the Hey! app is different. It’s compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can use voice commands for basic functions if you prefer.Importantly, its compact design means it won’t obstruct neighbouring plug points. It also features an on/off switch and status light, so it can be turned off without the app. It’s easy to set up and use as well. Emma is Group Home Tech Editor at Tech Advisor. She covers everything from kitchen appliances to smart home devices, from floor care to personal care to air care technology. She’s particularly interested in environmentally conscious brands and products that save people time and money. There’s even an ‘away mode’ which will turn a light on and off randomly, to make it look like you’re still at home. There’s also a button on the plug if you want to use it manually. TCP Smart lights can last up to 15 years*. TCP confirms that each LED bulb is more economical as it uses 80 percent less power than a traditional incandescent bulb.