Don’t know where to start for your home automation? The easiest path to home automation is to convert your existing lights and turn-on/off devices into smart devices by adding relatively inexpensive smart plugs. Simply plug in a smart plug into a socket and then plug in a lamp, fan, air humidifier, air purifier, or other device into the smart plug. For those of you with an iPhone, you can set up these devices with HomeKit by simply bringing up the Home app and scan in the code for the device.
There are many options in the market place. There are smart plugs that connect with Bluetooth or Thread as wells as WiFi. Of course, there are few that connect with a bridge.
For situations where you also would like to have a remote control, the iHome iSP8 with Remote Control will work perfectly. Want to control outdoor lights or xmas lights? There are even outdoor smart plugs.
If you are an iPhone user, then you should consider smart plugs that support HomeKit. Likewise, if you are an Android user, you should consider smart plugs that support Google Assistant. For Amazon Echo users, you need smart plugs that support Amazon Alexa.
Here are few smart plugs to get you started. These all support HomeKit.
Eve Smart Energy
– Supports HomeKit (for iPhone/iPad users).
-Thread or Bluetooth.
– Expands Thread mesh network.
– Power meter and measures energy usage and energy forecasts.
– Works without a Bridge/hub.
Shop Eve Smart Energy
iHome iSP6x with Remote Control.
-Includes a remote control.
-Supports HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Wink and IFTTT.
– Wifi.
-Power Monitoring.
-Works without a bridge/hub.
Shop Home iSP6x with Remote Control
Wemo Smart Plug
-Supports HomeKit, Alexa, Google Assistant and IFTTT.
– Wifi.
Shop Wemo Smart Plug
Philips Hue Smart Plug.
– Best for those with who already have Philips Hue Bridge.
– For those without a Philips Hue Bridge, use Bluetooth connection with phone app.
– Supports Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and HomeKit wit Philips Hue Bridge.
-Designed specifically for lights.
Leviton D215P-2RW Decora Smart Wi-Fi Mini Plug-in Switch (2nd Gen).
– Supports HomeKit, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
– Wifi.
– Works without a bridge.
Shop Philips Hue Smart Plug.
Philips Hue Smart Plug for Hue Smart Lights, Bluetooth &Hue Hub Compatible
Leviton Decora Smart Wi-Fi Mini Plug-in Dimmer (2nd Gen).
– Supports HomeKit, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
– Wifi.
-Turns old lamps into smart light with dimming capabilities.
– Works without a bridge.
Shop Leviton Decora Smart Wi-Fi Mini Plug-in Dimmer (2nd Gen)
Meross Outdoor Smart WiFi Plug (HomeKit).
-Dual Outlet.
-Control each outlet seperately.
– IP44 Weather Resistance.
-Wifi.
-Support HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and SmartThings.
-Works without a bridge.
Shop Meross Outdoor Smart WiFi Plug (HomeKit)
KHK Designs 