Wemo Smart Plug with Thread review: For HomeKit users only
Expert’s Rating
Execs
- Really effortless setup (after a firmware update)
- Seamless integration with Apple Home
- Quite modest, smooth components
Disadvantages
- On/off management only, no dimming
- Supports the Apple HomeKit ecosystem only
- Lacks further options this kind of as strength-usage tracking
Our Verdict
Apple aficionados will get pleasure from the streamlined setup of Wemo’s new good plug, but Alexa and Google Assistant followers will be still left cold.
Cost When Reviewed
$24.99
Most effective Costs Now: Wemo Clever Plug with Thread (design WSP100)
Belkin’s Wemo division has been pumping out intelligent plugs and other wise home gear since the early days of the technological innovation. Its merchandise have normally been truly worth consideration, in section mainly because the Wemo has normally been an early adopter of new expectations and characteristics.
This evaluate is component of TechHive’s in-depth protection of the ideal clever plugs.
With the Wemo Good Plug with Thread (Belkin model variety WSP100), the business will take its sleek good plug to the long term by adding Thread certification Apple HomeKit guidance, the purpose staying to “connect intelligent home devices far more promptly and reliably than Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.”
There’s a catch, of course. Thread is nevertheless in its early levels, and you will will need an Apple HomePod mini or the most up-to-date Apple Television set 4K to use Wemo’s new sensible plug. If you have 1 of individuals equipment, setup is—in theory—about as very simple as it gets: Plug in the good plug, hold out for the status light to blink orange and white, then hold your Iphone up to the plug. This immediately launches a setup prompt through Apple’s Home app, strolling you as a result of the approach of introducing the unit to your household setting.
Each individual aspect of installing and controlling the Wemo Intelligent Plug with Thread is carried out with the Apple Property application. You can also handle it with Siri voice instructions.
Christopher Null/Foundry
The undesirable news: This did not get the job done as promised during my preliminary rounds of testing. My cellphone would uncover the outlet, but I invariably gained an error information when attempting to incorporate it to my “home.” Repeated resets of both app and unit did not support. Finally, I was forced to insert the system manually in the Household application by tapping in the 8 digit code printed on the unit, after which I was last but not least capable to hook up to it ordinarily.
I suspected a firmware challenge could be the difficulty here, and I was before long prompted to put in an update by using the Residence app. Right after that update, I taken out the accent from House and factory-reset the plug, then tried connecting it again. This time, the connection and setup course of action worked perfectly – with start to complete using less than a minute.
The Wemo Wise Plug with Thread can also be turned on and off by urgent a buttons on its aspect. The LED indicator above it, in the meantime, are unable to be defeated.
Christopher Null/Foundry
This is a very simple gadget, of program, and the Dwelling app’s capabilities are largely constrained to turning the plug on or off, however of study course you can incorporate the plug in other automations and schedules, or use Siri to electric power it on or off with voice commands. All these attributes labored effectively all over my screening.
As for the plug alone, the components has not visibly transformed considering that its most current non-Thread model, and it continues to be a person of the very best-hunting intelligent plugs you can get—presuming you only have to have a one 3-prong outlet devoid of dimming features—as it is fairly petite and easy to stack two in a one receptacle. A electrical power button on the aspect is conveniently accessible, while the position light-weight previously mentioned (lighted when on, darkish when off) are not able to be disabled. The plug supports a greatest energy attract of 15 amps/1800 watts, which is more than adequate for lamps and modest appliances.
It’s vital to note that, whilst Thread is developed to streamline set up, it also introduces a couple new restrictions. Initially, you can’t use this plug with Belkin’s Wemo app it functions only inside the HomeKit ecosystem (and it can also be controlled with the Wemo Phase Scene Controller). If you are not a fan of Apple’s Home application, you could not obtain this an attractive possibility. A even larger concern for most, I expect, is that the WSP100 cannot be incorporated into either the Alexa or Google Assistant ecosystems, so you’re dependent on Siri for voice manage. That could be a deal-breaker for all but the most ardent Apple households, specially presented the relatively premium $25 asking price.
