latest
Wyze Plug Outdoor review, one month later: $17 for a smarter smart home
...unless you're an Apple user
Read update
If you want cheap smart home gadgets, Wyze is increasingly at the top of the list. It has cameras, vacuums, other cameras, wearables, a smart lock, and still more cameras. They're all a bit cheaper than the competition, but that doesn't automatically make them a good deal. In the case of the new outdoor plug, though, it definitely is a good deal. For a mere $16.98 (shipping included), you can get a capable outdoor plug that integrates with Alexa and Google Assistant.
There are plenty of options for turning your regular AC outlet into a smart plug, and you might even be able to turn it into two smart outlets with the right solution. The latest smart plug from TP-Link's Kasa brand is much bigger. The HS300 power strip offers six smart outlets, all controlled via the Kasa app or your favorite voice assistant.The product is pretty straightforward for those with a passing familiarity with smart outlets. You plug in the power strip, and your one dumb outlet becomes six smart ones. Each plug on the power strip is managed independently, so you can give each one a name, assign schedules, and turn it on or off without affecting the other plugs. The app also logs how much power each of those plugs is using. In addition, you have three USB ports that can output up to 2.4V.
There's a fantastic sale for home automation gear going on today. Over at My Digital Discount right now you can pick up a handful of smart connected motion sensors, outlets, thermostats, locks, and a whole package of the lot together in a quick start bundle. Prices range from 60% off to 76% off, which is a tremendous savings. All the items are for Samsung's SmartThings / ZigBee, so if you don't run a system that will work with their stuff, you're out of luck. If you haven't yet invested in a home automation system, perhaps now is the time to do it. One of the items in the sale is a quick start bundle for Samsung's SmartThings. For just $150 you can make your entry into the world of home automation, with a pair of smart outlets, a motion detector, two door sensors, and a smart thermostat. You'll still need to purchase a hub (which will run you an extra $100), but it's most of the gear you'd need to get started.