WeMo Insight Switch
£39, belkin.com
WHERE TO USE IT Absolutely anywhere there’s a mains socket – just plug it in to the wall and then plug in the device you want to make smart. WHAT it does If you’re looking to dip your toes in the smart home waters, you’ll find no gadget better suited. Belkin’s WeMo Insight Switch hooks up to your Wi- Fi network, enabling you to gain control over any electricals attached to it, whether it’s lights, a TV, or even a washing machine. This includes turning them on or off remotely, scheduling when they’re in use, and getting energy consumption details on all your electricals, so you know how much they’re costing you. WHAT IT WORKS WITH Amazon Alexa, Nest, Google Assistant now supercharge it! If you have a Nest thermostat installed, you can connect your switch to this, and using the thermostat’s Home and Away feature, have your electricals turn on when you leave and on when you return home. ALTER NATI VELY … elgat o eve energy £44.95, elgato.com Elgato’s plug might be iOS only, which is unfortunate for Android users, but you get simple Bluetooth setup, and neat features, such as geofencing and Siri voice control.