TP-Link Smart Plug

Good points?

A wall socket plug that connects to your home wi-fi network and allows you to remotely control any device plugged in. The first purchase on the road to a smart home is often a smart assistant device such as an Amazon Echo but, without anything to control, what use is it? For less than half that price you can get a TP-Link smart plug kit and control appliances.

Set-up is straightforward using the accompanying smartphone app which links the plug to your home network. Once connected, you can attach socket powered appliances and convert it into a hassle-free smart home device.

It is small enough that it won’t encroach on devices plugged into the adjacent sockets. You can control the connected gadget from any location in the world via the smartphone app in real time. Equally you could schedule a connected light to come on automatically at certain times, which is great for illuminating a dark doorway, saving you from walking up a flight of stairs, or for giving the impression someone is home when you are on holiday. Energy consumption monitoring is a bonus and allows you to manage your electricity more efficiently. You can determine how much power a device uses and adjust its powered-on schedule as needed.

Bad points?

The plug has many excellent features but may not be comprehensive enough for everyone’s tastes. For example, it lacks proper reports for seeing power trends.

Best for ...

Someone who fancies having a boiled kettle waiting for them.

Avoid if ...

You view electricity consumption as the devil’s work and prefer a no-frills candle.

Score: 8/10.

TP-Link Smart Plug HS100, £39.99 (amazon.co.uk)

Twitter: @seandimmock