Review of the Amazon Smart Plug: a basic Alexa smart socket

December 16, 2024

Overview

If you already have Amazon devices and want to expand your smart home, this Amazon Smart Plug review is what you need. Although it may be basic, the Amazon Smart Plug is one of the best smart plugs for those already using the Alexa ecosystem.

Smart plugs are a great way to make any device smart, whether it’s a lamp or a fan, you will be able to control them remotely using an app on your phone or with a voice assistant. There are many options available – so let’s get straight to the point to find out if the Amazon Smart Plug is right for you or not.

Price and Specs

You can buy the Amazon Smart Plug for $34.99 in the US and £24.99 in the UK. It is on the pricier end of the smart plug market, but be sure to watch for discounts as it will almost certainly be included in the Amazon Prime Day deals for 2021, which is coming very soon.

Developed for use with the Alexa ecosystem, the Amazon Smart Plug adds voice control to any of your electrical wired devices. No hub is required for operation, and it can be set up in the Alexa app. Once launched, you will be able to turn devices on and off remotely as well as set schedules for them. It works with everything from lamps to household appliances.

Design and Setup

The Amazon Smart Plug measures 80 mm x 38 mm x 57 mm in the US and 63 x 96.2 x 56 mm in the UK and has a single power outlet. It is not the smallest option, but also not the biggest. If you want to use it in a confined space, such as behind a cabinet, you need to make sure it fits your connected equipment. However, you don’t have to worry about it blocking access to a second wall outlet.

The simple white box-shaped design features the Amazon logo subtly embedded in the front, there is also a button for manual control located on the left side, and a tiny LED indicator that shows whether it is on or off.

Setting up took just a couple of minutes. You just need to open the Amazon Alexa app, which automatically identifies the plug. If it does not appear upon opening the app, you can tap on the device at the bottom of the screen and the + symbol to begin setup. Then you will need to choose which device you want to add, after which you will be prompted to scan the barcode on the back of the plug. This is your job, then it will connect to your home network.

After that, you can change the name of the plug either by asking the Alexa smart speaker to rename it or manually through the app. To control it simultaneously with other smart devices in the room, you can add the Amazon Smart Plug to a group. I have technology compatible with Alexa grouped by rooms, so I added it to my Lounge setup and connected it to a lamp for testing.

Performance

With the Amazon Smart Plug, you only get the most basic functions. You are limited to just turning it on and off. For this, you have the ability to use voice commands through Alexa or through the app. You can also create routines that will turn it on and off at a set time of day, at sunrise or sunset, or when the motion sensor is triggered. You can also set it to turn on or off with specific voice commands, such as turning it on when you say “Alexa, welcome home.”

The plug responded almost immediately to both voice commands and app commands, and also adhered to schedules and routines without any issues. You will know it worked when you hear a small click each time it turns on or off. The Alexa app is also incredibly easy to use and often prompts you to make adjustments, such as setting up plug routines.

Unfortunately, it does not have IFTTT, so it will not work with other smart devices such as locks or thermostats. You also cannot control it with other smart assistants like Siri or Google Assistant, and it also does not work with Apple’s HomeKit. Another downside is the lack of energy consumption monitoring features that you get, for example, from TP-Link smart plugs.

Verdict

The Amazon Smart Plug may not be the most multifunctional, but it certainly does what it says on the box, and it does it well.

It lacks IFTTT support and does not have energy consumption monitoring, nor will you be able to control it with other voice assistants like Siri. But if you already have Alexa devices at home and you are looking for a quick and easy way to remotely control one of your other devices or gadgets. Then this will be a good choice that will work seamlessly with the rest of your smart home.

Reasons to buy: