What To Use Smart Plugs For

Smart plugs are versatile devices and the ideal introduction to the smart domicile. With prices starting from under £10, they're cost effective too.

Whether you've just received a smart plug as a gift and don't know what to do with it, or yous've picked one up out of pure curiosity, we've got you covered. Here are our favourite means to make the most out of a smart plug.

Not certain which smart plug to buy? Run across our in-depth smart plug reviews to find the correct model for yous.

1. Deter burglars while you're away

This is among the most pop cases given for owning a smart plug. Keeping your lights on as a visual deterrent for burglars is a classic flim-flam – but keeping them on all day isn't ideal, especially for long spells away. Leaving your home lit at all hours could even be a bigger giveaway that nobody'southward domicile than not lighting information technology at all.

Many smart plugs take schedules, which permit you to turn devices like lamps or radios on or off at certain times while you're away. Even ameliorate, all of our All-time Buys come with an 'away mode', which occasionally switches the device on and off at between sure hours at random intervals. This makes the event less predictable and more realistic.

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2. Wake up to fresh coffee

If your coffee maker doesn't take a built-in timer, a smart plug tin be scheduled to plow it on in the morning. This might not work with more complex java machines, so check that turning the power on and filling the auto is enough to become things started.

Bleary-eyed tea drinkers can also benefit from a smart plug. Fill your kettle and gear up the switch on the previous evening, and set your smart plug to switch the socket on just earlier you wake upwardly to get your tea in record fourth dimension.

Discover the best way to make a cuppa with our kettle reviews and coffee motorcar reviews.

3. Never miss your favourite radio shows

If you like to tune in to a radio testify at the same time each twenty-four hour period, set a smart plug to turn the radio on for yous and so y'all don't miss it. Alternatively, if you accept a smart speaker you can ask Alexa or Google to fix a reminder, and then tell it to play a radio station of your pick one time it goes off.

Bank check our radio reviews and smart speaker reviews to see what'south on offer.

iv. Slow melt to perfection

You can apply a similar trick to plough on your slow cooker. Just fill up it with your ingredients, program the smart plug to turn on at the right fourth dimension and you'll be coming abode to a perfectly cooked i-pot meal.

Nosotros've tested tiresome cookers as well – find out which models impress with our slow cooker reviews.

v. Go on your fish happy

Setting your fish tank or aquarium lights on a schedule tin can be a smashing style to establish a healthy a day/dark bike for your fish and other aquatic life. Yous can also utilize it to make sure whatsoever plants in your tank are getting enough light.

If yous regularly turn off the pump to feed your fish, information technology's a handy way to turn the pump off without picayune with cables or physical switches behind or inside the tank.

vi. Save yourself getting down on all fours

Whether information technology'due south a standing lamp switch buried behind the sofa or a Tv socket hidden past article of furniture, sometimes turning a device on or off at the source tin can be a pain. Smart plugs tin help – just tap a push in the app, or issue a command to your voice assistant, and y'all're skillful to become.

7. Monitor energy usage

Some smart plugs tin measure how much energy is being used by any is plugged into them, which tin can help you lot cut back on free energy spending. You might be surprised just how much energy your devices use – fifty-fifty when they're on standby. Our reviews of smart thermostats and smart radiator valves tin can assistance y'all detect more than ways to monitor energy usage effectually the home.

8. Go peace of mind with hazardous appliances

Ever been at work and of a sudden gotten the sinking feeling you've left your iron, hair straighteners or curlers plugged in? With a smart plug app, you can remotely double-bank check. If they're still on, y'all tin switch them off remotely.

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9. Set a timer on your electric blanket

If y'all're a firm laic in warming your bed up before you go far it, there's a skilful adventure you own an electrical blanket. Smart plugs permit you to set a schedule to plow the blanket on before y'all come to bed, and switch off again once it's toasty enough.

Adopt the simpler selection? Read our guide to the best hot water bottles.

x. Keep your dwelling house warm (or absurd)

If yous're heating your home using an electric heater, rather than through cardinal heating, using a smart plug as a timer tin can salvage you lot coin and make your home a more comfortable place to be. Fifty-fifty some of the best electric heaters don't have timer or scheduling functions, making smart plugs a proficient manner to make a great production that picayune bit smarter.

Alternatively, during the warmer months you could employ one to keep the home cool. If you own a fan without a built-in timer, a smart plug can be a handy way to stay cool while yous're falling asleep, without having it on all night. Read our electric fan reviews to help find a skilful model.

For more ideas on how to make the most of smart tech, read our guide on 5 means smart tech tin can keep an middle on your home.