These HomeKit-compatible smart plugs with Thread support 250+ devices for just $70. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
This smart plug deal is a quick and easy way to make your house a smart home. The Belkin Wemo Smart Plug with Matter’s Thread mesh networking comes in a three-pack, and it’s fully compatible with your Apple devices or Apple HomeKit.
The new Aqara Hub M3 can help your run your whole smart home. Photo: Aqara
Aqara highlighted new HomeKit-enabled smart-home devices at CES 2024 Monday in Las Vegas — the new Hub M3, Border Router Plug and Smart Lock U300 — plus an AI chatbot interface for the Aqara Home App.
The devices support both Matter and Thread networking standards. And the hub may help you control your whole smart home.
Those who use Roku streaming devices will find the new smart-home gear, like the doorbell camera, integrate seamlessly. Photo: Roku
Roku is best-known for its streaming media devices. But it’s branching out with a whole-home strategy that will see a range of smart-home gadgets, including security cameras, lights and plugs, go on sale next week at Walmart, the company said.
But a report indicates the company isn’t saying yet whether its new gadgets will work with the new Matter smart-home connectivity standard supported by Apple and other companies. It’s designed to let devices from different makers work together on systems like Apple’s HomeKit and others.
Roku’s lack of clarity is a bit odd, given that it’s among the companies supporting Matter, and that might give some would-be purchasers pause.
Just plug in your favorite lamp or appliance, and you're off to the home-automation races. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
If you want to set up a smart home, you may not have to pay as much as you think. Sure, you could buy lights that turn on when you get home or a fridge that knows when you’re out of milk. Alternatively, you could just get a Wireless Wall Tap Smart Plug and turn anything you connect into a smart device.
For a limited time, this simple way to turn your dumb house into a smart home is on sale for $39.99 (regularly $49).
A four-pack for $50 is a good deal for something that won't block other outlets, works with HomeKit and monitors energy. Photo: TP-Link
A smart plug that takes up just a little space on your electrical outlet is great. But it’s even better when it lets you monitor your energy use. Such is the case with TP-Link’s new HomeKit-enabled Kasa Smart Wifi Plug Slim.
And at about $12.50 per plug in a four-pack, it’s a good deal on Amazon, too. It’s the only smart plug priced that low that works with HomeKit and monitors energy usage.
The Wemo Smart Plug with Thread offers simple and inexpensive home automation. Photo: Wemo/Belkin
The Wemo Smart Plug with Thread simplifies controlling lamps, fans, and other appliances with an iPhone or Siri. Anything that plugs into a standard wall outlet can be turned on or off.
Rather than Wi-Fi, the HomeKit accessory communicates with other accessories over Thread, a mesh networking standard.
The Tapo S500D Smart Dimmer Switch and Tapo L535 Multicolor Smart WiFi Light Bulb are two of the HomeKit-compatible accessories TP-Link just unveiled. Photo: TP-Link
TP-Link unveiled a collection of HomeKit-compatible smart home accessories at CES 2022. It includes smart plugs, switches smart lighting and more.
Think of all the ways HomeKit can enhance your outdoor living space. Photo: Lutron
Lutron is taking its top-notch HomeKit smart plug outside. The upcoming Caséta Outdoor Smart Plug is a beefy-looking, iP-65-rated AC outlet that’s built to take all the abuse Mother Nature can dish out.
Designed to give you control over things like outdoor lighting and pumps, it’s smart enough that it can adjust your timers when daylight saving time arrives.
“It’s essentially weatherproof, dirtproof and sunproof,” said Matt Swatsky, Lutron’s vice president of residential mid-market business, in a press release Monday. “A homeowner can now enjoy all the benefits of a Caséta system for their outside spaces.”
The Meross Smart WiFi Plug is unobtrusive but very functional. Just what your want. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The Meross Smart WiFi Plug lets you control two lights, fans or other appliances from your iPhone or iPad. And because it’s a simple plugin unit, it brings the convenience of Apple’s HomeKit home automation with minimal hassle.
After extensive testing, here’s how this accessory stood up to regular use.
Insert the Meross Smart WiFi Plug Mini into a wall socket and you can control it from anywhere in the world. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The Meross Smart WiFi Plug Mini is an inexpensive and easy-to-install way to get started in home automation. This smart plug lets you control a lamp, fan or other appliance without needing to touch it. Support for Apple’s HomeKit and Amazon Alexa means voice commands, or automated schedules, are all that’s necessary.
I tested a pair of these accessories for a week, and can report on how they perform in daily use.
This smart plug could be the start of your home automation makeover. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Satechi’s dual-socket smart outlet lets you easily dip your toe into home automation. There’s nothing to install — you just plug it in — but the Dual Smart Outlet still allows you to control two different appliances from your iPhone, iPad, etc. It uses Apple’s HomeKit so it’s compatible with plenty of other accessories.
Find out how you can take a first step into controlling your home with Siri voice commands in our hands-on review.
The Satechi Dual Smart Outlet gives you control of two devices at once. Photo: Satechi
There’s new home automation option from Satechi. The Dual Smart Outlet allows two devices to be controlled independently. And it supports Apple’s HomeKit so it can be accessed from an iPhone or Mac.