What to use a Smart Plug for?...

[K i a r a]

Hey!

This might be a pretty open question, But I currently just bought a Smart light combo kit thing, And it came with 2 smart plugs. I've been pondering on what the heck I should use them for... 

 

I live in a dorm room, I have.

 

TV
with a Powerbar

- Nintendo Switch

- PS3

- Chrome Cast.

 

and PC

with a Powerbar

- PC

- Monitor

- Google Home

- Phone Charger

- Thermostat for Terrarium

 

I have no idea what the heck I could use this thing for, I know people use em for like fans, but I have a ceiling fan

[cinebeunice]

I'd string a bunch of mood lighting together and plug it into the one or two plugs and use it to turn on and off all of those lights at once, although be careful with what you're drawing from those plugs. That's what I'm *trying* to use mine for(WeMo is a nightmare to use sometimes).

[dizmo]

Of that list, nothing really. Maybe your lamp?

[Boomwebsearch]

Smart plugs in general are devices which allow for you to plug in a device/s and then control them with your voice or a web-based interface. I think that they can really be good for saving electricity in the case that you do not remember to turn off something or are not able to turn off and on something at certain times such as your Christmas lights although a timer plug could work for that although could not be used remotely. Please note that these are not the same as a surge protector and do not protect against surges of electricity, therefore I don't recommend plugging in something like a TV,computer, or monitor directly into a smart plug as it could be damaged from electrical surges of energy especially if your electricity is not stable. 

4 minutes ago, dizmo said:

Of that list, nothing really. Maybe your lamp?

Yes, most of the units which I have seen only support one device and block near by plugs, so make sure to choose wisely if you have limited plugs available.

[Mr.Humble]

Wouldn't it be awesome if a smart plug would know how charged your phone battery is, and when it reached 80-100 % it would just kill the power to the charger?

[ManOverboard1224]

I have my phillips hue light bulbs in my living room and then a Merkury smart wifi plug in my bedroom since i legit just turn off and on the lights. All this is hooked up to my google assistant. You could always get a power strip and put a lamp and a fan on it so when you goto bed you can have a routine for sleep that turns off the light and starts the fan. 

[NineEyeRon]

On 12/29/2018 at 11:41 PM, vojta.pokorny said:

Wouldn't it be awesome if a smart plug would know how charged your phone battery is, and when it reached 80-100 % it would just kill the power to the charger?

Not really, if you want this then it would be better as a software feature and not hardware. You could then keep the phone on mains power and not use up your battery unnecessarily.

 

Back on topic I would use smart plugs for lamps only, maybe fans in the summer.

 

All other smart things are better directly app controlled. Being British I need this https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01M35A5SW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_IOglCbHXN0CDR

[Alucard86ers]

depending on the model used, you could also monitor power draw.