What Are Smart Plugs. And Why We Love Them!

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Imagine being able to turn off your living room lamp from bed. Or getting a notification if you accidentally left your space heater on. That’s the magic of smart plugs. They are simple, affordable devices that make your everyday electronics smarter.

But how do they actually work? Are they safe? And what do real people actually use them for?

Let’s break it all down.

✅ What Is a Smart Plug?

A smart plug is like a mini remote-controlled outlet. You plug it into the wall, and then plug your device (like a lamp or kettle) into the smart plug.

Once connected to your home Wi-Fi, you can control it using an app on your smartphone or by voice with assistants like Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri. We have covered voice assistants in detail here.

You can:

• Turn devices on/off remotely

• Set timers or schedules

• Monitor energy usage

• Automate routines (e.g., "Turn on coffee maker at 7 AM")

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🧓 Who Actually Uses These?

While smart plugs might sound like something only tech lovers would buy, more older adults are using them than ever. Why? Because they offer:

• Convenience (especially for mobility or vision issues)

• Safety (turn off forgotten devices remotely)

• Savings (reduce wasted electricity)

🧠 Real-Life Uses

Here are some real ways smart plugs are being used today:

• “I plug my iron into one. Now I can leave the house without worrying if it’s still on.”

• “My living room lights turn on at sunset automatically — feels safer when I’m away.”

• “I make sure my grandkids can’t run the Xbox after 9 PM!”

• “I use it to turn on the fan in the bedroom 30 minutes before bed.”

⚠️ Are Smart Plugs Safe?

Yes — but only if you buy reputable brands and follow basic safety rules:

• Don’t overload the plug (stick to one device at a time)

• Avoid plugging in heavy-duty items like heaters unless the plug is rated for it

• Look for UL or ETL safety certifications

💸 How Much Do They Cost?

Basic models start around $10–$15, and premium ones with energy tracking or voice control cost around $20–$30.

Popular, reliable brands include:

• TP-Link Kasa

• Amazon Smart Plug

• Meross

• Eve Energy (for Apple HomeKit users)

Our recommendation would be the Amazon Smart Plug. You can buy this on Amazon. 

📱 Do You Need Other Smart Home Stuff?

Nope! You can use smart plugs on their own — just your smartphone and Wi-Fi is enough. But if you do have Alexa or Google Nest speakers, voice control makes things even easier.

🧪 Are They Worth It?

If you're looking for a low-cost, low-risk entry into smart home tech, yes. Smart plugs are one of the easiest smart home upgrades you can make.

Whether it's to save time, improve safety, or just have your coffee ready before you get out of bed — it’s a tiny change with a surprisingly big impact.

📊 Fact of the Day

💡 Tech Tip of the Week

“Set It and Forget It” with Smart Plug Schedules

Most smart plugs let you create schedules in their app. Here's how to use it:

1. Plug in your lamp, fan, or coffee machine.

2. Open the app (e.g., TP-Link, Amazon, Meross).

3. Choose the plug and tap “Add Schedule.”

4. Pick a time and days of the week (e.g., "Turn on at 6:30 AM every weekday").

✅ Done. It’ll turn on (or off) automatically from now on — no more fumbling around in the dark.

📖 Tech Founder Story:

How Alexa Almost Got Named “Samantha”

When Amazon was developing its voice assistant in 2014, the team went through hundreds of potential names, including Samantha, Iris, and Ziggy. But they chose Alexa because the “X” sound is distinctive and rarely confused with other words — making it easy for the speaker to know when it’s being spoken to.

Ironically, they had to teach Alexa not to respond when people talked about historical libraries (like the Library of Alexandria), because it kept thinking it was being summoned!

Now, Alexa lives in over 500 million homes — and many people first try smart plugs using voice commands through her.

📨 Wrap-Up

Smart plugs are the kind of tech that feel like magic once you start using them. If you've ever wished your home would just “know” what to do, this is a great first step.

Got a question about which plug to buy or how to set one up? Just hit reply and we’ll help you out.

Please be sure to forward this email to any friends you think may find this interesting.

Until next time,

Your Tech Guide.

Oliver