*Review of the best according to the editors. About selection criteria. This material is subjective, it is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to purchase. Before making a purchase, please get in touch with a professional.
Smart sockets have been invented for remote appliance control. They can be installed in houses, apartments, summer houses, garages, etc. d. Thanks to the smart socket will not have to go home, remembering the included iron. You can de-energize the appliance via your smartphone from the workplace. Today the Russian market offers a wide range of innovative electronic devices. When selecting the right model you need to know the recommendations of our experts.
Controls.To start searching for a smart socket, the experts advise to choose the control method.
- With the GSM module, you can control the power supply via SMS commands. SIM-card is installed in the socket, the product does not depend on the presence of wired Internet in the house.
- If your home has a good Internet connection, you may prefer models with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth receivers. It can be controlled via a mobile app.
- Radio outlets usually become part of a smart home system. It is controlled by a hub controller that connects all the smart appliances in the house.
Installation options. There are two types of smart outlets according to how they are installed.
- Built-in models are embedded in the electrical mains. They do not differ in appearance from regular outlets. But it is impossible to move such a smart device to another room.
- Overhead appliances are a kind of adapter between a fixed outlet and an electrical appliance. You can install such a model in any room, and if necessary, transport it from summer house to apartment.
- Power limit. Each smart socket is designed for a certain power consumption. Excessive power can cause heating and damage the device. For example, for an iron, an outlet with a power limit of 2.5-3.0 kW will suffice.
Security. When choosing a device, don’t forget about the safety of the application.
- To prevent children from being electrocuted, the model should be equipped with protective shutters and grounding.
- Overload protection is needed for sudden changes in line voltage. The smart device will automatically cut off the power supply when the temperature, voltage or current is critical.
- Measuring Energy Consumption. Many smart outlets can be used as electricity meters.
- In real time, the homeowner can learn about the momentary energy consumption.
- Some devices are capable of summing up the electricity consumed over a month, providing the user with a final figure.
We have selected the 9 best manufacturers of smart outlets in our review. All of them sell their products on the Russian market. When assigning the place expertology magazine editors relied on the opinion of the expert community, taking into account feedback from domestic consumers.
Rating of the best manufacturers of smart outlets
| Nomination | place | Manufacturer | rating |
| Rating of the best manufacturers of smart outlets | 1 | Elgato | 5.0 |
| 2 | Senseit | 4.9 | |
| 3 | Fibaro | 4.8 | |
| 4 | hi | 4.7 | |
| 5 | Xiaomi | 4.6 | |
| 6 | Redmond | 4.5 | |
| 7 | TP- | 4.4 | |
| 8 | Rubetek | 4.3 | |
| 9 | GEOS | 4.2 |
Elgato
Rating: 5.0
In 1992 a German company Elgato appeared on the European market. Beginning its activities with the development of devices for video conversion and recording, by 2014 the company began to produce smart systems. All smart home devices are combined into a system Elgato Eve, which functions on the Apple HomeKit platform. Communication between individual devices is performed via Bluetooth 4.0. Experts praised the smart socket Eve Energy, which can not only turn on or off appliances, but also regulate energy consumption. The device is a compact gadget, it is inserted into an ordinary socket. Smartphone receives information on current and total electricity consumption.
Users are pleased with the work of the smart outlet Eve Energy, but it costs quite a bit.
Advantages
- wide functionality;
- quality manufacturing;
- quick connection;
- ease of use.
Disadvantages
- high price.
Senseit
Rating: 4.9
The Russian brand Senseit has been developing smartphones and smart accessories since 2010. Experts note the manufacturer’s innovative approach, reliability and simplicity of the products. There are several types of smart outlets in the brand’s catalog. Model SENSEIT GS4 Master is considered a basic device, which does not depend on home Internet network. To communicate with a smartphone uses 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE mobile networks. Up to 10 SENSEIT GS4 Slave outlets can be connected to one base. The manufacturer also offers SENSEIT GS2, a service for managing smart outlets. The brand ranks second in our review.
Domestic consumers like the brand products for their intuitive operation, temperature control, sending notifications to the mail. Among the disadvantages, they note the failures during operation.
Advantages
- simple control;
- multifunctionality;
- sending notifications to the mail;
- variety of models.
Disadvantages
- operational failures.
Fibaro
Rating: 4.8
A fast-growing company in the field of development and production of Internet of things is the Polish company Fibaro. The brand specializes in smart gadgets for home automation. Experts consider the wireless smart home system of the Polish manufacturer as one of the most advanced. A special place in home automation occupies the Fibaro Wall Plug. It is characterized by ease of connection, compact size and versatility. The socket can measure the energy consumption, it is controlled remotely. The maximum power of connected electrical appliances must not exceed 2.5 kW.
Russian homeowners are flattered by the beautiful design, high-quality workmanship, reasonable price. The disadvantages include the inability to turn off the backlight.
Advantages
- compactness;
- multifunctionality;
- beautiful design;
- does not warm up during operation.
Disadvantages
- The backlight can not be switched off.
hi
Rating: 4.7
The Philips brand goes back to 1891 when founder Frederick Philips started incandescent light bulbs. And in 2016, the European Patent Office declared the Dutch manufacturer the record holder for the number of registered inventions. There are smart outlets in the arsenal of the famous brand. Philips Hue Smart Plug (White) combines an adequate price, high quality and compact size. You can control the socket with your smartphone via Philips Hue system. Among modern features, experts note voice control, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, as well as good dust and moisture protection.
Users are satisfied with the democratic price, quality of workmanship, multifunctionality. To the disadvantages, they include low power (2.3 kW) and current (10 A).
Advantages
- high quality;
- compactness;
- adequate price;
- multifunctionality.
Disadvantages
- limited power.
Xiaomi
Rating: 4.6
The Chinese company Xiaomi in recent years has found many fans in Russia. Appeared in 2010, the company immediately attracted the attention of affordable smartphones and proprietary software. Thanks to the affordable price, many domestic homeowners have been able to join home automation. The experts looked at the Mi Smart Power Plug. There is a Wi-Fi option to control the electrical device, the user can analyze in real time the status of household appliances, turn on or off the power. The product’s resistance to high temperatures (up to 750 ºC) should be noted as an asset.
Users vote with their money for a reasonable price, easy connection, and easy operation. But not with all Xiaomi smartphones this socket works.
Advantages
- affordable price;
- multifunctionality;
- quality manufacturing;
- usability.
Disadvantages
- Does not work with all smartphones.
Redmond
Rating: 4.5
The American brand Redmond is known in the former Soviet Union for its high-quality multicookers. But in the manufacturer’s catalog there are devices that meet the concept of a smart home. Smart Home appliances can be controlled remotely. Among the smart outlets, experts like the SkyPlug RSP-103S model the most. It is characterized by its compact size and broad functionality. The manufacturer has provided the ability to program their gadget, lock out accidental activation of electrical appliances by children. The brand gets into the top 6 of our review.
From the pluses, users note an affordable price, ease of connection and management. But the durability of the outlet leaves a lot to be desired.
Advantages
- affordable price;
- easy connection;
- wide functionality;
- easy control.
Disadvantages
- short-lived.
TP-
Rating: 4.4
Successfully competes with the recognized leaders in the consumer electronics market, the Russian brand Rubetek. The company was founded in 2010, but 7 years later its products received the “Product of the Year” award. The catalog features a rich assortment of household sensors, video cameras and smart outlets. The RE-3301 smart outlet received high marks from the experts. Remote control is through a Wi-Fi receiver, the device does not require specialized centers or systems. But the Rubetek TZ68G socket is designed for installation in an automated system with a common control center.
Russian homeowners praise the model for the possibility of programming and remote control. But not all smartphones can be connected to the socket.
Advantages
- can be programmed;
- remote control;
- sending notifications;
- reasonable price.
Flaws
- does not work with all smartphones.
GEOS
Rating: 4.2
The leading manufacturer of electronic devices and appliances in Ukraine is GEOS. The brand has earned many flattering words from experts for its good quality and constant communication with consumers. The company’s arsenal includes a wide range of smart outlets. Model SOKOL GS-1 can work with electrical appliances up to 3,5 kW. The socket is often used in low cost automatic irrigation systems. Distinctive features of the smart model SOKOL GS-2 is the presence of a temperature sensor and built-in lithium-ion battery. GSM socket SOKOL GS-4 is ideal for connecting the gas boiler at home. Notification of emergency temperature in the room will be a useful function.
To take a higher place in the review of the brand prevented the raw software, the input plug fits only for the euro socket.
Advantages
- affordable price;
- variety of models;
- broad functionality;
- reliability.
Disadvantages
- incomplete software.
