Amazon Smart Plug, works with AlexaReducing CO2

Absolutely brilliant.Sounds is fine for the Alexa voice. It'll do for background music but then it's not designed to play music. Good price for the functionality it provides.Great how it just sits there plugged in out of the way giving voice control anywhere there's a socket.Easy to set up and is used just like a normal Alexa device.Bought two of them. Wish I had more.

I've got quite a few of these smart plugs from Amazon, bought over several years whenever they come up on a deal. Before trying the first one I had an old fashioned time clock to switch on a lamp each night, the timings for which had to be changed manually every month as the nights drew in or out. The first Amazon smart plug I bought was a revelation, being able to set up a routine to switch on a lamp at sunset, and switch it off again at 11pm, and also to switch on or off by voice commands. I've bought several more since, and have set up all my lamps and lights that cannot take smart bulbs use smart plugs for home automation. They are expensive at normal price, but catch them on a deal and they are fair value. Sure there are cheaper products out there but are completely integrated with Alexa and work seamlessly which is why I like them. Incredibly easy to setup, they have been reliable for me with just the odd drop out now and then that has always been resolved with the old "switch off and back on" trick. Unfortunately I haven't found any other practical use apart from lights, but I am planning to use one soon to switch on and off a hot water recirculation pump, both on a schedule (routine in Alexa app) and also by voice command. They are quite big compared to some rival products, but I still like them and will continue to buy them when they are reduced price.

SETUPThis was very easy to set up, and a useful gadget to complement my Echo Dots, or as I tend to think of them - my Alexas. It was simply a matter of plugging it into the wall socket and connecting it to my WIFi via the phone app. Alexa was then able to switch it on/off as instructed via the app, or by voice command.I’ve plugged a lamp in, and it’s a lot better than one of those manual timer thingies, for example, Alexa knows when it’s dusk, so I don’t have to keep adjusting the ON times every week - I just set it up to come on at dusk, and leave it. Job done.OVERRIDING AND FLEXIBILITY IN USEThere is also some flexibility - by this, I mean that I can override the pre-programmed times with voice command as necessary, BUT initially, I wasn’t sure if Alexa could handle it without messing up the pre-programmed times.For example:It’s mid-afternoon, and I want a bit of extra light, so I tell Alexa to “turn on the lamp”.Yes, of course she can do that - so she does - immediately, and the lamp is now ON. 💡Ah, but what happens now at dusk - my pre-programmed “ON” time for the lamp?Will Alexa act like an automaton, and flick the switch again, thereby turning OFF my lamp 😖, or will she have the sense to know that my lamp is already ON, so she needn’t do anything this time?Well, I’ve tried it, and I’m pleased to report that Alexa appears to have common sense. In other words, if her programming tells her to turn ON my lamp at a pre-set time, and my lamp is already ON, she will know this, and she will leave it alone. (.... and yes, it works the other way, too. If she has been programmed to turn it OFF, and it’s already OFF, she’ll do nothing.)REMOTE ACCESSYes, I can operate this smartplug remotely, using my Alexa phone app. As long as I have online access, I can switch my lamp on or off, even if I’m in another country - I suppose it could come in useful at times - ie make an empty house look like there’s someone moving around in there.SUMMARYIf you can get this on the £9.99 offer, it’s a great bargain. It does the job, I find it easy to use, and it’s very convenient.

The Amazon Smart Plug is an excellent addition to any smart home setup. It’s incredibly easy to set up—just plug it in, connect it to the Alexa app, and you’re ready to control your devices with voice commands or schedules.The plug works seamlessly with Alexa, allowing you to turn devices on and off remotely or automate routines. It’s compact and doesn’t block other outlets, which is a thoughtful design feature. Whether you’re new to smart home tech or expanding your system, this smart plug is reliable, user-friendly, and well worth the investment. Highly recommended!