Smart lamps are the easiest way to get started with the smart home. Take old lamps out of their sockets, screw in new ones, connect to the internet via bridge, done. But what about the lamps for which there are no smart light sources? A smart socket can help. But the sockets with radio, WLAN or DECT are not only useful here. If desired, you can also integrate the coffee machine or other devices into the smart home and the routines. With the right configuration, you can also switch the previously prepared coffee machine on and off using the app or voice control. Matching products are available from Philips Hue, Eve Energy, TP-Link, AVM, Amazon, Koogeek, IKEA and many other providers. COMPUTER BILD gives tips on buying and presents popular models.
The best smart speakers
Bang & Olufsen
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Per
Very natural sound
Versatile placement
Cons
Wall bracket not included
Sonos
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Good, pleasant sound
With Alexa and Google Assistant
Bang & Olufsen
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Good, tonally balanced sound quality
Lots of useful setting options for the sound
Amazon
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Good operation by voice and touch
Camera slider
Cons
Bass sometimes too strong
Voices occupied
Devil
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good sound
Very loud (105 dB)
Cons
Only Spotify on demand
No Apple Music, no AirPlay 2
Amazon
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Ready to go quickly
Always keep an eye on the display
Cons
Relatively bulky and expensive
No connections
Devil
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good sound
Very loud (105 dB)
Cons
Only Spotify on demand
No Apple Music, no AirPlay 2
Amazon
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New, chic design
Good voice control
Cons
Few connections
Chunky power supply
Amazon
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Reliable voice control
Good sound, high volume
Cons
A bit bass heavy
Automatic calibration sluggish
Amazon
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Good voice control
Good touch screen
Cons
Heights pointed
Voices hiss with s-sounds
Complete list: the best smart speakers
What can smart sockets do?
Smart sockets, also known as smart plugs, are initially little more than adapter plugs that can be plugged between a conventional socket and the smartly controlled device like an adapter. They regulate the power supply and can be quickly retrofitted anywhere. A radio receiver is built into its housing, which is responsible for the transmission of the control commands. Different technologies are used here. Depending on the model, they broadcast either via your home WLAN, via a bridge connected to the WLAN router, via Bluetooth or DECT technology. COMPUTER BILD mentions advantages and disadvantages below and presents recommended models. You can find an overview of popular sockets in the photo gallery.
What do I have to consider when buying?
The selection of smart sockets is huge, they are already available from 10 euros! In addition to well-known brands such as Philips Hue, Osram, TP-Link and Eve Energy, there are numerous offers from unknown manufacturers on Amazon, Ebay & Co. So that there are no nasty surprises after buying cheap products, you should consider the following criteria:
Functions: Inexpensive devices can usually only be switched on and off using the supplied mobile phone app. The apps often look unkind and don’t always work reliably. Well-known branded products can be linked to voice assistants such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant via smartphone and thus controlled on demand. Another practical feature: an integrated consumption display that measures the power consumption of the connected devices and thus helps you save power.
Load capacity: Inexpensive sockets often only deliver a maximum output of less than 2,000 watts and 6 to 10 amperes. If you operate high-performance devices on it, you quickly bring the connector to your knees – and in the worst case, risk a cable fire! Good sockets, on the other hand, can withstand up to 3,800 watts and 16 amps of voltage. They are much more resilient, so they can also handle blenders, kettles, radiant heaters and so on.
Elgato
Eve Energy (1-pack)
Compatibility: Only voice control makes smart sockets really convenient, because it saves the constant fiddling with smartphones and manufacturer apps. Many models are familiar with Amazon’s Alexa and the Google Assistant, only selected ones can be connected to Apple’s HomeKit smart home center – and thus addressed via Siri.
Price and additional devices: Smart sockets cost between 10 and 65 euros. But be careful: For models that rely exclusively on ZigBee radio or DECT technology, an additional control center is required that receives switching commands and forwards them to the socket. At Philips the device is called Hue Bridge, at IKEA Gateway. Cost point: between 35 and 60 euros.
Amazon not only has smart speakers and displays in its range, but also a WLAN socket. It heaves “stupid” devices like the coffee machine into the smart home.
WLAN sockets: ready to go in no time
The most common are smart sockets with WiFi. No wonder, since the adapter plugs connect to the home WiFi router without additional devices and tangled cables. All you need is a smartphone on which the plugs can be set up and operated easily and without problems using the app. The switching times are okay: they react a little slower than Zigbee plugs, but faster than Bluetooth models. The power consumption is comparatively high. Calculated over the year, you can expect up to three euros per WLAN plug. So if you want to equip your entire home with smart sockets, you have to factor in an increased electricity bill – or rely on other wireless technology. Popular WLAN plugs are available from TP-Link (from 23 euros, without consumption measurement from 14 euros), Hama (with child safety from 13 euros) or Teckin (2-pack from 23 euros). With the Smart Plug, Amazon also has a WLAN plug on offer. It looks a bit bulky, is a bit expensive at 25 euros, but offers a good Alexa connection.
Cheap
Easy to set up using the Alexa app
No Google Assistant, no Apple HomeKit
A particularly slim socket comes from the lamp specialist Philips Hue.
Bluetooth sockets: the direct route
Smart sockets with Bluetooth communicate directly with the smartphone. No further devices are required here either. But: the range is comparatively small. It can happen that the sockets in the kitchen or even one floor up cannot be switched from the sofa in the living room. Some providers such as Eve offer a Bluetooth bridge for an additional charge, which also connects to the WLAN and can thus bridge dead spots. The switching times are slow, sometimes two to three seconds pass before the Bluetooth connector reacts. If you can live with it, you can use the Eve Energy (with Apple HomeKit, from 40 euros) or Philips Hue SmartPlug (quite compact, from 27 euros).
Philips
Hue SmartPlug (1-pack)
For 10 euros: The smart socket from Ikea is particularly cheap and can be controlled by remote control if desired.
ZigBee sockets: Can be combined with one another
At home in the smart home: ZigBee. Many smart sockets also rely on this wireless standard. Here the sockets transmit to a control center (“bridge”), which in turn docks to the WLAN network. This allows greater distances, also because many modern ZigBee devices pass on and amplify the radio signals, similar to a mesh network. Those who rely on ZigBee are happy about the low power consumption and can not only couple smart sockets with the bridge, but also other ZigBee devices such as smart lamps or heating thermostats. So if you already use Hue lamps on a bridge, buy suitable sockets such as the Philips Hue SmartPlug (quite compact, from 27 euros). Tip: Thanks to ZigBee, plugs from other manufacturers are also compatible, such as Innr (from 19 euros) or the plug from IKEA (10 euros).
Tradfri wireless socket at Ikea
DECT sockets: For FritzBox owners
FritzBox manufacturer AVM has also come up with something for the smart home. There are smart sockets that transmit via DECT. This technology is also used by cordless telephones. The highlight: A DECT module is built into every FritzBox, so the router serves as a control center. This makes it easy to set up using the FritzBox app and to control it when you are on the go. The AVM FritzDECT 200 costs 45 euros. On offer at the same price: a socket for outdoor use. The AVM FritzDECT 210 is splash-proof (IP44) and is therefore suitable for the garden and balcony – a rarity on the smart plug market.
Smart distributor: The Eve Energy Strip for 100 euros takes three plugs and USB cables.
Smart power strip: one for everyone
Smart plugs are not always slim and often cover neighboring sockets after being plugged in. The solution: smart power strips like the Eve Energy Strip (from 87 euros) or the Koogeek Wifi Smart multiple socket (from 50 euros). Both accept three plugs that can be switched individually. The Koogeek bar also has three USB sockets on board. If you prefer wireless, you can use the Satechi Dual Smart Outlet (from 60 euros). The double plug turns one socket into two.
Eve Systems
Energy Strip – 3-way
Smart socket: control via app and voice
All sockets can be switched using the supplied mobile phone app. Routines are also possible using the appropriate apps: you could automatically preheat the coffee machine in the morning or switch off the television and hall lights after 11 p.m. It gets really smart thanks to voice control: just say “Lights on in the living room” and it gets light. Many cans work together with Amazon Alexa, with some of them the Google Assistant is added. HomeKit support is not a matter of course. Smart plugs for Apple’s smart home center are available from Philips Hue, Eve Energy, IKEA, Satechi, Koogeek, Vocolinc and Fibaro. Since the smart sockets do not have their own microphones to receive voice commands, smart speakers or displays are required: Amazon Echo, Google Home or Apple HomePod translate voice commands and ensure that the adapter plugs obey every word.
