Zuli's Presence feature allows you to automated the switches and any additional Philips Hue LEDs you might own based on when you enter a given room of your home. These devices typically include any combination of the following features: presence-sensing automation, scheduling, energy monitoring, integrated automation with other smart home gadgets, surge protection and dimming. The trick is to find the most affordable switch or plug that meets the needs of your particular setup. But Bluetooth technology allows for presence-reactive automation that the Belkin WeMo Insight Switch, for instance, just can't replicate. Bluetooth devices like Zuli plugs don't have the away-from-home remote control of Wi-Fi plugs. That means they're perfect as stand-alone products. If you just want one or two devices, you probably should look elsewhere.īluetooth and Wi-Fi both connect directly to your phone. Z-Wave and ZigBee devices fit well into larger smart home setups. These plugs are often more affordable - if you already use a platform like SmartThings or Lowe's Iris. Z-Wave and ZigBee are both radio protocols that require a hub of some sort, to translate the language of the device to a language your phone can understand. These are the way devices communicate with other gadgets around the house. Pretty much every major smart plug or switch will say on its packaging that it is Z-Wave, ZigBee, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connected. Wireless communication is the basic way smart home devices send data back and forth to each other and to your phone. What are ZigBee and Z-Wave and why do they matter? If you don't know what platform you want your switches or plugs to work with, you'll want to find out which communication protocols to use. In other words, whatever technology is already part of your daily habits should work with whatever switches or plugs you want to buy. If you use SmartThings, check out GE's smart switches. If you use the Nest Learning Thermostat, check out the Zuli Smartplug. If you use Apple HomeKit-compatible products - whether that's an Ecobee thermostat or an iPad - it's worth checking out the iDevices Switches and in-wall outlet. As a general rule of thumb, the devices you already use around the house, whether it's an iPad or Android device, Nest or Ecobee, will work better with some switches and plugs than others.ĭepending on the devices around your home already, some plugs and switches will work better than others. This is an important question to ask, simply because how well your tech cooperates can be as important as the tech itself. What technology is already part of your routine? Smart plugs don't always have the same easy manual toggle of in-wall switches, so they're usually better for scheduling and automating miscellaneous devices or lamps. Neither is very convenient, so you'll want to take advantage of its scheduling features. To toggle a smart plug like this iDevices Switch, you have to either press the button on the device itself, or use the app. Smart plugs also are more likely to include the power-monitoring feature that in-wall switches don't have. And if you want to change your setup, it only takes a minute. Smart plugs, like the iDevices Switch, offer many of the same features, but also increased flexibility, as you can plug in whatever device you want. That means if you have light fixtures you want to automate, but you want to keep their normal wall-switch control too, then in-wall smart switches are what you need. In-wall light switches are convenient to use, but take some work to set up. Plus, you get the added smarts of remote control, scheduling and automation. Now the question is, which one should you get? In-wall switches, like Belkin WeMo Light Switches or Lutron Switches, are convenient because toggling them is as natural as hitting a normal light switch. You've decided a smart switch or plug really is what you need. Which one should you buy - a switch or a plug?
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |