Smart plugs can be a real advantage for any home. Being able to automate a part of your life can make your day more efficient. Smart plugs can be controlled from your phone or through smart home devices like a smart home hub or speaker. Rather than having to turn them on, you can switch them on and control the plug they’re plugged into. This lets you set routines and schedules for things such as timers or coffee machines.
Smart plugs are particularly useful during the holidays when you want to set up your light displays. They can also help you save money on energy costs by scheduling when appliances are in use rather than leaving them on. But, just like there are some items that you never want to plug into your TV or your computer, there are some items that you never want to plug into smart plugs. Interestingly, all of them are for different reasons.
Avoid plugging in major appliances
Too much of a power suck
Smart plugs are designed for low-voltage tasks. This isn’t to say they can only be used with smaller devices, but you should be cognizant of the wattage you’re going to plug into them. It isn’t wise to plug in a major appliance, such as an oven or a microwave, into your smart plug. There’s an inherent risk in the appliance, causing the plug to overheat.
If the plug overheats, it could lead to a fire—the worst possible scenario for an electrical plug. This can all be avoided by just plugging your heavy-duty appliances into wall outlets designed to handle the voltage likely to come from a TV or wine fridge. While it isn’t likely your smart plug would catch fire if plugged into something with more wattage, is it worth the risk? You want to believe you can trust the company that makes your smart plug, but the upper wattage limits will be listed on the plug itself. Check to make sure that you stay within that realm, so as not to overwork it.
Credit: Amazon
Brand
Toshiba
Connectivity
Wi-Fi
Integrations
Amazon Alexa
Color
Stainless steel
Material
Stainless steel
Weight
35.05lbs
The Toshiba Smart Countertop Microwave Oven has built-in smart sensors that help you cook your food perfectly. There are preset buttons that know the correct time your food needs to be cooked as well.
A security system
You don’t want it to go down
If you have taken the step of protecting your home with a security system, the last thing you want to happen is for it to go down when you least expect it. Sure, a storm might knock out power, leaving your security system less effective. But it can still work on battery backup, making it sufficient with or without power. You don’t want the security system to lose power because the smart plug overheated. Not only that, but you want to ensure that your security system doesn’t just flicker on and off, thanks to a cheap smart plug that can’t handle the current.
It’s also important to remember that smart plugs are not meant to be used with devices that need continuous power. They are meant to help relegate the power to items that are on from time to time. There’s a reason you’re using a smart plug instead of a regular plug: to control the device plugged into it whenever you actually need it. A security system should always be powered up. There shouldn’t be a time when it’s down, which opens you up to security issues. Avoid using a smart plug with your home security system for the basic reason that your home security system is meant to keep you safe, and if it’s plugged into a smart plug, it doesn’t mean it will be.
Brand
Ring
Resolution
1080p
Connectivity
Wi-Fi
App Compatibility
Ring
Night Vision
Yes
A Ring Indoor Cam HD can directly stream a feed to the Ring app. You can use the Ring Indoor Cam by itself or as a part of a larger security system.
Anything with a heating element
A space heater is a bad idea
While space heaters can be helpful in the winter when it’s cold out, you want to avoid plugging them into smart plugs. This is because the heat fluctuation can be unpredictable. This could produce more heat than you’re expecting, and having to give it the ability to turn on at any time can make it risky. If you accidentally turn on your space heater or hair dryer when you aren’t at home, you could potentially set something on fire. It’s not a good idea to leave any heat-producing device with an always-on possibility while it’s plugged in.
Smart plugs usually have a maximum power limit. This typically caps at a lower rate than your heated element requires. Heaters are higher in wattage because it takes them a while to heat up to the necessary temperature. Additionally, avoid turning heating elements on and off when you aren’t near them. This is different from your home’s heat, which is a system spread throughout the home. With a space heater or hair dryer, these are devices that can be placed anywhere and are focused on heating one specific area.
Credit: Amazon
Brand
Dreo
Color
Black
Power Source
AC
Heating Method
Forced Air
BTU
3071 – 5118
The Dreo 24″ Space Heater oscillates quietly to provide heat and silence. This can heat up a specific section but has enough power to keep an entire room warm.
Any appliance with knobs and levers
This is more out of precaution
When you use a smart plug, you don’t want to have to mess with many of the settings for the devices plugged into it. There’s kind of a mindset of “set it and forget it.” When I’ve used smart plugs in the past for my electric tea kettle, I have to make sure that the plunger is clicked down before I use it. This signals to the smart plug and the kettle that, when the power in the kitchen plug is going to the plug, it’s time for the kettle to heat up. But if I don’t push the plunger down, it won’t work, even if the smart plug turns on.
Washing machines and dryers should also not be utilized with a smart plug. Not only does the voltage run a little more than is allowed by a smart plug, but you also need to select which cycle you want from the machines. Without being there physically to turn those knobs or levers, it wouldn’t start. The same goes for things like de-humidifiers and non-smart thermostats.
A smart thermostat can be plugged into a smart plug, as it is likely on the same smart home system as the smart plug. However, since the thermostat likely needs continuous power, it should be monitored.
It’s important to think about how much power the device needs
Ultimately, whether you should plug a device into a smart plug comes down to a few things. One is whether it’s a safe device to plug in. This depends on the maximum voltage allowed by the plug and how much energy the device uses. Another is if there is an inherent fire risk from the device. You should consider whether your device needs continuous power or not. This will help you choose the right devices to plug into a smart plug and which ones to avoid.
