When we think of home security, we all think of burglar alarms, strong locks for our doors and windows, security cameras etc. but one of the best deterrents is for somebody to be at home, even when you’re not. Leaving your house in the dark, especially during winter when the days get darker earlier and are darker for longer, is a good invitation for thieves. But with smart security devices we are now able to make it look and feel like someone is at home when nobody is. I recently added Tapo Smart Bulbs into my home, which allow me to set timers and schedules to turn on and off different lights at different times or control the lights remotely using my smartphone, and now I am trying the Tapo Mini Smart Plug that will turn on small electrical devices within my home: lamps, television, radio etc.
I love the Tapo Smart Bulbs, the app allows me to set timers and schedules, has an away mode for randomly turning lights on and off when I’m away from home and I can manually control the lights through the app and better still, I can ask Alexa to turn them on/off, adjust brightness. They are a perfect addition to my home security requirements. The Tapo Smart Plug is a Wi-Fi socket that is also controlled by the same app and allows me to turn on and off items plugged into it – for example I could turn the television on just before I got home, or set schedules to turn off a portable heater after 30 minutes of use etc.
Just like the smart bulbs, the setup is just as simple and is controlled by the same app. It features:
- Remote Control – Instantly turn connected devices on/off wherever you are through the Tapo app.
- Schedule – Preset a schedule to automatically manage devices.
- Timer – Create countdown timer lists for connected electronics.
- Voice Control – Manage your smart plug with voice commands via Amazon Alexa or the Google Assistant.
- Away Mode – Automatically turns devices on and off at different times to give the appearance that someone is home.
- Compact Design – Mini-sized to avoid blocking adjacent sockets.
- Easy Setup and Use – No hub required, set up quickly and manage easily through the free app.
I have been using the socket in the kitchen to turn on/off the radio randomly throughout the day to give the illusion that somebody is at home (and not always at the same time every day). It is simple to setup and very easy to control through the Tapo app. It gives excellent autonomy by settings schedules and timers or using by smartphone as a remote control. I have also tried it with my bedside lamp and love that I can ask Alexa to turn on the lamp when I wake up in the morning, no hunting for the switch in the dark.
The Tapo app is very easy to use and if you add other Tapo Smart Home products, such as smart bulbs, security cameras etc, they can all be controlled from the same place. The app and the connected products are very responsive with only a second or two delay. And I love the Away Mode functionality that allows the app to randomly turn on/off connected devices at randomly selected times so that people can’t guess a routine (such as the lights coming on every day at 6pm – a good indication that no one is really at home).
For those that are not technically minded, you don’t need to be. The devices are simple to install and can be configured within minutes.
I can highly recommend the Tapo Smart Plug. The price is good, the quality is excellent (uses flame-retardant materials) and the ease of use is fantastic!
Whilst I think it is great for home security measures, it is also perfect for general use around the house. For example, televisions left on standby all day can use nearly as much electricity as being left on but trying to switch them off at the wall can be a pain, especially if the socket is behind the tv unit. No problem, plug the television into the smart plug and you can turn the television off at the socket using the app or ask Alexa to do it. No need to try and get round the television to reach that hard to reach socket.
They are also very energy efficient and can help you save money on your electric bills – you can even buy a version with energy monitoring to see how much energy a device is using.
And if there is more than just you in the house, the app can share permissions with family members so that everybody can have control of the devices.
I think that the Tapo Smart Plug is an excellent addition to any home security measures but also perfect for everyday use and functions around the home. It is not just a home security device.
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £12.99
For more information, visit www.tapo.com. Available to buy from Amazon here.