If you are building out your smarthome you will want to check out the $69.99 Amped Wireless Smartplug AWP138W. While it is a bit on the expensive side, it is an easy way to turn a standard home electrical product into something fitting for your Amazon Alexa-enabled abode. Setup is simple and using it is as easy as speaking.
The Amped Wireless Smartplug AWP138W occupies one of the three-prong outlets on a standard wall outlet. It replaces it with a new single 120V grounded outlet but also gives you the benefit of single USB charging port that delivers 5V/1.5A of power. Also, the plug has a built-in overload protection circuit breaker and doubles as a surge protector. Since our house loses power a few times a year, having delicate electronics plugged into surge protectors is a must. The fact that this plug not only adds “smarts” but also protection to the device plugged into its AC portion and its USB port is something I like.
The plug is a simple, albeit slightly bulky affair.
The front has a three-prong plug, an indicator light that lets you know if the plug is active or not, and a power button for manually turning the plug on and off. The button also functions as the means to reset the plug if the need to do so arises.
On the side is the single USB port. It is a 5V port but, unfortunately, delivers just 1.5A.
As Amped explains:
Simple to install and use, this smart plug will be your favorite new home accessory. Create timers and schedules to automate your devices, add more smart plugs and program them together to create custom “scenes”, and pair with Amazon to control it all with your voice.
Setting up the smart plug is, of course, not as simple as merely plugging it into an outlet. At the same time, the included instructions and the Superconn app you’ll need to download from either the Apple iTunes or Google Play App Stores walks you through the process in a step-by-step manner that is easy to follow.
The first step after downloading the app is to create an account and log in. The app walks you through connecting it to your wireless network. If you make a mistake, as I did, you simply follow the instructions to reset the smart plug and start over.
Once the outlet is connected to your network, it is time to make it work with Amazon’s Alexa smart ecosystem. You first go into the Alexa app on your phone or tablet and find the Superconn skill. It asks you to enable it and then asks for the account information you used when first setting up the outlet on your wireless network. After that, Alexa searches for new devices and connects to the plug. I named the plug “Smart Plug” and, as soon as the device was “discovered” by Alexa, I was able to turn it on and off by simply telling Alexa to do so. That, however, is just the beginning.
As the product page explains, you can use the Amped Wireless Smartplug AWP138W and Amazon Alexa to create timers and schedules for connected devices.
Timers & Schedules: Create timers and schedules to automate your devices, even when you’re not there.
And, if you decide you like the smart plug, you can purchase more and create custom scenes that allow multiple devices to work together. For example, you could create a scene that, when you say “Alexa Good morning!” turns on the lights and radio and starts the coffee maker brewing your morning java. That means within minutes you’ll know whats going on in the world and will have a hot cup of Joe to get you moving. Similarly, you can say “Alexa, Goodnight,” and have Alexa not only turn off your lights but shut down, turn off your entertainment center, and cut the power to whichever devices are connected to the smart plug.
Some of the devices Amped suggests using with the smart plug are,
- Fans
- Slow cookers
- Humidifiers
- Gaming consoles
- Holiday décor
- Heated blankets
- Clothing irons
- TVs
- Hair styling tools
- And more…
Specifications:
- Supports Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
- 1x 120V Grounded outlet
- 1 x USB Charging Port (5V/1.5A)
- Control up to 150 devices from one app
- Built-in overload protection circuit breaker
- Works with Amazon Alexa
- Surge protection
- 1200W Max
The Amped Wireless Smartplug AWP138W is $69.99. That certainly isn’t insignificant but, with a 120V grounded outlet and a USB port, this is a smart outlet that will let you expand your Alexa smart home environment to devices you never imagined could be part of your abode’s smarts. It is easy to set up, easy to use and works great. Check it out here.
Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample of the Amped Wireless Smartplug AWP138W
What I Like: Easy to set up; Has a 120V outlet and a USB outlet; Works with Amazon Alexa; Has a built-in overload protection circuit breaker
What Needs Improvement: The USB port is just 1.5A