WLAN socket in test: 8 smart adapter plugs compared

Compare Radio Outlets: Affordable Entry into the Smart Home

Adapter plugs with timers and remotes are a thing of the past. In the smart age, you can operate via apps, voice or automatic sensors. Whether using WLAN, Bluetooth, DECT or ZigBee: Compared to traditional radio sockets, you can find the features of a WLAN socket here.

The table is sorted in descending order. The more forward the product, the more we recommend it.

In a smart home, you can turn all devices on and off via a radio connection-as long as they have the appropriate radio chip. This is usually not the case with grandmothers' retro lamps, Christmas tree fairy lights, hi-fi speakers, fans or electric heaters. Instead of buying expensive new fixtures and equipment, you can upgrade existing facilities for less money. Smart plug connectors make this possible. What can and will they cost, and what's the difference? We wanted to know this, so we compared eight radio-controlled outlets. We tested the models of Philips Hue, Ledvance [formerly Osram], Eve Systems, AVM, TP-Link, D-Link and Innr.

What are radio controlled sockets and how do they work?

From the outside, smart sockets are no different from regular adapter plugs. They are identified in the case. There, the switching electronics are connected to the radio chip. In this way, whether at home or on the go, they can be controlled remotely via the Internet. Your smartphone or smart speaker can be used as a remote control. In order for the radio signal to arrive [depending on the version of the interpreter], you still need a WLAN router or an additional control box connected to the WLAN router. Often, you also need to establish a cloud account with the manufacturer of the radio-controlled socket. Common standards such as WLAN, Bluetooth, ZigBee or DECT are used as the radio network.

You can then use a smartphone app, voice command or app-defined rules to turn on and off almost all wired devices via a radio outlet. Due to these characteristics, they are also called smart sockets, smart home sockets or smart plugs. It can be said that the radio control socket is used as a smart home adapter, and each adapter disconnects or connects the inserted device to the circuit.

For whom the radio socket is worth

Common locations for smart radio controlled sockets are older floor and table lamps. The reason may be that the smart bulb cannot be used due to the large size of the housing, or because purchasing a smart bulb may be too expensive for you. After all, high-quality RGB lights cost 40 Euros or more. As long as the socket of the light bulb is easily accessible, the smart adapter plug can be used as easily as any other adapter without a radio chip. The retro lamps of the past are already very smart.

In the same way, for example, a humidifier, electric radiator, tea set or coffee machine can be "smartened". Of course, this presupposes that the device is activated as soon as it is connected to the circuit. If the brewing process on the coffee machine has to be started by pressing an additional button, the radio-controlled socket has no added value in this case.

Compare Smart Sockets

But why use a radio outlet completely? Because of comfort. Compared to traditional sockets with timers, modern radio models offer more flexibility for remote control.

It's so cool to get the right lighting atmosphere from the sofa with the touch of a button. You can also turn multiple lights on and off at a time, provided you have each light connected to a radio-controlled outlet. Having to switch each light individually is a thing of the past. Devices integrated into the smart home can also be linked to scenes using adapters. With the push of a button or a voice command, lights, electric radiators and coffee machines can be turned on to make your daily work more enjoyable. Of course, you can also consider very classic uses: for example, you can use a timetable to simulate the presence of a light bulb during a holiday.

If you program your radio connectors with automated services like Apple HomeKit, IFTTT and Conrad Connect, your home will become smarter. You can then, for example, link a motion sensor or GPS location data [geolocation] to a radio-controlled outlet. When you get home, your favorite lights will light up automatically. Or, for example, as long as the indoor climate sensor detects the presence of dry air and occupants, the smart socket activates the indoor humidifier.

How to find the best radio outlet

The most obvious difference between radio controlled sockets is the price. There are models online under ten euros. However, we are comparing higher-priced specimens with prices between 20 and 50 Euros. They have been on the market for a long time. Their manufacturers have proven that they can maintain the device's software for longer periods of time. This is very important in smart homes that depend on work software. Further criteria are important for purchasing decisions:

• Additional features: Simple radio sockets are only used as intermediate stations for remote control of equipment. If other functions are required, wheat can be quickly separated from the chaff. AVM, TP-Link and Eve Systems models can determine energy consumption and related costs. Practical: If you use an AVM thermostat to adjust your heating, you can use Fritz! The temperature sensor of the DECT 200 radio-controlled socket performs automatic offset adjustment. This is helpful if the temperature in the middle of the room is lower than the temperature of the radiator.
• Gateway: Like many other smart home systems, some radio-controlled outlets require a switch box that connects them to a WLAN router. Only then can they understand the signals sent from the smartphone to the router and from there to the outlet. In the best case, it is easy to set up a so-called gateway, also called an access point, a bridge or a hub. But it can also be tricky. The radio bridge also needs space. And it costs extra money. The TP-Link and D-Link models do not require bridging because they are transmitted directly over the WLAN. Ledvance and Innr's ZigBee sockets definitely need a proper gateway. As an alternative to ZigBee, the Philips Hue Smart Plug can also be transmitted via Bluetooth. This eliminates the need for a hue bridge, but the range of functions is limited. The AVM model does not require an additional control box, but requires Fritz with a DECT module! To operate. Ledvance Smart + 's Bluetooth socket and Eve Energy models do not require a gateway. However, remote control and automation require a home kit hub. This can be a HomePod, Apple TV 4 or a stationary iPad.
• style: You may not care about the beauty of the smart socket. However, design is not trivial. This is the size and shape factor. In contrast, all radio outlets are taller and require a few centimeters of space into the room. After all, their shape allows them to be mounted side-by-side in a two-part base. In fact, only the TP-Link Kasa Smart HS110 model stands out from the crowd. It is too high to partially hide the light switch on the socket base. In this comparison, the most compact model comes from Innr. No other option takes up so little space.
• Voice remote control: All radio sockets can be operated via free apps for iOS and Android. However, the fact that they understand the voice commands of all the main assistants cannot be taken for granted. Alexa and Google Assistant said Ledvance's TP-Link and D-Link and ZigBee models. When the socket is connected to the Hue Bridge instead of the Innr gateway, Innr best understands both services. Innr also supports Alexa skills by default, but the connection is problematic. Ledvance's Bluetooth model can connect to Alexa and Siri, but not to Google Assistant. Eve Systems focuses on Siri. Philips Hue offers three separate services. AVM allows Alexa access to its system, but leaves the development of Alexa skills to third parties.
• Home automation: Smart homes are only really smart if they know what to do. You can only create corresponding rules for certain socket models. Philips Hue is your biggest choice, and its smart plug can be automated through IFTTT, Conrad Connect and Apple HomeKit. HomeKit also includes Bluetooth version wireless sockets from Eve Systems and Levance. D-Link Mini WiFi Smart Plug DSP-W118 is compatible with IFTTT, and TP-Link is compatible with Conrad Connect. So far, AVM and Innr have nothing to do with automation services.
• Outdoor use: Most radio-controlled sockets are not sealed from the weather and can only be used internally. If you want to control the light in your balcony or garden, you must use a special outdoor model. In the compared model, the outdoor version of AVM and Levance is called AVM Fritz! DECT 210 and Ledvance Smart + ZigBee Outdoor.

The classic nature of the adapter plug is less important for purchasing decisions. Virtually all models have a physical button that can be used to close or disconnect the circuit directly at the radio controlled socket. In addition, all devices have a switching capacity of at least 2300 watts. This is also sufficient for a coffee consuming machine. Ledvance, TP-Link and D-Link models provide additional reserves, and according to the manufacturer, they can provide up to 3680 watts of power. You should actually be able to assume that all models with plastic covers prevent children's hands from pushing tiny objects into the contact holes. For Fritz! For the DECT 200 model, AVM eliminates this child lock, so it can only be used where it will not be accessible to future generations.

Conclusion: No radio outlets for everyone

The radio socket is a simple solution for getting started. They are relatively cheap and basically easy to use. Although it looks simple, there are differences in the details of the purchase. You should ask yourself: Is the socket suitable for your existing smart home system, or do you need other applications and gateways? Does it support your preferred voice service? Can I integrate a radio outlet into home automation? Would you like to use the socket internally or externally? The answers to the questions make buying decisions personal. Our table provides directions.

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