Smart appliances offer voice control, smartphone apps, and powerful automations.

But why spend hundreds of dollars on the latest models?

Dumb Devices Are Best

Smart plugs work on a pretty simple principle.

A person holding an S23 Ultra on the medical information entry screen, with some emergency sirens around it.

You insert one into an outlet and plug in something.

It cuts power to turn off devices and restores it to turn them back on.

If you control any outlets in your home with a light switch, the principle is essentially the same.

All cameras and smart hub from Reolink that made it to works with home assist certified.

But that same principle alsolimits the types of appliances a smart plug can control.

Appliances and fixtures either have a mechanical or electronic switch.

A mechanical switch physically cuts power.

A woman looking frustrated surround by smart home tech.

An electronic switch stores the current state and toggles to the opposite state when you push the power button.

The latter presents a problem because the “current state” is stored using power.

Related:Not All Appliances Work with Smart Outlets.

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First, turn the equipment on, and then unplug it.

Count to five, and then plug it back in.

If the fixture turns on, it’s compatible with a smart plug.

A mechanical switch on a fan.

Josh Hendrickson / How-To Geek

They come in many shapes and sizes, and prices vary.

Smart plugs come in Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, ZigBee, and even Bluetooth formats.

We don’t recommend Bluetooth because of range issues, though.

A GE, iclever indoor, and outdoor smart plug arranged in a triangle.

Otherwise, Wi-Fi smart plugs are the most accessible option.

Belkinmakes a relatively inexpensive Wi-Fi smart plug for around $20.

Our sister site, Review Geek, hasseveral other recommendationsyou might want to consider.

The device setup menu in the Alexa app.

Unfortunately, Europeans have far fewer options.

But you’ll need to buy additional items, like a hub.

If a smart plug doesn’t work with a voice assistant, you should skip it.

The "Set up device" option in the Google Home app.

You also need a smartphone or tablet and an app to set up your smart plug.

Depending on which plug you chose, you need a way to connect it.

If it’s brand new, it should enter pairing mode immediately.

The Alexa Routines page, with several routines created.

Typically, smart plugs also include an LED that indicates when it’s on, off, or pairing.

When the machine is paired, give it a memorable name.

If you choose good names for your smart plugs, ithelps with voice control.

Related:What Is a Smart Plug?

If you want voice control, it’s crucial that you add the machine to your voice assistant.

Choose the plug category.

Select its manufacturer, and then follow the prompts to link your accounts.

The process is similar withGoogle Home.

kick off the Home app and tap the add button.

Tap “set up rig,” and then tap “Works with Google.”

The Google Home app presents you with a list of manufacturers.

Find the right one and follow the linking process.

After you connect your smart plug to Google or Alexa, add it to aGoogle roomorAlexa group.

Voice control works best when yougroup your devices properly.

You’ll find on, off, and other features in the app.

If you use a voice assistant, you should control your machine with the Google Home or Alexa app.

Both apps have similar on and off options.

This also means you won’t have to have a go at remember which app controls what.

Every app is a little different but just look for a feature called timer, routine, or schedule.

Typically, you’re able to add one or more plugs to a routine.

Unless you use a smart hub, your smart plug app can’t do all that.