


Since many modern electronics can easily become damaged by power surges, this is a feature to look into if you’re intending to plug your home entertainment system or computer into a surge protector. Surge protector: A surge protector does the same thing but also protects your devices from fluctuations in power supply that occur regularly in any home. Power strip: A power strip allows you to plug multiple devices into one outlet. Surge protectionĪ surge protector is different from a power strip, but it’s worth defining here because some smart power strips are also surge protectors. More is more, but you also don’t want your power strip to be too bulky. How many devices do you need to plug into your power strip at one time? Some smart power strips have a couple outlets while others have as many as 12. This allows you to give your power strip specific voice commands through your virtual home assistant, and you can even control individual outlets.

When this is turned on, the power strip returns power to peripheral devices plugged into other outlets. Master control: These power strips have a “master” outlet for a major device like a computer or television. Through this function, you can set up your home so that, for example, the lights turn on when you come home from work or the coffee maker turns on before you get up in the morning. Just program the times you want the power strip (or specific outlets) to turn on and off.
SMARTSTRIP PRO MANUAL
Timer: These power strips offer a simple manual option. The primary function of a smart power strip is to intelligently control the amount of energy your devices and appliances use. What part of your home will your power strip be used in, and what devices will it power? What other smart devices do you have in your home? These are questions you need to answer before you begin your search for a smart power strip. And when you’re ready to buy, take a look at our top picks, too.Ī smart power strip is an excellent way to control multiple lights at once and program them to turn on and off at specific times. Our shopping guide walks you through the basics to help you make the most informed decision when shopping for a smart power strip. Smart power strips vary in how they monitor and manage energy usage, and just as with a standard power strip, the number and configuration of outlets can vary.Ĭhoosing the right smart power strip for your needs means considering the appliances you intend to use it for and how often you use those appliances. Most smart power strips can be controlled remotely with an app, and some work in conjunction with virtual home assistants. It can also turn those outlets back on when it detects activity in other outlets. A smart power strip can detect which devices are in standby mode and cut off the power to those devices. Electronic devices in standby mode draw additional energy – sometimes called “vampire power” – which can make up as much as 10% of your home’s energy usage.
