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Molly Price Former Editor
A smart plug lets you turn regular lights and appliances into smart devices, making it possible for you to control your outdoor lights and other appliances remotely. And as your backyard events continue — and become more grand — having to monitor what’s left on or plugged in can constantly become a hassle. This is when the convenience of a smart plug will shine.
The best smart plugs will keep your devices safe and also come with advanced features that bring in a lot of convenience. We’re talking about the ability to run custom schedules automatically and use commands with voice assistants like Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant to control your outdoor devices.
While you’re on your hunt, remember that there are a lot of smart plugs designed for indoor use out there, but outdoor smart plugs are designed to be weather-resistant.
Outdoor smart plugs are great to plug in your summer patio lights, bug zappers, outdoor speakers and more without having to hunt for the switch every time. So, whether you have Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri in your home, there’s a smart plug out there that will work for you.
What to consider
There are few things you’ll need to decide when shopping for an outdoor smart plug. Which voice assistant do you use? How many outlets do you want? Some models just have one outlet and some have two. With these questions answered, you’ll be on your way to picking the plug that works best for your setup.
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TP-Link’s Kasa app is easy to use and Kasa devices are quick to set up. The Kasa Outdoor Smart Plug offers two outlets that can be controlled individually, and is rated to operate in temperatures from minus 4 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit. You can choose from voice commands, schedules, timers, scenes or sunrise/sunset modes, as well as an Away feature that randomizes powering outlets on and off.
Kasa products work with Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa, so you’ll be able to ask your voice assistant of choice to turn on your lighting. At less than $30, it’s a reasonably priced smart plug for your outdoor space. Read our TP-Link Kasa Outdoor Smart Plug review.
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