Hi all,
I'm looking for a Smart Plug, accessible from an iPhone, which I can control using VoiceOver, and which also allows me to retrieve data about the power drawn from the plug. This is mainly to determine the power consumption of devices such as washing machines, tumble dryers, electric cookers, (including slow cookers and air fryers), etc.
Many thanks for any info,
Tim Pennick
By Tim Pennick, 12 December, 2022
Forum
Smart Home Tech and Gadgets
Comments
TP-Link Kasa partially works
TP-Link Kasa worked decently well until earlier this year.
However while it can still be used, it's tricky to navigate the home screen with VoiceOver on since version 3.0 of the app.
There are plenty of unlabeled buttons, but with a combination of explore by touch and swiping you can find your device, then go to the bottom right where it says energy. There I can at least see current wattage drawn from the plug.
I did reach out to TP-Link when the app broke, and after I said VoiceOver the guy thought I was talking about Alexa support. I gave up.
IDevices
i’ve had no problems with the brand. They may have been bought by another company, though, and I don’t know what they are like today. Also, I would personally not put high power devices like the ones you mentioned on the smart plug. I had a remote control plug melt when connected to a 500 W portable air conditioner. I think a washer and dryer might even be connected to a 30 amp circuit.
I additionally have a couple of TP Link plugs. As noted in the previous comment, the app is usable but does have some annoying unlabeled buttons and the like.