One minute review
Belkin is a more familiar name with smartphones and computing peripherals, even though it has been manufacturing some of the best smart home devices under the Wemo brand since 2012. The Wemo WiFi smart card is the latest launch of the brand in smart home space and has recently been expanded to the UK and Europe, after initially being available only in the US.
The Wemo WiFi smart plug is a single socket that can be connected to a socket and controlled using your own Wemo app, Apple Home or Siri app - although those in the US also benefit from Alexa and Google Assistant support.
In addition to enabling and disabling the in-app socket, you can set appointments to turn on or off automatically, or turn on Away mode - which randomizes the hours the smart plug plugs in and off - to simulate busy.
It can also be used in home automations that see multiple smart home devices controlled simultaneously, although in the UK - or in the US, if you use HomeKit - to control the smart plug when you're not at home, I'll need a HomePod Mini or Apple TV 4K to act as a smart home hub.
For those deeply connected to the Apple ecosystem or starting to use HomeKit to power their smart home, Wemo WiFi is the most affordable smart connector on the market right now.
Price and availability of Wemo WiFi smart connector
- List price: 24.99 USD / 24.99 GBP / 20 USD
The Wemo WiFi smart card is priced at $ 24.99 / GBP 24.99 and is available in the US and UK from Belkin. In the UK, you can also pick it up from the Apple Store. In the US, it is available from Amazon.
Design
- Unique smart socket
- LED on / off indicator
- Manual control button
The Wemo WiFi smart plug is similar to that of most smart plugs on the market that looks: it has a simple, harmless, completely white design. In the US, the smart plug has a horizontal design that measures 1.81 x 2.05 x 1.34 inches / 3 x 5.2 x 3.4 cm, while the British version has a compact square shape that measures 6 x 6 x 7 cm 2.4 x 2.4 x 2.8 inches.
The front of the smart plug has a single outlet, with a manual power button and an LED that lights up white when the plug is turned on or toggles between white and orange when the plug is in setup mode.
Performance
- Extremely easy to set up
- Instant control using the application
- Requires Apple TV or HomePod to be controlled outside the home
The Wemo WiFi smart plug is easy to set up, either through the HomeKit or through your own Wemo app - although scanning the QR code to set up your device using the first one is slightly faster than using your own Wemo app.
Once the smart plug is connected to a Wi-Fi network, it can be assigned to a specific camera or device group. During the test, we found that the file is turned on and off instantly through the application or Siri, sounding a reassuring click in the process.
However, if you use the smart plug with HomeKit, as I already mentioned, you will need an Apple TV 4K or HomePod Mini to train the smart plug while you are out.
Application
- HomeKit integration, plus Alexa and Google Assistant in the US
- Set appointments in the Wemo application
- Travel mode
Both the Apple Home app and the Wemo app are easy to use, making smart home connector control a doddle, no matter which app you choose.
As soon as you launch the Wemo application, you will be presented with a list of Wemo devices installed in your home. These devices can be turned on or off instantly using the power button icon on the right. However, in the Apple Home application, if you assign the smart plug to a specific camera, it will be displayed in this tab. Otherwise, you'll find it on the main home screen - again, just tap to turn it on or off.
The Wemo app has a Rules tab where you can set a program or enable Away mode, while the Apple Home app has an Automations tab where you can set appointments - but unfortunately you can't activate Away mode.
In the US, the smart plug also integrates with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Should I buy the Wemo WiFi smart plug?
Buy it if ...
You want a smart HomeKit compatible connector
The Wemo WiFi smart card is the most affordable HomeKit compatible smart card I've tested, making it an excellent purchase for those who have chosen the Apple ecosystem for their smart home.
You want a smart connector that is easy to set up
The QR code makes the smart plug very easy to set up, and we like that you can use the Apple Home app instead of downloading a second app. If simplicity is a priority, then this is the smart connector for you.
You want a connector that simulates being at home
The Away mode on the Wemo Wi-Fi smart card does a great job of activating and turning off connected devices at random times to deter intruders - which makes it great if home security is a priority.
Don't buy it if ...
You want energy monitoring
Unlike other smart outlets on the market, the Wemo smart WiFi connector does not come with any function to monitor power consumption, so it is best avoided if you want to keep track of how much power you use.
You don't have a HomePod Mini or an Apple TV 4K
Without a HomePod Mini or an Apple TV 4K in your home, you won't be able to control the smart plug remotely, which means you really won't get the best results.
You have a tight budget
The WeMo WiFi smart card is not the cheapest smart card I've seen - this honor goes to TP-Link models, such as the Kasa KP105. If you want to spend the absolute minimum, choose one of them.
First revision: June 2021
