The Meross Outdoor Dimmer Plug gives you more control over your lighting than an ordinary smart plug. While you can use it both indoors and outdoors, it is more tailored for outdoor use. Meross Outdoor Dimmer Plug Smart plugs are great accessories to own as they can control virtually everything in your home from your device. From lamps to bug catchers, you can turn any 'dumb' device into a smart one. The problem is that all they can do is turn your devices on and off. While this may be sufficient for most objects, others may have additional features you want to control, such as dimmable lighting. The Meross Outdoor Dimmer Plug offers in-depth control over your devices at a budget-friendly price. It's a great way to manage your outdoor environment with automation from your phone. Meross Outdoor Dimmer Plug - A simple design The Meross Outdoor Dimmer Plug is designed like other outdoor plugs. It is made of flame-retardant polycarbonate and is FCC (Federal Communications Commission) certified. Measuring 2.36 x 3.15 x 1.58 inches, it's small enough to be tucked into corners or hidden under a table. There is also a small hook on the back to secure the plug if you don't want it on the floor. Hook to fix the plug to the wall The plug has an IP44 rating for dust and splash proof. However, you should keep the Outdoor Dimmer Plug out of water and in a dry place. The Outdoor Dimmer Plug has a single socket, so you can only connect one device at a time. It has a very short cable connected to it, which requires you to have already placed your device near an existing power outlet. Meross Outdoor Dimmer Plug control/power button and cable On top of the Outdoor Dimmer Plug is a button that allows you to control the power and brightness of your lights when disconnected from your iPhone. A light around the button indicates whether the plug has power and is in setup mode. When the plug is not in use, a cover can be placed over the socket for maximum protection. On the other hand, when the plug is in use, the cover hangs on the side of the plug until it is needed again. Meross Outdoor Dimmer Plug - Connection and compatibility With the Meross Outdoor Dimmer Plug you can control your lights and appliances from any device. But before you can do that, you need to set up the plug properly. To start the setup process, the ring around the button should flash to indicate it's ready to pair. To connect the plug to WiFi, you need a 2.4GHz network. A 5GHz network is incompatible. While the Outdoor Dimming Plug can control the power of any connected device, it can also change the brightness levels of connected dimmable bulbs. Even if the bulb is screwed into a regular bulb, the brightness can still be changed. LED and CFL bulbs are plug compatible and deliver up to 150W. INC bulbs are also compatible and can have a maximum power of 400W. If you do not use the plug for lighting, please note that it is not compatible with pumps, pool filters and motors. When you control the dimming strength of your lamps, you can set it to a level between 1% and 100%. When using the button, it can be set to 10%, 20%, 30%, 50%, or 100% brightness. Although you can control the Outdoor Dimming Plug from anywhere you have an internet connection, you will receive faster response times if you are in the same location. Meross Outdoor Dimmer Plug - Control from your phone The Meross Outdoor Dimmer Plug can be controlled from the Home or Meross app. However, the Meross app offers more functionality than the Home app. When you connect the Outdoor Dimmer Plug to the Home app for the first time, it recognizes it as a lamp and not a plug. Still, you can change the icon of the device after you complete the installation process. Changing the brightness levels is easy: just tap the plug in the Home app and flick the switch up or down. However, if the connected lights change color, you cannot change it via the plug itself. HomeKit control for Meross Outdoor Dimmer Plug As with other HomeKit accessories, you can group the Outdoor Dimming Plug within the app with other plugs and lights. Because you can only connect one device, this is a useful feature if you purchase several plugs and want to control them at the same time. By grouping the plug with dimmable bulbs, you can adjust their dimming level at the same time. But if you pair it with a non-dimmable device, you'll need to access the group settings and adjust the level of the plug individually. If you have existing automations, you can add the Outdoor Dimmer Plug or create a new one based on it. You can choose when the plug turns on or off and set the brightness level. While the Home app can control the main functions of the Outdoor Dimmer Plug, the Meross app provides additional features that the Home app does not. Meross native app control A useful function of the app is to check the compatibility between the plug and the light you have connected. This allows you to check the stability of the light and what level to set the brightness to if it starts to flicker. The Meross app also provides plug updates when available. Whichever app you use, you can ultimately control the core functionality of the Outdoor Dimming Plug easily at your fingertips. Meross Outdoor Dimmer Plug - Outdoor control at your fingertips The Meross Outdoor Dimmer Plug is a wonderful addition to your outdoor lighting, allowing you to control its power and brightness from your phone. Meross Outdoor Dimmer Plug Setting up the Outdoor Dimmer Plug was easy and the response time to commands was fast. While the lamp's brightness level didn't change immediately when called upon, it still lasted only two seconds. The Outdoor Dimming Plug is ideal for people who hang holiday lighting and want to place it on multiple schedules. It also benefits people who want to set the mood on their terrace by changing the brightness of their light. The price is another highlight for the Outdoor Dimming Plug, as it retails for under $30. Most HomeKit accessories can be expensive, but Meross has a reputation for selling budget-friendly HomeKit devices, and this plug is no different. While we had a positive experience with the plug, we think it would be helpful if it had a longer cable and more outlets in the future. While it is possible to use an extension cord to solve this problem, it would be more convenient if the plug had these features built in. If you want easier control over your outdoor lighting, the Meross Outdoor Dimmer Plug is a good option to choose. However, if you live in an apartment or don't use outdoor lighting, we'd suggest looking at a pack of smart plugs instead. Meross Outdoor Dimmer Plug - Advantages IP44 rating Dimmable accessibility with compatible lamps Budget-friendly price Meross Outdoor Dimmer Plug - Disadvantages Only one socket Only available in black Short wire length Rating: 4 out of 5 Where to buy the Meross Outdoor Dimmer Plug You can buy the Meross Outdoor Dimmer Plug from their website for $28.99. It is available in black. You can also buy it from Amazon for $30.99. It is also available in black.