Wemo Mini, launched a few years ago, was one of the first smart plugs to offer a slim, discreet design that did not block the other socket on the wall. Given all the smart technology inside the connector and its Mini moniker, it seemed that the category was close to reaching its limits when it comes to size, but this was not the case at all. Now, almost all the best smart plugs, including the best HomeKit smart plugs, available today, even make the Wemo Mini look absolutely giant in comparison.

So when the Mini is no longer mini, a follow-up was inevitable, which led to the recent launch of the Wemo WiFi Smart Plug. The next-generation Wemo smart plug takes miniaturization to the next level, with a footprint that is almost half the size of the previous plug, while offering all the smart features and compatibility. I tested the latest plug in the last few weeks and not only was I impressed with the size, but I was also impressed with the reliability, response times and easy configuration via HomeKit, which makes it an excellent addition to any smart home.

All the basics

Wemo WiFi smart plug: features

Wemo WiFi Smart Plug has a rectangular, white plastic design with a single socket positioned in the center. The frame of the stopper has a slight cone that makes the back smaller than the front, although it is really observable only from the side. The front of the plug is simple, with only the exit portion and the Wemo marking near the bottom corner. Along the right side is a small status indicator and a generously sized button that turns on and off manually. Apart from the HomeKit configuration code on the left, nothing else is happening visually, except, of course, its overall size.

The plug measures just 2.05 x 1.81 x 1.34 inches, which is 45% smaller than the previous Wemo Mini, according to Belkin, and weighs 0.12 lbs. Like the last connector, two of the smart Wemo WiFi files can be stacked on the same socket, and the small size leaves plenty of room for other devices when only one is used. The 120 V plug supports a maximum of 1,800 watts and 15 amps, making it suitable for most residential applications.

The smart features are enabled via a 2.4 gHz Wi-Fi radio, which connects directly to home networks without the use of a dedicated hub or bridge. Wemo WiFi Smart Plug works with the Wemo app, available for free for both iOS (11.0 and later) and Android (6.0 or later). The Wemo application requires an account and a registration process to add the plug, and once completed, the plug-in is available for remote controls and single-access controls.

Through the Wemo application, the tab can be set to track custom schedules and timers, as well as automations with other Wemo devices. The Wemo app also includes a unique feature Way away, which switches the Wemo plug and other lights at random to give the appearance that someone is in the house during different hours of the day. The Wemo application does not require additional subscriptions, all the features of the plugs are available for free right out of the box. In addition to the Wemo app, the plug works with a variety of smart home platforms and voice assistants, including HomeKit, Alexa, IFTTT and Google Assistant.

Small size, small configuration

Wemo WiFi Plug Smart: What I like

As mentioned earlier, the Wemo WiFi Smart Plug is incredibly small, so much so that it is easily tangled to be the smallest Smart Home-enabled smart connector. For those outside the HomeKit ecosystem, the miniature plugs are a dozen, but for fans of Apple's smart home platform, a plug is this compact is amazing compared to the great comic options that came before. Safe size does not affect performance, but opens doors to locations that were previously out of bounds, such as a socket near a side wall or sharing a socket with a thicker cable device. I've dealt with both of these issues with other smart plugs in the past, so I absolutely love Wemo's compact design, and its permanent place in my house is really somewhere that requires smaller dimensions.

Since the new Wemo plug comes with HomeKit in the oven, pairing it to my home network only requires connecting it, opening the Home application, and scanning the HomeKit configuration code. This means you can be up and running quickly without downloading another app or having to create an account, which is a massive plus in my book. Using this method also avoids one of the biggest previous headaches of the Wemo Mini, in which activating the HomeKit first required a series of steps through the Wemo application, which for some reason seemed to create problems for many .

Even when you continuously switch the plug in quick succession, it was able to keep up with each command, which was impressive, as it is something that often triggers smart plugs.

Of course, Android users will see a different configuration process, but somewhat familiar. This process involves activating it, downloading the Wemo application, creating an account, and finally adding the plug. While just using HomeKit is faster, both shouldn't take more than a few minutes if everything goes right (more on that later). For testing purposes, even though I prefer HomeKit, I wanted to cover both methods, but I found that the Wemo app finally brings the Home app pairing process to complete the setup process. So, in other words, if you're on iOS, I'd go straight to the Home app after logging out.

Turning to performance, the Wemo WiFi Smart Plug is excellent, with fast response times and rock-solid reliability. Touching the power button through the Wemo app, Siri, or the built-in iOS Home app changes the status of the device within a second and, in some cases, almost instantly. Even when you continuously switch the plug in quick succession, he was able to keep up with each command, which was impressive, as it is something that often triggers smart plugs. Equally remarkable is the reliability of the card, because it was available and ready for orders, without interruptions for several weeks in which I tested it. Without periods when the outlet cannot be reached at all in the Wemo application or in the Home application, it simply works (so far).

Reset required

Wemo WiFi Plug Smart: What I do not like

Unlike the painless HomeKit setup process, adding the plug to the Wemo app later was a different experience. When opening the application and creating the necessary account, a message appeared stating that he found a relentless Wemo, which was great. However, after I reached the message and confirmed that I wanted to add the plug to my account, I hit a roadblock.

While trying to add the device, the Wemo application displayed an error message saying it could not connect the plug and provided a few troubleshooting steps. One of them was simply to give up and relaunch the application, which unfortunately led to the same error, even after several attempts. The other option was to reset the file at the factory, but the application did not provide the actual steps in the message and is not listed in the included setup guide. I can't say for sure that this worked, but having experience in the reset process for other smart plugs, I pressed the power button on the plug and held it for a few seconds and then I was able to add it to the app .

Sticking to the Wemo app, I thought it was a fairly standard rate for an app that comes directly from a device manufacturer. The app provides the basics like programming and timers, which are easy to use and configure, but the app itself feels a bit bare and lacks options for things like switching and turning off the LED light on the device. For those who use HomeKit and have a HomeKit hub in the house, I don't really see a need for it other than firmware updates, which unfortunately are locked behind the account and the login process.

Finally, given that the plug is incredibly small, some of the accessories offered by larger competing plugs are missing. One of these is energy monitoring, so there are no usage reports or estimated costs here, which is kind of a seller. Another disadvantage is that the stopper does not offer any weather resistance, limiting it only to indoor use, so if you are looking for a flexible stopper that you can use in different situations, you will have to look elsewhere.

Small and smart

Wemo WiFi Plug Smart: Bottom line

4
of 5

Even without its incredibly small size, the Wemo WiFi Smart Plug would still be easily recommended to those on the market due to its fast response times, compatibility with all major home platforms and reliability. Add the ability to configure the plug using only HomeKit and of course the compact design and you will get a smart plug that is a great addition to any HomeKit or any smart home in general.

Although it may lack supplements such as power monitoring and weather resistance, the Wemo WiFi Smart Plug compensates for this in the categories that matter most, all at a great price. With a successor that is so small and so good, it really makes you wonder what the next iteration will look like. How small can it get? Will it still offer all the same features? We may not have known for a few years, but I'm already excited just thinking about it.