Humax Wi-Fi Smart Plug Review
A neat smart plug that can monitor energy usage
Verdict
A compact and neat device, the Humax Wi-Fi Smart Plug doesn’t take up much room and can monitor energy use as well as control it. Although it works with Humax’s own software, I found the smart plug easier to pair with the Smart Life app, making it compatible with a wider range of devices. For those wanting only on/off control, there are cheaper options; but this is a great choice if you want to monitor power usage.
Pros
- Monitors energy
- Works with Smart Life
- Simple to automate
Cons
- Not compatible with IFTTT
Availability
- UKRRP: £13.99
Key Features
- Energy monitoringMonitors how much energy connected devices use
- ConnectionWorks with any 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network
- Smart homeWorks with the Humax and Smart Life apps, plus Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
Introduction
Better known for its set-top boxes, the Humax Wi-Fi Smart Plug is the company’s first foray into the smart home market. A neat and compact unit, the smart plug works well and can measure energy consumption. However, its compatibility with the Smart Life system means there are cheaper alternatives available for those wanting basic on/off control only.
Design
- Circular body
- Won’t obstruct a second power socket
- Manual on/off control
There are only so many ways that a smart plug can be designed, but the Humax Wi-Fi Smart Plug is at least different to most others I’ve reviewed. Rather than opting for a square or rectangular body, this smart plug has a cylindrical shape.
Measuring 55mm in diameter, it’s a rather compact smart plug,, which means it will happily fit into a double socket without blocking another plug.
While it’s built to be remote-controlled, the plug also has a manual on/off button on the side in case you do need to toggle its power without using the app.
Features and Performance
- Works with Humax and Smart Life software
- Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant compatible
This is a Humax-branded product, but like so many smart products of its type – such as the TCP Smart Wi-Fi Plug and the Hey! Smart Power Bar – the smarts here are delivered via the Smart Life platform.
As a result, it isn’t even worth bothering with the Humax app. Using the unit through the Smart Life app means that the Humax Wi-Fi Smart Plug can sit alongside other devices from other manufacturers. That’s handy, since it means I can expand my collection of smart plugs and devices without being tied into the Humax app.
In addition, using Smart Life is easier in many cases, particularly when it comes to third-party services, such as Google Assistant and Alexa. When linking these devices, you can link to one Smart Life service only. So, if you linked to Humax, you then couldn’t add devices that were in the Hey! App. By putting all devices into Smart Life, everything becomes easier to manage.
Google Assistant and Alexa deliver voice control over the smart plug, plus with Alexa Routines, you can control the smart plug automatically – say, turning it on when a Ring camera detects motion.
This smart plug doesn’t work in either IFTTT nor SmartThings, although some Smart Life devices are compatible with both.
Both the Humax and Smart Life apps offer the same basic interface and functionality. There’s simple on/off control, plus schedules can be set to turn the plug on and off at specific times.
Through the Smart Life app you’ll find plenty of options for automation, even if the wording and app are a little clunky to use. It’s possible to create automations based on other smart devices, turning the plug on if, for example, a compatible smart camera picks up motion. There are outside triggers, too, including looking for changes in temperature or humidity, plus a geolocation option. I didn’t find the latter too useful, since it uses just a single user’s location, so it isn’t much cop when used in a multi-user household.
Monitoring the electricity consumption of devices plugged into the smart plug can be useful, particularly with increasing prices. The app neatly breaks down energy consumption by day and month, making it easy to see how much power you’ve used and how much you’ve saved.
According to my plug-in energy monitor, the smart plug consumed between 0.1W and 0.2W. Provided the devices you have connected use more power than this when in standby, you’ll save cash.
Since the Humax Wi-Fi Smart Plug has a maximum rating of 16A, it can cope with any standard plug-in devices and even multiway power strips. I connected my smart plug to my PC’s monitor, a Google Nest Hub, Amazon Echo Show 15 and other devices that I need on only while working, and then used the smart plug to cut off power when I finish work. It’s a neat way of saving some money.
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Should you buy it?
If you want a well-priced device that can monitor power consumption as well as deliver remote socket control, the Humax Wi-Fi Smart Plug is a great choice.
For basic on/off control there are cheaper smart plugs available with the same options, or others that are compatible with a wider range of smart home systems.
Final Thoughts
If you’re simply looking for on/off control, the TCP Smart WiFi Plug offers better value, particularly when bought in multi-packs, plus works in the same Smart Life system. For those looking for a device that works with more systems, then the Philips Hue Smart Plug works through Apple HomeKit, plus it can be controlled via the Hue range of wireless remotes.
However, if you want to monitor power consumption, the Humax Wi-Fi Smart Plug is a superb bit of kit and very competitively priced. For anything else, check out my guide to the best smart plugs.
How we test
Unlike other sites, we test every smart light we review thoroughly over an extended period of time. We use industry standard tests to compare features properly. We’ll always tell you what we find. We never, ever, accept money to review a product.
Find out more about how we test in our ethics policy.
Tested for at least a week
We test compatibility with the main smart systems (HomeKit, Alexa, Google Assistant, SmartThings, IFTTT and more) to see how easy each light is to automate
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FAQs
It can connect to 2.4GHz networks only.
It can be controlled via the Humax app or the Smart Life app.
Full specs
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
