每个人都想降低能源成本。最简单的方法之一是通过能源监控(energy monitoring)工具，但另一个简单的解决方案是消除幻象电源消耗(power draw)。“幻象电源(Phantom power)”是指设备即使在不直接使用时也能吸收的能量，例如为LED显示器供电。
停止幻象电源(phantom power)的唯一方法是关闭流向该设备的电流——完成后不拔掉设备电源的最简单方法是通过智能插头。
(Smart)然而，即使是最精通技术的人，智能插头也会感到困惑。为了帮助您决定哪一款插头适合您，我们在2019 年2 月(February)缩小了您现在可以购买的前五款最佳智能插头的范围。
1. Belkin WeMo Insight（亚马逊(Amazon)）
Belkin对智能(Belkin)家居技术(home technology)并不陌生，但WeMo Insight智能插头是他们最受欢迎的设备之一。WeMo Insight(WeMo Insight)支持Amazon Alexa 和 IFTTT ，并且在(Amazon Alexa and IFTTT)Android 和 iOS(Android and iOS)上都有应用程序。
贝尔金(Belkin)通过提供其他智能插头很少做的事情来超越这个模型：能源监控软件(energy monitoring software)。虽然不如全家监控系统(monitoring system)强大，但您可以监控插入WeMo Insight的设备每天和每小时消耗的电量。
对于单个插头，价格(price point)有点高，为 38.39 美元。没有网络支持，因此您无法通过网络访问和控制插头，而且手机应用程序(phone app)有时可能有点难以使用。尽管如此，能源监控(energy monitoring)使其成为市场上最重要的选择之一，特别是对于那些认真考虑降低公用事业成本的人来说。
2.iDevices Switch（亚马逊(Amazon)）
iDevices Switch有一个主要优势，使其在我们的列表中名列前茅：它可以与Amazon Alexa、Apple HomeKit 和Google Home配合使用。它还支持能源监控(energy monitoring)，并允许您为插入插座的设备安排特定的运行时间。
缺点是它不是最紧凑的插头设计。插座将插头重定向到侧面，这可能有点不方便（或不方便），具体取决于设备。虽然它不太可能阻塞墙上插座(wall outlet)上的第二个插槽，但 iDevices Switch可能不太适合电源板(power strip)。它的价格低于Belkin WeMo Insight的 29.95 美元。
3. TP-Link Kasa 智能 Wi-Fi 迷你插头(Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Mini Plug)（亚马逊(Amazon)）
TP-Link是(TP-Link)科技界(technology world)的另一个知名品牌。除了制造路由器的悠久历史外，该公司还生产一些当今最流行的智能插头。
Kasa 系列(Kasa line)有很多优点，尤其是这款迷你插头(mini plug)。它不仅与Amazon Alexa、Google Home、IFTTT甚至Microsoft Cortana兼容，而且还为插入其中的任何东西提供能源监控和报告。(energy monitoring and reporting)
Kasa 智能 Wi-Fi 迷你插头(Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Mini Plug)采用纤薄、狭窄的设计，使其适合其他智能插头可能无法插入的空间——而且由于它不会重定向插头，您可以将其插入电源板(power strip)
而无需担心。但是，它不支持Apple HomeKit。Kasa售价 21.99 美元，
是此列表中最便宜的选择之一。
4. iClever 智能插头（亚马逊(Amazon)）
iClever智能插头(Smart Plug)不是市场上的革命性产品，但它可以满足智能插头应有的所有功能，而且价格比其他任何产品都低。该设备可与 Amazon Alexa、Google Home和IFTTT配合使用，并让您能够根据不同的条件将插头设置为打开和关闭。
缺点是它不能与
Apple HomeKit 一起(Apple HomeKit)使用，也没有能源监控(energy monitoring)功能，但是当你以 27.99 美元的价格买到两个插头时，就很难挑剔了。
5. iSmart iSP100户外(Outdoor SmartPlug)智能插头（亚马逊(Amazon)）
iSmart iSP100是唯一一款在此列表中获得一席之地的插头，它不仅限于室内，但如果您需要一种简单的方法来控制节日灯，户外智能插头是一个简单的选择。iSmart 可与Apple HomeKit、Amazon Alexa和Google Home配合使用。它还有一个足够长的插头，可以轻松连接到有盖的插座。
缺点是它没有能量监控或 IFTT 兼容性。虽然密切关注您屡获殊荣的圣诞灯(Christmas light)展示使用多少能量会很好，但这不是必需的。
智能插头的好处
智能(Smart)插头不仅仅是让您通过语音控制它们；他们甚至可以将“哑”设备(” device)变成连接的、Wi-Fi控制的设备。他们还提供安心。
如果你的办公室很小，有时很冷（就像本文的作者），那么空间加热器成为冬天的必需品。如果您忘记是否将其关闭，智能插头可让您轻松按下手机上的按钮并确保(phone and guarantee)加热器没有电。
将传统上未连接的设备连接到您家的能力使智能插头成为任何家庭的受欢迎的补充。
虽然有些插头占用的空间超出了严格的要求，但外形更纤薄(slimmer profile)的插头可以通过说“嘿谷歌，打开客厅(living room)灯”来轻松控制你的房子。智能插头可让您将1950 年的古董、传家宝(heirloom 1950)灯带入 2019 年。
The Best Smart Plugs in 2019 that Work with Alexa and Google Home
Everyone wants to cut energy coѕts. One of the easiest ways tо do that is through energy monitoring tools, but another simple solution is to eliminate phantom power draw. “Phantom power” is energy drawn by devices even when not in direct use, such as to power LED displays.
The only way to stop phantom power is to shut off the flow of electricity to that device—and the easiest way to do that without unplugging an appliance when you’re done is through a smart plug.
Smart plugs can confuse even the most
tech-savvy person, however. To help you decide which one of these plugs is
right for you, we have narrowed down the top five best smart plugs you can buy
right now, in February of 2019.
1. Belkin WeMo Insight (Amazon)
Belkin is no stranger to smart home technology, but the WeMo Insight smart plug is one of their most popular devices. The WeMo Insight supports Amazon Alexa and IFTTT, and also has apps on both Android and iOS.
Belkin went above and beyond with this model by providing something few other smart plugs do: energy monitoring software. While not as robust as a whole-home monitoring system, you can monitor how much power the device plugged into your WeMo Insight draws on a daily and hourly basis.
For a single plug, the price point is a bit
high at $38.39. There is no web support, so you can’t access and control the
plug via the web, and the phone app can be a bit tough to use at times. Despite
this, the energy monitoring makes it one of the foremost choices on the market,
especially for people that are serious about reducing their utility costs.
2. iDevices Switch (Amazon)
The iDevices Switch has one major strength
that puts it near the top of our list: it works with Amazon Alexa, Apple
HomeKit, and Google Home. It also supports energy monitoring and allows you to
schedule specific periods of operation for a device plugged into the outlet.
The downside is that it isn’t the most
compact design for a plug. The outlet redirects the plug to the side, which can
be a bit inconvenient (or not) depending on the device. While it isn’t likely
to block the second slot on a wall outlet, the iDevices Switch might not fit
well on a power strip. It is lower-priced than the Belkin WeMo Insight at
$29.95.
3. TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Mini Plug (Amazon)
TP-Link is another well-name name in the technology world. Aside from a long history of making routers, the company also produces some of the most popular smart plugs available today.
The Kasa line has a lot going for it, especially with this mini plug. Not only is it compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, IFTTT, and even Microsoft Cortana, but also it provides energy monitoring and reporting for anything plugged into it.
The Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Mini Plug has a slim,
narrow design that lets it fit into spaces other smart plugs might not—and
because it doesn’t redirect the plug, you can stick it into a power strip
without worry. It does not support Apple HomeKit, however. At $21.99, the Kasa
is one of the least expensive options on this list.
4. iClever Smart Plug (Amazon)
The iClever Smart Plug is not a
revolutionary addition to the market, but it does everything a smart plug
should—and for a lower price than anything else. The device works with Amazon
Alexa, Google Home, and IFTTT, and gives you the ability to set the plug to
turn on and off based on different conditions.
The downside is that it does not work with
Apple HomeKit and does not have energy monitoring, but when you get two plugs
for just $27.99, it’s hard to nitpick.
5. iSmart iSP100 Outdoor SmartPlug (Amazon)
The iSmart iSP100 is the only plug to earn
a spot on this list that isn’t indoor-only, but if you need an easy way to
control your holiday lights, an outdoor smart plug is an easy option. The
iSmart works with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Home. It also has a
long enough plug that it can connect to a covered outlet with ease.
The downside is that it doesn’t have energy
monitoring or IFTT compatibility. While it would be nice to keep an eye on how
much energy your award-winning Christmas light display uses, it’s not a
necessity.
The Benefits of a Smart Plug
Smart plugs do more than let you control them via your voice; they can turn even a “dumb” device into a connected, Wi-Fi controlled appliance. They also provide peace of mind.
If you have a small, sometimes chilly office (like the writer of this article), then space heaters become a necessity in winter. And if you ever forget whether you turned it off or not, a smart plug makes it easy to press a button on your phone and guarantee the heater has no power.
The ability to connect traditionally non-connected devices to your home makes smart plugs a welcome addition to any home.
Although some plugs take up more space than seems strictly necessary, the ones with a slimmer profile make it easy to control your house by saying, “Hey Google, turn on the living room lamp.” A smart plug lets you bring your antique, heirloom 1950’s lamp into 2019.
