HomeKit is Apple’s smart home assitant. If you see a smart device that says “HomeKit Compatible” on the box, then you know it will work. That means you can also control the device with Apple’s voice assistant, Siri. In the case today, we will be looking at smart plugs that are compatible with HomeKit.
Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant are the two big competitors to Apple, and they have a big lead over Apple too. Amazon Alexa has the edge when it comes to the total number of compatible smart devices on the market to choose from. Google Assistantalso has a large number of devices to choose from, but not quiet as much. However, these days, you’ll likely find that smart devices are compatible with both Google and Amazon. The Google Assistant’s intelligence is known for being more advanced than the competition.
Apple HomeKit has an advantage when it comes to automation options, as it allows more flexibility, but there aren’t quite as many HomeKit-enabled devices on the market yet. This is Apple’s fault for wanting to be in control of everything. Historically, Apple has kept tight control over the devices it certifies to work with HomeKit, largely in an effort to keep devices more secure and make sure that they work well. Apple, in general, has been closely controlled any device related to it’s brand.
As a result, there are far fewer devices available for HomeKit. However, Apple has recently relinquished some of its control and we are starting to see more HomeKit devices on the market. They now allow parts to be authenitcated by software.
So, let’s take a look t what the best smart plugs available today that are compatible with Apple HomeKit.
Read Also: Does Blink Work with Apple HomeKit
Belkin WeMo Insight Switch
I recently compiled a list of the best smart plugs available, regardless of smart assistant compatibility, and the Belkin Wemo Insight is the only smart plug to make the list that is compatible with Apple HomeKit. You can view that list here.
The plug varies from a rectangular design, ad is more of a square shape. While this may look more modern, it is rather bulky in the sense that it does not allow adjacent outlets to be used. The power-on indicator is larger making it easier to see. The indicator light also shines green when powered on.
The Belkin Wemo Insight supports all three major voice assistants: Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Apple Homekit. In the Wemo App, you can program the Wemo Insight to turn on and off at sunrise, sunset, or at specific times of the day, on either a daily basis or on individual days of the week under the Rules tab.
Power usage tracking is one of the stand out features of this smart plug. Belkin was very thorough in it’s design. Through the app,you are presented with real-time and average data for power draw, usage time, and operating cost for whatever device you’ve plugged into the Switch, all at just a glance. Dig a little deeper into the app settings, and you will find that you can adjust the energy billing rate and the power draw threshold it uses to determine whether a device is on or in standby mode. Those who really want to track power usage over time can output the data from the app to a CSV file, allowing data nerds to crunch the data however they wish.
If you are not interested in power monitoring, but care more about size an alternative is the Belkin Wemo Mini. It doesn’t have power monitoring, so you would be trading power monitoring for size, allowing other outlets to not be obstructed.
Setup of this smart plug is a little cumbersome. To connect to the plug from the smartphone app, Belkin requires you to connect to a special WeMo Wi-Fi signal coming from the plug itself. Ideally, you connect your smartphone to that WeMo network, then use the app to sync your phone with the plug, and then you’re free to hop back to your regular Wi-Fi network. Users have reported that this doesn’t always go smoothly. Here is a video of the setup process.
Pros
- Fairly Quick Setup
- Supports All Major Voice Assistants (Google, Amazon, Apple)
- Fast Response Time
- Supports IFTTT & Nest Integration
- Energy Monitoring
Cons
- 1 Outlet only
- Bulky Design
Belkin WeMo Mini Smart Plug
An alternative to the Wemo Insight is another plug in the same family called the Wemo Mini. The Wemo Mini is shaped like many other smart plugs, a large white rectangle. It also features a simple, front facing on/off switch.
The Wemo Mini, just light the Wemo Insight, supports all three major voice assistants: Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Apple Homekit. The Wemo App allows you to program the Wemo Mini to turn on and off at sunrise, sunset, or at specific times of the day, on either a daily basis or on individual days of the week under the Rules tab.
The Belkin WeMo Mini is a good all-around smart plug. Its design is slim enough that it doesn’t block nearby outlets. The physical power button is positioned nicely and makes turning it on and off convenient. If you are more interested in power monitoring than size, the alternative is the Belkin Wemo Insight that I previously mentioned. It has power monitoring, but is bulky enough to block adjacent outlets.
Here is a video that shows the complete setup process, including with Apple HomeKit.
Pros
- Fairly Quick Setup
- Supports All Major Voice Assistants (Google, Amazon, Apple)
- Fast Response Time
- Supports IFTTT & Nest Integration
- Slim design
Cons
- 1 Outlet only
- No Energy Monitoring
iHome iSP6x Smart Plug
The plug is another rectangular design, in the typical white coloring but with a grey border. The power-on button and separate indicator are on the side of the unit. There is also a Wi-Fi light next to the power light.
The iHome iSP6x supports all three major voice assistants: Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Apple Homekit. In addition, it also works with Nest, Samsung SmartThings, and Wink. Nest and Wink allow you to connect devices directly from the iHome app. For SmartThings, there a few extra steps you will have to follow over in the Settings tab.
The iHome iSP6X connects to the iHome Control app. It’s not the most visually appealing or intuitive app, but it is functional and easy to navigate. All of your connected devices are visible on the home screen and can be toggled on or off. The top has buttons to select Rooms, Zones, and Scenes. Below the connected devices, there are buttons to create another room or to add a device. You may have to scroll down to see those buttons depending on how many devices you already have.
Rooms are used to group devices. Zones are used to group rooms. Scenes, as you might expect, are preset routines that allow you to set the lights to how you prefer them when you do certain activities. For example, you might have a Bed Time Scene that turns off all the lights with a night light left dim for the kids.
Setup of this smart plug is simple. Download the iHome Control app, create an account, hit the add device button and it basically walks you through it, but here are the steps it has you follow. Plug in the iSP6X and wait for the Wi-Fi light to start blinking. Follow the app instructions to enter your Wi-Fi network password. Wait for the plug to be programmed and then the app will ask you to scan the HomeKit code. The code is included manual that came with the plug, or on the bottom of the plug itself.
Pros
- Fairly Quick Setup
- Supports All Major Voice Assistants (Google, Amazon, Apple)
- Fast Response Time
Cons
- 1 Outlet only
- App could be improved
- No Energy Monitoring
Eve Energy Smart Plug
Eve Energy is one of the outliers, as it only supports Apple HomeKit, and only Apple HomeKit. None of the other assistants, Amazon and Google, will work with this plug.
The Eve Energy plug is square and is about the same size as the Belkin WeMo Insight. It has a three-pronged outlet on the front next to a back lit power button that glows green when the plug is on.The plug on the back is positioned so that the device won’t block the second outlet on a two-outlet wall receptacle. This is one advantage over the Belkin WeMo Insight.
There is a second generation model released in 2020 with a few changed, and a lower price tag. IT was eedesigned with a slimmer body for easier use. Now it looks a lot like all the other rectangular smart plugs on the market. Other than that, the features are the same.
The plug uses Bluetooth to communicate with your iOS device. It does not have a Wi-Fi radio built-in like you get with many other smart plugs. If you want to access the plug remotely, you need to connect it to some sort of Apple hub, such as an Apple TV, a HomePod, or an iPad configured as a Wi-Fi bridge. Moreover, it doesn’t support IFTTT that would allow it to work with other IFTTT-enabled devices, such as door locks and cameras.
Power usage tracking is one of the stand out features of this smart plug. The power consumption features can be vied in the app. After launching the app you will see a Rooms screen that lists all the rooms in your house. Under each room,is a list of devices in that room. Tap the plug’s name to view its usage reports including current Consumption (watts), Projected Cost per year based on the last minute, day, or week of usage, Total Consumption in kWh with hourly, daily, weekly, and monthly bar charts, and Total Cost with hourly, daily, weekly, and monthly bar charts.
Installing the Eve Energy smart plug is quick and easy. All you have to do is download the app and plug the device into a wall outlet. Go to the Settings menu in the app and tap the plus icon in the upper right corner. THe app will start searching for new devices. It usually only takes a matter of seconds for the smart plug to be discovered by the app. After scanning the HomeKit code on the box, you are almost done. All you have to do is chose a room, give the smart plug a name and an a specific icon if desired, and you are done.
The Eve Energy offers an easy way to control your small devices and make them smart using Apple’s HomeKit. It’s ready to use in a matter of seconds, and offers energy usage and cost reporting. You can create HomeKit scenes to have the switch turn off at bedtime and on in the morning, and you can set up automations to have it work with other devices if you have an Apple TV or a HomePod serving as a home hub. If you want a smart plug with more third-party support, consider other options on this list.
Pros
- Easy Setup
- Fast Response Time
- Advanced energy monitoring
Cons
- 1 Outlet only
- Bluetooth only, No Wi-Fi
- Requires a hub to use remotely
- No Amazon Alexa or Google Assitant support
- No third-party integration support for tools such as IFTTT, Nest, or SmartThings
Meross Smart WiFi Plug Mini
Meross isn’t a well-known brand. In fact, it is probably the least known brand on this list. Given its low price, this is a outstanding option for those of you who want to get started in home automation without spending a ton of money. Be aware though that Meross offers a version of this smart plug without HomeKit compatibility. Make certain the device you’re buying has “HK” at the end of the model number, and that it specifically states HomeKit support.
Just like the other smart plugs, the Meross smart plug is another rectangular design, in the typical white coloring. The power-on button is on the side of the unit, and it is back lit.
The Meross smart plug supports all three major voice assistants: Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Apple Homekit. In addition, it also works with Samsung SmartThings, and Line Clova. This is the only plug I have seen that supports Line Clova. In case you have ever heard of Line Clova, it is an intelligent personal assistant for Android and iOS. Clova is short for “cloud virtual assistant”. Also, Line Clova probably doesn’t matter to you because it is only available in South Korea and Japan right now.
The Meross app lists all of your connected devices on the home screen. Devices can be turned on or off from there. There is a plus icon in the top right to add new devices. The bottom has a row of buttons to setup scenes and routines. Scenes are a group of lights, and routines are a series of actions to take.
Setup for the Meross plus should be a breeze. As usualy, the first thing you will need to do is download the Meross app. Next plug the device into a nearby outlet, then open up the Meross app and follow their setup wizard to configure the plug. You will be asked to input your Wi-Fi password, and to name your device. There is also an option to specify an icon of the device you intend to control with the smart plug. Once your plug is up and running, fully online with a solid green light, you can place it into any outlet you would like.
Pros
- Easy to setup
- Supports All Major Voice Assistants (Google, Amazon, Apple)
- Inexpensive
Cons
- 1 Outlet only
- No Energy Monitoring
Conclusion
In my opinion, the Belkin WeMo series of smart plugs are the plugs to beat. They offer the most reliability, features at the best prices. However, the world of smart technology is ever changing. Apple provides a list of HomeKit compatible smart plugs, which can be seen here. Hopefully they manage and maintain that list, but I did find one smart plug on that list that is not compatible with HomeKit, the TP-Link Kasa Smart Plug Mini. If it was compatible, it would have made this list, as the Kasa series is a top-notch smart plug.