Smart sockets are relatively reliable smart products in recent years, because they can be used as ordinary sockets even without apps, and their mission function will not be castrated due to intelligence like smart watches. After two years of development, in addition to becoming mature and reliable, their prices have also fallen to a level acceptable to the public.
But when we are ready to buy, we must also be wondering: which smart socket is better? With this doubt, we found the three most famous smart sockets below 100 yuan for horizontal evaluation: Xiaok-2, Xiaomi and IVYPlug, with prices of 99/39/69 yuan respectively (the last two have not officially announced the price, which is the industry's guess price).
In consideration of your patience and time, the horizontal review will try to reduce the text and go straight to the conclusion.
appearance
From left to right are Xiaok, Xiaomi and IVYPlug. The small K is packed in transparent plastic boxes, while the others are pure white paper boxes, while the IVYPlug with the smallest nominal size uses the largest packaging instead.
Small K
Three LED lights can be seen at the waist line
Among the three, only the small K uses black (its predecessor is white). The top provides two 5V/0.5A output USB ports. The switch on the side is also a work indicator light. The waist slot hides a luminous light.
millet
The Xiaomi socket is very similar to the Apple charger. On the top of the front is the status light, and on the top is the switch and 5V/1A USB interface.
IVYPlug
There are two red and green indicator lights under the black translucent plastic cover on the top of the IVYPlug. The right side is the reset hole and the QR code for connection. There is no parameter mark on the body.
Size contrast
In terms of size, the thickness and width of the three are relatively similar, but the length is obviously different. Millet is the shortest, followed by IVYPlug, and XiaoK is the largest.
However, in terms of the size of socket space, K>IVYplug>millet, but in fact, all three are incredibly fat, as shown in the following figure:
A side-by-side double 3-hole socket can't be inserted into three smart sockets. After any two go in, it is no longer possible to plug into another socket horizontally or opposite.
The smallest K with the largest volume has the most space left for the top because the pin position is the highest. The top position can be barely inserted into other appliances.
The smallest IVY plug even covers the switch and indicator light because its top is too long, but its width is not big enough to affect the electrical sockets on both sides.
Xiaomi socket takes up the most space, and the top is not short, covering half of the switch; The horizontal direction is too wide, and it supports other electrical plugs on both sides.
Basic functions
There is no child protection door in the middle millet socket
Protection against electric shock: Xiaok=IVYplug>Xiaomi. Only Xiaomi's socket has no child protection door (used to prevent electric shock when inserting appliances).
Current output: millet>small K>IVYplug. The three are all 220W/10A specifications, and can support up to 2200W appliances, but Xiaomi provides an additional 5V/1A USB interface, which can charge the mobile phone tablet; Small K has dual USB ports, but both are 5V/0.5A, which is too slow to charge; IVYplug has no USB port.
Noise control: Xiaomi>IVYplug>XiaoK. Small K makes the most squeaking sound, followed by IVYplug, and there is almost no Xiaomi socket. The voltage transformation and conversion circuit will generally produce a "squeak", although it can only be heard close to the ear and will not affect the use, it may affect Virgo's mood.
Heating control: Xiaomi>IVYplug>XiaoK. In daily use, the temperature of the three sockets is higher than the hand temperature (more than 34 degrees). The temperature of IVYplug and millet is similar, and XiaoK is obviously the hottest (1-2 degrees higher).
Workmanship: Xiaomi>Xiaok>IVYplug. Xiaomi's plastic material and joint treatment are superior to the other two; The edges of the IVYplug shell have obvious burrs, and the joints are of different sizes. The workmanship covers the bottom; Small K is standard, but the black polished surface is difficult to handle, and the surface is very easy to scratch, even if you wipe hard with a paper towel, you can leave scratches.
Intelligent function
Small K's app interface
App interface of IVYplug
App interface of Xiaomi socket
Functionality: Xiaok>IVYplug>Xiaomi. Small K has the most cool interface and the most functions, including remote switch, real-time power, electricity statistics, wifi enhancement/relay, timing delay and night light. The IVYplug interface is also good. Its main functions are remote switching, real-time power, electricity statistics, and timing tasks. Xiaomi has the most simple interface and functions, only remote switch and timing task.
Connection convenience: Xiaomi>Xiaok>IVYplug. Xiaomi and Xiaok automatically search nearby devices for connection, while IVYplug needs to scan the QR code, and its reset requires its own pin!!! (Press and hold the other two switches to reset)
Ease of use: Xiaok>Xiaomi=IVYplug. Both Xiaomi and IVYplug allow only one account to be bound and used. XiaoK supports multi account binding, which is more suitable for a family.
Security: IVYplug>Xiaomi>XiaoK. In fact, ease of use and security are contradictory. Anyone can connect to Xiaok. Once connected by others, it may control your socket. Xiaomi and IVYplug need to know how to bind accounts before using. The IVYplug, which requires the QR code to connect, is therefore the most secure.
Scheduled task
The remote switch has three functions, and the response speed is very fast.
On the function of scheduled tasks: Xiaok=IVYplug>Xiaomi. There are only small differences between the interface and the use logic. However, Xiaomi's scheduled task cannot take effect after the network is disconnected (the other two can also perform scheduled tasks after the network is disconnected). This is a relatively large lack of functionality, and heavy reliance on the network may lead to security risks (which may overload the equipment that should be powered off regularly because of the network disconnection).
However, it is worth mentioning that Xiaomi can control the USB socket switch independently, and the other two cannot (IVYplug does not have USB).
Real time power and electricity statistics
IVYplug
Small K
IVYplug real-time power and statistics: IVYplug>XiaoK>Xiaomi. This is the main function of IVYplug, and the overwhelming gap is expected (details can be stamped here See the previous evaluation).
The real-time power of IVYplug includes the display of current and wattage, with almost no delay. The statistics page provides detailed records of hours/days/weeks/months/years, and supports the display of broken lines and bar graphs.
However, the real-time power of K has a significant delay. You need to go back and enter again to see the real "real-time display". The statistics page is not as detailed as IVYplug.
Xiaomi socket does not have this function
Special functions
Small K has two other night lights (supporting scheduled tasks) and wifi relay functions (signal strength is even higher than that of general routing) that are not available.
If it cheats, plus the official plug-ins (each plug-in costs 29 yuan, and each socket can only plug in two plug-ins), K has the following three functions (details can be stamped here See previous evaluations), and support programmatic task design (continuous automatic execution of multiple tasks):
Infrared and RF control: remote air conditioning, TV DVD、 Garage door, electric curtain and other equipment;
Environmental detection: detect the temperature, humidity and luminosity of the room
Movement detection: detect moving objects 3-5 meters nearby
summary
The most essential work of intelligent socket is remote and timing control. Its main purpose is to enable water heaters, heaters, air conditioners, drinking fountains and other equipment that can work after being powered on to work in advance and regularly to save electricity, delay the closing of the charger to prevent overcharge, prevent the phenomenon of leaving the electrical appliances off when going out, or turn off the lights in bed.
The expanded power statistics and power consumption display will be more comfortable for data maniacs, and can indeed be used to identify major power consumers or monitor the operation status of some devices. Small K's environment detection, remote control and mobile object detection functions are full of geek models.
It is obvious that XiaoK focuses on plug-in functions, Xiaomi still focuses on price, and IVYPlug focuses on power consumption statistics. In actual use, XiaoK has the most functions even without plug-ins; Although Xiaomi has the weakest and simplest function, its price is less than half of the other two; IVYPlug's real-time power and statistics functions are indeed better than those of other competitors.
Purchase suggestions
Although the ordinary socket is only about 20 to 30 yuan, the smart socket is still very rare and can buy smart devices within 100 yuan, and it is far more practical than the smart bracelet.
In addition, due to the limitation of material cost, the lowest price of smart socket is the current price (39-99 yuan). Future products can only make breakthroughs in functional stability and joint operation at most, and the benefits of breakthroughs such as holding coins are not high, so you can start at any time.
If you only need remote and timing functions, the cheapest millet socket is the first choice. After all, the price of the other two is enough to buy two millet sockets.
If it is especially necessary to count and monitor power consumption, IVYPlug will be the first choice, cheaper than XiaoK and more powerful in power monitoring.
If you are a geek or don't know what function you want, you can choose Small K, which has comprehensive functions and acceptable price.
However, the most difficult part of the whole evaluation is the next sentence: they have not been publicly purchased yet, if you are interested, you need to pay attention to the crowdfunding platform (XiaoK and IVYPlug) and Xiaomi official website (Xiaomi socket) to monitor the progress of the public offering
