I love smart plugs, especially with the holidays coming up, when the Wi-Fi-connected devices are handy for operating string lights and other electronic decorations from the app on my phone. Or when I’m away with the family on vacation, I can use a smart plug to program lights to turn on and off at random times, making it look like the home is occupied to would-be burglars.
For all the benefits of smart plugs, they’re not meant for all electronic devices. That’s mainly because they can’t handle large electrical loads, measured in amps. Cheaper smart plugs might have a current rating of just 10 amps, less than the 15 amps of a standard wall outlet and way below the 20 amps of heavy-duty receptacles designed for high-powered equipment. Power loads aside, there are also times when using a smart plug is simply too risky.
Here are five devices to keep away from a smart plug, according to our pros in the Good Housekeeping Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab, as well as Ryan Herd, a smart home expert and CEO of One Sound Choice.
Medical equipment of any kind
If your health depends on a piece of equipment, plug it directly in a wall. “I would never use a smart plug with an important medical device, like a CPAP machine,” says Herd. “Smart plugs can disconnect, reboot, or accidentally get turned off, and you don’t want another point of failure with something you need working.” For good measure, it’s worth plugging medical devices into an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), which resembles a power strip but will provide backup power for a limited time in the event of a power outage.
Anything that generates heat
Space heaters are the obvious example, but any countertop appliance that heats up should also be kept away from a smart plug. “These heat-producing appliances have heavy electrical loads, which means they can draw more current than the smart plug is designed to handle, causing the plug to shut down or fail,” explains Herd.
Systems that run continuously
Take home security systems. They’re designed to provide 24/7 monitoring. Plugging the base unit into a smart plug introduces an unnecessary point of failure. The same goes for sump pumps, which need to always be ready to prevent serious basement flooding. Or the garage door opener, which is on all the time, but only springs into action when it receives the signal to open or close. Plugging the device into a smart plug means you’ll be able to turn it on and off, but not open and close the door.
Other smart devices
Whether it’s a smart TV or a robotic vacuum, these connected devices are designed to operate independently. Plugging them into a smart plug adds in a competing layer of automation that can mess with firmware updates, memory logs, and the like. Rule of thumb: If a device has its own screen, it’s not a great candidate for a smart plug.
Outdoor electronics
This assumes you’re dealing with a standard smart plug designed for indoor use. In that scenario, exposure to rain and other elements can damage the plug, as well as whatever it’s powering, from decorative lighting to outdoor speakers. If you do want remote control over those electronics, look for an exterior-grade smart plug with all the necessary weatherproofing for safe usage outside.
Safe uses for smart plugs
So when does it make sense to bust out the smart plug? “Simple, low-power devices that you just want to turn on and off or put on a schedule,” says Herd. That includes the following:
- Floor and desk lamps
- Holiday decorations, including string lights
- Fans
- Coffeemakers (assuming the smart plug can handle the wattage)
- Phone and computer chargers
Having written thousands of product reviews and how-to articles on all aspects of home ownership, from routine maintenance to major renovations, Dan (he/him) brings more than 20 years of industry experience to his role as the director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. A one-time roofer and a serial remodeler, Dan can often be found keeping house at his restored Brooklyn brownstone, where he lives with his wife and kids.
