Best Smart Plugs for Google Home in 2018

Turn your traditional gadget into a smart one with a smart plug.

Smart home devices are great — I’ve been obsessing over them since recently moving into a century-old house — and they all work together to make life a little easier and more convenient. It isn’t always about being too lazy to reach for the light switch; most smart gadgets allow you to access and control the various appliances in your house remotely so that you won’t, say, run up the electric bill by forgetting to turn off the air conditioning.

You don’t have to replace your perfectly good hardware to benefit from that remote access, though — at least, as long as you only need to be able to turn your devices on and off. Smart plugs are a great way of turning traditional gadgets into smart ones; they sit between your device and the power outlet, and essentially act as remote-controlled gatekeepers of power. Flip the switch on your phone, and that gate opens and — bam — your lamp or microwave powers on. You can even just tell your Google Home to turn the device on.

Sounds pretty great, right? So what’s the best smart plug you should buy?

• Belkin Wemo Mini
• Belkin Wemo Insight
• TP-Link Kasa
• iDevices Outdoor Switch

Belkin Wemo Mini

Belkin has perhaps the best brand recognition within the smart plug market, thanks to its popular Wemo plug, but the Wemo is big and bulky, which means you can’t fit two of them onto a standard wall outlet. Thankfully, that’s a non-issue with the newer, much smaller Wemo Mini, which barely occupies more space than the plug itself.

As you would expect, the Wemo Mini works with Google Home, along with Alexa and HomeKit, and allows you to remotely power any device you plug into it. It even ties in with services like Nest and IFTTT to further automate your gadgets so that you can automatically turn the lights on inside when you get home at night or turn the fan on when it gets too hot outside. Best of all, the Wemo Mini is pretty affordable at $29.98.

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Belkin Wemo Insight

The Wemo Mini is great, but there’s one thing it’s missing: you would think a smart plug would be able to keep track of the electricity it’s managing. It’s great to have an idea of exactly how much power your connected device is using, and how much that’s costing you each month. The Wemo Insight does just that, giving you … well, insight into your daily and monthly usage, breaking down how long you leave your devices on and how many watts of power that all amounts to.

Aside from its power analysis, the Wemo Insight is more or less the same as the Wemo Mini, albeit a tad larger. You won’t be able to fit two of them on an outlet, but you can still turn on the attached device through your phone or voice assistant. Run your coffee maker through it, then set up your Google Home to make you a fresh cup of joe in the mornings with a quick voice command! The Wemo Insight is useful, but that analysis will cost you — it runs for a hefty $44.99 on Amazon.

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TP-Link Kasa

$30 is a fairly high barrier of entry for first-time smart plug shoppers — and even for experienced users, that price can rack up fast when you’re buying multiple plugs for around the house. For $10 less than the Wemo Mini, TP-Link’s Kasa offers the same remote control and smart assistant compatibility.

The Kasa is significantly larger than the Wemo Mini — you won’t have room for a second smart plug on the same outlet, though small power cables should still be able to fit in the plug underneath the Kasa. TP-Link also supports scheduling, so you can set your lights to turn on at certain times while you’re on vacation so it looks like someone is still home. You can grab a TP-Link Kasa for just $19.99.

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iDevices Outdoor Switch

Being able to control your fan, microwave, or TV is great, but some appliances reside outside the house. From your electric grill to the various holiday decorations you’ll inevitably have to put out, there are plenty of reasons you’d want a durable, weather-resistant alternative to the indoor smart plugs we’ve listed so far.

The iDevices Outdoor Switch houses two plugs for remote access, and even provides the same power analysis as Belkin’s Wemo Insight, monitoring average use by hours and wattage, and estimated how much money your usage will cost you. You can set schedules for the Outdoor Switch too, so if you only want your inflatable tube man dancing in the mornings, you can set him to deflate by the afternoon. The iDevices Outdoor Switch is expensive at about $50, but its powerful features make it worth it.

See at Amazon

Which one is right for you?

At the end of the day, most smart plugs do more or less the same things. Finding the right one for you mostly comes down to your budget, where you want to use it, and whether or not you need to fit more than one onto a single wall outlet.

Have you used a smart plug? Do you have multiple plugs strewn across the house? Let us know in the comments below!

Lenovo Smart Display review: Google Assistant’s best face

This $12 Bluetooth speaker is meant to be used anywhere, even the shower

Jam out while you get clean.

Right now you can pick up this waterproof Bluetooth speaker with suction cup for just $12.49 at Amazon when you use coupon code PYZ3AAHN during checkout. Inside you’ll find a 5W speaker so you can play audio for yourself and your friends, and the built-in battery will last for up to 6 hours of playback per charge. It comes with a detachable suction cup so you can stick it to surfaces, and if there’s nothing to stick it to, you can use the included metal hook instead.

With more than 6,500 reviews this speaker maintains an incredibly impressive 4.3 out of 5-star rating.

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Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 officially announced, includes DeX and costs $650

The new flagship tab launches August 10 at Amazon, Best Buy, and more.

After weeks of rumors and leaks, Samsung officially announced the Galaxy Tab S4 on Tuesday, August 1. This is the company’s latest flagship Android tablet, and while that may seem like an odd product to launch in mid-2018, there are some interesting things going on this time around.

Starting off with the specs, you’ll find a large 10.5-inch Super AMOLED display that has much slimmer bezels compared to last year’s Tab S3. There’s also a Snapdragon 835 processor, 4GB RAM, 64GB/256GB of internal storage (expandable up to 400GB), a 7,300 mAh battery, and Android 8.1 Oreo.

All of that’s fairly generic tablet stuff, but the Tab S4 stands out in a couple key ways.

First off, the thing comes with an included S Pen. Just like on the Note 8, you can use the Tab S4’s S Pen for writing notes, doodling, navigating through the UI, and more.

Samsung will also be selling an official keyboard case for the Tab S4, and when this is connected, you’ll automatically transition into Samsung DeX’s desktop interface directly on the Tab S4’s screen. In this mode, you can have multiple apps open at once in desktop-style windows, drag content between them, use keyboard shortcuts, and more. It’s essentially the same DeX experience you previously needed a sperate monitor for with the Galaxy S9, and that could result in the Tab S4 being genuinely useful as a productivity machine.

The Galaxy Tab S4 officially goes on sale on August 10 at Amazon, Best Buy, and Samsung’s own website. The Wi-Fi only model with 64GB of storage costs $649.99 while the 256GB option goes for $749.99.

Samsung’s also selling an LTE-equipped model that’ll be available at Verizon on August 10 as well, in addition to US Cellular and Sprint in Q3 2018.

Pre-orders open August 9 on Samsung.com, and if you place your order between then and September 8, you can take 50% off the $149.99 keyboard cover.

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Bose SoundSport Free review: Breaking the chains

Bose’s first attempt at truly wireless earbuds is a success.

Truly wireless earbuds are still in their infancy, but we’re already starting to see exciting products in this category. Bose made its foray in this segment last year with the $249 SoundSport Free. The earbuds sound fantastic, offer a five-hour battery life, and provide a secure fit that makes them a great option during workouts.

Bose has since slashed the price by $50, and the SoundSport Free is now available for $199. Let’s see if it’s the right time to pick up Bose’s first truly wireless earbuds.

Bose SoundSport Free

Price: $199

Bottom line: The SoundSport Free delivers impressive sound that’s full of depth and clarity. There’s plenty to like here if you’re in the market for truly wireless workout earbuds.

The Good

• Fantastic sound quality
• Snug fit
• IPX4 certification
• Decent battery life

The Bad

• Design isn’t for everyone
• Mushy control buttons
• Bulky charging case

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Bose SoundSport Free What I like

The SoundSport Free is made out of plastic, and the design makes the earbuds protrude considerably from your ears. The bulky design does make the earbuds seem ungainly when you’re wearing them, but they provide a secure fit.

The key to the secure fit is Bose’s StayHear+ wingtips, which hook to the outside of your ear canal, ensuring the earbuds don’t fall out even under strenuous activity. There are three wingtip sizes to choose from, and you should be able to find one that fits snugly in the ridges of your outer ear. I went for a long-overdue run, and I gave out before the earbuds.

The right earbud is the primary, and can be used on its own for calls. It also houses the buttons for music playback and volume controls, and a long press invokes Google Assistant. The built-in microphone works very well for calls and communicating with the Assistant, even in noisy environments.

The SoundSport Free has a rather bulky design, but it sounds amazing.

While the wingtips provide a snug fit, they don’t fully isolate ambient sound — and that’s a good thing as you’ll still be able to hear traffic sounds if you’re using the earbuds when running outdoors. But if you do manage to lose an earbud during a run, there’s a feature called Find My Buds in the Bose Connect app that lets you locate them. The app essentially pinpoints the location when they were last in Bluetooth range, and the earbuds emit a tone that makes it easier to find them.

The SoundSport Free manages to deliver an impressive amount of bass considering its size, along with crisp highs and detailed mids. Boston’s More Than a Feeling sounded wonderfully rich, with the earbuds translating Tom Scholz’s soaring vocals with precision. The earbuds also did a great job balancing the synthesized and live instruments on Daft Punk’s Random Access Memories.

When it comes to battery life, I got a smidgen over the quoted five hours, and the charging case provides an additional ten-hour charge. The case itself is rather bulky — just like the earbuds — but it starts automatically charging the buds as soon as you slot them in. It takes just over two hours to fully charge the earbuds, but you’ll be able to eke out 45 minutes’ worth of juice from a 15-minute charge. There’s also an IPX4 certification, making the earbuds resistant to sweat.

Bose SoundSport Free What needs work

The SoundSport Free offers integrated media controls on the right earbud, with a single playback control button located in between the volume rocker. The buttons are housed in a rubber casing, and they lack any tactile feedback whatsoever.

The stiff buttons take away from what is otherwise a great experience, and you’re better off not using them altogether.

Furthermore, there’s no NFC, so you’ll have to use the traditional Bluetooth pairing mode to connect the earbuds to your phone.

Bose SoundSport Free Review

There’s plenty to like in the SoundSport Free, particularly if you’re looking for a set of wireless workout earbuds. The sound quality is incredible, and the bundled wingtips provide a secure fit that ensures the earbuds don’t fall out even during strenuous workout sessions.

Sure, the bulky design isn’t for everyone, and the charging case isn’t as portable as other options in this category. But overall, Bose has managed to do a great job with the SoundSport Free.

4
out of 5

The snug fit, great sound quality, and IPX4 certification make the SoundSport Free a great option if you’re in the market for truly wireless workout earbuds. They’re not exactly affordable at $200, but you’re getting your money’s worth.

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Today you can score a KitchenAid Pro 600 six-quart stand mixer for $219

Did someone say homemade cookies?!

Amazon, through the end of the day, has the KitchenAid Professional 6-Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer on sale for $219. You can choose from Empire Red, Onyx Black, or Silver. This usually sells for over $100 more than today’s price, and it received tons of positive customer feedback.

This mixer has a huge capacity. You could make enough dough for 13 dozen cookies if you wanted to. The bowl-lift design provides sturdy support for stability, and the 67-point planetary mixing action helps to thoroughly incorporate ingredients.

Your mixer comes with a powerknead dough hook, flat beater, and wire whip. There are more than 15 optional attachments that you can buy separately, such as a masticating juicer, pasta press, or spiralizer.

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Spigen Liquid Crystal Glitter Case for Samsung Galaxy S9+ review: A big name for a thin case with lots of luster

Spigen’s glitter case has style, shine, and soft color that plays well with phone grips and Samsung’s subtle details.

Spigen is known for cases that can deliver at every price point and level of protection, but unlike brands like Otterbox or UAG, Spigen is known for bodyguarding our phones without brutish bulk. While some of us may want to lock our beautiful Samsung Galaxy S9+ inside Fort Knox and forsake any semblance of thin, grace, Spigen knows that so many more of us want to keep as much of the lithe, light luxury of our S9+ as a case will allow.

Spigen’s Liquid Crystal case allows you to show off the natural beauty of your phone while still offering some extra grip and some very basic protection from scratches and scuffs. The Liquid Crystal Glitter takes all that lightweight loveliness and turns it into a glimmering gem.

Spigen Liquid Crystal Glitter case for Samsung Galaxy S9+

Price: $12.99-$13.99

Bottom line: This glittery jewel of a case gives off a subtle, shimmering shine while letting the details of the Galaxy S9+ show through its glittery guise.

The Good

• Flat back offers good grip and plays well with phone grips
• Lip around the screen is high enough to protect the glass while still allowing edge-to-edge use

The Bad

• Limited glitter colors available
• Flat back can feel dirty at times

See at Amazon

Spigen Liquid Crystal Glitter case for Samsung Galaxy S9+ What I like

The Spigen Liquid Crystal Glitter case hugs every curve of the Galaxy S9+ perfectly, with a gentle lip at the top and bottom of the screen to keep it up of a dirty desktop should you place it face-down to show off that glam glitter back.

The glitter infused into every centimeter of the Liquid Crystal Glitter’s thermoplastic polyurethane allows the more bold branding of the SAMSUNG and Galaxy S9+ to shine through its starfield while hiding the less sexy but legally required information — like the IMEI — and if you managed to scuff your Galaxy before you found this case, the glitter will help hide smaller signs of wear and tear.

The flat back of the Liquid Crystal Glitter case isn’t quite as mesmerizing or magical as the Ringke Air Prism case, which featured a geometric texture, but I’m okay with that tradeoff because the Liquid Crystal Glitter can use something the Air Prism cannot: phone grips. As I’ve said before, phone grips aren’t a frivolous accessory anymore, they’re a necessity and I’ll take a case that can use one over one that cannot any day of the week.

It’s stunning in the best way possible.

The buttons on this case are solid and still offer up that satisfying clicky feel when pressed, but I do wish that either the power or Bixby buttons were textured to better distinguish them from each other, especially when blindly reaching over to my phone to turn down my morning music. These port cutouts are just as expertly padded and rounded as they are on my new favorite case, the Spigen Neo Hybrid case, and the slope to the fingerprint sensor is small but still easily guides my pointer finger into place.

Spigen Liquid Crystal Glitter case for Samsung Galaxy S9+ What dulls the shine

The Spigen Liquid Crystal case technically comes in seven styles, but five of them are variants of the Crystal Clear: regular Crystal Clear, Crystal Clear with three different styles of flowers printed on the back, and Glitter Crystal Quartz. The remaining 2 are the cliche but cute pink of Glitter Rose Quartz and solid snore-worthy Black.

That’s all, and that means that for anyone with a Titanium Gray, Lilac Purple, or Coral Blue, your choices here are to get a glitter case that mutes your phone’s color or a glitter case that clashes with your phone’s color.

I get that colored cases are a harder sell — especially since glitter already has a stigma of juvenile, jean-bedazzling childishness to combat — but the colors here feel especially lacking considering until the Sunrise Gold and Burgundy Red Galaxy S9+ came out this spring, the Rose Quartz didn’t really fit properly with any of the model colors.

Rose Quartz’s millennial pink hue may have felt like an easier sell since glitter cases are far more likely to be bought by women, but a cooler shade of purple or blue would’ve blended better with the launch colors that are far more prevalent, and it wouldn’t have felt so cliche.

The only other blemish on the Liquid Crystal Glitter is something that tends to plague clear cases: grime. Now, the glimmering shine of the Liquid Crystal Glitter hides the appearance of grit and grime far, far better than traditional crystal-clear cases, but the flat back of the Liquid Crystal Glitter doesn’t hide the feel of the sweat/dust/grime building up on the back.

Most clear cases come with a protective film on the back so that no dust gets on it before you apply the case, but Spigen instead includes an alcohol wipe, and while you may not need it when you apply the case, you’ll need it a week or two in. I take this case off and take a Lysol wipe to it every couple of days to help keep things feeling and looking clean.

Spigen Liquid Crystal Glitter case for Samsung Galaxy S9+

The Spigen Liquid Crystal Glitter case is perky, pink, and darn near perfect, and since the Rose Quartz version matches Spigen’s new Style Ring Pop Rose Gold model perfectly, I foresee this being a case I can rock when I’m feeling especially glam. It shows just enough of the Galaxy S9+’s style without showing off every smudge and blemish either the case or the phone inside it has picked up.

4.5
out of 5

That said, I’m dreaming of a nautical navy version that could’ve made my Coral Blue S9+ shine like an oceanic gem. Millennial pink may be everywhere right now, but some of us want a glitter case that’s a bit cooler in color and class.

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Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+

• Galaxy S9 and S9+: Everything you need to know!
• Galaxy S9 review: A great phone for the masses
• Complete Galaxy S9 and S9+ specs
• Galaxy S9 vs. Galaxy S8: Should you upgrade?
• Join our Galaxy S9 forums

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Switch up your Fitbit Versa with a Milanese Stainless Steel Band from $2

You’re just $2 away from refreshing the look of your Fitbit.

Swees at Amazon has a variety of Fitbit Versa Milanese Stainless Steel Replacement Bands on sale from $2 when you enter promo code VWZ8HYEH during checkout. There are two sizes available too so you can find the right fit for yourself.

The least expensive option on sale is the Silver band which drops to $2 with the code. Other than the look, these bands are all made and function the same way. It features a strong magnetic closure and is constructed of woven stainless steel metal.

The options without added jewels, like Black, Champagne, and Rose Gold, fall to $2.50 with the code, while the bands with jewels are priced up to $3.50. Either way, you’re getting a great deal here no matter which band you go for.

Each of these bands comes with a one-year warranty.

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