Verdict
With Thread support , the Eve Energy is built for the future , although it has Bluetooth as a support for now . This overbold plug is design to work with HomeKit , integrating attractively into Apple ’s domicile mechanisation arrangement . The lack of support for Alexa and the Google Assistant , or Android phones circumscribe this impertinent plug ’s use , however .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
If you control your wise home through the Apple Home app , then the Eve Energy may be the impertinent plug for you . Although it has its own app , this is a wise chaw build up for HomeKit and the future , adding Thread support to its Bluetooth backup . Thanks to a recent Matter update ( in genus Beta , but roll out fully soon ) , the plug now figure out with other Matter systems , such as SmartThings .
Neat desegregation with Apple and the ability to supervise magnate consumption tolerate this impudent plug apart .
Design
Although it ’s by no means monolithic in the style the first smart plugs I tested back in the twenty-four hours were , the Eve Energy is still substantially boastful than its competition , such as thePhilips Hue Smart Plug . Measuring 72 x 72 x 71 mm , the plug should fit into a wall socket without blocking a second one ; the same ca n’t be enjoin for all power strip .
As this is a single smart plug , you just punch it into a socket and twist the power on . you’re able to then apply the button on top to manually control the cud : the light-emitting diode turn green when it ’s on .
Features
This is a brand - new product that abide the new humble - power wireless mesh topology networking communications protocol Thread , although there ’s Bluetooth at a backup . For Thread to cultivate , you need to have a compatible Thread border router , such as theNanoleaf Elements Woodpanels or theHomePod Mini . How it work , depends on which firmware you have installed : the nonremittal or Matter .
I ’ll pop out with the default configuration . If you do n’t have Thread available then the saucy male plug will default to using Bluetooth . If you ’ve got an Apple Home Hub in range , such as the original HomePod , then you ’ll still be capable to remote control the plug when you ’re not at home .
There ’s small remainder in terms of response times , but Thread has better range than Bluetooth , so is likely to be more reliable .
In both cases , the hardening - up is the same and you’re able to add the spark plug using the Eve app , although it ’s automatically added to HomeKit , too . Note that there ’s no Android app , so this is strictly an Apple - only product , in a similar agency to theWemo WiFi Smart Plug . There ’s no bread and butter for Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant for the same reason .
Via the Home app , you may toggle the plug on and off , or include it in Automations , say turning it off when you go out . HomeKit keep also entail that you’re able to get Siri control condition , so you’re able to become the plug on and off with your voice .
If you interchange to the Eve app , the user interface is a minuscule more cluttered , but you get some additional features . The first is schedules , which let you localize specific times for the plug to turn on and off . you’re able to either localize hard times or specify an offset from sunset or sunrise .
agenda are saved to the gadget , so they ’ll fly the coop regardless of whether or not you have a HomeKit Home Hub or not . These feature at least give the smart plug a fleck more flexibleness than the WeMo plug , which can only be controlled through HomeKit .
With Eve , you’re able to also monitor power utilisation . By setting the current price of your electricity in kWh , the app can even say you how much money it ’s cost you to launch the gadget plug in .
With the Eve app , you’re able to congeal up automatic rule that then trigger off a HomeKit Scene . For the Eve Energy , the gun trigger options are when the plug is turned on or off , or when the sparking plug is in - use ( something is drawing energy ) or not in - use ( a equipment finish drawing vigour ) . To be honest , it ’s loose to skip this and use the Automation feature of speech in the Home app .
Things vary if you establish the latest microcode , which enables Matter . presently available in beta , the update will be more wide available in the coming calendar month . Updating to Matter changes how the stopper run , disabling Bluetooth , as this communications protocol is n’t stomach by the fresh standard .
Instead , the Eve Energy will only work on over Thread , so you do need to have a Thread border router to habituate it . upgrade to Matter also bring forth a new set - up codification , which you should save to your phone and keep for succeeding installations . The old HomeKit code printed on the side will stop mold . It seems likely that succeeding versions of the male plug will ship with Matter only , with the code printed on the side .
There ’s no much deviation in terms of how the plug work in full term of the Eve app or HomeKit , but Matter does make a difference , as the jade is also compatible with other systems . Once I ’d got my plug coiffe up , I could use the share alternative in the Home app to add the plug to my SmartThings organisation ( this also requires a compatible Thread border router , which in this vitrine is the updated Hub v3 ) .
scan into SmartThings , the Eve Energy is available with simple on / off control , and is compatible with schedule and timer , but I could n’t view the power exercise statistic .
More significantly , to me , I can now hold the plug through different systems , marking the first time that I could ensure an Eve product through an Android telephone set . Wider compatibility is only a well thing .
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Should you buy it?
and want a sassy cud , then this one is a respectable choice .
or want more than HomeKit support , look elsewhere .
Final Thoughts
The Eve Energy does everything you could want a smart stopple to do , and the option to do energy use is a orderly superfluous . Whether this is the right product for you or not really come down to what you desire to do . If you utilize HomeKit for everything , this is a neat addition ; if you want wide-cut sustenance alongside HomeKit , the Philips Hue Smart Plug is a better alternative ( although you need a Hue Bridge for Alexa and Google Assistant support ) .
That said , with the Matter update , the Eve Energy becomes compatible with other system that support Matter over Thread , such as SmartThings . For the future , then , the restriction of a HomeKit - only plug will be gone , and the Eve Energy will lick with a wider chain of production .
If you do n’t care about HomeKit supporting , then my guide to thebest voguish plugswill assistance you find a good alternative .
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Unlike other sites , we test every smart light we review good over an extended period of time of time . We habituate industry standard psychometric test to compare feature of speech properly . We ’ll always tell you what we feel . We never , ever , take money to review a product .
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FAQs
It can use Bluetooth or Thread .
Yes , but you have to have an Apple Home Hub .
No , this is strictly an Apple - only product .
Full Specs
