A brilliant four-socket smart plug
This four - agency smart power adaptor has all the feature you require to swop several mains - powered devices on and off . The TP - Link Tapo P304 M is idealistic for TV and audio setup , where you could use it to reduce standby power , or simply to turn thing on and off without having to rummage around the back for plug sockets . The Tapo app helps you get at its first-class features , which include power monitoring , comprehensive scheduling , and even an automobile - shutoff for machine that have finished charging . As if that was n’t enough , it ’s compatible with a huge compass of smart ecosystems , help you build it into unexampled or survive routines .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
Smart plugs are an excellent way to toggle main magnate to your equipment , but a smart business leader strip expands that functionality to multiple sockets . That ’s idealistic if you require independent control of multiple mains - powered machine , for instance an audio or television receiver setup , or a workstation in your home position . The TP - Link Tapo P304 M is a short , 13 - amp extension cable with a smart four - way adapter on the end . It ’s billow protected , so it ’s desirable for domestic IT equipment .
I ’m look cracking things from this major power airstrip , given that it ’s basically a four - way reading of the excellentTapo P100 M smart plug . It gives a good first impression , with a substantial , slightly low-set trunk that feels resistant to twisting or bending . That ’s linked to a moulded stopper by a chunky 1.5 - metre cable , suggesting this propagation is well capable of handling its rated 13A maximum current – note that , as with all denotation cable , this is shared across all four sockets .
Design and Features
The TP - Link Tapo P304 M is thick than a distinctive four - way extension block , and it ’s a short foresighted – presumptively thanks to the supererogatory electronics at bottom . There ’s a white light to confirm that the slip business leader is on and that surge security is active , while each socket has a manual power permutation , and a white power indicator light .
On the back you ’ll find two dual axis screw mounts , so you may bushel it to a bulwark in landscape painting or portrait orientation .
This powerfulness strip has a standard four - in - a - row form , although its sockets are place slenderly closer together than on the regular ability strip I used for comparing . I found there was a peculiarly snug fit between moulded hack and my power meter , but all of the hoopla and adaptor I try would still fit next to each other , so it ’s unlikely to be an issue .
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As with other Tapo devices , you sum up this smart top executive airstrip to the app by tap the + symbol and postdate the prompt . You ’ll need Bluetooth for the initial setup , after which the P304 M connects to 2.4GHz Wi - Fi . That mean you’re able to control it from anywhere you have net access , not just from within your own home .
Once added to the Tapo app , the TP - Link Tapo P304 M appears as four separate plugs – you ’ll be propel to add a descriptive name and icon to each socket . you’re able to simplify things by summate one or more sockets to your Favourites , or you could place one or more into groups , which have it easy to turn them all on or off at once .
This being a power - monitor machine , you’re able to also get an instantaneous reading of the energy being deplete by whatever ’s plugged into each socket , plus a breakdown showing you consumption by day , month or year . you could even get a cost estimate if you participate your energy tariff details . deplorably , this only accepts whole - hour value , which is n’t ideal if your off - peak hours start or finish at half - past the time of day like mine do .
embark the configurations for one of the sockets take you to configuration choices for the block of four . Here you’re able to set a night modal value to shut off the LED between configurable times , choose the default on / off state of each socket when the airstrip ’s power is restored , and limit an auto off timekeeper if want . you may also configure Charge Guard , which will close off a socket when the office supplied capitulation below a certain value – ideal if you want to leave something charging , then have it exclude off when it ’s done .
A final option here is Power Protection , which lets you set the maximum power available through each socket . I assume this could be used to help you prevent going over the adaptor ’s three kilowatt maximum , but it ’s much safe just not to get in touch equipment that together could go over this aggregate .
If you have other Tapo devices , you could use the app to join them to the TP - Link Tapo P304 M in bright manner . For example , with aTP - Link Tapo Video Doorbell Camera D235 , you could make an mechanisation where one or more business leader sockets trade on if someone skirt the bell . It ’s possible to impound further precondition , for example so that this particular mechanization would only run during Nox minute .
In gain to all the feature article above , the TP - Link Tapo P304 M is Matter compatible , so you may link it direct to a Matter comptroller . you could also connect it to Google Assistant , Apple Home , Smart Things and Alexa , so there ’s almost no limitation to the elbow room you could incorporate it with other voguish home systems . All told , that ’s an incredible range of features and ascendancy . The only matter I can think of that ’s missing is a duo of USB port , although only a minority of users would need them .
Performance
As I ’d expect , the socket on the TP - Link Tapo P304 M toggle outright when you press the push next to them . shift is almost exigent when you ’re using the app , with each operation give off a muted click or ping as the power electrical relay close or opens .
One reward to combine four switches into a single gimmick is that you prune down on electronics , which can in turn trim power consumption . Smart nag do n’t usually use a pile of baron anyway , but the P304 M was below the reach of my metre with up to two of its empty sockets switch on . I measure out 1W of consumption once I ’d switched on a third , and 1.3W with all four socket switched on .
These measurements evoke a phthisis of below 0.5W with all four sockets off , which is probable to be less than having four case-by-case devices on standby . As such , the P304 M could help you reduce backcloth and standby power utilization in your home , but any rescue would be likely to be minimal . In manipulation I establish that the area to the left wing of the sockets became very slightly strong when this big businessman strip was operating , but the sleep of its case stayed coolheaded .
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While a fresh plug will insure that any widget can be disconnected from the power , and thus write power , it wo n’t necessarily help you control them . Try curb a simple equipment like a light or fan by flip it on and off at the powerfulness socket – if that trial works , then you could do the same using a smart hoopla . More complex gadgets like a washing machine usually wo n’t spring into action just because you ’ve turn the power on , although some will sum up a cycle if they were half - way through . That ’s worth bearing in creative thinker if you ’re considering a smart hack as a fashion to add together wise ascendence to dumb devices .
I found the TP - Link Tapo P304 M was idealistic for my TV frame-up , where I plugged the telecasting , game console table , Blu - ray player and ambient light into their own socket . I added these to existing Alexa bit which turn all my voguish gadgets off overnight or when we go out , and scheduled the TV ’s power to come on automatically around the meter my children get up , and off when they need to get ready for school . My spouse and I could manually control the TV , Nintendo and Blu - ray at other time from our earpiece – there are thingamajig to avail simplify this .
In this conformation I had little enjoyment for the Charge Guard feature of speech , but I tested it by configure the Nintendo ’s socket to switch off after 20 minutes at less than 5W. This appear to maneuver reliably once the cabinet was unused and had reload .
Brilliantly , you could use one socket being turn off to trigger a bit that switches off the others , which could be handy if you ’re using the P304 M for a desktop workstation . Here you could practice Charge Guard to ferment off the PC ’s socket short after the PC is keep out down , and have this induction a smart routine to shut the other three sockets down – a handy fashion to avoid wasting power on fresh peripherals .
I tested this power flight strip with Alexa and Google Assistant routines . I also join it up to a Flic Twist controller , and used a connector via Matter to toggle each socket independently . Everything worked as it should and was easy to set up , although the power striptease leave behind Matter setup mode 15 minutes after being turned on , which stimulate a bit of principal scratching at first .
Should you buy it?
This power strip is ideal if you require to control the business leader going to more than one mains gimmick . Its features and compatibility mean there ’s almost no limit to how you’re able to use it , and it ’s great value too .
It ’s laborious to find reasons not to buy the TP - Link Tapo P304 M , but you could save a little if you do n’t need to see to it or supervise single sockets .
Final Thoughts
It ’s highly hard to see fault with the TP - Link Tapo P304M. Its socket could be a duo of millimetre further apart , and some substance abuser might want longer than its 1.5 - cadence cable – in which subject you could always just bring an extension .
significantly , the P304 M is only about 50 % more expensive than buying a single Tapo P110 M smart plug and combining it with a good quality four - direction extension , yet the extra outlay fuck off you a solid feeling adaptor that offer individual mastery and mightiness monitoring of four sockets . That ’s smart as a whip note value . Even dismiss the nifty monetary value , this equipment is full of excellent sassy features that could help you automate your rest home or save a little money . As such , it ’s probable to be a smashing summation to any apparatus .
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FAQs
A regular power strip takes mains power from one socket , and offers it up at 2 - 8 sockets depending on the model . A smart power strip just tote up smart ascendency , allow you to switch each socket on or off remotely , or as part of a wise family modus operandi .
Tapo smart plugs do n’t have straight billow aegis , although you may configure the models with power monitoring to limit their outturn might . The Tapo P304 M power strip is protect , however , so it ’s ideal for use with electronic computer equipment .
Test Data
Full Specs
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