Skip to main content

Want a smart home without a big investment? This $30 smart outlet might be for you

smart power outlet security woes nyrius
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Coffee’s on! Even if you don’t have a smart coffee maker, there are lots of smart outlets waiting to turn your dumb devices into Internet-connected ones that you can operate from bed. That includes Nyrius‘s Smart Outlet, which allows users to handle routine tasks like switching on and off lights, air conditioners, or laptops using an iOS or Android device.

Nyrius Smart Outlet - Unlock Your Home's Full Potential

The outlet’s makers wanted it to be extremely easy to use. Plug the Bluetooth-enabled device in to your existing outlet, and once an appliance is plugged in, you’re in control, from up to 33 feet away. You can also pre-schedule your appliance operations using a custom timer. Select times you would like Nyrius to activate and deactivate for daily chores, such as turning the toaster on or shutting off the entryway lights. The smart device works even when you’re beyond Bluetooth range.

Nyrius smart outlet appWhat’s pretty unique is the outlet’s special proximity control feature. If you enable the feature, the Nyrius outlet senses when your phone is out of range and turns off the device. This isn’t something you want for the coffee maker, but it’s a neat idea for lights. Because it operates hublessly and relies on Bluetooth, the plug itself is a bit bulky. Based on the pictures, you’d be able to plug one in to your outlet and use the second outlet as you would normally.

The Canadian-based development team has raised over $2,000 of their $15,000 goal on Kickstarter. Early bidders can get two outlets for about $60. That’s on the cheap side for a smart outlet; Belkin’s WeMo is going for around $50, though it’s not limited to a 33-foot range. Nyrius hopes to ship by May, but that might be a bit ambitious, considering there’s still a bit of testing to do.

Editors' Recommendations

Erika Prafder
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Erika Prafder is Digital Trends’ Home contributor. She is a veteran writer, with over fifteen years of experience covering…
Daisy is an installation and repair company designed for your smart home
The Diasy logo on a white background.

Smart homes have become increasingly complex over the past decade. From smart locks and video doorbells to security cameras and smart displays, there are a lot of moving pieces in the average smart home -- and getting them all working properly has become a hassle. Daisy, a new home technology company revealed at CES 2024, hopes to alleviate this problem, offering a professional service that installs and provides regular maintenance for your entire fleet of smart home gadgets.

The goal of Daisy is to help consumers "spend more time using and enjoying the technology in their home and less time being frustrated." Many smart home devices can be surprisingly difficult to install -- such as smart locks or smart blinds -- and if you're not comfortable installing one yourself, it can be difficult to find a reliable professional to handle the task for you. But with Daisy, it's looking like you'll have a one-stop shop for all your smart home needs.

Read more
Samsung Ballie is a rolling smart home hub with a built-in projector
Samsung Ballie being chased by a dog.

Samsung first revealed Ballie -- its rolling smart home hub -- at CES 2020. Now, at CES 2024, the adorable robot is making a triumphant return, this time sporting a new built-in projector. Samsung didn't have a physical Ballie roving around at CES, but the team showed off a home bot demonstration video, revealing how the robot has evolved over the years.

If you're unfamiliar with Ballie, think of it as a roving smart home hub, capable of taking orders from you and syncing with the rest of your smart home. Along with dishing out commands to your connected gadgets, it can serve as a patrolling security guard, giving you a live stream of your home while at work or on vacation.

Read more
Kohler reveals luxurious smart home products that turn your bathroom into a spa
The Kohler Anthem+ on a white table.

Kohler showed off a bevy of new products at CES 2024, including a luxurious lineup of new smart home gadgets, all of which are designed to transform your bathroom into a "personal sanctuary." Along with updates to the Numi 2.0 smart toilet and high-end Stillness Bath, Kohler showed off a new fan, sink, and bidet, as well as smart valves and more.

The Anthem+ Digital Control was one of the most intriguing items at the Kohler booth, as can power nearly all aspects of your bathroom from a single control panel. Via its touch display, it allows you to control water, light, sound, and steam. All told, it can connect to 12 water outlets to power a variety of sprayers, showerheads, and body sprays.

Read more