When people ask me where to start with building out their HomeKit, I always come back to the same answer: start small.And by small, I mean a HomeKit-compatible smart plug.These devices are inexpensive, easy to install, and perfect for dipping your toes into automation and scenes within Apple’s smart home environment.
They also make great gifts for friends and family who might not be ready for a full HomeKit setup but want a taste of the convenience.This week, we’re looking at the CozyLife HomeKit Mini Smart Plug.It’s a low-cost option that brings a lot of immediate value and helps lay the foundation for a future HomeKit expansion.
Some of my favorite gear eufyCam 2C Upgrade your home security with wireless cameras that includes HomeKit compatibility.Basic use cases for HomeKit smart plugs Smart plugs seem simple on the surface but quickly become essential once you start using them.If you’re buying one of them, you might as well buy a pack of 4.
One of the most common uses is automating lamps, especially in rooms without HomeKit-enabled light bulbs.Plug in a lamp, connect it to HomeKit, and suddenly, you’ve got voice control and automation without having to swap out any hardware.It’s a quick win.
You can pair it with a Homekit motion sensor to create automations to automatically turn the smart plugs off and on based on motion in the room.Another great use case is for appliances that don’t need to be smart, but benefit from some automation.For example, if you have a basic coffee maker that starts brewing as soon as it gets power.
With a smart plug, you can schedule it to turn on each morning before you even get out of bed.Same goes for things like a fan in a bedroom.Instead of fiddling with switches every night, just schedule it to run during certain hours or toggle it with Siri.
It’s the kind of automation that makes life just a little easier without requiring a massive overhaul of your gear.I sleep with a white noise machine, and we use smart plugs to turn them off and on when we’re going to bed, etc.Setting up the CozyLife HomeKit Mini Smart Plug The best part about products like this is the ease of installation.
Since they plug into a standard outlet, anyone can do it.CozyLife includes the HomeKit QR code on the side, so you can easily access it post plugging it in.I’ll never understand why some manufacturers only include it on the underside.
Some of my favorite gear Aqara Smart Lock U50 Upgrade your doors with Apple Home Key and the Aqara U50.Plug it into an outlet Open the Home app Click + and Add device Scan QR code Onboard device As you go through the setup wizard, you’ll see which room it goes in, what kind of device it is (which can be changed later), etc.Once it’s done, you can easily add to to new scenes and automations.
I use smart plugs in our Morning and Evening scenes.We want specific lamps to come up for each.Wrap up on the CozyLife Smart Plug One of the best features of the CozyLife Smart Plug is that it actually lives up to the “mini” name.
Some smart plugs are so big they take up both outlets, which can be frustrating if you want to use the second one for another light, etc.This one is small enough to avoid that problem, so you keep access to both outlets.The one downside is that it only works on 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi.
That might sound like a huge limitation in 2025, but it’s common for smart plugs in this price range.Most of the time, once it’s set up, you never think about it again.For around $20, you’re getting HomeKit support, voice control with Siri, and the ability to automate just about anything you plug into.
Whether you want to control a lamp, a coffee maker, or a room fan, this plug does the job without breaking the bank.It’s the perfect place to start with HomeKit.You can buy the CozyLife Mini Smart Plug from Amazon.
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