BroadlinkSmart Plug (NoAPP Version), Mini Wi-Fi Timer Smart Outlet Socket Works with Alexa/Google Home/IFTTT, No Hub Required, Remote Control Anywhere

I'm in awe at how easy this was to set up, given the depressing amount of time I've spent fussing with WeMo plugs.Exactly as the instructions say: 1) plug in 2) connect to the Broadlink SSID 3) Wait for the system to tell you to "sign in to broadlink" 4) Input your real SSID & password, also email and name your plug 5) activation email arrived in 30 seconds 5) Open Google Home app, add device, select NoAPP 6) Wait for 7-digit email code and inputThat's it. No downloading apps. No passwords. Even the EULA was short enough to read.

I'm not normally a fan of wifi devices, but these are impressive to say the least. Installing them is as simple as plugging them in, opening the connection to the device on the wifi of your phone and activating them with the phone. I've had no trouble with them disconnecting, or failing. They work extremely well and the range they pick up is phenomenal. My phone will barely connect to the hub I have them on where they're located but they work flawlessly. I'm impressed. I have three of these in my shop a good 40 or more feet from my hub that's in my house. I'm blown away that they don't lose connection that far away. Once they're installed, all I had to do was look for them in Alexa and use them. No app needed. That's impressive stuff right there.

As one of the less expensive WiFi smart plugs, I figured I'd give these a try with Home Assistant, an open source home automation system. With some effort, I got them working... for a while.I had to set up an account on the manufacture's servers to set them up, using the cloud solution. But I was also able to control them locally with a system like Home Assistant.That all changed when the manufacturer pushed a firmware update which now causes them to all connect to each other, instead of my WiFi access point. Now the only way to control all but one of them is through the manufacturer's cloud app.I'm going to try a workaround, creating four different accounts on the manufacturer's app, one at a time, and re-connect each one to a different account. But obviously a future firmware update could break this, too.NO MORE CLOUD-BASED SMART HOME DEVICES FOR ME. The few dollars saved are not worth the aggravation of allowing manufacturers to make changes which break things.

My home is not a smart home, and I don't need it to be, I just needed one light to turn on without messing with a poorly designed switch. This plug replaced an old remote plug that was turning itself on repeatedly throughout the day. The plug was easy to install using the Google Home app I already have and has worked to turn a pole light on-and-off. I mostly use the button on the device itself (the outlet is easy to get to) but the remote function through Google Home has come in handy too. I have had no problems with the plug triggering itself on or going offline in the 3 months I've used it. I likely won't need another smart plug for a long time, but this one would be my first choice to repurchase.

Update: customer service contacted me about this review. They kept sending the same instructions that didn't work the first time. I tried to explain which step I was on when I was having trouble, but they just sent the same manual again. I don't think they even read my messages. Anyone can accidentally get a defective product and it's no one's fault. However, if you aren't willing to try to resolve the problem, what is the point of having a customer service department?I have several smart plugs in my home and I have never had an issue connecting them to the wifi. I mistaken thought that these would be easier to use because they are advertised as "no app". There are several steps that you have to go through and each one is ridiculously difficult. I never could get them to work. What a waste of time and money!

Like I said, I work in IT, fancy degree and all... Took 1 hour to get these to link after multiple failures. Once they FINALLY communicated with device after much headache, they work. Third party equipment sometimes comes at this cost.

Setup is not as easy as an Apple product, but not too far off. My second of these, I have one controlling a UV-C purification light in my HVAC system & one controlling a stand-alone de-humidifier unit. Neither of these items need to run 24/7 to get their jobs done, so I have timed operational schedules "Routines" set up in the Google Home App for each to turn on & off @ different times during the day & night, according to my needs. These enable me to reduce my power consumption & extend the working life of the equipment. Once set up on my WiFi network, these have never failed to turn ON or OFF at scheduled times and as far as I know, have had zero connectivity issues, or need to reset (nearly 1 year on one, several weeks on the other). Would definitely buy again & recommend!

The good: I had no problem setting this up using a web browser on a Mac Mini.The bad: It works just often enough that I don't unplug it and store it away, but not often enough that I'm surprised when it doesn't. I currently use it to turn on and off a light mounted behind my TV (which acts a bias light), but I typically issue the command to Alexa before I sit down, as I never know when I am going to get "Sorry, <name of smart plug> is not responding". I would estimate it works 70-80% of the time.I have other brands of smart plugs and switch (TP-Link Kasa and Etekcity Voltson) and they very, very rarely have an issue. One of these is perhaps 1.5 feet from the Broadlink plug, but never seems to have a problem.I've tried the usual technique of disabling and re-enabling the Broadlink skill for Alexa, and it seems to make no difference. The one time I checked the app, it wasn't working there either, although I can't verify that is always the case.

It was tricky to setup as the noapp instruction didn’t work. I ended up logging in with me Google account. One of the 5 plugs is making a hissing noise. I might return the product to get a replacement.Once setup , Alexa worked.

What is the point of making it impossible to connect? Own plenty of "smart" devices and nothing was this complicated or frustrating to set up and use... All i wanted was a plug i could control with my phone instead i wasted 2 hrs to get nothing. Worst smart device i have ever attempted to use

After buying them they sat for a week, frustrated with the fact they would not install.I had an email from Broadlink which had a link to there website. It explained how to install them after that everything was fine.

SP4M-US: This is an affordable solution for voice control (alexa and Google home). Have 3 of this model and 2 of their initial kickstarter Sp1 6 years old model. I also tried their Apple shortcuts alternative to the HomeKit compatibility which might double if not triple the price as for other brands that I own.

Not easy to set up, and if you want automatic program to turn it on and off, you need to store the info on CLOUD.