Known for its ultra-affordable security cameras, Wyze is adding the Wyze Plug Outdoor to its impressive stable of smart home devices. Priced at just $10.99, it’s not only the least expensive outdoor smart plug we’ve tested, it’s also one of the most versatile. The dual-outlet Wyze Plug Outdoor is easy to install, can be controlled using Alexa and Google voice commands, and works with other Wyze products and a number of third-party devices via IFTTT applets. Add energy monitoring into the mix and you get our new Editors’ Choice award winner for outdoor smart plugs.
Wyze Plug Outdoor Design and Features
The Wyze Plug Outdoor is a black dual-outlet plug with an IP64 weather-resistance rating against rain and dust. It measures 3.9 by 2.8 by 1.3 inches (HWD) and has a 4-inch power cord with a 3-prong plug on the top and two 3-prong outlets on the bottom that are protected by rubber covers.
Under the hood are Bluetooth and Wi-Fi radios. The front of the plug has two backlit on/off buttons (one for reach outlet) and a Wi-Fi status LED that is solid blue when the plug is connected and working properly, blinks blue slowly when connecting to Wi-Fi, and blinks blue rapidly when in pairing mode. Here you’ll also find an ambient light sensor that you can program to turn the plug on and off according to available daylight.
The plug works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands, and will interact with numerous third-party smart devices via IFTTT applets, but it doesn’t support Apple’s HomeKit platform. It will interact with other Wyze devices including cameras, home monitoring sensors, and smart light bulbs, and it will tell you how much power (in kWh) it is using with Daily, Weekly, and Monthly usage reports, a feature you don’t get with the $29.99 Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug KP400.
The Wyze Plug Outdoor uses the same mobile app for Android and iOS as all other Wyze devices. It opens to a home screen with panels for all of your installed devices. Each outlet has its own panel and can be controlled independently of one another.
Tap an outlet panel to open a screen with a large On/Off button that is light blue when the outlet is on and gray when it is off. At the bottom of the screen are Timer, Vacation Mode, and Usage buttons. The Timer button lets you set a countdown timer to turn the outlet on or off, and the Vacation Mode button will have the outlet turn on and off at random times to make it look like someone is home. Tap the Usage button to view Daily, Weekly, and Monthly power usage charts.
In the upper right corner of each outlet screen is a gear icon that takes you to a Settings screen where you can rename the outlet, set Usage reminders that let you know when you’ve reached a certain power threshold, and create on/off schedules. Here you can also configure the ambient light sensor and create rules to have the plug work with other Wyze devices such as cameras and light bulbs.
Installing and Using the Wyze Plug Outdoor
As with all Wyze devices, installing the Wyze Plug Outdoor is quick and easy. Once you’ve downloaded the mobile app and created an account, just plug the device into a GFCI outlet and wait a second or two for the Wi-Fi LED to begin blinking blue.
Tap the plus button in the upper left corner of the app’s home screen, then tap Add Device and select Wyze Plug Outdoor from the Power & Lighting menu. Tap Next, select your Wi-Fi SSID, enter your Wi-Fi password, and wait a few more seconds for the plug to connect to your network. At this point it will also be added to your Alexa/Google device list. Give each outlet a name to complete the installation.
The plug worked flawlessly in testing. It responded instantly to app commands to turn each outlet on and off, and its energy reports were in line with readings from a Kill-A-Watt meter.
I had no trouble turning each outlet on and off using Alexa voice commands, and the plug adhered to my schedules without issue. The ambient light feature worked perfectly, as did my rule to have the plug turn on when a Wyze Cam V3 detected motion.
Take Control of Your Outdoor Devices
If you’re looking for a smart plug that will let you control outdoor devices such as a pool pump or decorative lighting system using your phone and voice, look no further than the Wyze Plug Outdoor. This weatherproof smart plug offers dual independently controlled outlets, support for voice commands, and interoperability with a wide variety of smart devices. It will even tell you how much power you’re using. It’s the most affordable and versatile outdoor smart plug we’ve tested, and easily earns our Editors’ Choice award.
