Looking to add smart home functionality without breaking the bank? The Action Smart Power Strip offers a compelling solution. For around €15.90, this compact power strip delivers surprisingly robust smart features, exceeding expectations for its price point. Forget expensive smart home hubs; this device seamlessly integrates with popular apps like Smart Life and Tuya, offering complete control over four individual sockets.This review delves into the Action Smart Power Strip's performance, exploring its ease of setup, app functionality, and compatibility with voice assistants like Alexa and Google Home. We'll examine the pros and cons, including its notable features like individual socket control, scheduling options, and the convenient "remember last status" function after a power outage. Discover whether this affordable smart power strip is the perfect addition to your smart home setup.
Pros And Cons
- Relatively inexpensive (€15.90 at the time of review)
- Four AC sockets (220V)
- Individual socket control via smartphone app (even remotely)
- Compact flat plug design
- Non-slip pads on the bottom
- Mounting holes for wall mounting
- Last state memory function (retains previous on/off state after power outage)
- Compatible with Smart Life and Tuya apps
- Compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home voice assistants
- Ability to create automated scenes and schedules
- No USB ports
- No power consumption monitoring
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Unboxing and First Impressions
The LSC Smart Connect power strip from Action stores is surprisingly affordable, currently priced around €15.90. The packaging is simple, but the device itself feels reasonably well-made for its price point. It's entirely plastic, but the build quality is acceptable. The overall design is compact and unobtrusive.
It features four AC sockets (220V) and a physical on/off button for controlling all sockets simultaneously. The power strip also includes a flat plug for easy integration behind furniture, a nice touch for a product at this price range.
Smart Features and Functionality
The main selling point of this power strip is its smart capabilities. Using the Smart Life app (or Tuya), you can independently control each socket remotely, even when away from home. This allows you to automate various devices, such as lamps, heaters, or coffee makers (provided they don't require button presses beyond simple on/off).
The app interface is intuitive, allowing you to easily rename sockets and schedule on/off times for each one. You can also create scenes and automate actions based on the status of each socket (e.g., turning on a lamp when a specific socket is switched on).
Power and Compatibility
The power strip has a maximum power output of 3680W (16A), which should be sufficient for most household appliances. It lacks USB ports, which is a notable omission. The power strip connects to your Wi-Fi network (2.4GHz only) and is compatible with both Smart Life and Tuya apps, offering extensive integration options.
It's also compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home, allowing voice control via their respective apps. This broad compatibility is a major plus, ensuring ease of integration into most smart home ecosystems.
Power Outage Behavior and Additional Features
A key feature is the 'remember last status' option, which ensures that the sockets retain their previous state after a power outage. This prevents devices from unexpectedly turning on in the middle of the night, a significant advantage over many budget smart plugs.
The power strip also allows you to create scenes within the Smart Life app, linking the power strip's state to other Tuya-compatible devices. For example, turning on a light could trigger the power strip to power on a specific outlet.
Final Verdict
The Action Smart Power Strip offers surprisingly robust smart functionality for its remarkably low price. The ease of setup and integration with popular smart home ecosystems, coupled with features like individual socket control, scheduling, and power-outage memory, make it an excellent value proposition.
While the lack of USB ports and energy consumption monitoring is a minor drawback, these are acceptable compromises given the overall functionality and affordability. Overall, this power strip is a recommended purchase for budget-conscious consumers looking to add smart home capabilities to their homes.