Wi-Fi plugs

Wi-Fi

— the most popular communication protocol among smartphone-controlled smart sockets.

Initially, this technology was used mainly for wireless access to local networks and the Internet, but nowadays it is also possible to directly connect various devices via Wi-Fi. Accordingly, the specific way to implement such a connection may be different: some models are connected to the router and are available through the “local” or even remotely via the Internet; others connect to a smartphone/tablet and can only be controlled at a direct distance; still others allow both formats of work. It is worth clarifying these details separately; however, anyway, it is precisely this versatility that has not least led to the widespread use of Wi-Fi outlets.

The second advantage of this protocol is a good communication range: it is about several tens or even hundreds of metres (which, among other things, allows you to work reliably through walls). It is also worth noting that Wi-Fi modules, by definition, are available in all modern smartphones and tablets; and some sockets allow control from other devices — for example, laptops and even stationary PCs (usually via a computer network).

> Among the general disadvantages of this technology, one can only note a higher cost and lower energy efficiency than Bluetooth. However, the first point is most often outweighed by the merits, and the second is relevant mainly for control gadgets, since the sockets themselves are constantly powered by the network and have almost unlimited battery life. In addition, note that some Wi-Fi sockets work only through a wireless router and do not support a direct connection; however, given the prevalence of Wi-Fi networks nowadays, this point cannot be called critical either.