When comparing TP-LINK HS100 vs Elgato Eve Energy, the Slant community recommends TP-LINK HS100 for most people. In the question“What are the best smart plugs?” TP-LINK HS100 is ranked 10th while Elgato Eve Energy is ranked 57th. The most important reason people chose TP-LINK HS100 is:
You can configure this switch to turn on and off whenever you choose. Schedules are useful for waking up in the morning and going to bed, and timers help expand that functionality to single-time usage. You can fully automate anything plugged into this switch, even when on vacation half the world away. You can also enable 'away mode', which turns your lights on and off automatically simulating what it would look like if somebody were home. This deters burgles, as generally they try to break in when nobody is home.
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Pros
Pro Schedules and timers work well
You can configure this switch to turn on and off whenever you choose. Schedules are useful for waking up in the morning and going to bed, and timers help expand that functionality to single-time usage. You can fully automate anything plugged into this switch, even when on vacation half the world away.
You can also enable 'away mode', which turns your lights on and off automatically simulating what it would look like if somebody were home. This deters burgles, as generally they try to break in when nobody is home.
Pro Works with Amazon's Alexa
Alexa is Amazon's personal assistant, found in the Echo and Echo Dot. If you have either of these products, you (or your guests) can control this switch with nothing but your voice. Very cool as a party trick, but also useful in day-to-day life.
Pro Tracks energy spent, allowing for easy tracking
You can easily view how much energy the plugged in device is using (in watts), however the app doesn't show the costs of the power (you can figure this out yourself, but it would have been nice to be included).
Pro HomeKit compatible
HomeKit is created by Apple, and uses Siri to control the smart devices connected with HomeKit. It also allows for grouping devices so that a single command can trigger different devices to do different things.
Pro Easy setup
Setup is as easy as downloading the Eve app, add the device, type in a code (or scan it automatically), and tell it where it is located (easier to control down the road).
Pro Schedule devices to turn on or off automatically
The Eve Energy supports a useful scheduling function. Once set up, the lights will turn themselves on and off automatically based on your preferences.
Cons
Con Bulky
Similar to the vast majority of all smart plugs, this one will block the outlet above it. You can place it on top of a regular wall receptacle, although then it sticks out visually more than if it were centered on the wall mount.
Con Energy tracking costs extra
This specific device doesn't offer energy tracking, although a different model does. It costs $8 more, however it has the potential to save a lot more than that in electricity costs over its lifetime.
Con Blocks plugs beneath it
This plug is physically large, and will block sockets if placed in the top wall socket. If placed in the bottom socket, the other socket will be available however it will hang past where the socket ends providing an eyesore.
Con Apple TV required for at-a-distance control
Without an Apple TV, you can only control devices locally using Bluetooth. This range is very limited. With an Apple TV however, you can control the device from anywhere you have access to Wi-Fi.