Smart plug vs. smart cable – which one is right for you?

Smart plugs are super popular in smart homes and for good reason. They are extremely easy to use and offer easy control of appliances.

You simply plug it into your electricity socket, and you are ready to remote-control your plugged-in device.

And the extra smart smart plugs even let you monitor the power consumption of the device – like the Smart Plug Mini from frient.

But what if the device or appliance you want to control or track the consumption of doesn’t have a plug or it is in a hard-to-reach location?

Then a smart cable might be the better alternative.

What is a smart cable?

A smart cable offers the same functions as a smart plug – remote on/off control and energy monitoring – but is designed for appliances that are not easily unplugged or moved.

The smart cable works by connecting it to the cord of your electrical appliance – such as your air conditioning, electrical radiator, or an appliance in a tight space.

The installation requires a bit of cable work (just like connecting a ceiling lamp) but once installed, you have a seamless and sleek way to remotely switch on and off and track the power consumption of your fixed appliance.

The smart cable can also be connected to the cord of a power strip, allowing you to remotely switch on and off all appliances plugged into the power strip and track their power usage.

Just make sure that the appliances you use with the smart cable don’t exceed the maximum continuous electrical current stated on your smart cable.

frient Smart Cable 2 – remote control, power monitoring, and Zigbee range extender in one

The Smart Cable 2 from frient has even more in common with the popular Smart Plug Mini.

Besides acting as a remote on/off control and power monitoring device for fixed appliances, it also works as a range extender, strengthening the signal of your Zigbee network.

This allows you to add more devices to your smart home network and place them further away from your hub.

That’s a win-win-win!

So, should you choose a smart plug or a smart cable? Well, the right choice depends on the type of appliance you want to connect and how permanent or flexible you want the setup to be.

Learn more about the frients Smart Plug Mini 2 and the Smart Cable 2.

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