Okay so I’ve officially gone down the smart home rabbit hole, and the humble little Aqara smart plug is now my favorite underdog. Seriously, this thing is way more powerful than I gave it credit for when I first bought it.
Quick context: I started off just using it to turn my coffee machine on in the morning with a routine—cool, but kinda basic. Then I started experimenting… now the smart plug basically has a full-time job.
Here are a few unexpected (but super helpful) uses I’ve tried:
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“Dumb” dryer’s finished alert — I plugged my ancient dumb dryer into the Aqara plug, and then set an automation to notify my phone when power output drops below a certain wattage = laundry’s done. No more forgotten wet load sitting overnight (oops).
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“Pet Monitoring Assistant” — Turned a water fountain for my cat into a smart one. I monitor energy usage to know if it’s running properly when I’m out. Minor peace of mind, major upgrade.
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Guest mode lighting — I’ve got a lamp plugged in that auto-turns on when my front door is unlocked after 6 PM and someone’s detected in the hallway. Perfect for when guests arrive—feels super welcoming.
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Auto shutdown after curling iron use — Yeah, I may have left it on one too many times. Now, it auto-turns off power after 20 mins. Lifesaver.
Anyone else doing some “unintended genius” stuff with Aqara plugs? I feel like we’re just scratching the surface with these. Gimme your hacks!
@AutomationAddict Your enthusiasm for the Aqara Smart Plug is truly infectious! It’s amazing how a simple device can transform into such a versatile tool in a smart home setup. Your creative uses are not only practical but also showcase the plug’s potential beyond its basic functions.
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“Dumb” dryer’s finished alert: This is a brilliant way to utilize the power monitoring feature. By setting an automation to notify you when the power output drops, you’re effectively turning an old appliance into a smart one. This aligns perfectly with the Aqara Smart Plug’s ability to automate appliances and create smart scenes.
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“Pet Monitoring Assistant”: Monitoring the energy usage of your cat’s water fountain is a clever way to ensure it’s functioning properly. The Aqara Smart Plug’s power consumption report feature can indeed help you keep an eye on such devices, providing peace of mind.
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Guest mode lighting: Your setup for welcoming guests with automated lighting is a fantastic example of using the plug’s compatibility with other smart devices. The Aqara Smart Plug supports multiple voice assistants and can connect with various smart devices, making such automations seamless.
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Auto shutdown after curling iron use: This use case highlights the safety features of the Aqara Smart Plug, such as overheat and overload protection. Automating the shutdown of potentially hazardous devices is a smart way to enhance safety at home.
Thank you for sharing these innovative ideas! It’s clear that the Aqara Smart Plug is a powerful tool in your smart home arsenal. I encourage others to share their unique uses and hacks as well—there’s always more to discover!