So let’s look at some reasons your TCP Smart Plug won’t connect to Wi-Fi and how to fix the problem. The Meross Smart Fast Charging Power Strip MSP843P connects via Wi-Fi, and can be controlled through the Meross app. If you want a full rundown of all the different ways you can use a smart plug within your smart home ecosystem, you can check out our handy guide on the topic. It's going to be difficult to get this crammed into a tight corner but it otherwise does the job as far as the design goes.

Overall, this small smart plug is decent, and although there are cheaper options available with more features, the four-pack version offer incredible value, making this a great choice if you need multiple smart plugs. A small cube measuring 110 x 56 x 63mm, the smart plug easily fits into a double-wall socket without obstructing the other socket. However, you don't want to be left with a dodgy plug and a badly designed app that's frustrating to use.

The latter geolocation tool only works with a single device, so isn’t much cop for multi-user households. In the Android app at least, the Timer option lets you set a schedule, while the Appointment option lets you start a countdown. Smart plugs link up to your Wi-Fi connection and can direct power to your dumb devices on a schedule, or simply via a voice command issued to Alexa or the Google Assistant.

Plug in your TCP Smart Plug into a working socket and then press and hold the Power button until it blinks blue rapidly. Installation through the Hue app is a little fiddly and, if you just want to control this plug via a device, you’ll need to put it in its own room or Zone. Used for a range of applications including lighting and heating devices, WiFi plugs are also great for providing peace of mind that products such as hair straighteners or curlers are switched off.To use IFTTT, you have to enable the Smart Life service, which then provides the option to select the brand you want to use: Smart Life, TCP Smart, Amarey Smart, GeoSmartPro, Homeflow and Hey! This provides the same toggle option, plus some more detailed options that include a Timer (actually, a scheduler that lets you configure automatic on/off times) and a Countdown (actually a countdown timer). Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. Although it’s comparatively big, the plug should fit into a wall socket without blocking a second one.

With Wi-Fi, you just connect the plug to your home network, so all you need is a strong enough signal where you want to plug in.This plug connects using Wi-Fi and can be controlled using the Meross app, which gives basic control, plus schedules. i have read previous answer and followed instructions through to ‘Wireless signal’ but there was no ‘Disable channel optimatization’ on the page. Smart plugs are some of the simplest but most useful smart home devices – stick them into a plug socket, and you've got instant control over the power supply from that socket.

Dave has over 20 years' experience in the tech journalism industry, covering hardware and software across mobile, computing, smart home, home entertainment, wearables, gaming and the web – you can find his writing online, in print, and even in the occasional scientific paper, across major tech titles like T3, TechRadar, Gizmodo and Wired.

This information is supplied for personal use only, and may not be reproduced in any way without the prior consent of Aldi nor without due acknowledgement. Most of the smart power strips that we’ve reviewed have only three power sockets, but this one has four, which gives a bit more flexibility. Both are created in the same part of the interface, only you have to select Tap To Run as the Condition for the former. It appears on the app’s homescreen, with a toggle control, or you can tap the main entry to view a more detailed screen.