How to Set Up Amazon Smart Plug with Echo Dot

The Amazon Smart Plug is one of many smart home devices that can be paired with Alexa and Alexa-enabled devices. Smart Plugs were designed for convenience and for improving energy efficiency in modern homes.

This is the type of device that can completely sever another device’s power connection so that it doesn’t draw idle power from the grid.

Setting Up the Smart Plug

Although it’s normal for the Smart Plug to be set up automatically if the Wi-Fi setup feature is enabled, you can also do it manually:

Launch the Alexa app on your smartphone.
Tap on Devices.
Tap on the plus icon.
Tap the Add Device option.
Tap on the Plug option.
Follow all on-screen instructions.

Connect the Smart Plug to Your Echo Dot

The next step in the process of pairing your smart plug involves more commands from your Alexa app.

Plug the Smart Plug into a wall socket.
Launch the Alexa app.
Wait for a notification that says “Your Smart Plug is ready to use”.
Tap the Turn on button
Wait for the “Plug is on” notification.
Go to the Devices tab.
Tap the Plugs option
Tap the menu icon.
Tap the Edit name option.
Give the plug an appropriate name for what it controls.

After following these steps you’ll be able to control the Smart Plug from any Echo dot device linked to your Alexa app.

Unfortunately, you can only use Alexa voice commands to issue simple commands to your Smart Plug. You can get it to turn devices on or off, dim lights, and so on. But, you can’t create a routine by speaking into your Echo Dot.

Creating Routines for the Amazon Smart Plug

To create a routine or an automatic schedule for your Smart Plug, you’ll have to use the Alexa app once again. These are the steps you should follow:

Launch the Alexa app.
Tap the Devices icon.
Tap the Plugs icon.
Select the desired plug from the list.
Tap the Create a routine option located at the bottom of the screen.
Tap the plus icon in the top right corner of the screen.
Look for the When this happens option and tap the plus icon next to it.
Select the Schedule option.
Input time and the days on which the routine should repeat.
Tap the Create button
Optionally, repeat Steps 5 through 10 to add new routines.

One of the coolest routines you can use is the arrive/leave routine. By activating it and giving it parameters, your Smart Plug will detect when your smartphone is close enough or far enough away for it to trigger an action, such as turning the lights on or off, etc.

What Can You Do with an Echo Dot and Smart Plug?

The Echo Dot is a highly versatile smart speaker. However, its interaction with the Amazon Smart Plug will always be limited by the possibilities of the Smart Plug itself.

It should work with most household electronics such as lights, lamps, coffeemakers, microwave ovens, as well as other smaller devices.

So far, powerful electronics such as AC systems, refrigerators, and other power-hungry gadgets aren’t supported by Smart Plug devices since they can’t handle a very high power transfer safely.

It’s also important to note that you may not be able to power your computer or TV with the Amazon Smart Plug.

While it is possible to turn it off by speaking into an Echo device assigned to the TV, if the TV doesn’t have an auto turn on feature, your smart plug will only be able to give it power but not power it on.

Is the Amazon Smart Plug Worth the Hype?

Due to the limitations it currently has and its tendency to heat up when powering less energy-efficient large electronics, the Amazon Smart Plug may not be the most sought-after Amazon smart device for most homeowners.

That said, it’s yet another example of how to control stuff around the house without moving an inch. Do you find it more useful for its ability to cut off the power supply of some appliances than say having two Echo speakers inside your home? Or does it still need plenty of improvements before it’s worth buying?