While we've yet to find a smart switch that does absolutely everything, the $29.99 iHome iSP6X SmartPlug comes pretty close.
It lets you easily controls gadgets and appliances from your smartphone, while delivering an unparalleled level of third-party smart home integration.
Not only does it support Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice control, it also works with Apple HomeKit, Nest, Samsung SmartThings, and Wink.
It lacks energy monitoring, but makes up for it with robust scheduling options, an intuitive app, and painless installation.
It's an excellent overall value, and our Editors' Choice.
Design and App
The iSP6X is a white plastic rectangle with a gray border, measuring in at 1.5 by 2.8 by 2.1 inches (HWD).
That puts it between the Belkin Wemo Mini Smart Plug (1.4 by 3.8 by 2.7 inches) and the Aukey Wi-Fi Smart Plug (1.5 by 2.5 by 1.3 inches) in terms of size.
You should have no problem fitting two in your typical wall outlet, but it might be difficult to use with certain power strips.
There's a three-prong outlet on the front of the plug.
The left side holds a power button, as well as Wi-Fi and power indicator lights.
The plug connects to the iHome Control app, which is available for Android and iOS devices.
It isn't the sleekest smart plug app we've seen, but it's easy to navigate and use.
From the main screen, you can view all of your connected devices and toggle them on or off.
The top has tabs for Rooms, Zones, and Scenes.
Below that, you'll find buttons that allow you to create another room, or add a device.
You can use Rooms to group your devices, while Zones refers to a series of rooms.
Scenes are specific, preset routines such as Leave Home (which might trigger all of your connected lights to turn off) or Party (which could turn all the connected lights and speakers on).
At the bottom of the screen, you'll find additional tabs for Sensors, Rules, and Settings.
Sensors isn't relevant unless you use iHome's separate motion sensors.
Rules lets you create time-based schedules.
For example, you can set a rule that will turn a connected lamp and coffee pot on at the same time every morning.
Finally, Settings is where you can manage your account and find instructions for enabling third-party integrations.
The only thing missing is support for energy usage statistics, like you get with the pricier Belkin Wemo Insight Smart Plug.
Setup and Performance
Installation is simple.
First, download the iHome Control app and create an account.
Then, plug in the iSP6X and wait for the Wi-Fi LED to start blinking green.
From there, tap the Add Device button in the app and follow on-screen directions to enter your Wi-Fi network password.
(It helps to make sure that your phone is connected to a 2.4GHz network beforehand, as the iSP6X doesn't support 5GHz Wi-Fi.) Lastly, you'll be prompted to scan the HomeKit code, which you can find in the included manual.
If you want to use the plug with Alexa, Google Assistant, Nest, SmartThings, or Wink, you then have to connect each of those services individually.
With Alexa and Google Assistant, all you have to do is enable the iHome skill in their respective apps.
With Nest and Wink, you can link your devices directly from the iHome app.
For SmartThings, step-by-step instructions are provided in the Settings tab.
iHome plans to roll out If This Then That (IFTTT) support in the near future.
In testing, I was able to set up multiple Scenes and Rules, and control connected devices with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri voice commands without any issues.
I also experienced minimal lag when turning the plug on and off directly from the app.
Conclusions
Picking a smart plug largely depends on what gadgets you have and what platform you want to use to control them.
The beauty of iHome's iSP6X is that it works with just about everything, making it a great choice whether you're a brand loyalist, or if you prefer to mix and match devices from various manufacturers.
It's also highly customizable in terms of scheduling, and works with all three major voice assistants.
The only feature it's missing is energy reporting, which seems like a fair trade-off when you consider its relatively affordable $30 price tag.
That makes it our Editors' Choice.
The Bottom Line
The iHome iSP6X SmartPlug offers an ideal combination of affordability, features, and third-party support, making it easy to control just about anything in your home from your phone.
