The US$49.95 Eve Energy Outlet – the first Matter-enabled wall-in outlet – is now available at both the Eve Store and Amazon. It’s a simple-to-use smart plug with support for HomeKit.
It can be controlled via Eve’s own app and the Apple Home app, as well as Siri. The Eve Energy Outlet replaces your existing outlet and can be used in single- or multi-gang installations. Each outlet shows as a separate device in HomeKit and can thus be controlled independently. One very convenient feature is that it can track your energy consumption.
You can also individually control two power outlets using your voice or an app, and control your lights and appliances on the go or based on presence. The Eve Energy Outlet’s Schedules feature lets you automate lights, humidifiers, fans and other vital devices. — all without the need for a hub and independently of your iPhone or internet connection.
Matter allows the Eve Energy Outlet to work with all four major smart home ecosystems, including Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa and Samsung SmartThings. However, if you’d like control of it when you’re not at home, you’ll need a HomePod mini, HomePod or an Apple TV 4K to serve as a home hub.
In addition to controlling whatever device is plugged into it, an Eve Energy smart plug can act as a Thread border router, forming a bridge between your Thread network and your primary home network — and from there to the Internet).
The Eve Energy Outlet requires an iPhone or iPad with the latest version of iOS/iPadOS, or an Android device updated for Matter compatibility.
If you want haven’t yet tried out HomeKit or now want to expand your HomeKit use, Eve Energy is the right device for the job. It fulfills all the tasks of a smart plug — and the ability to manage energy is a big selling point (for me, anyway).
Apple World Today rating (out of 5 stars): ★★★★★
