With energy bills remaining a concern for many households, shoppers are continuing to look for simple ways to keep costs under control. The energy price cap is set to increase by 13% from July 1, causing many consumers to seek out affordable energy-saving solutions.
Affordable Smart Plug from Argos
One gadget attracting attention is the TP-Link Tapo P105 Mini Smart Wi-Fi Plug, which is currently available from Argos for £7.99. The product has proved popular with shoppers, earning a 4.8-star rating from more than 500 reviews, with 97% of customers saying they would recommend it.
The compact device allows users to control electronics from anywhere using a smartphone or tablet through the Tapo app. Connected devices can be switched on or off remotely, while users can also create schedules and set timers to ensure appliances are only running when needed.
Away Mode for Security and Savings
The smart plug also features an Away Mode, which automatically turns lights on and off at selected times to make it appear someone is home while they are away. As well as providing additional peace of mind, the feature can help prevent unnecessary electricity use by ensuring devices are not left switched on for extended periods.
The TP-Link plug works over Wi-Fi and is compatible with both Android and iOS devices. It can also be controlled through voice commands using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Suitable for indoor use, it supports appliances up to 2990W.
Customer Feedback
One satisfied customer said: "Very easy to connect to my wi-fi and add to the app on my phone and tablet. Simple to set up timings to switch on and off, on a schedule. Can also use the app to turn on/off, manually. Have yet to test when away from home, but I understand it should still work. Price dropped a week later! Bought two more!"
Another reviewer wrote: "Smart plug easy to set up out of the box ready to go in a matter of minutes would recommend."
A third customer added: "This is the first time I have bought one of these and it is brilliant, easy to install. Recommend 100%."
One shopper highlighted how useful it can be for managing everyday household devices, saying: "It's good if you have a small heater or table light or fan to keep in the room, easy to switch on and off or put a timer and it automatically switches off in the app."
However, not all feedback was entirely positive. Some users reported occasional connectivity issues, with one reviewer claiming: "Kept dropping signal so on the away setting the light would turn off after an hour, it would never stay on longer than an hour under the away setting."
