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| Feature | Philips Hue Smart plug (US) | YoLink Smart Outdoor Energy Plug | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $39.69 | $27.99 | YoLink Smart Outdoor Energy Plug |
| Rating | 4.7 | 4.6 | Philips Hue Smart plug (US) |
| Weather Resistance | NO | IP63 | YoLink Smart Outdoor Energy Plug |
| Energy Monitoring | NO | YES | YoLink Smart Outdoor Energy Plug |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, Zigbee | None | Philips Hue Smart plug (US) |
| Integrations | Google Home, Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant | Google Home, Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant, Matter | YoLink Smart Outdoor Energy Plug |
| Zigbee Router | YES | NO | Philips Hue Smart plug (US) |
| Plug Format | Type B | Type B | Tie |
| Maximum Load Power | 1800W | 1800W | Tie |
| On/Off Button | YES | YES | Tie |
What the differences mean
Indoor versus outdoor
The YoLink Smart Outdoor Energy Plug carries an IP63 rating for pumps, fountains and garden lighting exposed to weather. The Philips Hue Smart plug (US) is indoor-only, with no weather rating at all.
Energy metering
The YoLink Smart Outdoor Energy Plug reports real-time energy use; the Philips Hue Smart plug (US) has no energy monitoring.
Radio and mesh role
The Philips Hue Smart plug (US) connects over Zigbee through the Hue Bridge and doubles as a Zigbee router, strengthening a Hue mesh; the YoLink Smart Outdoor Energy Plug has no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or Zigbee radio of its own and relies entirely on YoLink's long-range LoRa through its own hub.
Apple HomeKit
The Philips Hue Smart plug (US) supports Apple HomeKit natively through the Hue Bridge. The YoLink Smart Outdoor Energy Plug reaches HomeKit only through the separate YoLink Local Hub.
Which one to buy if
- the outlet is outside and exposed to weather
The YoLink Smart Outdoor Energy Plug carries an IP63 rating built for outdoor equipment.
- you run a Hue Bridge and want Apple HomeKit
The Philips Hue Smart plug (US) supports HomeKit natively through the Bridge.
- the plug needs to report what it draws
Only the YoLink Smart Outdoor Energy Plug has energy monitoring.
- the outlet is far from reliable Wi-Fi
The YoLink Smart Outdoor Energy Plug reaches it over long-range LoRa instead of Wi-Fi.
- + Rating: 4.7
- + Connectivity: Bluetooth, Zigbee
- + Zigbee Router: YES
- - Price: $39.69 vs $27.99
- - Weather Resistance: NO vs IP63
- + Price: $27.99
- + Weather Resistance: IP63
- + Energy Monitoring: YES
- - Rating: 4.6 vs 4.7
- - Connectivity: None vs Bluetooth, Zigbee
What owners say
Owners of the Philips Hue Smart plug (US) contrast it directly with cheaper Wi-Fi plugs that drop off the network, saying this one simply does not, reconnecting on its own after a power or internet outage and responding to Siri, Alexa or Google in a couple of seconds. They like that it shows up in the Hue app exactly like a Hue bulb and that setup is done in under a minute with just the serial number. YoLink Smart Outdoor Energy Plug owners instead talk about running a pool pump or garden fountain out of Wi-Fi range and trusting the LoRa connection to hold, and they specifically credit the automatic thermal shutoff for catching a pump running in direct sun, though a few wish the app's scheduling went beyond simple timers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, the Philips Hue Smart plug (US) or the YoLink Smart Outdoor Energy Plug?
The YoLink Smart Outdoor Energy Plug wins overall, with a lower price, IP63 weather resistance and energy monitoring. The Philips Hue Smart plug (US) is the better indoor pick, with a higher rating, Apple HomeKit and Zigbee mesh extension.
What is the biggest difference between the Philips Hue Smart plug (US) and the YoLink Smart Outdoor Energy Plug?
Where each can go. The YoLink Smart Outdoor Energy Plug is IP63 weatherproof and built for outdoor equipment over long-range LoRa, while the Philips Hue Smart plug (US) is an indoor Zigbee plug that supports HomeKit and repeats the Hue mesh through the Bridge.
Which plug works outdoors and tracks energy?
Only the YoLink Smart Outdoor Energy Plug. Its IP63 rating suits outdoor pumps and lighting, and it adds real-time energy monitoring. The Philips Hue Smart plug (US) is indoor-only with no energy monitoring.
Which plug supports Apple HomeKit?
The Philips Hue Smart plug (US) supports Apple HomeKit natively, along with Alexa, Google Home and Home Assistant, through the Hue Bridge. The YoLink Smart Outdoor Energy Plug works with Alexa, Google Home, IFTTT and Home Assistant, and reaches HomeKit only through the separate YoLink Local Hub.
Who should buy the YoLink Smart Outdoor Energy Plug?
Choose it if you need weatherproof outdoor power for pumps, fountains or garden lighting, with energy monitoring and long-range LoRa reach, on a property where Wi-Fi cannot reliably reach the outlet.
Who should buy the Philips Hue Smart plug (US)?
Choose it if you run a Hue Bridge and want a top-rated indoor plug with Apple HomeKit support and Zigbee repeater functionality that reconnects automatically after power or internet outages.
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