Kassensturz tests smart sockets - and compares "apples with oranges"
17.1.2025
Translation: machine translated
"Kassensturz" tested 13 smart plugs. Three of them failed. However, the test raises questions because the product selection is not actually consistent enough for a fair comparison and relevant criteria are not evaluated at all.
The laboratory at the University of Applied Sciences Graubünden tested 13 smart plugs on behalf of "Kassensturz". The vast majority of the test samples received the grade "good".
Three devices failed, however, with electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) being the deciding factor. Among other things, an EMC test checks whether an electronic device emits interfering radiation into the environment or affects the power grid. Compliance with various limit values is a prerequisite for the CE mark, which is used throughout Europe. The test losers did not pass the test and therefore received an "unsatisfactory" rating:
- Ledvance Smart + Wifi Plug CH
- Marmitek Power SE (Smart me)
- Allocacoc PowerCube
"Good" is also available at a reasonable price
Sockets with and without child safety locks were tested. These had to fulfil four test criteria. In addition to EMC, convenience, performance and safety also played a role. The test winner was the "Tretakt" model from Ikea, which was also the cheapest product tested. It relegated the models from Hombli and Eve to second place.
You can find many of the sockets that received a "good" rating in our range.
These include these smart sockets with Wi-Fi control:
Other models are operated by remote control:
The test field leaves a certain perplexity
The composition of the text field seems somewhat arbitrary. Are sockets really "smart" if they can only be switched using the remote control supplied? After all, they cannot be integrated into smart home centres such as HomeKit or openHAB. There is no programming capability and they do not provide information such as energy consumption either.
The test seems like the proverbial comparison of apples and pears. The devices from Eve, Hue or MyStrom, for example, can do much more than the competition. However, the test does not reflect these added values. Letting the smart plug from Eve compete against a simple wireless socket is not very meaningful, almost unfair.
The model from Ikea is the cheapest smart socket. However, its range of functions is also limited. In this respect, it seems to have placed itself ahead of the Eve due to its price alone.
Other aspects obviously played no role at all in the test. It is helpful, indeed necessary, for users to know which wireless standards or protocols are in use (Zigbee, Matter). The fact that the dimensions of the sockets were not compared is also not very practical. What use is the smartest plug if it blocks the neighbouring socket in a 3-socket strip?
So this test does not really help with a purchase decision because it does not take too many relevant criteria into account.
Update (31 January 2025): As announced in the comments below, there are now also two - hopefully - more constructive articles on the topic. Our colleague Martin Jungfer has written up his expertise on smart plugs here and here.
Header image: Eve Energy
Born in Hamburg, bookworm and ice hockey fan. Constantly tinkering with his smart home system.
