SmartSetup’s Matter Over Thread Wall Outlet Hits Amazon

Whilst Aqara is rumoured to be close to releasing its first wall outlet device and smart plug for the UK market, it’s yet to announce a model for North America. Smartsetup, however, appears to have beaten them to the punch with the launch of its own smart wall outlet, which includes Matter over Thread compatibility, and more.

The simply named SmartSetup Outlet is designed for type A or B plugs, which are also used in places such as the Philippines and Taiwan. It offers two outlets as standard and comes with a faceplate that matches the standard dimensions for a North American double wall socket.

At its core, this is, like their smart switches, a Matter over Thread device, so if you already have a Matter Controller (highly likely), you only have to ensure you also have a Thread Border Router, which is usually included in some Matter Controllers like the 128GB Apple TV4K, the HomePod mini, and the 2nd gen HomePod.

However, unlike many standard North American outlets, this device includes physical buttons to connect or disconnect power to each socket, something that’s far more common in the UK. It also comes with two USB ports for powering additional low-powered devices. With an eye on current standards, one of these is USB-C, whilst the other is a standard USB-A port for broader compatibility.

Each outlet also has its own LED indicator to show whether that specific socket is receiving power, and it’s presumably also used for status indications, primarily during pairing.

With these added features, it’s easy to see how the device could appear a little cluttered. That said, the use of standard white plastic for the housing helps to temper this, and most of us don’t tend to give wall outlets much attention beyond plugging something in.

Many smart home users are accustomed to using smart plugs to power and control so-called dumb devices, and with smart plugs becoming increasingly affordable, it’s easy to see how this device, priced at US$34.99, could appear a little expensive. That said, this comparison doesn’t take into account the much lower profile offered by an in-wall outlet, compared to smart plugs that inevitably protrude from the socket, even before you’ve connected a lamp or fan. The good news is the USB ports are also exposed to the Apple Home app.

It’s also worth noting that whilst North American homes typically run on 110~120VAC, the outlet itself is capable of handling 100~240V with 15A and combined loads of up to 2,500W. This should be welcome news for users in regions such as the Philippines, where this socket type is common and the standard supply is generally 220~240V. It’s important to note, however, that the device is only certified for use in North America.

The SmartSetup Outlet is available now for the aforementioned price of US$34.99 on Amazon.com.