Inovelli Dual Outdoor Z-Wave Plug
I recently added some outdoor fans high up on a gazebo and pergola and wanted a way to turn them on and off without having to either unplug them or climb on a chair to reach the controls. If I’m going to add an electric device to my house I’m going to make sure it can be automated, so I headed out to Amazon to find an outdoor smart outlet. There are a few options when it comes to adding smart power control to outdoor outlets.
The Inovelli 2-Channel Outdoor Z-Wave Plug-In Module
The GE Z-Wave Plug-in Outdoor Smart Switch has been the standard for a number of years, but recently Inovelli has released a competing product. Since the single-outlet GE has a list price of $45 and the Inovelli offers a dual outlet module which sells for the exact same price, I gave the Inovelli Outdoor Z-Wave Plug a try.
Before my Amazon Prime shipment arrived, I’d already received an email from Inovelli with quick setup instructions and basic troubleshooting. The email also included an attachment link with separate detailed instructions on how to pair the smart plug with each of Wink, SmartThings, Vera, and other generic Z-wave hubs. This thoughtful touch impressed me off the bat. Not only did I get instructions with illustrations specific to my hub, but I also got to read through them before even getting the device so that as soon as it arrived, I was ready to get started.
It’s bigger than I expected
When I unpacked the outdoor outlet, my first thought was “Wow, this is BIG.” It’s about 3 inches by 5 inches by 2 inches, not including the roughly 8-inch long cord attached. So, that’s about the size of a brick. It’s significantly bigger than the single-outlet GE Z-Wave outdoor plug. Once I got it plugged into an outdoor receptacle,the size didn’t seem so unwieldy anymore. Just keep in mind, you’re not going to get this into a tight space.
Each of the outlets has a separate rubber cover for keeping them clean and dry when not in use. The module is intended to be used in such a way that it hangs from the cord and the two outlets come out of the bottom, away from the elements.
Easy setup with plenty of guidance
I have heard countless stories of how good Inovelli’s technical support is. I didn’t have the need to test that for myself because the included instructions were very detailed and setup was simple.
The instructions include a diagram and chart for determining what range you can expect from the included Z-wave radio. In other words, you calculate based on the distance to the hub and the number of walls in between if the smart plug will need a repeater in between. I knew based on that information that my desired installation location was just on the edge of what would be acceptable.
I followed the setup instructions for Vera hubs and when the simple pairing process was complete, I only had one device to control in the Vera dashboard. (Like with most Z-wave devices that integrate multiple controls or sensors, there is also a parent device that mostly serves to group the other devices together.) Fortunately, the Inovelli setup instructions had already made me aware that this could happen if the device is too far from the hub when pairing. The solution is to unpair, bring the two closer, and pair again. Since I knew I was right on that edge, I just tried the unpair/pair process from the same location again, and the second time had the two devices I was expecting.
It works. What else can I say?
Once paired, I tried out the switch by commanding it from my cell phone through the Vera hub. The response was immediate for both on and off commands. Both outlets have worked flawlessly for several weeks now. I often control my Z-Wave devices with voice commands through Google Home, and the Inovelli switch has never failed to turn on or off by the time Google confirms the command.
There is a single, white button on the outlet for controlling the two loads manually. If you’re standing next to the outlet, it’s often easier to just toggle it with a button press than to pull out a phone or shout a command. (I still haven’t found a good solution for an permanently-installed outdoor voice assistant.) The button is actually quite nice. It is about the size of a fingertip and has a rubber feel that gives decent tactile feedback. When at least one of the outlets is on, the button has a soft white glow. Pressing the button once turns on or off both outlets. Pressing it twice toggles the first outlet only and pressing it 3 times toggles the second outlet. If one outlet is on and one is off, pressing the button once will switch that one outlet off. The solution works and isn’t overly clumsy, but it’s not exactly intuitive either.
I absolutely recommend it
Is this device perfect? Absolutely not. It’s bulky and its feature set is pretty utilitarian. Power monitoring or some advanced configuration would be nice.
Would I recommend it. Absolutely! It’s easy to set up, easy to use, and at $45 is an incredible bargain. If you’re looking for a smart weather-proof outdoor outlet, you’re going to be spending about $40. You might as well throw in the extra 5-spot for double the functionality.
The 2-Channel Outdoor Z-Wave Plug-In Module can be purchased directly from Inovelli or from Amazon with free Prime shipping.