So far, Philips Hue has not come up with a smart plug for outdoor use. Unfortunately, nothing seems to be planned in this direction, although I’m happy to be surprised. Until then, however, Hue fans can turn to a new product from Ledvance.
The Compact Outdoor Plug is also available with ZigBee technology and can therefore be easily coupled with the Hue Bridge. Of course, with the usual restrictions, for example, HomeKit is not possible. However, this is not quite as tragic for a power socket; voice control via Siri can be enabled relatively easily via short commands.
The Ledvance Compact Outdoor Plug collects plus points due to its actually very compact size, which is no comparison to the huge outdoor plug with cable that is already available from Osram and Ledvance. You can see a size comparison with the Philips Hue Smart Plug in the following two pictures.
If you consider that the Compact Outdoor Plug has additional water protection (IP44), it is actually very compact. In addition, with up to 3,680 watts, it can handle more power than the Smart Plug from Philips Hue, which you should load with a maximum of 2,200 watts.
The Compact Outdoor Plug is controlled either via the Hue app or services and switches connected there. There is also a small button on the plug itself. This lights up permanently green as soon as the socket is switched on.
It remains to be seen how reliably the new adapter plug from Ledvance will work, as other models from the manufacturer have experienced minor problems here from time to time. In the last few days, I have not noticed any problems, but my ZigBee network is well expanded and the distance to the outdoor socket is not particularly long.
According to the manufacturer, the Ledvance Compact Outdoor Plug costs just under 30 euros. In stores, you currently pay a few euros more. The smart outdoor plug has only just been launched on the market, so there will certainly be more developments in this respect in the coming weeks.
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Thanks for the interesting article. Is this new smart plug already available in online stores? If so, where?
It’s available in Germany on Amazon and selected retailers. What country are you from?
Thanks. Im from the Netherlands, could not find it yet in our dutch webshops.
I have now 2 of those but not able to setup in the Philips Hue app under bulbs…….anybody have succeeded with this?
Also bought 2 of them (Netherlands) and would like to know also how to connect it to the Philips Hue Brige. Haven’t figured out how.
Fabian, as you suggest it works, could you help? What are the steps?
I would like to go with this,
– what’s your current ratingfor the product?
– did you solve it with the Hue app and how?
Contacted Ledvance and received a very helpful response within the hour. Now have both Ledvance Smart Plugs (Zigbee) connected with Philips Hue Bridge. So, far happy that it works. Cannot say anything about long-term functioning.
Below you find the answer from support. Main points that would helped me: bring the plug close to the Bridge (you can put it anywere within Zigbee range after first time linking), then reset, then switch the plug ON right *after* you start the Search from Hue Bridge App.
Hope this helps for you as well.
Full support response:
I will write you a short guide:
– If it was not possible to connect the plug with Philips Hue please reset the plug and place it right next to the Hue bridge and turn it on. To reset the plug to factory settings please press and hold the button in plug for at least 10 seconds until you hear a clicking noise. If the problem still persist, please disconnect also the Hue bridge for few seconds from power and also network.
– For the connection you need to be as close as possible to the zigbee gateway (HUE Bridge) with your product (for a good compatibility)
– Please make sure that the SMART+ Zigbee plug in question has a working power supply and is switched on. The plug can only receive commands when the electricity/light switch is turned on
– And continue with your application Philips hue add the device (the plug can be found like a bulb)
Please try again step by step (Philips HUE):
1) Select channel 25 (you can find in the app „zigbee channel change“ here are possibilities 11/15/20/25) you chose 25
2) Please also briefly disconnect the Hue Hub from the power and network
3) Open Philips Hue app on your device
4) Go to Settings
5) Light Setup
6) Reset the device next to the HUE Bridge
reset the plug to factory settings please press and hold the button in plug for at least 10 seconds until you hear a clicking noise. During the process of add the device please place the device as close as possible to the HUE bridge. The device must be in the electricity, ON position (light up)- only then can it be added.
7) And then please add light (please you turn OFF the light click for search the device and then turn the device ON)
I bought two Ledvance Zigbee Ourdoor plugs late September ’22. One spare for the other. After three months, both plugs don’t work anymore. These switches don’t switch on/off anymore. In my opinion defintely inferior quality.
Unfortunately, there are no good quality Zigbee outdoor plugs available.
What’s the alternative?