INTRODUCTION

   When LG announced their very first WiFi enabled line of home appliances many years ago i was very excited, particularly in regards to their AC systems which one could turn on/off while still on the road. Unfortunately, back then prices for such products were set quite high so even though i was very intrigued by their features i wasn't prepared to spend large sums for them. Fast forward to today and WiFi enabled devices exist in many homes, from TV sets, AC systems, heaters and dehumidifiers to ovens, refrigerators and robot vacuums consumers are now able to control numerous such devices remotely thus saving time and effort. Older devices however need not feel left out since with the addition of a WiFi enabled power socket they too can be controlled remotely (not as efficiently but they can) and since this is something many of you asked today I’ll be taking a closer look at the FRITZ!DECT 200 and 210 smart plugs by AVM.

   AVM is one of Europe's leading manufacturers of products for broadband connections and the digital home. FRITZ! brand products are easy to use for everyone. They enable fast internet access, easy networking, convenient telephony and versatile Smart Home applications. The FRITZ!OS software regularly offers new features and keeps all FRITZ! products up-to-date and secure. Since starting out in Berlin in 1986, AVM' has focused on developing innovative products in-house. In 2020 the Berlin-based communications specialist had 840 employees and generated a turnover of 580 million euros.

   Both the FRITZ!DECT 200 and 210 models are WiFi enabled smart plugs and thus can be controlled remotely by easily pairing with your home/office modem/router at the push of a button. Both FRITZ!DECT models feature a maximum radio range of up to 300 meters outdoors and 40 meters indoors, maximum load of 2300W for the 200 model and 3450W for the 210 model and come with built-in temperature and sound sensors (for example you can clap your hands to turn them on/off). All these allow consumers not only to turn them on/off remotely (both manually and automatically/scheduled - up to 140 switching points can be defined) but also to monitor current and total power consumption and temperatures from the AVM Smart Home Android/iOS app (also from the web OS of your FRITZ!Box modem/router, providing of course you've paired them with one of those). The FRITZ!DECT 210 model however stands out for one more feature, its IP44 certification (splash-protection) which allows it to also be used outdoors (as long as the power plug is also IP44 certified). So time to see what AVM brings to the table with their FRITZ!DECT 200 and 210 smart plug models.