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.

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

Both models arrive in small blue boxes that have their pictures at the front right under the model line and above their main features.

The 3 easy setup steps are showcased on the left side while on the right side we see an extra product picture.

At the rear of the box AVM has placed the product features in 6 languages.

AVM ships both models with just their installation instructions and a product catalog inside the box.

THE FRITZ!DECT 200 & 210

Compared to the 93x59x41mm of the FRITZ!DECT 200 the FRITZ!DECT 210 with its 127x65x36mm is significantly larger.

Both the 200 and 210 models feature two buttons/activity LEDs at the front.

Aside the socket cover of the FRITZ!DECT 210 model both that and the 200 feature child-safe/proof sockets.

SMART HOME APP

Pairing the FRITZ!DECT smart home devices with the smart home app is very easy (just press the DECT button at the front and then the DECT or WPS buttons on your modem/router).

After that the paired devices are shown on the main tab from where you can turn them on/off and check the current temperature and power consumption.

By entering in the page of either the FRITZ!DECT 200 or 210 model you can check the current and total power consumption and temperatures (as you can see both models display the same information).

FRITZ!BOX MESH PAGE

If you pair the FRITZ!DECT smart home sockets with a FRITZ!Box modem/router you will also be able to control them via the mesh page.

So, from here you can check the current status of each socket, enable automatic on/off mode (scheduling), use the auto-off feature and of course you can also enable the sound feature which allows you to turn the sockets on/off either by clapping your hands or any other sound.

Of course, you can also check the power consumption and temperatures as with the app.

CONCLUSION

   I happen to use WiFi plugs in both the lab and my home by 3 different popular brands right now so the very first thing I noticed when AVM send the FRITZ!DECT 200 & 210 models was the difference in build quality. Yes, other models may feature glossy exteriors (some even better looking ones) but the difference in quality is very easy to spot. Quality aside however AVM offers more with their smart plugs, not only due to their integrated temperature sensor which can come in handy but also because of the integrated sound sensor which allows you to do something we used to see only in movies (turn devices on/off either by clapping your hands or any sound you’d like really). And then you have various other features like scheduling and power consumption details that you don’t get with most WiFi plugs in the market today (not to mention that AVM can add more features in future firmware updates). The addition of the IP44 certification and the socket cover of the FRITZ!DECT 210 model is a nice touch but since the connected device but also be IP44 certified (and above) it’s not something I’d personally use in places with heavy rain.

  As I type these lines the FRITZ!DECT 200 & 210 Smart Plugs (international version) by AVM retail for 48.99/59Euros inside the EU (Amazon.de/Amazon.de) and although they are priced slightly higher than competing products I don’t have a problem with that, not for what you’re getting in return (neither should anyone with an FRITZ!Box modem/router). Overall I have to say that I’m very satisfied with both the 200 and 210 FRITZ!DECT models and since they also clearly deliver on everything AVM states they deserve the Golden Award.

PROS

- Build Quality
- Size (200 Model)
- Integrated Temperature & Sound Sensors
- Features (Power Consumption / Temperatures / Sound Activation / Scheduling)
- Child Safe/Proof Sockets
- IP44 Certified (210 Model)
- FRITZ!Box Integration

CONS

- Price (For Some)
- Availability (Outside The EU)