When you’re setting up your smart home, besides comfort and convenience, you’re thinking about the affordability of the home automation platform to use.
As much as there are many home automation companies nowadays, some offer relatively expensive smart products compared to others. This is a factor that most homeowners might be skeptical about since they want efficient smart products at an affordable price.
Home automation will elevate your lifestyle and home’s functionalities but you might not want to break the bank for it. Founded in 2016, the China-based Meross is one of the most prominent companies in the smart home industry known for providing affordable home automation solutions.
The company manufactures a wide range of Homekit compatible smart products such as smart switches, light strips, smart plugs, smart lights, and many others.
Although Meross smart products might now work with Thread, Zigbee, or Z-Wave networks, they do work well when connected to your home Wi-Fi. It’s understandable for anyone to be skeptical about connecting your most important smart devices to their home Wi-Fi network due to the security implications it posses.
However, this is not a major problem when using Meross smart products since you can always opt for the Homekit variants. This is a lot safer for your data because the Homekit variants do not require using the Meross app or giving Meross your home Wi-Fi password.
Also, when using the Homekit variants, your data is safeguarded by Apple’s strict encryption protocols. This assures you that your data is secure and out of reach of any hackers.
The best thing about going the Homekit variants way is that you’ll never need to use the Meross app at any point as everything can be configured via the Apple Home app.
To add the Meross devices, you also go the Homekit way since you have to scan the Homekit code on every smart device and assign an easily memorable name to you on the Apple Home app. Here is everything you might need to know about setting up the ideal Meross-powered smart home.
Meross Smart Wi-Fi Plugs (Outdoor and Indoor versions)
Meross smart plugs are regarded as some of the best and most affordable Homekit-compatible smart devices in the market. The company offers its users the option to buy the plugs in a pack of two or as one.
The Meross Wi-Fi smart plugs, like the name suggest, work only via Wi-Fi, and unlike other smart devices such as the Philip Hue lights, they do not require a central hub. This is a relief for homeowners who like simplicity in their smart device setup process.
Whether it’s connected or powered on, the Meross smart plug will show either an orange or a green LED light under the power button. To set up the Meross Wi-Fi smart plug, all you’re required to do is open the Apple Home app if you’re using the Homekit variant and add the device.
This process shouldn’t take you more than a couple of minutes. However, if you want to use the Meross official app to add the smart Wi-Fi plugs, you’ll be required to complete the setup process in the Apple Home app and then return to the Meross up to add the devices.
Meross Smart Lights
Meross offers some of the cheapest Homekit-enabled smart bulbs you can find in the market. These bulbs come in colored and plain white versions depending on your preference, and you can get them in a two-pack or as a single bulb.
Like all the Homekit-enabled Meross smart products, setting up these smart bulbs is very easy. All you’re required to do is pair the smart bulbs directly with your Apple Home app without the need for an account or hub.
The Meross colored bulbs can display up to 16 million colors and are fitted with white color temperature adjustments ranging from 2,700K to 6,500K. You can also control the brightness, switch colors, turn on or off the Meross smart bulbs using the Apple Home app for the Homekit Variants or the Meross official app for the other versions.
The smart bulbs also respond to voice commands from Siri, Amazon Alexa, or Google Assistant. You can also create routines or scenes for your Meross smart bulbs using the Apple Home app or the Meross.
For the Homekit variants, you can include the Meross smart bulbs in groups, scenes, or automation with other Homekit accessories to work together.
Some of the Meross smart bulbs include;
- Smart Wi-Fi LED bulb with Dimmable light
- Smart Wi-Fi LED bulb
- Smart Wi-Fi light strip
- Smart Wi-Fi Ambient light
Meross Smart Humidifiers
Meross provides its users with very tiny and compact humidifiers capable of performing all the functions you’d wish for in one. The Meross humidifiers provide some of the best features to their users, controlled via the Meross app or voice commands.
The Meross humidifiers come in two versions, namely Smart Wi-Fi Humidifier and Smart Aroma Essential Oil Diffuser. The difference between the two humidifiers is that the former doesn’t support any scented oils while the latter does.
However, the best thing about the two humidifiers is that you can get them running from a simple pairing with your Meross app over the home Wi-Fi.
Meross Smart Wi-Fi Wall Switch
Although most homeowners have complained about many of the Wi-Fi switches in the smart home market today, the Meross Smart Wi-Fi switches are not of them. Not only are they affordable, but they are also very responsive and easy to install.
Once installed and connected to your home Wi-Fi, the switches can be easily paired with the Apple Home app and used for other automation and scenes. The Meross Smart Wi-Fi switches can also be controlled using voice commands from Amazon Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant.
However, it’s important to note that you’ll require a hub such as HomePod mini, Apple TV, or iPad for remote control of the switches.
Some of the Meross smart Wi-Fi switches include;
- Smart Wi-Fi single-pole switch
- Smart Wi-Fi 3-Way switch
- Smart Wi-Fi dimmable switch
- Smart Wi-Fi 2-Way wall switch
- Smart Wi-Fi wall switch
- Smart Wi-Fi 3-Gang Wall switch
Meross Smart Home Integrations
- IFTTT
- Samsung SmartThings
- Apple Homekit
- Amazon Alexa
- Google Assistant
Final Thoughts
Since Meross products are compatible with some of the biggest brands, such as SmartThings, Homekit, and IFTTT, the list of the smart devices you can use with them is long.
That means go for the best smart products in the market and elevate your smart home automation without worrying about compatibility.
When purchasing Meross smart devices, it’s helpful to go for the Homekit variants. This is because they are more secure, and their setup and installation processes are very simple.
If you are still feeling a little muddled up and looking for some help, then check out my Smart Home in 8 Weeks course designed to take you from zero to a fully integrated smart home!