I tested a $15 smart switch and found a coffee maker wasting $1,500 a year in electricity

https://www.zdnet.com/a/img/resize/2e809b4cd88a4b5329315fa8fe5dda20dfc22e30/2026/06/08/e9a0b265-6118-44c1-aa0c-ac3dccbdeaf1/img-4753.jpg?auto=webp&fit=crop&height=675&width=1200

SwitchBot Relay 1PM switch4 / 5Very good

pros and cons

  • Compact design that fits behind a switch or socket
  • Easy to fit and set up
  • The app is packed with features.
  • Installation can be fiddly
  • The unit has to be fitted in an enclosure to reduce the risk of electric shock.

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Has someone in your life ever yelled at you for leaving the lights on? Despite the shift to LED lights, it's still a good idea to turn things off because, while one light might only cost about a dollar a month to run 24/7/365 (here, I'm assuming it's a 6-watt bulb and your electricity costs $0.20 per kWh), think about how many light bulbs you have at home. It soon adds up.

Also: How I cut my power bill with IFTTT automation - in 4 simple steps

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