Our smart homes are packed with gadgets, but Swidget is a unique product that uses an overlooked part of the smart home: the outlets themselves. Though there are outlets on the market with USB ports, Z-Wave or Wi-Fi built-in, you have to swap out the outlet if your needs change. Swidget is a new sort of outlet, has a slot that takes interchangeable cartridges that add whatever smart features you need instantly.
Swidget is a power outlet, so to use it, first, you have to install it just like any traditional outlet. There's a small slot between the two power outlets on the Swidget, and that's where you install the “inserts” that give Swidget its smarts.
This is where the Swidget really shines -- sometimes literally! There's a nightlight insert that stays lit all night and an emergency light insert that only turns on when the power is out. There are inserts for home security, including a tiny, motion-activated video camera, sensor inserts for temperature and humidity and even inserts that are just for fun, like the one with aromatherapy essential oil beads that release scent in small bursts. Swidgets also can be multi-function, so you could have an insert that provides Wi-Fi control and turns on a light when the power goes out. The combinations are endless and can be completely tailored to your smart home needs.
The best thing about the Swidget is all of its inserts are interchangeable and can be swapped with no special tools or equipment. When your baby doesn't need the white noise machine insert anymore, you can swap it for a Bluetooth speaker Swidget so she can listen to Baby Shark as many times as she wants.
The Swidget outlet costs $39.99 (check price on Amazon) and the inserts for between $5.99 (for a USB charger) and $41.99 (for a combination Wi-Fi controller and power-out light) on Swidget.com (check price for Z-Wave insert on Amazon).
Updated on 4/25/2019
[Image credit: Swidget, Techlicious]
