I want to add smart plugs to my apartment to control lamps and the TV remotely, but I don't want to have an electrician here for 3 days. Are there solutions that don't involve tearing up the walls? I've heard about plugs that just plug into existing outlets - is that actually workable or does it create safety issues?
Smart plugs that plug directly into an existing outlet are exactly what you need. You just stick them between the wall and your lamp/TV, zero disassembly, zero electrician needed. Security-wise it's fine if you pick a brand that's at least halfway reliable - check for certifications like CE or stuff with good user reviews. The upside is it's reversible and you can move them around however you want.
Just watch out for electrical load though. A smart plug can handle normal stuff like a lamp or TV without any problem, but if you want to plug in a heater or something that guzzles power, that's a no-go. Check the max wattage your plug can handle (usually around 2000-3000W for standard models) and what your device uses before you get started. And make sure the plug is pushed all the way into the outlet so you don't get a loose connection - sounds obvious but it matters.
For Zigbee specifically, you'll need a hub/bridge that creates the network - it's not standard Wi-Fi so you can't just connect through your router. It's a separate investment but it really works well once you set it up, and it uses less power than Wi-Fi on each individual plug.
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