Conclusion:

The Zooz ZEN06 Z-Wave Plus Smart Plug is easy to setup, works well, looks cool, and offers a few features you might not find in other smart plugs. With the right Z-Wave controller, you will not only get the ability to toggle the plugged in device on/off, but you will also get feedback on the power being consumed in real time within the app. On top of that, the colors in the LED ring around the outlet provide a novel way to get a general idea of how much power your device is drawing, as well as whether it is on or off. And since anyone in this high tech world is never far from a mobile gadget that requires charging, the ZEN06 includes two USB charging ports... one rated at 1.0A and one rated at 2.4A.



While the LED lighting is a very cool and useful feature, it may not be desired by all users. The light is always on in its default configuration, which could be annoying if used in a bedroom, for example. Accessing the device's advanced parameters with a compatible Z-Wave controller will give you the ability to change it from always being on, to only turning on for the first five seconds when a device is turned on or off. For a bedroom or other low light installations, this is far better than always being on, but always being off is not an option as fas as I can tell.

The Zooz ZEN06 currently sells for $29.95 at The Smartest House, which makes it very competitively priced with other smart plugs on the market. And considering this one has two USB charging ports built in, the value is even better.

For the functionality, convenience, value and styling, the Zooz ZEN06 Z-Wave Plus Smart Plug earns the Bigbruin.com "Highly Recommended" award.



Pros:

» Very responsive to Z-Wave commands
» Allows for all 15A available at a typical outlet to be passed through the smart plug to your device
» LED lighting effect is attractive and useful
» Inclusion of two USB charging ports is quite a convenient touch (but no, they are not Z-Wave controlled)
» Using with a compatible controller gives you app based feedback on power, current, and voltage

Cons:

» Disabling LED is not fully possible and requires advanced access to device parameters

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