Wemo Insight WiFi Enabled Smart Plug, with Energy Monitoring, Works with Alexa (Discontinued by Manufacturer - Newer Version Available)

I had an old X10 system Id been using for years and it finally gave up the ghost. The appeal of the Wemo system being wireless and with a phone/tablet app was what drew me. The units -- two of them -- arrived today. The setup is easy enough, if a bit cryptic. The instructions are in the app and are basic, basic, basic. Setting up a timer to turn the lights on and off took a bit of figuring out since the screen on the app is not what I call intuitive. Luckily its simple enough to finally puzzle out. I dont require much. I just want the living room lights, which are in an inconvenient location, to turn on and off without being fussed with. This system seems to work to do that. I just hope at $55 per unit they last a while. If they dont, you can be sure Ill be online voicing my displeasure. Nov. 16, 2014 -- The units have been working without fail for a month. My old ones were remote controlled so its a bit of a hassle to find my phone or a tablet when I want to turn them on or off outside of the timer but not that bad. Im considering more units.

Been looking at this product for a while, but read some reviews where people were having problems with it, so I held off. May of 2014, I decided to press ahead and make the purchase. Instructions have a mere 4 simple steps, so how hard could it be? 1) Plugged in the Switch; 2) Downloaded the app; 3) In Settings, I selected WiFi, then Connect to WeMo network; 4) Launched the WeMo App to complete the process. Sorry, no go. Backed out and re-tried the Launch several times, but I kept getting booted out. Re-started my phone and tried again - no go. Deleted the App and downloaded it a second time; Launched the App and was informed it needed a system upgrade, but I was finally in. To test the system, I plugged an incandescent light fixture into the WeMo Switch and was able to turn it on and off using my iPhone (pretty cool) from about 6 away. OK, not all that impressive. After downloading a second system upgrade that popped up, I then enabled Remote Access, walked to the far end of our property (about 300 ft.) and turned the same light on with my iPhone - at least the indicator light on the App said I did. Walked back into the house to see the light ON! This is as far as Ive progressed with the WeMo, so until I use it further, nothing more to add - other than JUST KEEP PLUGGING AWAY WHEN INSTALLING AND SETTING IT UP... YOULL GET THERE SOONER OR LATER!

I already owned a WeMo Switch, so I was excited to try the new power monitoring feature of the Insight. The WeMo app is somewhat easy to use, but it has limited functionality. Itll get the job done, but I hope Belkin is working on updates from feedback on the WeMoThat community. You can set up some basic turn on/off instructions, but more options are available when using the IFTTT (If This Then That) website. A few specs on the Insight: max power connected = 1800W and it uses 1.5W when off/in standby. You can turn a device plugged into it using the button on top or with the app. The set-up was easy and exactly like the Switch. The package only came with install instructions and the Insight. The WeMo app for Android also has a set-up guide that walks you through the process. I did not have any issues. The hardest part is knowing how to view different WiFi networks on your phone. Id recommend the following for set-up: 1. Plug-in the WeMo (Insight) Switch so it can start the boot-up process (1-2 minutes) 2. Download the WeMo app & open it 3. On the upper right corner are three stacked dots. Touch them and choose Setup Instructions 4. Follow the pretty pictures. 5. Once the (Insight) Switch finishes booting, go to the WiFi networks on your phone & select the WiFi network that the device creates. WARNING ***This will disconnect your phone from your home network until the WiFi info is entered onto the device. Make sure its not doing anything else that needs the internet.*** 6. Choose to connect to the network that says WeMo, Insight, etc. 7. Exit out of the Setup Instructions or open the app. 8. Select your device and enter the information it asks for. It will prompt you for your WiFi password (not the router admin password) because the device connects directly to the router via WiFi. The app will store the WiFi settings unless you go into the settings and specifically choose not to Remember Wi-Fi Settings. I kept the settings after installing my WeMo Switch, and it made installing the Insight a lot quicker. 9. Once it has the Wi-Fi info, the device connects to your router (my phone also automatically connected to the router). 10. Installation is complete unless you want to change the name.

It works.. Finally. Replaced an unreliable mechanical timer for a fish tank light. Took two stars away, because: a) I had a problematic set up; b) You can only configure using a mobile device; c) Android software needs some additional development work: slow, UI didnt size well and not supported on all versions,. To set up: 1) You download a free, store application. 2) Device creates its own wireless network when you first plug in / reset it. 3) You then connect to that wireless network with your device and open that application, 4) In the application you provide configuration information about your current real wireless network. 5) Things then disconnect and the plug should reboot. 6) When your device connects again to your regular wireless network, the application displays your new device in a list view. In my case it would silently time out between the 5th & 6th step. Very frustrating. I spent an evening with many retries and no success. I was running an Android tablet w/ JellyBean. So on a hunch, I blew away my device and spent half a day re-flashing to Kit Kat and setting it up again. Once I did that, the software worked! So warning: if you plan to use an Android device - make sure its recent build. Also, while we are on that point, why the heck cant this be a built in web page, like many routers? I dislike being trapped into use a mobile device to configure. Nest Protect did the same thing. I hope this doesnt become a standard in the smart home of the future.

Despite having some issues during setup, ultimately I love this product and what it can do for me, so going to stick with the definition of 5 stars as I love it. This review is for the WeMo Insight Switch, although I also have the light switch as well (which I may review later). I got the light switch first, and while its far more complicated an installation (you have to disconnect a light switch and work with wires to install the light switch), it went without a hitch. The insight is far simply in terms of hardware. You just plug it into an outlet, and then whatever device you want to control you plug into the insight. The issue I had was that after I plugged the insight into the outlet, and went through the steps to connect it to my WiFi network, it just never was able to connect. I tried in different locations, and several times. I had already been through this steps with the light switch, and it worked, so I finally decided that the insight was bad, and sent it back to Amazon for a replacement (bravo to Amazons A+ service, as always). Unfortunately, with the replacement, I had the same exact problem. I was just about to send it back and give up on the insight, but decided to give Belkin support a chance first. I went to their website, chose the Chat option, and was immediately chatting with a support person. Im going to include the entire chat at the end of this review, but in summary, they had me reset the device and it worked just fine after that. It also had me upgrade the firmware, and although the app said the FW upgrade failed, the support person told me, basically, that its a bug in the app, and just restart the app and it should work with the new firmware. And it did. The reason I wanted the insight, and the reason why I decided not to give up on it, is because I have an attic fan that is plugged into a non-switched outlet. I like to turn the fan on to push out the attics hot air (really helps with keeping the house cool and lowering the AC electricity costs). However, its such a pain to go into the attic and plug/unplug the fan. The insight was the perfect answer to this problem. Not only can I remotely control the switch now, but I can even schedule the fan to run when were not home (its a loud fan). So the utility of this device coupled with the fact that it does work makes it a must-have device for us. I highly recommend it! If you already have a device in your app, you may need to do as we did, and reset the device before it works properly. Or maybe there was just a batch that went out that needs the reset. In any case, the reset is simple and effective. For those interested in the nitty gritty details of Belkin support, heres the exact chat log from my contact with support: Pavithra v: Thank you for choosing Belkin chat support, Is this your first time contacting Belkin or do you have a case number with you? You: First time Pavithra v: How may I help you today ? You: I bought a WeMo Insight awhile back, and it couldnt see my WiFi network, so I sent it back for a replacement. You: The replacement is having the same problem, no matter what I try, it cant connect to my WiFi network. You: I have the WeMo light switch and that connects no problem. You: Im getting ready to send this 2nd one back, and thought Id connect support to see if theres something that can be done to fix the issue. Pavithra v: Could you please give me few minutes, so that I can check with my resources and let you know? You: ok Pavithra v: Thanks for your time , I appreciate your patience Pavithra v: So If I got you right,you are unable to connect the wemo to the WiFi network? You: yes Pavithra v: Not to worry ,I understand your concern. Ill do my best to assist you with the issue. Pavithra v: Before we can proceed further,we need to create a case for you in the system.Please confirm if the following information are correct: <private info snipped> You: yes Pavithra v: Thanks for verifying the information. Pavithra v: May I have your Telephone number, so that I can call you back in case if the chat gets disconnected ? You: <private info snipped> Pavithra v: Thanks for the information. Pavithra v: In order to check the entitlement status,could you please help me with the model number of the product? You: i entered that at the start of chat, but i can look it up again Pavithra v: Thank you. You: f7c029v2 Pavithra v: Thanks for the information. Pavithra v: Let me confirm the serial number is <private info snipped>. You: yes Pavithra v: Thanks for verifying the information. Pavithra v: Could you please let me know the date of purchase of the Belkin device? You: 7/16/15 through Amazon.com Pavithra v: Thanks for the information.I would like to inform you about the products warranty status. You would be provided with lifetime of complimentary support and one year of hardware warranty. Pavithra v: We need to reset and reconfigure the device.I will give you the steps.Please follow it. You: ok Pavithra v: Unplug your WeMo.Hold down the Restore button (labeled on top).While holding the Restore button down, plug the WeMo into a power outlet and continue to hold the button down for at least 15 seconds.Release the Restore button. It should take about 45 seconds for the WeMo to restore and reboot. It will blink blue and amber or green and amber when finished. You: ok, blinking green & amber Pavithra v: On your mobile device, download and install the latest wemo App from the Apple® App StoreSM by searching for Belkin or WeMo. You: already have it Pavithra v: Once installed, tap Settings > Wi-Fi. Make sure that the Wi-Fi is enabled. You: done Pavithra v: Locate and connect to the WeMo Insight that you want to install. The WeMo device is not secured. Thus, it will not ask for a password when you try to connect to it upon installation. You: done Pavithra v: Launch the wemo App on your mobile device. Make sure that the WeMo device is plugged in to a power outlet. You: done Pavithra v: When prompted, enter your router’s wireless network password in the given field. Then, tap Join. You: looks like resetting the device fixed whatever issue it was having Pavithra v: Is that working now? You: i didnt have to enter the WiFi password since i already had a WeMo device You: it seems to work, its now asking me to update the firmware You: should i update? Pavithra v: Yes. Pavithra v: Please let me know once you have done. You: it says it could take up to 10 minutes, ill let you know when its done Pavithra v: Sure.I will stay online. You: done You: now it says that the WeMo insight is not detected Pavithra v: Please let me know the color of the light on the device. You: it was a solid green, but now its off, no light You: it just came back on You: and now the WeMo app says FW upgrade fail! You: and now its off again Pavithra v: Ok.Please force shut down the app and restart your phone and check. You: seems to be working now, i can turn it on and off from the app now Pavithra v: That is great! Pavithra v: I appreciate your patience. You: thanks for your help Pavithra v: You contacted regarding unable to connect the wemo device to your WiFi network.We reset and reconfigure the device.Now the device is working. Pavithra v: Welcome.Is there anything else that I could help you with Belkin today? You: thats all for now. thanks Pavithra v: Welcome.

Update (Feb 2014): turns out WeMo is totally insecure, anyone on the internet could control your devices because of multiple vulnerabilities in the software. See [...] (scroll down halfway). Im now giving it one star since its not acceptable to have such low security, and since Belkin hasnt reacted to the problems (apparently they were notified in October 2013 but havent reacted). Original review: I would love to love this product because it promises to do exactly what I need it for: easy Wifi control (and automated control) of anything you can plug into a standard outlet. And, sometimes, it does exactly that. Setup is reasonably easy. But there are too many glitches for it to be practical. The app starts way too slowly (taking 10-30 seconds to show you your devices so you can turn on/off one of them). Timed events sometimes simply dont work. Wifi reception is weak (in a spot where my phone showed 3 bars of Wifi, the Wemo never connected). Its not possible to control from multiple phones. Operations fail randomly half the time (on a perfectly fine Wifi network where no other device has connectivity problems). Bottom line: I kept it for one application (turn on/off central heating when on vacation) because I rarely need to use it for that, so that spending a minute to get a working on/off button on my phone is ok). I intended it to control some lights, but its just not usable for that. Too bad companies like Belkin dont spend more on writing and testing software.

The good: Works exactly as advertised. I have my printer plugged into it and can start the printer with my Amazon echo by saying Alexa turn on printer without getting up from my desk. I had hoped to use it with my coffee maker but it turns out that the coffee machine must have the button pressed after power is applied. Not the Wemos fault. The manual for my Mr. Coffee says this is a safety feature The bad: A couple of setup issues: I had a 63 character complex password on my home network but the Insight could not handle that. I had to shorten it to 39 characters to get it to work. I also use MAC filtering. The label on the Insight had the incorrect MAC address. After temporarily disabling MAC filtering, connecting to my wifi and discovering the correct MAC address I was able to update the MAC address list and everything works fine. I have to say that the folks at Belkin were very responsive and I was able to fix these issues quickly. Might be a bit much for a non-technical person though. On balance I like the Insight now that it is working and am considering a Wemo light switch for my den. Recommended for those with enough technical knowledge to work through any glitches or at least access to someone who can help.

I chose this product because it was able to utilize my current wi-fi network and did not require the purchase of an additional gateway box (and potentially a monthly subscription) in order to communicate with the automation devices. The product advertises that The Belkin WeMo Insight Switch allows you to put your home appliances and electronic devices on a schedule and keep an eye on their costs and usage--at home or away. This was compelling because I wondered how much power my refrigerator and chest freezer (both appliances that are responsible for being large consumers of power in the typical residential home) were using. Since I travel frequently, I thought it would also be interesting to be able to also see how much power is used when I dont open and close the door of the refrigerator for an entire week vs. when I am home. Unfortunately the product fails on all counts as follows: 1. The Insight switch does not maintain its on state when the power fails. Sure, it reconnects to the network once the power turns back on but the insight switch automatically goes back to the off state. This is not a great thing in Florida during the summer where daily thunderstorms will make the power glitch at least a few times a week. Now imagine not being home and having the WeMo Insight Switch attached to your refrigerator, there is a thunderstorm, the power glitches and the WeMo Insight Switch reconnects to the network in the off state. Yeah....you guessed it....you get to come home to a refrigerator/freezer full of spoiled food. That alone is a show stopper for anyone. 2. The app is fairly easy to use but the set-up process for the Insight Switch does not occur reliably. There are delays between what you do using the app and the amount of time it takes the physical device to receive the information necessary to become part of the network. I found it frustrating typing in a 50 character network password 4 times before the Insight Switch was finally joined to the network. Another issue is that the app did not keep track of power consumption over time even though it was suppose to do that. 3. I still did not want to give up so I thought the switch would be useful in place of a daily timer on a lamp in my living room. The lamp goes on in the evening until bed time and then goes back on in the morning since I get up early and shuts off after the sun rises. I always disliked having to adjust the timer for annual time changes as well as for sunset and sunrise so I thought the WeMo Insight Switch would save the day and do all that for me automatically. Well...thwarted again by the folks at Belkin...using the app to make this rule reveals that you can only have 1 on and 1 off per day -- really!!! Didnt anyone at Belkin go to their local Lowes or Home Depot and buy a mechanical lamp timer. If they had they would see that you can set multiple on/off cycles each day. This was the straw that broke the camels back. I ended up returning both of my WeMo Insight Switches wondering how Belkin could believe that this product is anything but a gadget for someone who likes to have geeky technology in their home to impress their friends at parties. This is not a consumer product meant to be used by the typical consumer. On the plus side, the idea is great. The amount of convenience that could be realized by the typical consumer is very compelling. I cant tell you how many times I have wondered if I have locked the front door, put the garage door down and turned off lights. The problem is the folks at Belkin must not have ever tried to use this product in their own home before they tried to sell it to us. I dont recommend using this product.

I bought this from Amazon Warehouse Deals - packaging damaged, otherwise like new. It arrived on time. I downloaded and installed the WeMo app on iPhone 6. Then I plugged the WeMo Insight Switch into 120VAC, and the WiFi light blinked green for 30 seconds, then blinked yellow. I never saw the device listed under the Settings:WiFi tab for iPhone 6 or iPad Mini Retina 2. The WeMo app never saw it either. Using Net Analyzer on the iPhone 6, it never appeared on my network. I tried entering the WeMo ID in Settings:WiFi to find the device manually, but that didnt work either. After waiting on hold for 27 minutes, a Belkin service tech answered and told me to reset the device by holding in the small button on top for 5 seconds with the device unplugged, then for another five seconds with the device newly plugged in. This caused the device ID to appear in the Settings:WiFi menu on the iPhone 6 (and iPad Mini Retina 2). After acquisition, I was able to get the WeMo app to recognize the device. It now works properly. Some caveats - If the device doesnt appear in your WiFi, use the reset button/procedure outlined above. Have your WiFi network password available - the WeMo app will need it to connect to the device. It will be easier to do your first network connection with the device plugged in near your router. There is NO WeMo app available for iPad. Youll need to control WeMo devices with your iPhone or Android phone. ********** UPDATE 4/24/2015 After a power outage, the insight and switches gave us a bonus - they now come on at midnight every night, in addition to following their previously programmed rules. Ill try the reset procedure again and see if it cures the problem.

I was really excited for this device to work as advertised because it sounds great on paper. In reality, the app functionality is buggy at best and at this moment it doesnt even work on iOS6 as stated in the specs. I bought this to control my pellet stove while we were away for Christmas. The first problem I had turned out to be a known bug with iOS6 that I was told is being worked on, but there is no date for an available fix. You can read about that issue on the WeMo forums linked here: http://community.wemothat.com/t5/Discuss-WEMO/wemo-app-1-10-1-crashes-on-iphone-5-ios-6-whenever-the-quot-more/td-p/5751 I was able to install the app on my girlfriends phone (running iOS7) and get to the more... tab in the app. Great, I thought! Next I updated the switch to the latest firmware available and set some rules to turn the switch on a few hours before we got home the following week. Everything seemed to be going wonderfully! I had almost decided to keep the device since I could actually program it with the later operating system. The time came when the rule was set to go off. I got a notification from hundreds of miles away, awesome! Well, I got 5 more of those notifications. The rule was to turn on the device once and only once. I dont know what was happening, but the usage stats were not making any sense. The heater was on when we got home, but as soon as we walked in I heard a click and the stove fans shut down. I had enough at this point and I removed the WeMo from the wall. I will be returning it because it simply is not ready yet. I really appreciate the aggressive customer support response but if there is no software support to back it up, then whats the point. I know from reading other reviews that Im not the first one to feel this way. Its a shame because it appears to be a beautifully elegant piece of hardware.