USB WiFi Smart Adapter – But Why?

Given USB is everywhere, this gadget gives you the ability to control the on-and-off power of a USB-powered device. On paper, that sounds useful, especially as more accessories, lights, fans, and gadgets rely on USB for power instead of traditional wall adapters.

I think for most people, there is no real difference between a WiFi wall outlet and a WiFi USB adapter. The only meaningful distinction is when you want to control the power of a USB gadget that is being powered directly from your computer. In every other scenario, the power source is still a wall outlet, so a standard smart plug tends to be more flexible.

Can you plug in your Alexa via USB? No. Can you plug in your Google Home via USB? No. Can you plug in your lamps in the family room or living room via USB? No. Can you plug in your Bluetooth speaker to charge via USB? Yes, but who really cares about controlling the power to that? Can you plug in your phone via USB to charge it? Yes, but again, most people want it to charge to full capacity anyway. Oh wait, unless you are a super nerd, like these guys (read the comments section).

For the $6.50 that Sonoff is planning to charge, I’d personally put my money toward a more usable product, like the Smart Life WiFi outlets. They work with a wider range of household devices and don’t limit you to USB-only power scenarios.

That said, it’s worth stepping back and acknowledging where a WiFi-controlled USB socket could make sense. For developers, tinkerers, and lab environments, being able to remotely cycle power to a USB device can be genuinely useful. Think about rebooting a frozen USB camera, resetting a Raspberry Pi accessory, power-cycling a USB modem, or controlling LED strips or test hardware without physically touching the device. In those cases, a small, low-cost USB power switch controlled over WiFi can save time and frustration.

Okay, so we’re a bit negative on the USB WiFi outlet, and that’s not entirely fair. Any consumer should give a company credit for coming up with a new idea and bringing it to market. It’s not easy to design, manufacture, and sell a product people are willing to buy. While this may not be a must-have for the average home user, there are plenty of niche use cases where a WiFi-enabled USB socket to control on/off power actually makes sense.