If you’re looking for an affordable and reliable smart plug for your Zigbee setup, the Sonoff S32 Zigbee Smart Plug might be worth considering. This compact device offers easy integration with many smart home hubs and controllers, making it a practical choice for automating everyday appliances. In this review, we’ll explore its features, performance, and how well it functions within a smart home. Whether you’re just getting started with smart home automation or looking to expand your network, this post will help you decide if the Sonoff S32 is the right fit for your setup.
About the Sonoff S31 Lite Smart Plug
Product Features:
- Zigbee connectivity (requires a Zigbee hub)
- 5 amps / 120 volts
- slim profile so it doesn’t block another outlet
- works with Alexa, Google, SmartThings, Home Assistant
Sonoff S31 Lite Smart Plug Details
The Sonoff S31 Lite Smart Plug is a compact and affordable smart plug designed to integrate seamlessly with Zigbee-based smart home systems. Unlike Wi-Fi plugs, it connects via Zigbee, which allows for faster response times, better reliability, and lower power consumption. It works with Zigbee hubs such as the Sonoff Zigbee Bridge, the Phoscon Conbee II, and SmartThings, making it a great choice for those who prefer local control of their smart home devices. However, this does mean that you would need a Zigbee hub in order to connect this device to smart home assistants like Alexa, Google Home, and more.
The compact design of the S31 Lite Smart Plug means it does not block adjacent outlets, making it much more practical. They do act as Zigbee repeaters, so help to add stability and redundancy into your Zigbee mesh network. The plug’s scheduling feature allows you to set timers for your appliances, which can help in saving energy. The smart plug is designed to work with a variety of household devices, making it a versatile choice for those looking to add smart functionality to their home.
Our Review
I got the Sonoff S31 Lite Smart Plugs to help with my holiday decorations, where I needed a few more smart plugs to turn things on and off at scheduled times. Setting them up was a breeze, and getting them to work with Home Assistant was even easier. I can’t really comment on how they work with the Sonoff app or with Google Home or Alexa since I didn’t use those. But once I had everything set, the plugs just did their job without any fuss. The devices turned on and off as scheduled, and I didn’t have to think about them again.
These plugs do act as Zigbee network repeaters, so that was a nice benefit of them. Having more repeaters in your Zigbee network helps to make your network more stable. Instead of being dependent on a single router to relay signals, Zigbee is a mesh network with repeaters being able to relay signals for you. So if one repeater goes down, other repeaters in the network can keep the network running smoothly.
One thing I did notice is that these plugs don’t track power usage. I have some other Zigbee smart plugs that show how much power is being used, which is useful for things like knowing if my washing machine is still running. So, if tracking power usage is important, you might want something different. Other than that, these plugs worked perfectly for my needs.
What Others are Saying
As of publishing time, the Sonoff S32 Zigbee Smart Plug has a 4.4-star rating on Amazon with over 300 reviews, largely praised for its easy setup and reliable on/off functionality. Home Assistant users, in particular, find it simple to integrate, and its compact design allows for convenient use without blocking adjacent outlets. However, while it works well as a basic smart plug, several users report issues with its Zigbee repeater functionality. Many found that it does not effectively strengthen their Zigbee mesh network, with weak signal strength and poor routing for nearby battery-powered devices.
Another common complaint is the lack of energy monitoring, which some buyers assumed was included. Additionally, some users noted that the plug sends excessive duplicate Zigbee messages, which could clutter a busy network. The always-on LED indicator is another minor annoyance, as it cannot be disabled in certain integrations like Zigbee2MQTT. Despite these drawbacks, the Sonoff S32 is still a solid option for those needing an affordable Zigbee smart plug, but users looking for stronger repeater performance or energy monitoring may want to explore alternatives.
Pros and Cons of the Sonoff S31 Lite Smart Plug
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Acts as a Zigbee repeater | Doesn’t have energy monitoring |
| Simple to setup | Requires a Zigbee hub |
| Affordable | Always-on LED light |
| Local control of devices | Limited automation options in app |
| Compact design |
Summary
The Sonoff S32 Zigbee Smart Plug is an affordable and reliable option for basic on/off control. It’s easy to setup, budget friendly, and allows for local control of devices. Its compact design makes it convenient to use, but it has some drawbacks. It does not function well as a Zigbee repeater, lacks energy monitoring, and some users report excessive Zigbee message duplication. While it’s a good choice for simple automations, those needing stronger network performance or advanced features may want to consider other options.
