The relentless price increase in consumer technology is exhausting. Seeing items actually go down in price is becoming a rare occurrence. The Amazon Basics Matter smart plug is a notable exception, delivering Apple Home support for under $10.
Matter Support Without the App Hassle
The key feature of this plug is its native Matter support. For Apple Home users, this means you can completely ignore the fact that previous Amazon-branded gear was locked to Alexa. Matter establishes a universal format, allowing this plug to pair directly with Apple just as easily as it does with Google Home. You do not need to download a separate Amazon app to get it running. As long as you have a Matter-compatible Apple home hub, like a HomePod mini or an Apple TV 4K, the plug communicates directly with your ecosystem over Wi-Fi [[10]].
Versatility in a Compact Design
Smart plugs are arguably the most versatile building blocks of any smart home setup. While smart bulbs are great for overhead fixtures, outlet adapters bring automation to appliances that cannot be easily retrofitted. They are essential for automating holiday decorations, triggering heaters or dehumidifiers based on localized sensors, or programming a coffee maker to start brewing the moment your alarm goes off. Amazon designed this plug with a highly compact form factor that fits perfectly into a single socket, leaving the other outlet completely clear [[10]].
The Wi-Fi Trade-off
There is a trade-off to be aware of. This is a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi-only device rather than a Thread-enabled plug. Wi-Fi plugs can occasionally introduce a bit of latency compared to the near-instant response of a Thread device, and they add another client to your router’s legacy list. However, at a price point under $10, complaining about the lack of Thread is short-sighted. It is a solid, reliable device that simply does what you ask.