I want to be able to turn a heater on remotely - do I need an alexa or just a plug

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Radiator is in the garden office. I want to be able to turn it on to warm the office up while I'm still in bed (but not every day so a normal timer is no use)

I don't have an alexa. I have an iphone and an ipad.

If I get a smart plug do I need an alexa as well or can I just talk to it via my iphone?

I have a smart plug on my aquarium, I can turn it on and off or set timers through an app on my android phone, I don't speak to it at any point, the app button does it all, although I think I can if I wanted to.

Thank you, I didn't realise there was an app as well. Have found the alexa app now so no actual device needed apart from the plug.

Just a smart plug. It can be a generic brand, it doesn’t have to be Alexa branded. We have ‘smart life’ plugs, about half the price and do everything the Alexa branded ones do. Can put them on a timer (so can set lamps and things when you’re away) can switch on and off remotely etc.

I have TP-Link smart plugs. Kasa is more expensive than Tapo but worth it as you can talk to them from anywhere. Tapo only works if your phone/app/tablet are on the same WiFi. Worth waiting for Amazon to have an offer on though!

The Kasa app interfaces with Alexa but is fine to use by itself if you don't use voice. I do things like scheduling Off times so I don't leave things on accidentally, though I have to turn the plugs on manually.

The plugs work fine with heaters - I've set my elderly DF up with one so he can ask Alexa to turn a 2kW fan heater on if he gets cold.

Just ordered a tapo one. Only £8.

I can make my phone connect to the same wifi the plug will be on so hopefully will work

Assuming you have wifi just plug is fine! We have some plugs that are linked to Alexa for side lamps and such, but some that aren’t and we just program directly on their own app - like pet heaters/lights - I don’t want Alexa accidentally switching my lizard’s UV off if she gets confused!

You'll need to download the tapo app to control it rather than the Alexa one