If you need to add one or more sockets or controlled power supplies to your Sonoff 4-channel radio frequency Wi-Fi control system that we have shown you in this review, you can take advantage of control with the same application and the availability of a common control possibility.
In addition, the system that we show you in these quick impressions of use is equipped with a very interesting extra option like the 4-channel system has the possibility of being controlled by radio frequency with a special remote control with a very low cost that has on board. 4 buttons each of which can be associated with different switches.
It can be convenient to manage a series of LED strips placed for example in the garden and with the switches connected inside, in a junction box. Given the good load that the Switch can bear, you can also use energy-hungry appliances but we tend not to reach the indicated 2200 W rating.
For our test we installed the switch upstream of a power supply for LED strips that lights up a porch in a country house of friends which, apart from the wi-fi router, does not have a real home automation system. In practice, the power supply is placed in a junction box and a hole has been created in the wall from which the connection cable of the 10-meter strip comes out (suitable for positioning outside – under the porch).
Not being sure to always have an efficient Wi-Fi connection and not being able to make tracks to insert a switch inside nor on the wall facing the house, it was necessary to have a “virtual” switch (with remote control from smartphone) and a less virtual one with remote control by radio-frequency remote control.
Surely this one from Sonoff is certainly one of the cheapest type solutions on the market and it is also easy to install: even if the size of the switch is not as small as its Z-wave colleagues, the possibility of inserting it in an uncrowded junction box or in series with the two neutral and phase cables for other devices that do not require grounding has its advantages.
The assembly is obviously very simple: we connect phase and neutral on one side and on the other, perhaps using a plug on the input side and a socket on the output side (choose it from 10 Ampere so as not to be mistaken about the real capacity of the switch) and then in series the our device to be powered such as the long LED strip through its power supply or perhaps a small water pump to complete our irrigation system shown in the 4-channel model.
The procedure for activating the Wi-Fi connection is the same as we have seen for the 4-channel model. we download the ew-link application on iOS or Android and by pressing the only key present we synchronize it with our router (always with Wi-Fi at 2.4 GHZ) and then we display our remote switch this time with a mega button on the screen that it will allow you to switch it on and off on the fly or, with the appropriate menu, program different timers with recurrence daily or day by day. In addition to this, we can also decide a timeout time useful for turning off a light or a device after a few minutes.
What distinguishes the system from other controlled sockets or switches is certainly the presence of the radio frequency receiver for “light” automation and controls: there is no need for a router or other: if the switch is powered and you have the Radio Frequency remote control available you see below, just synchronize the switch and the remote control to manage it independently from the App and from a decent distance.
Pair the radio frequency remote control 
The possibility of controlling the Sonoff via Wi-Fi or with a timer is combined with the availability of a remote control at very low costs that you can use as a gate opener or as in this case to manually manage the activation of one or more Sonoffs
In any case, we recommend that you purchase the remote control sold in combination as some “compatible” remote controls have had problems in the past.
The remote control works at a distance of about 10-12 meters from the receiver but this obviously depends on the shielding of the junction box and the wall in which it is inserted. In our case it was an external wall of about 35 cm in mixed brick-insulating-perforated with the box inserted inside and the remote control used from the outside.
For example, with a single RF remote control it is possible to manage four series of different LED strips to manage a different lighting level or configuration.
The other option is obviously that of home automation control, as for the older brother with 4 channels, any device compatible with ewLink can be inserted into a system manageable with Alexa or Google Assistant or it can be managed via the Web from IFTTT.
Conclusions
It is a very economical system for creating small home automation installations in a very short time. The ability to manage the devices connected in radio frequency at 433MHz RF makes it versatile and above all even in situations where smartphone control is not primary and at the same time leaves the door open to subsequent more complex additions.
Retail price
Smart Switch Sonoff RF is about 7 Euro on Ebay while the remote control in RF costs less than 6 Euro . The offer is valid while stocks last; for more information on shipping costs and times, any charges and order management, you can consult the seller's website.
