As soon as we arrived at the editorial office, we have recently discarded Xiaomi Mijia Smart Socket Set , the home security kit that costs little and immediately seemed to us very functional and versatile. It has cons, deriving from the fact that the system is designed for the Chinese market, but it also has a lot to say in our country. Below is a quick unboxing with our first impressions.
The package is quite complete and includes the main hub, necessary for the functioning of the sensors, and which certainly represents the fulcrum of the entire system, also for the different functions it performs. At its side in the package there is a multifunction button, a motion sensor and a sensor for doors and windows. Last but not least, the smart socket.
We start from the cons, that we do not hide being there. The sockets of the hub and the smart socket are obviously Chinese, which is why the user will have to equip himself with an adapter not included in the package. It is certainly not a problem for the hub, where an adapter is enough to solve the problem, but for the smart socket it becomes a bit more complicated.
And in fact, not only will you need an adapter to connect the socket to the wall, but you will need a second adapter to connect any device to the socket. The result is aesthetically one of the worst. If you use the smart socket in sight, then the system is not optimal, while you can turn a blind eye if you manage to hide the socket in an out of sight corner of the house.
Furthermore, for correct operation with the Mi Home app, it is necessary to set the app server in “China”, otherwise it will not even be possible to perform the initial setup. It should be noted, however, that the app remains in Italian, therefore perfectly usable.
The hub is the hub of the system. Not only because it is necessary for the operation of all the connectable sensors, but also because it works as an alarm / siren, speaker, online radio, and RGB night light. Unfortunately, the radio only allows you to listen to Chinese-language stations.
After pairing the hub, all peripherals in the box will start working automatically. The sensor for doors and windows will signal the opening and closing of a door, while the second sensor in the package will signal when the movement of a person or an animal is recorded.
The multifunction button will instead be used to activate quick functions without necessarily having to open the app: for example, you can activate or deactivate the alarm with a double click.
What amazes us most about the set are the numerous automation possibilities between the different devices present. You can then choose to turn on the hub light if the sensors detect movement, or if a door opens or closes.
Furthermore, it will be possible to intervene on the automatic behavior of the socket, using many other IFTTT-style automations: when an event occurs, it is possible to choose the activation of a certain function.
In an upcoming full review we will be able to tell you more about how the device works. At a first and quick use we find that the system is optimized for the Chinese market, but that it has the right potential, and the versatility to be able to deserve a place as owner in our homes.
The kit costs 81.79 euros, but the advice is to expand it immediately with the purchase of additional sensors.
The movement one costs just over 13 euros, while the one for doors and windows can be purchased online for just over 9 euros.
