Cync Smart Outdoor Plug

I recently purchased the GE CYNC Outdoor Smart Plug, and while the setup process was a bit challenging, the end result was definitely worth the effort! This smart plug offers Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, making it a convenient and versatile addition to my outdoor devices. Setting up the GE CYNC Outdoor Smart Plug was a bit more involved than I had anticipated. The instructions were not as clear as I would have liked, and I encountered some difficulties in connecting the plug to my home network. However, with some patience and persistence, I was able to get it up and running after a few attempts. Once connected, the convenience of being able to control my outdoor devices remotely using my smartphone was impressive. One of the standout features of the GE CYNC Outdoor Smart Plug is its dual connectivity options. The Bluetooth functionality allows me to control the plug directly from my smartphone when I am in close proximity to it, making it perfect for quick on/off control without needing an internet connection. The Wi-Fi connectivity, on the other hand, provides me with remote control options from anywhere using my home network, which is extremely convenient when I am away from home or want to schedule specific on/off times for my outdoor devices. The versatility of the GE CYNC Outdoor Smart Plug is also noteworthy. It has two outlets, allowing me to connect and control multiple devices simultaneously. This has been particularly useful for my outdoor string lights and my garden fountain, as I can now easily turn them on and off at specific times or even control them with voice commands through my smart home system. Once set up, the performance of the GE CYNC Outdoor Smart Plug has been reliable. The connection has remained stable, and I have experienced no issues with dropped connections or malfunctioning. The plug has also held up well to outdoor conditions, as it is weather-resistant and designed to withstand the elements. In conclusion, despite the initial setup challenges, the GE CYNC Outdoor Smart Plug has proven to be a valuable addition to my outdoor devices. The combination of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, versatility, and reliable performance has made it a convenient and practical smart plug for controlling my outdoor devices. If you are willing to put in the effort during setup, the GE CYNC Outdoor Smart Plug is definitely worth considering for your outdoor smart home needs.

Updated review: The plug works perfectly with another wireless router. I worked with GE support and found it is something with the Netgear wireless router I have. So updated to 5 stars since it really works as advertised. Below is what I ran into with the Netgear Nighthawk RAX45 wireless router that I have. Worked find with a Comcast (Netgear) router, and Cisco. The Wifi keeps dropping off and once it loses connection, it will not reconnect unless you power the whole device down then back up. After that it will work for maybe a couple of hours before it loses connection again. It has the latest firmware as of this writing per the cync app. It worked well for three weeks, at that time I only had one device plugged into it. Recently I plugged a second device in and that is when the errors started happening I think. Not sure if it is 100% related but that was the only change.

GE Cync is the only smart outlet product I buy. They are easy to set up, scheduling is also very easy. I’ve never had WiFi connectivity issues and the plug itself is very well built.

So I can completely understand why so many people have issues with smart connect lights and plugs. Without a basic understanding of networking, you are not going to be able to troubleshoot any issues that might happen. First off, do not expect to connect to this device from your phone while you are away from your home. Or if you just have bad wifi. Which most people have bad wifi - aka the one router & modem device the internet company setup years ago. Yea that’s bad wifi range, even if you put some Nighthawk branded device next to it. This smart plug is best used when you creat schedules, in the Cync by GE mobile app, for the things plugged into either plug. Those schedule times can literally be set to the moving sunset or sunrise times each day. Which means you do not need to connect to the plug to turn lights on. You just need to be within Bluetooth range to configure the Cync plug correctly, once. For example, most of my Cync plugs are setup the same. In schedules, add start time for 30 or 45 min before sunset. And end time as midnight (bedtime), or 15 to 20 min after sunrise for ambient house and outdoor lights. For the majority of the world, these settings will work. Don’t be afraid to update the firmware for your Cync devices. And do not feel like you have to buy the Cync hub or bridge. Connect your smart devices locally and it will work better over time. Don’t forget to save your Cync app login in the passwords app or some keychain, so you can actually remember your login when, like me, you only use the app to check for firmware updates every year or two. After new devices are setup, I’m not in that app at all, unless it’s a schedule tweak.

I rarely if ever write a review. The GE (you get what you pay for) Outdoor Smart Plug delivered. The Cync app was easy to install and customize and linking it to our Alexa device was fast and easy. Bought this so I could turn on and off our Traeger and Outdoor Fountain. Works like a charm

Working great for front lawn lights. Good value. Took some fiddling with the app because it didn't know how to cross from evening to morning. Had to change to one schedule to turn them on and another to turn them off, but now work like clockwork.

I'll update if I figure out how to get the WiFi working again, but in the meantime I just bought the Kasa version for less money. The install was confusing, with firmware update super unreliable. In the end, it seemed like it started to work right around the time I gave up. Perhaps it is because I have a simple network. I'm installing a good mesh network soon, so I may be able to resurrect the thing. I can manually switch still, so it isn't completely useless, but I can't time having my outdoor lights coming on and off without the WiFi connection.

I ordered this product from Amazon because it could be delivered the very next day. Best Buy had the same item in stock, but their shipping would have taken several days longer. I needed it to test my patio lights, and it worked perfectly. I highly recommend this product, especially if you use the GE Cync app to control smart devices like light bulbs and outlets. It’s also great for outdoor use.