Sonoff S31 Smart Plug Review and Setup Guide
Sonoff S31
Pros
- Small profile
- Energy Monitoring
- Local Control
- UL Listed
Cons
- eWeLink app
- Asymmetrical Design
Sonoff S31 Smart Plug Review
The Sonoff S31 is a flexible smart plug that is perfect for the tinkerer. The basic set up is straight forward and easy to integrate with Alexa. The smart plug utilizes the eWeLink app, which is Sonoff’s downfall. The app is slow, clunky, and not the most user friendly. The app can be ditched after set up, however, and controlled via Alexa or Home Assistant. The device is compact, and does not block the other outlet when plugged in. The design is more asymmetrical, with a gray cap over the power button. The Sonoff S31 is one of the more affordable smart plugs, while still being a great quality device. It integrates with Alexa using your eWeLink login information. It can also integrate with Home Assistant through the eWeLink integration. The Sonoff S31 supports local control, with the eWeLink app and through Home Assistant. The Sonoff S31 is also UL listed.
Sonoff S31 Smart Plug Setup Guide
In order to set up this plug, you will need to download the eWeLink app from the App Store or Google Play.
- Open the eWeLink app and log in, or tap Create new account to open a new account.
- On the My Home page, you can tap Add or the + on the bottom of the page.
- Tap Quick Pairing. If you have issues with Quick Pairing you can scroll down to use Compatible mode.
- Before pairing, the app will ask if you have one device or multiple device, this example used one device.
- Enter your WiFi credentials.
- The eWeLink app will now discover your smart plug.
- After the device is found, the app will send information to the plug.
- When the device is discovered, you will be given an opportunity to change its name.
- After renaming, the plug will connect to the WiFi network
- When the smart plug connects, you will be able to control it form the My Home page.
Sonoff Alexa Integration
Alexa integration for the Sonoff S31 is simple. All you need to do is to connect the eWeLink Smart Home skill.
- From the Devices menu, click the + in the upper right side of the screen and tap Add Device.
- From the Setup page, choose the type of device you want to connect. In this case, a Plug.
- Tap eWeLink for the brand of device.
- The next page will give you a few instructions, telling you to first set up your smart plug. Since you have already done this, you can continue on to the next step.
- The link will take you to the eWeLink Smart Home Skill page. From here, click Enable to Use.
- You if you’re logged in to your eWeLink app already, you will go straight to the linking page. If you’re not logged in, you’ll be taken to the log in page first.
- After successful account linking, Alexa will search for devices to add.
- After the Sonoff S31 is connected successfully, you can choose to add it to a group, or skip.
- Now that it’s connected, you can control it and access its settings.
Change Device Type
After Alexa adds a device, you can change the device type between plug and light. This way if you connect a lamp to the smart plug, Alexa will treat it as a light.
In the device’s settings, change Type from plug to light.
Factory Reset the Sonoff S31 Smart Plug
- To reset WiFi and network configurations from the S31, hold down the button for 10-20 seconds.
- To reset all settings on the S31, hold down the button for 20-60 seconds.
Conclusion
The Sonoff S31 is a great smart plug for both, the more advanced user and the new smart home enthusiast. This device has the ability to grow with you as your build your smart home hobby. Since it is easy to connect to Alexa, it will provide some pretty instant gratification after right setting it up. If you decide to move on to more advanced systems, like Home Assistant, this device is easy to integrate using the eWeLink integration. For the even more advanced user, it is also an easy device to flash with alternative software like tasmota or EspHome. It also comes with the peace of mind of being UL Listed. To me, this device is currently the gold standard for smart plugs.
