Cync Smart Outdoor Plug

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.

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.

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

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.

Works very good. This is our second one.

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.

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.

**Disappointing Experience — Poor Quality, Inconsistent Performance, Not Worth the Money** I normally try to give products the benefit of the doubt and avoid leaving negative reviews unless I’ve spent enough time using the item to fairly evaluate it. Unfortunately, after extended use, I can honestly say this has been one of the more disappointing purchases I’ve made in quite a while. I waited before writing this review because I wanted to make sure my opinion was based on actual long-term experience rather than frustration from a single issue or bad first impression. Sadly, the problems became more noticeable over time instead of improving. From the beginning, the product failed to meet the expectations created by the listing and reviews. While the online description and photos made the item appear high-quality and reliable, the actual product felt much cheaper and less refined in person. The materials did not feel durable, several aspects appeared poorly manufactured, and the overall experience gave the impression of something rushed through production with limited quality control. The packaging itself looked acceptable initially, but once I began using the product it became obvious that appearance was prioritized over actual functionality and reliability. After regular use, multiple issues started appearing that made the product increasingly frustrating to deal with. Instead of making things easier or more convenient, it often created additional annoyance and wasted time. One of the biggest problems was inconsistent performance. Sometimes the product would function as expected, while other times it simply failed to perform reliably. That inconsistency made it difficult to trust and eliminated confidence in the product altogether. Reliability is one of the most important things I look for when purchasing any item, and unfortunately this product did not deliver in that area. Ease of use was also not nearly as straightforward as expected. Certain features or functions felt poorly designed, unintuitive, or unnecessarily complicated. I spent far more time troubleshooting and adjusting things than I should have for a product in this category. Instructions and setup guidance were not especially helpful either, which only added to the frustration. Another issue was overall durability. After limited normal use, signs of wear and reduced performance started appearing much sooner than expected. Products at this price point should feel solid and dependable for longer than this. Instead, the item quickly began feeling like something inexpensive and disposable rather than something built to last. I also question whether the product fully matches the claims made in the listing. Some advertised features either did not work as well as described or failed to deliver the expected level of performance. That disconnect between marketing and real-world use was extremely disappointing and made the purchase feel misleading. What frustrated me most was the feeling that corners were cut in areas that matter to actual customers. Small quality issues by themselves may not seem major, but when multiple problems appear together, the overall ownership experience becomes irritating very quickly. Over time, those frustrations outweighed any positive aspects the product may have initially had. Pros: * Arrived on time * Packaging looked decent initially * Some features worked acceptably at first Cons: * Poor overall build quality * Inconsistent and unreliable performance * Did not fully match expectations from the listing * Feels cheaply manufactured * Questionable long-term durability * Frustrating user experience * Not worth the asking price * Performance declined with continued use * Quality control appears weak * Disappointing overall ownership experience Final Verdict: I really wanted to like this product, especially given the positive claims and expectations created by the listing, but unfortunately my experience was overwhelmingly negative. For the price, I expected significantly better quality, reliability, and attention to detail. Instead, the product felt unfinished, inconsistent, and far below what I would consider acceptable for long-term use. Based on my personal experience, I would not purchase this item again and would likely look at competing alternatives instead. There are simply too many other options available to justify settling for a product that creates this much frustration. I rarely leave 1-star reviews, but in this case I genuinely do not feel satisfied with the purchase and cannot confidently recommend it to others.

I had previously purchased string lights for my backyard patio, but it was always such a hassle turning them on and off; especially at night. The smart outdoor plug allows you to turn it on and off with your phone - or paired through voice. Also, it doesn't require a hub, so it's super easy to install.

Imposible enlazar con iPhone en México porque en la tienda no existe la app, tuve que usar un Android para descargar la app y configurar, pero ya una vez sincronizado con Alexa funciona muy bien, los uso para las luces de la terraza al aire libre y hasta el momento no he tenido problema con algún corto

Nos gusto mucho!! Fácil de manejar, poner horarios y vincular con Alexa. Mi ÚNICA recomendación es que si lo van a comprar en México asegúrense de tener algún dispositivo Android para poder vincularlo (ya que la App de Cync no está disponible en Mexico en la Apple Store).

Good quality

En México solo lo puedes usar con Android, no hay aplicación para iOS, lo tuve que regresar. La calidad es excelente.