Meross MSP843 Smart Extension Lead, 65W GaN Charger, Apple Home, Alexa

I have three of these. They work very well with Apple HomeKit. The Meross App is a backup option too. Plugs and USB ports can be switched individually (all 3 USBs come on and off together, but separate to each plug socket). Reliable ... but sometimes loses connection when there is a power failure, and has to be repaired for the flashing green light to stop. However, this does not affect connectivity via WiFi using the Apple Home App. One of the three developed a failure in the USB ports - quick replacement provided by Meross via their customer support online.

I’ve found this really useful. So much I’ve brought a couple. For setting up, can be a little tricky, but once configured it works well. The USB ports work great, especially at charging larger devices. This is a well built device and not bad value for money. The scheduling of timing which sockets to come on and HomeKit integration has been really helpful.

The USB and USA ports have stopped working and I’m trying to get in touch with Meross as it’s been like this for about six months so it stopped working about a month after reported, which I’m hugely disappointed about. Otherwise overall it’s a good smart extension lead but it’s highlighted was how fast the outlets were, which of course are faulty. Anyway, I’ll try again and email them and hopefully have more joy.

I like some thing about Meross products, the app is great for configuring things, it works well with Alexa, and with Google Home. You can do some pretty neat routines with the app too. This Mains Distrobution strip is great, the USB C port is good enough to charge my laptop. Marked down because: The USB is an all or nothing affair, you cannot control power to individual ports. I have a few of these, and it is replacing one that stopped working after about 2 years.

I have a number of Meross products and can't fault them. They work and are not expensive. This power strip is excellent, particularly with the USB C charging ports. The one niggle is pairing the products in the app. Some I have found work first time, pairing immediately. Others several tries are needed. With this, the power strip, I had ensured only 2.4 GHz was running on my network. First attempt the app saw it as did HomeKit but then nothing else, it saw it and that was it. I tried several times, factory resets as well, before eventually getting it seen and in the app and functioning in HomeKit. I found that leaving mains power off for a time, ensuring the network was 2.4GHz only, switching on and holding the on button down for a reset, eventually got it to be seen by the app. You have to input the model number in the app for it to be found. It never found it of its own volition. Don't rush the pairing process, it takes some minutes, just let it happen and it will do its thing. Once installed it an excellent piece of kit to have.

This works great, you can only turn on/off all sockets and USB together using the power switch on the sockets, but with the App you can switch individual sockets. If you get a power cut that takes out your wifi and the sockets it does not reconnect to wifi, you need to power cycle the sockets again to get the connection back.

Having the extra power and the USB C port was a great change to the previous model, however. Unlike the last version with all USB A ports, this one cuts out power to either USB port if you add or remove a new device. So it makes using this for things like smart hubs, camera and other products that need constant power unusable if you're using the other ports to charge devices.

This is an initial review, limited to setup. First impressions very good. Remember you need to set up on your 2.4Ghz network. Two failed setup attempts on my part before I realised I was trying to do it in one of the worst coverage parts of the house. Moved rooms and tried again, picked up immediately and very fast setup. Tried a lamp in it. On/off via the app all fine, no lag, with an audible on/off. All 4 sockets are individually controllable. Like others have commented, I’d like the USB to also be individual not a group. As someone else commented, I’d rather not have yet another app. But in fact you can connect via HomeKit and miss out the Meross app but then you don’t get firmware updates. (My device arrived up to date) I’ll update here once I’ve had more use with it.