D-Link Outdoor Wi-Fi Smart Plug: D-Link brings a unique USB port to its pricey exterior plug

The question is whether it’s worth paying a lot more to get an outdoor USB charging port.

- CHRISTOPHER NULL

The new, beefy Outdoor Wi-Fi Smart Plug from D-Link (model DSP-W320) has a killer feature that seems to be unique in the smart home space: In addition to its pair of three-prong outlets, it features a 2.1-amp USB-A port, so you can charge your phone without needing to carry an adapter around.

But before you decide to buy the product based on that checkbox in its feature set list, let’s look in a bit more detail at this smart plug and how well it actually works.

First, you’ll notice that I mentioned this smart plug is beefy. At a weight of nearly 0.75 pounds, this is a monster of a switch. To be sure, that kind of heft connotes seriousness and ruggedness, and the unit feels like a veritable brick when it’s in your hand. That said, the device is rated as IP54: It’ll keep enough dust out to avoid failure, but it’s only resistant to getting sprayed with a garden hose, so do take care not to leave it lying on the ground when you’re using it outside. You can read all about IP codes in this story—fave. co/3BmKhkC.