Forget about tracking the money you're wasting on standby -- it's now a struggle to keep track of the gadgets helping you switch off standby. The latest entrant is the Energenie, which I missed when it launched a few weeks back, but it's worth flagging up because it's really cheap at £13.
It's also very basic. For the price of a cinema ticket and popcorn, you get an adapter that you put between the mains socket and, say, your TV. The adapter automatically detects when you've put the TV on standby and, shortly after, powers it off completely. Nearly. Like all the standby-killing gadgets, it uses a tiny bit of power: 0.4 watts in this case.
I like the price and the fact it requires zero effort on my part. I don't like the fact you have to get up and turn it back on by pressing its green button. By comparison, the rival One For All's Energy Saver remote control are both capable of powering up devices from your sofa.
As is the case with all these standby-bashing gadgets, I'll repeat the obvious: the best money-saving and green option is to just flick the off switch with your finger. But if your socket's in an awkward place or you just want convenience, this is worth a look.
For the full lowdown on the different gadgets and ways you can banish standby, read our here for £13 plus postage.
An example setup with a hi-fi (left), Energenie (middle) and mains socket (top)
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