templates VS Tasmota

Setting two on/off cycles with 50 discrete schedules seems like a very inefficient way of doing this when the same thing could be accomplished with two rules. Any compatible device flashed with Tasmota or similar FOSS firmware would make this possible.

Have a look at https://templates.blakadder.com

Another WiFi based option is any compatible smart relay or switch flashed with Tasmota. In Tasmota, SwitchMode 15 decouples the switch state from the relay and sends status changes via MQTT to HA.

2) If you want to switch on/off the light switch in your room, your best bet is to replace your regular light switch with a WiFi light switch. (Yes, you must have some electrical knowledge to do this. But trust me, this is best, most reliable way.) See https://templates.blakadder.com/ for some good devices. Many of them can be re-flashed, so instead of using "their app", the light switch can be a web server that you can talk to from any computer on your network (including your laptop, your phone, etc).

If you're familiar programming ESP boards take a look at this repository of compatible devices.

Wifi switch, I suggest one that runs tasmota. Blakadder website seems to help.

I cannot find the correct model for this plug. On the back it says "WiFi Smart Plug / TWSP017" but I cannot find any reference to this online. I looked at the (long) list of pictures of plugs and sockets at the templates.blakadder.com site, but without finding anything that looks quite like it. There is one power socket, one LED (that never seems to be lit) and one button on the left side. It is a square shape with rounded corners; too generic a description to be useful I'm afraid.

You mention incompatibilities. I am not 100% what you mean but here's a link of Zigbee2Mqtt supported devices and Heres a list of tasmota supported devices . i'd reference these before buying anything.

All of my office devices are connected to Sonoff S31 smart plugs, flashed with Tasmota on their own locked-down VLAN, and can be controlled via voice, Alexa, Tasker automation on my Android, NFC tags at my office door and various scripts triggered via my StreamDeck (on Linux). This all works fantastic, and I can turn on or off my devices, including my printer, when I start or end my day at work.

The best alternative firmware example for true IOT devices is Tasmota [1]. Erase manufacturer firmware for every ESP devices the day after purchase to avoid those careless manufacturer firmwares.

[1] https://tasmota.github.io/docs/

The ESP8266 based Sonoff S31 and ESP32 based Switchbot plugs, both flashed with either Tasmota or ESPHome, are my go-to options for US WiFi smart plugs with power monitoring.

And if you want to turn your ESP8266 into a standalone appliance, with a web interface and directly editable config that doesn't need a build step, Tasmota is another great option.

https://tasmota.github.io/docs/