The first time I used a smart plug it changed the game. Before that purchase, I’d had the same issue every year. The power socket for the Christmas tree lights was behind the tree, meaning the only way I could turn it on or off was to crawl underneath the low-hanging branches and try to poke the switch with a stick.
You can imagine how much easier life became once I’d plugged those lights into a smart plug that I could control with my phone. Now every winter, all I have to do is say ‘Alexa, it’s Christmas‘ and the lights will come on. Not only that, but my Christmas playlist will start playing too.
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You’ve heard of a smart plug. Well, smart power strips are that, but on steroids.
A smart plug is a great way to turn your dumb devices into smart ones, too. Wish you had a smart kettle? As long as it has a power switch that will stay depressed, add a smart plug, and you can turn your kettle on from your bed, or even the other side of the world (though I wouldn’t recommend doing that). Don’t want to walk all the way upstairs to turn on your heated blanket? Add a smart plug, and you can do it from the comfort of your sofa so that your bed is perfectly toasty when you finally climb in.
Smart plugs not only allow you to remotely control the power so that you can turn a device on or off with just a tap of your smartphone, but you can also create schedules, so that your espresso machine will power on at the same time each morning, and you can wake up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee, or you can turn lamps on and off when you aren’t home to fool the local burglars.
Many smart plugs will even monitor your power consumption so you can see just how much it’s costing you to leave your TV on standby all the time. If you want to get your hands on one of the most versatile smart gadgets out there, then you have a wide range of options. We’ve done the hard work for you and narrowed your list down to what we think are some of the best smart plugs out there right now.
Best smart plugs: Our top picks
Kasa Smart Plug Mini with Energy Monitoring
1. Best smart plug overall
A great smart plug for any use
The TP-Link Kasa Smart Plug Mini is compatible with Alexa, Google Home, and IFTTT, and can be controlled via app on Android or iOS. It also offers energy monitoring to track your usage.
- Energy monitoring
- Compatible with Alexa, Google Home, and IFTTT
- Won’t obscure other sockets
The TP-Link Kasa Smart Plug Mini with Energy Monitoring is compatible with popular smart home systems such as Alexa, Google Home, as well as automation services such as IFTTT. Although it’s not Apple HomeKit compatible, if you’re an iPhone user, you can still control your smart plugs through the Kasa app.
The smart plug also includes energy monitoring. This allows you to track how much energy the device that you’ve plugged into your smart plug is using. It’s useful to determine which devices are using the most power; you can then use the smart plug to set up a schedule for these devices to ensure that they’re only on when you need them. There is a more expensive TP-Link Kasa smart plug that offers Apple HomeKit integration also, if needed.
Wemo Smart Plug with Thread
2. Best smart plug for Apple users
Ideal for Apple HomeKit integration
$24 $30 Save $6
If you’re all-in on the Apple ecosystem, then the Wemo Smart Plug with Thread will work seamlessly with HomeKit, thanks to its Thread compatibility. You’ll need an Apple Home hub set up to use it.
- Thread compatible
- Simple NFC setup
- Bluetooth support
- Requires HomePod or Apple TV 4K for HomeKit
If you’re an Apple HomeKit user, then the Wemo Smart Plug with Thread is a great option. Thread is a smart home communication protocol that is designed to allow different smart devices to communicate with each other. This allows the Wemo smart plug to be controlled using the Home app on your iPhone, or even by Siri voice commands. You’ll need an Apple TV 4K or an Apple HomePod to act as a Thread border router.
Setting up your Wemo smart plug is also incredibly easy. All you need to do is tap your unlocked iPhone on the smart plug, and thanks to the magic of NFC, the setup process will start. Follow the on-screen instructions and your smart plug will be connected to HomeKit quickly and easily. You can also control the smart plug over Bluetooth if you don’t have any devices that support Thread.
Amazon Smart Plug
3. Best smart plug for Alexa
Perfect integration with Alexa
Amazon’s own smart plug is perfect for controlling your smart plug with your voice via Alexa. You can also set up routines and schedules through the Alexa app.
- Easy Alexa integration
- Create routines and schedules
- No additional smart hub required
If you have Amazon Echo devices and are looking for a smart plug that you can easily control with your voice, then you can’t go far wrong with the Amazon Smart Plug. It’s quick and easy to set up through the Alexa app but is designed to work exclusively with Alexa. This means that whilst it will work seamlessly with your Echo devices, you won’t be able to control the plug with Google Assistant or Apple HomeKit.
As well as being able to control your plug with your voice via Alexa, you can also set up routines and schedules in the Alexa app. So, for example, you could set up a routine to turn on your Christmas tree lights and play Christmas music on your Echo with just a single voice command.
TP-Link Tapo Smart Plug
4. Best smart plug for versatility
A versatile Matter-compatible smart plug
$12 $15 Save $3
The TP-Link Tapo Smart Plug Mini uses the Matter protocols meaning that it is compatible with a wide range of services including Google Home, Alexa, and Apple HomeKit.
- Matter compatible
- Works with most smart popular home systems
- Offers local control
For some reason, TP-Link offers smart home devices under a variety of sub-brands. This means that you can find TP-Link Kasa smart plugs, and also TP-Link Tapo smart plugs, all from the same parent company. This smart plug supports Matter, which is a communication protocol that runs on Thread, and means that the smart plug is compatible with Apple HomeKit, Google Home, Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, and more.
Another benefit of Matter is that the smart plug can communicate without needing to be connected to the internet, so even if your Wi-Fi goes down, you can still control your smart plug. Local control also reduces the risk of bad actors gaining access to your smart plug.
Wyze Plug
5. Best value smart plug
A great value smart plug for most needs
A low-cost smart plug that works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT, or can be controlled via a smartphone app.
- Excellent value
- Compatible with Alexa, Google Home, and IFTTT
If you’re looking for a low-cost Wi-Fi smart plug, then the Wyze plug may be just what you need. It’s compatible with Alexa, Google Home, and IFTTT and whilst there’s no HomeKit support, the smart plug can be controlled via the Wyze app from any smartphone.
You can set custom schedules through the app and group multiple plugs together so that you can control them all with a single tap. It’s also possible to control your smart plug remotely, even when you’re not at home. If you want to give smart plugs a try, at this price you can’t go far wrong.Philips Hue lights
Philips Hue Smart Plug
6. Best smart plug for lighting
Ideal for turning lamps into smart lights
If you already have some Philips Hue lights, this smart plug allows you to add any lamp with a plug to your set up and control it through the Hue app.
- Controllable via Philips Hue app
- Acts as a Zigbee repeater
- Works with most voice assistants via Hue hub
- Requires Hue hub for full features
Even if you own a handful of smart bulbs, you may quickly become frustrated with having to still control some of your lights manually. Adding a smart plug to your lamps allows you to power them on and off remotely, but a Philips Hue smart plug takes things one step further.
That’s because a Philips Hue smart plug allows you to control your smart plug via the Philips Hue bridge and power it on and off as if it were any other Philips Hue light in your home. It means that you can control all of your lights from one app, even those lamps that don’t fit the range of Philips Hue bulbs. What’s more, since the smart plug uses the Zigbee communication protocol, it will act as a repeater, passing on control signals to other Philips Hue devices in your home where the signal might otherwise be weaker.
Shelly Plus Plug
7. Best smart plug for local control
A great smart plug for local control
If you don’t like the idea of using cloud-based accounts to control your smart plugs, the Shelly Plus Plug allows you to take complete local control of your plugs, even if you’re not connected to the internet.
- Offers local control
- Compatible with Alexa and Google Home
- Offers power monitoring
- Not the easiest to set up
One issue with many of the smart plugs on this list is that they require the use of cloud-based accounts. Your commands from your app are sent over the internet to the cloud, where they are processed, and the relevant commands are sent back to the smart plug. This means that there is a risk that your account could be compromised, and other people could take control of your smart plugs. Whilst unlikely, the consequences could be serious.
The Shelly Plus plug removes this risk by offering the ability to control the plug completely locally, without needing to use any cloud-based accounts. Even if you’re not connected to the internet, you can still control your smart plug without issue, and no one can hijack your smart plug from outside your network. It also makes the Shelly Plus a good choice for local home automation when combined with software such as Home Assistant. The smart plug can still be used with a cloud account if you wish, however, and is compatible with Google Home and Alexa.
Kasa Outdoor Smart Dimmer Plug KP405
8. Best smart plug for outdoor use
A weatherproof smart plug for outdoor use.
If you want to control lights or other devices outdoors, most smart plugs aren’t safe to use. This one is, however, thanks to its IP64 dust and moisture resistance. Use Alexa or Google Assistant to control your outdoor power with your voice.
- Weatherproof
- 300ft range
- Works with Alexa and Google Assistant
- 2.4GHz only
- Dimmer won’t work with all lights
Smart home gadgets don’t just have to be confined to the inside of your home. There are plenty of smart gadgets that work outside your home, too, such as outdoor lighting or smart lawnmowers. Even if your outdoor gear isn’t smart, however, you can make it smarter by the addition of an outdoor smart plug. These are smart plugs that are weatherproof, so it’s safe to use them outside to power your devices on and off remotely or on a schedule.
The Kasa Outdoor Dimmer not only lets you power on devices such as outdoor lights, but if you have compatible dimmable bulbs, you can also control their brightness too. Using routines, you can have your outdoor lights come on at sunset, and then slowly dim over the course of the evening. Using Alexa or Google Assistant, you can control your outdoor power with your voice, too.
The bottom line: What is the best smart plug?
If you’re looking for a smart plug that can do pretty much everything you want, then the TP-Link Kasa Smart Plug Mini is our top choice. It’s compatible with Google Home, Alexa, and IFTTT, and although it’s not directly HomeKit compatible, you can control it via the Kasa app from your iPhone or iPad. On top of that, it offers energy monitoring to help you keep track of your power usage. If you’re looking for a low-cost smart plug without any bells or whistles, then the Wyze smart plug will do a good job.
Kasa Smart Plug Mini with Energy Monitoring
Editor’s Choice
A great smart plug for any use
$9 $18 Save $9
The TP-Link Kasa Smart Plug Mini is compatible with Alexa, Google Home, and IFTTT, and can be controlled via app on Android or iOS. It also offers energy monitoring to track your usage.
How I chose the best smart plugs
When selecting this list, I tried to ensure a good mix of smart plugs that were compatible with various popular smart home systems, such as Apple HomeKit, Alexa, and Google Home. I also aimed to choose plugs that would work with gear that people may already have, such as Echo devices, or Apple HomePods.
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Finally, I wanted to ensure that I included a range of communication protocols such as Zigbee, Wi-Fi, and Matter.
How to pick the best smart plug
If you’re looking for a smart plug, there are a few things you’ll need to bear in mind to ensure that the plug is compatible with your home:
How can I control my smart plug?
Most smart plugs offer their own dedicated apps that you can use to turn your smart plug on or off, set up schedules for when to turn on or off, or even monitor how much energy the device connected to the smart plug is using. Some plugs, such as the Wemo smart plug in this list, will only work with a specific smart home app, such as Apple Home.
Most smart plugs will also offer the ability to control the power using a voice assistant such as Alexa or Siri.
Does my smart plug work with my voice assistant?
Different smart plugs are compatible with different voice assistants. Whilst some smart plugs will work with all the major voice assistants, many will not be compatible with them all. You should look for a smart plug that explicitly states that it is compatible with the voice assistant that you use, such as Alexa, Google Home, or Siri. Many plugs will work with Alexa or Google Assistant, but not all plugs are compatible with HomeKit, so if you’re an Apple user, be sure to check that the plug you’re buying will work with the Apple Home app. Some smart plugs require a Home hub such as a HomePod or Apple TV 4K in order for you to be able to control them.
How does my smart plug communicate with other smart home devices?
There are a number of different ways that your smart plug may communicate with other smart home devices. Many smart plugs use Wi-Fi and can be controlled via an app, even if you’re away from home. Some smart plugs use different communication protocols such as Z-Wave or Zigbee which will often require a dedicated hub. There are also smart plugs that use the Thread protocol; these can be controlled from a device such as an Apple TV 4K or an Apple HomePod.
You should be aware of the communication protocol that your smart plug uses before you make your purchase; if you buy a Zigbee smart plug, for example, then you may find that you need to purchase an additional hub to make it work. Some devices, such as the Amazon Echo Hub, do offer direct Zigbee support, although this doesn’t work perfectly with all Zigbee accessories. If in doubt, a Wi-Fi smart plug is the safest bet.
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