Overview
- Jump To Details
TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim With Energy Monitoring (KP125M)
Best Overall - Jump To Details
Eve Energy Outlet
Best Smart Wired Wall Outlet - Jump To Details
TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip HS300
Best Smart Power Strip - Jump To Details
AiDot Linkind Matter Smart Plug
Best for Matter Support - Jump To Details
Leviton Decora Smart Mini Plug-In Dimmer D23LP-2RW
Best Smart Plug for Lamps - Jump To Details
Roku Outdoor Smart Plug
Best for Roku-Centric Households - Jump To Details
Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug EP40A
Best Outdoor Smart Plug - Jump To Details
Tapo Mini Smart Wi-Fi Plug P125M
Best Affordable Plug for Kasa Device Users - Jump To Details
Amazon Smart Plug
Best for Alexa Users
Smart plugs (and power outlets) are an easy and affordable way to turn ordinary appliances, lighting, and any other electronics into smart home devices that you can control straight from your smartphone and, in many cases, your voice. Although installing and using these plugs is relatively simple, choosing which one is right for you is no easy task, so we're here to help. We've been reviewing smart plugs for more than a decade. TP-Link’s Kasa KP125M is our current top pick because it works with almost every smart home platform, reliably responds to voice commands, and keeps track of how much energy your connected devices use. Whether you want a more permanent, hardwired smart wall outlet or a weatherproof model you can use outside to smarten your pool pump or holiday decorations, our list of the best smart plugs has many excellent options.
You Can Trust Our Reviews
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim With Energy Monitoring (KP125M)
Best OverallWhy We Picked It
All smart plugs can turn your devices off and on, but only some can tell you how much power your devices are using. The TP-Link Kasa Plug Slim With Energy Monitoring generates energy reports, letting you know just how much power is going through your lamp, home theater, or appliance. With Matter support, it works with most major smart home platforms and voice assistants.
Who It's For
This smart plug is a bit pricey, but it can potentially save you money in the long run if you want to make sure some of your larger electronics aren't using too much power. It's worth picking up to keep an eye on your power-hungry appliances, though there are cheaper options for automating small household items like lamps.
Pros
- Supports many smart home platforms, including Matter
- Generates energy reports with estimated costs
- Works with voice controls
- Lots of integration options
- Compact size
Cons
- Expensive
Eve Energy Outlet
Best Smart Wired Wall OutletWhy We Picked It
Whereas most of the options on this list plug into your existing outlet, the Eve Energy Outlet replaces it for sleek and permanent smart home controls. This dual-receptacle outlet can be controlled using the Eve app (iOS only) or with Apple’s Home app, and because it supports Matter and Thread, you can add it to your Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Samsung SmartThings ecosystems if you have the proper hub. In testing, we found it easy to install, and it worked flawlessly with the Alexa, Apple Home, and Eve apps, and Alexa and Siri voice commands. It will tell you how much power each receptacle is using, offers flexible scheduling, supports geofencing triggers, and works with routines and scenes that you can create with your platform of choice.
Who It's For
If you're looking for a hardwired smart outlet, the Eve Energy Outlet is a top pick for its cross-platform compatibility and energy reporting. Keep in mind that, as with any electrical outlet, the Energy Outlet must be installed in a wall box and requires working with electrical wiring. If you’re not comfortable with that, you should hire a professional to do the job. The outlet has a 15W/1800A rating and is designed solely for indoor use. As an outdoor-friendly alternative, the Leviton Smart GFCI Outlet lets you monitor out-of-the-way appliances like pool pumps.
Pros
- Supports Matter and Thread
- Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, HomeKit, and SmartThings
- Voice control
- Energy usage reporting
Cons
- Pricey
- Requires a hub for remote access and cross-platform functionality
- Eve app only works on iOS
Learn MoreEve Energy OutletTP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip HS300
Best Smart Power StripWhy We Picked It
Why limit yourself to just one or two outlets when you can remotely manage six at a time? The TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip is a full power strip with a half dozen outlets you can individually control and automate, along with three USB ports that are useful if you want to charge anything.
Who It's For
This power strip is useful for managing multiple lamps and other devices at once, as long as they're relatively close to each other. It works with Alexa and Google Assistant, but it doesn't support HomeKit, Matter, or SmartThings.
Pros
- Wi-Fi.
- Voice control.
- Surge protection.
- Energy monitoring.
- Works with IFTTT.
Cons
- Expensive.
- Outlets aren't childproof.
AiDot Linkind Matter Smart Plug
Best for Matter SupportWhy We Picked It
The AiDot Linkind Matter Smart Plug is a versatile single-outlet plug built on the Matter standard, which allows it to work with all of the major home automation platforms including Alexa, Google Assistant, HomeKit, and SmartThings. The Linkind Smart Plug worked faultlessly in testing, quickly responding to Alexa, Google, and Siri voice commands to turn the plug on and off. An Alexa routine to turn the plug on when a Ring Floodlight Cam detected motion worked as intended. We also had no trouble controlling it with the AiDot, Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, and Google Home apps.
Who It's For
The AiDot Linkind Matter Smart Plug is a top choice if you use multiple home automation platforms to control your smart devices and want to smarten up small household items like lamps. However, if you want a Matter-enabled plug for automating power-hungry appliances, the TP-Link KP125M is the better option thanks to its energy usage reports.
Pros
- Compatible with Matter standard
- Strong third-party device support
- Work with voice control
Cons
- Lacks energy usage reports
Learn MoreAiDot Linkind Matter Smart Plug ReviewLeviton Decora Smart Mini Plug-In Dimmer D23LP-2RW
Best Smart Plug for LampsWhy We Picked It
The Leviton Smart Mini is a bit expensive for a small one-outlet smart plug, but it has loads of features for automating your lighting. It works with Alexa, Google Assistant, HomeKit, Matter, and SmartThings, and it supports dimming for compatible bulbs.
Who It's For
This is the smart plug to get if you want to set up dimmer routines or otherwise adjust the light levels of your non-smart bulbs from your phone. Its wide compatibility also means it should play nice with all your other smart home gadgets and will continue to work if you decide to switch platforms or voice assistants later.
Pros
- Supports Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, Matter, and SmartThings
- Works with IFTTT applets
- Lots of lighting customization options
Cons
- Pricey
- Lacks energy usage reports
Roku Outdoor Smart Plug
Best for Roku-Centric HouseholdsWhy We Picked It
Roku is a newcomer to the smart home market, but its first products in the category have proven very capable thanks to a collaboration with well-established budget-friendly device maker Wyze. Roku smart home devices can work with Alexa and Google Assistant, but their big appeal is for Roku TV and media hub users, because they're the only smart switches, bulbs, and cameras that you can control with the otherwise very limited Roku voice controls.
Who It's For
With the same weatherproofing (and physical design) of the Wyze Plug Outdoor, the Roku Outdoor Smart Plug is another inexpensive way to remotely control your outdoor devices. It's appealing if you also use Roku devices since you don't need to set up anything else to control the plug from your couch. Otherwise, the IFTTT-enabled Wyze Plug Outdoor is our preferred budget option.
Pros
- Independent outlet control
- Reports energy usage
- Works with other Roku devices
Cons
- Does not support Apple HomeKit or IFTTT
- Few third-party integration options
Learn MoreRoku Outdoor Smart Plug ReviewKasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug EP40A
Best Outdoor Smart PlugWhy We Picked It
The dual-outlet TP-Link Kasa EP40A Outdoor Plug supports every voice assistant and smart home standard except Matter, so you can control it just as easily whether you're an Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, HomeKit, or Samsung SmartThings fan. It even supports IFTTT routines. In testing, it was simple to set up, reliably responded to app and voice commands, and ran Alexa routines without issue.
Who It's For
The TP-Link Kasa EP40A's broad compatibility and a weatherproof build make it a top choice for bringing smart features to your backyard appliances. This outdoor smart plug is specifically appealing for its HomeKit and SmartThings integrations, which many competing models lack.
Pros
- Supports Alexa, Google Assistant, HomeKit, IFTTT, and SmartThings
- Dual-outlet design with independent controls
- Easy to install
Cons
- Pricey
- Doesn't generate energy usage reports
Tapo Mini Smart Wi-Fi Plug P125M
Best Affordable Plug for Kasa Device UsersWhy We Picked It
The Tapo Mini is a compact smart plug from TP-Link Kasa, with a load of smart home platform options. It supports Alexa, Google Assistant, HomeKit, Matter, and SmartThings, making it one of the best-equipped mini smart plugs for handling whatever home automation standard you choose. It can't monitor power consumption, however.
Who It's For
Look to this smart plug if you need one with a small footprint that won't block the outlets beside it.
Pros
- Supports Matter (in addition to many other connectivity standards)
- Compact size
Cons
- Doesn't generate power usage reports
Learn MoreTapo Mini Smart Wi-Fi Plug P125M ReviewAmazon Smart Plug
Best for Alexa UsersWhy We Picked It
This single-outlet smart plug lets you control whatever is plugged into it using Alexa voice commands and the Alexa mobile app. It's a snap to install and works with some (but not all) Alexa smart home devices, but it doesn't work with other voice platforms and it lacks IFTTT support and energy reporting.
Who It's For
The Amazon Smart Plug is a good option for Alexa power users who want to smarten up an ordinary device like a coffee maker or a light. If you're not an Alexa loyalist, we recommend the Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim With Energy Monitoring, which offers more features including energy reports and broader third-party interoperability for the same price.
Pros
- Affordable
- Easy to install
- Works with Alexa voice commands and Alexa-enabled devices
Cons
- Doesn't work with Apple HomeKit or Google Assistant
- No IFTTT support
- Lacks energy reporting
Learn MoreAmazon Smart Plug
Buying Guide: The Best Smart Plugs and Power Strips for 2024
What Is a Smart Plug and Where Can You Use It?
Let's make this clear: Whether they're marketed as smart switches, smart outlets, or any variation thereof, smart plugs are ultimately plug-in outlets (or power strips). These devices plug directly into a wall outlet or traditional power strip and offer an outlet you can plug other things into for automation. You don't gain or lose any outlets in the process—you're simply making an existing outlet smart by connecting it to your home Wi-Fi network.
With that in mind, the first thing to consider is where you want to place your smart plug. While most are svelte enough to fit next to one another in your typical wall outlet, not all of them are, and power strips are a different story entirely. If you have a crowded power strip, it's important to consider the plug outlet's location. For instance, some feature outlets on the side. Whether this layout is easier or more difficult to access depends on the type of power strip you're using.
Note that some smart plugs are exclusively for the inside of your home. Others that can withstand the elements are a better choice for your backyard or porch.
What Does a Smart Plug Do?
Once you're sure a smart plug fits properly in your home, it's important to consider what it can do. Every plug we've tested lets you use your phone to turn control power—so if you've plugged in a lamp, for instance, you can turn it on or off no matter where you are. And most smart plugs also offer some form of scheduling. If you simply want to turn your connected coffee machine on at the same time every weekday morning, you can do that with any of the plugs on this list.
Scenes (this is the term most often used, but it might vary) let you program several devices to interact with each other. Some let you program scenes based on conditions such as temperature, humidity, and sunrise or sunset times. Others have preset "away" scenes for when you're on vacation, that turn connected devices on and off to make it look like someone is home. Scene options vary from plug to plug, so it's good to keep in mind what automation options fit your lifestyle.
If you're concerned about the environment or hoping to save a few bucks, look for a plug that supports energy monitoring. Just keep in mind that the energy data collected isn't uniform across all plugs. Some provide a detailed breakdown of how long your device has been on over the entire day, your daily average "on" time, your (estimated) monthly and daily power costs, and your average power usage in watts. Others simply give a cursory overview of the hours you use over a set period or don't report power usage at all.
Features aside, installation and app design are also major factors. Luckily, pretty much all the plugs we've tested are easy to install—you basically just plug them in and connect them to an app on your phone. App quality, on the other hand, varies. We take a close look at each plug's companion app in our reviews and consider its usability in our rating.
Are Smart Plugs Worth the Money?
Ultimately, the best smart plug for you is the one that easily interacts with the products you already have, especially any smart speakers and smart displays. For example, if you like Siri or are an avid iPhone user, you can get the best experience from a plug that supports Apple's HomeKit protocol. Similarly, if you already use Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, make sure to get a plug that supports your voice assistant of choice.
Some plugs feature native support for a particular brand of smart home products, while others can interact with nearly anything via IFTTT. We've noted which features each plug supports in the chart below to help you determine which one best fits your needs.
So, if you can't settle on a family of smart light bulbs or you don't want to shell out big bucks for a set of new connected kitchen appliances, consider connecting the products you already own with a smart plug. Whether you're just dipping a toe into smart home tech, enhancing your rental unit, or creating custom IFTTT applets, smart plugs make it simple and affordable to automate just about anything in your home.
