Forget to unplug the iron this morning? The best smart plugs and power strips let you control anything you can plug into the wall from your phone.
Smart Plugs: The First Step Toward a Smarter Home A high-tech home doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Smart plugs (and power outlets) are an easy and affordable way to upgrade ordinary appliances, lighting, and any other electronics into smart home devices that you can control straight from your smartphone. While installing and using these plugs is relatively simple, choosing which one is right for you is no easy task. To help you out, we’ve rounded up the best smart plugs and power outlets we’ve tested, along with a few tips to consider when automating your home. What Is a Smart Plug? 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). They plug directly into a wall outlet or traditional power strip, and have their own outlet you then plug into with the device you want to automate. You’re not gaining or losing any outlets by plugging one in—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 where the plug’s outlet is located. Some feature outlets on the side. Layouts like this can be easier or more difficult to access depending on the type of power strip you’re using and where it’s located.
