Forgot to unplug the iron this morning? The top smart plugs, outlets, and power strips we’ve tested let you control anything you can plug into the wall from your phone.
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 the right one for you isn’t easy, so we’re here to help. We’ve been reviewing smart plugs for more than a decade. TP-Link’s Kasa KP125M is our top pick because it works with almost every smart home platform, reliably responds to voice commands, and tracks how much energy your connected devices use. Whether you want a more permanent, hardwired smart wall outlet or a weatherproof model for smartening your pool pump or holiday decorations, our list of the best smart plugs has many excellent options.Why We Picked It
All smart plugs can turn your devices on and off, but only some can tell you how much power they use. The TP-Link Kasa Plug Slim With Energy Monitoring generates energy reports, showing how much power your lamp, home theater, or appliance is using. With Matter support, it works with most major smart home platforms and voice assistants.Who It’s For
People who want energy consumption data: 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 keeping an eye on your power-hungry appliances, though there are cheaper options for automating small household items, such as lamps.
Households with complex smart home setups: Thanks to its Matter support, the TP-Link Kasa Plug works with most smart home platforms.Why 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, as well as Alexa and Siri voice commands. It shows how much power each receptacle is using, offers flexible scheduling, supports geofencing triggers, and works with routines and scenes you can create with your platform of choice.Who It’s For
Those seeking a hardwired indoor plug: 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. The outlet has a 15W/1800A rating and is designed solely for indoor use. Why 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 for charging. Who It’s For
People with multiple devices that need to be smartened: This power strip is useful for managing multiple lamps and other devices simultaneously, as long as they’re relatively close together. Each of its six outlets can be individually controlled.
Alexa and Google users: This power strip works with Alexa and Google Assistant, but it doesn’t support HomeKit, Matter, or SmartThings.Why We Picked It
The dual-outlet TP-Link Kasa EP40A Outdoor Plug supports every voice assistant and smart home standard except Matter, allowing you to control it with equal ease whether you’re a fan of Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, HomeKit, or Samsung SmartThings. 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
People who use outdoor devices: The TP-Link Kasa EP40A’s broad compatibility and weatherproof build make it a top choice for bringing smart features to your backyard appliances, lighting, or any other outdoor device you’d like to control or automate.
Apple and Samsung users: This outdoor smart plug is specifically appealing for its HomeKit and SmartThings integrations, which many competing models lack. Why We Picked It
Roku is a newcomer to the smart home market, but its first products in the category have proven very capable.
