If you want to step into the world of smart home devices, a smart plug is a great place to start. These internet-connected devices plug directly into a wall socket. And when you plug your device of choice into the smart plug — it could be a lamp, speaker, air conditioner, even a kitchen appliance — you’ll have instant remote control. These devices typically come with a companion app that allows you to set timers, create schedules, and even monitor the energy consumption of whatever electronics you plug in. You can schedule lights to come on at certain times of the day, remotely turn off the power to potentially dangerous appliances like space heaters, and find new ways to cut back on your energy usage.
This smart plug allows you to turn electronics on or off from anywhere with your smartphone using the Kasa app, which is compatible with both Android and Apple devices. This mini-sized plug is compact so one plug won’t block both sockets and allowing two smart plugs to be used side-by-side – very useful in family rooms, kitchens or other areas where many appliances are used.
Runner Up, Best Overall
Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini by TP-Link (2-Pack)
Great Kasa app support
Cortana ready
Cool scenes function
Limited range
Runner-Up, Best Overall
Simple to set up and use
Affordable
Alexa support
Fairly basic functionality
Setup is simple: just plug it into the wall, then fire up the Alexa app and connect it to Wi-Fi. Then you’re good to go. The plug itself is a sleek white design with a 3.2 x 2.2 x 1.5-inch footprint that will only take up one outlet. It has a bright blue LED to indicate status, a physical on/off button, and that’s about it. It’s simple and easy-to-use, making it an intuitive and convenient addition to any home (but especially those that already have Alexa).
Best Warranty
Etekcity 4-Pack Voltson Wi-Fi Smart Plug Mini Outlet
Great app support
Alexa and Google Assistant integration
Power monitoring and scheduling
Only rated for 8A
You can even create custom schedules for devices you use all the time. Plus, use the smart plugs to track power usage for connected devices, so you can find any energy vampires in your home that might be driving up your bill. With a smart plug, you’ll know which devices are still drawing energy even when they’re not in use. As an added bonus, this four-pack of plugs come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, a two-year warranty and lifetime support – with that kind of reassurance, why not try them out?
Most Versatile
Amysen Wi-Fi Enabled Smart Plug
Connects directly through Wi-Fi
Alexa and Google Assistant ready
Great timer functionality
Occasional app issues
Create convenient schedules for big energy users like your air conditioner or even come home to a pre-lit house after scheduling your connected lights to come on at your normal arrival time. This smart plug also has a handy timer function that is ideal for use with devices such as curling irons or toaster ovens. You’ll never have to rush home from work if you forgot to unplug a device – simply set the timer or deactivate the device using the free app on your phone.
This mini smart plug by Teckin works with any Wi-Fi router without the need for a separate hub or paid subscription service. Schedule the plug to automatically power electronics on and off as needed, including lights, small appliances or tools. With the countdown timer feature, simply set a timer for the smart plug to turn off its appliance automatically – perfect for outdoor or holiday lighting or appliances prone to overheating (read: curling irons).
Best for IFTTT Users
Teckin Smart Plug
IFTTT support
Rated for 16A
Sleek design
Subpar app
Best Budget
Samsung SmartThings Wi-Fi Plug
Link multiple plugs together
No hub required
Great starter model
Limited featureset
The SmartThings Smart Plug has a compact design that only covers a single socket. You can even fit two together in the same wall outlet. And you may end up wanting to buy more than one — link multiple Samsung plugs in the SmartThings app to coordinate all the devices in the same room. It’s a somewhat limited feature set, but its straightforward functionality makes this a solid choice for a budget smart plug.
If you’re looking to keep an eye on your energy consumption, the Wemo Insight Smart Plug makes it easy to monitor which devices in your home are using the most power. And it doesn’t require a smart home hub to use. View your home’s energy statistics right from the Wemo app on your smartphone, and set schedules to automatically turn power-hungry appliances on and off (and effortlessly save on your next utility bill). This is a great option for space heaters, entertainment centers, and whatever else in your home may be drawing extra power without you even knowing.
Best for Energy Monitoring
Wemo Insight Smart Plug
Real-time energy reports
Randomized security timer feature
IFTTT and Nest compatibility
Requires additional device to work with Apple Homekit
Best for Outdoor Use
TP-Link Kasa Outdoor Smart Plug
Water-resistant
Long-range Wi-Fi connection
Individual outlet control
Bulky design
The Kasa Outdoor Smart Plug resembles a power strip in that it has a cord and two individual sockets. This gives you an extra plug outside and also allows you to separately control your two connected devices. It’s perfect for outdoor lighting, above-ground pool pumps, outdoor fans, speaker systems, and more.
If you have a lot of electronic devices in one place, like in an entertainment center, office, or kitchen, purchasing a smart power strip is a great way to maximize the number of connected devices without using up all your outlet space. Plug the Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip into a single wall socket and you immediately have six smart plugs at the ready, plus three USB ports for additional charging. There’s no smart hub required, and it comes with the added benefit of built-in surge protection to protect devices like laptops and phones.
Best Power Strip
TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip HS300
Individual outlet control
Built-in surge protection
Energy monitoring
Can’t remotely control USB ports
How We Tested
Our favorite smart plug is the Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini by TP-Link because it’s compact, affordable, and versatile. Aside from expected features like voice control and remote app control, the Mini also has a “Scenes” feature that lets you coordinate multiple device behaviors at the push of a button. If you want something more basic and budget-friendly, the Samsung SmartThings Wi-Fi Plug is a great starter option.
Finally, we look at the user experience as a whole, judging the value offered by the smart plug, and balancing it against the price and competition to make an ultimate judgment. All the smart plugs we test are purchased by Lifewire; none are provided by manufacturers.
About Our Trusted Experts
A former editor of Lifewire’s product round-ups, Emmeline Kaser has over four years of experience researching and writing about the best consumer products out there. She specializes in consumer tech.
Patrick Hyde has been writing about tech for more than four years now and is an expert in consumer technology and electronics, including smart home tech. His work has appeared in a number of leading publications, and he has prior experience as a marketing communications director.
What to Look for in a Smart Plug
Platform - Make sure that any plug you buy works with your existing smart hub. If you don’t already have a hub, then choose one first and build the rest of your smart home around that. If you have a lot of Apple devices, look for plugs that support HomeKit. Another important thing to look for is IFTTT compatibility.
Scenes - Look for smart plugs that support scenes, which is a feature that allows you to set multiple smart devices to turn on or off together. This feature makes it easier to turn on all the lights in a room, turn on specific lights at the same time you activate a device like your coffee maker, or even set a slightly-randomized pattern to make it seem like you’re still at home when you’re actually on vacation.
Energy monitoring - If you want to keep track of your energy usage, look for smart plugs that have built-in energy monitoring. This makes it easy to see how much power different devices are using so you can make adjustments to save energy and money.
