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  1. Electronics
  2. Accessories

The Best Smart Plugs

Updated
All of our smart plug picks against a green background.
Photo: Michael Murtaugh
Kathryn Rath

By Kathryn Rath

Kathryn Rath is a writer covering audio, video, and smart-home gear.

One fundamental question has been the driving force behind innovation and technological advancement since time immemorial: “How can I do this without standing up?” That’s the beauty of smart plugs. Smart plugs offer the easiest way to turn your “dumb” devices into automated sci-fi gadgets, allowing you to power any on/off device by using an app, by scheduling it, or by using voice commands.

The TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim (EP25) is the best smart plug for indoor use, as it provides the most features for the best price. The TP-Link Tapo TP25 Outdoor Plug (or the identical P400M) is our outdoor pick thanks to its rugged IP rating. The TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip (HS300) is our pick for a multi-plug option because of its versatility.

Everything we recommend

Top pick

This smart plug worked reliably in tests, and it includes real-time energy monitoring and an Away Mode. Also, it’s widely compatible with all the major smart-home platforms.

Buying Options

$40 $30 from Amazon

(pack of four)

Top pick

This outdoor smart plug features a robust IP65 weather-resistance rating and independently controllable dual outlets, and it can track device running time.

Buying Options

$25 $16 from Amazon

You save $9 (36%)

Top pick

This model turns one outlet into six independently controlled smart ones, with built-in energy monitoring and integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Home (but not Apple Home). It also has three USB ports.

Buying Options

Runner-up

The tiny EP10 is cheap and easy to use, and it has impressive features for its size. However, it isn’t Apple Home compatible.

Buying Options

$13 $11 from Amazon

(pack of two)

Things to know


  • Compatibility

    Smart plugs that use Zigbee, Z-Wave, or Thread instead of Wi-Fi require a separate hub, and not every plug communicates with every platform.

  • Power draw

    Most smart plugs are rated for 15 amps of current, for use with low-power on/off devices such as lamps and fans.

  • Indoor/outdoor use

    Unless a smart plug is labeled specifically for outdoor use, you should use it only indoors. Outdoor models have weatherproofing to prevent shocks and short circuits.

  • What features matter?

    Energy monitoring, sunrise/sunset scheduling, and Away Mode are great to have, but not everyone needs them.

Top pick

This smart plug worked reliably in tests, and it includes real-time energy monitoring and an Away Mode. Also, it’s widely compatible with all the major smart-home platforms.

Buying Options

$40 $30 from Amazon

(pack of four)

Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings

The TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim (EP25) offers the most robust features for the price, such as energy monitoring, sunrise/sunset scheduling, and an Away Mode. In my tests it was quick to integrate with all major smart-home platforms and a breeze to set up and use with the Tapo app (or the Kasa app, though we recommend the former), where all of its functions were readily accessible.

Along with expected smart-plug functions such as remote access and voice control through a smart speaker or hub, it supports real-time energy monitoring shown in watts and kilowatt-hours (or hours and minutes) so you can keep tabs on electricity use. It’s available only in a two-pack and a four-pack, but the price per unit is about the same or even lower than that of other smart plugs we like.

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Top pick

This outdoor smart plug features a robust IP65 weather-resistance rating and independently controllable dual outlets, and it can track device running time.

Buying Options

$25 $16 from Amazon

You save $9 (36%)

Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home, Matter, Samsung SmartThings

Outdoor smart plugs bring comparatively more considerations: You have to use a covered outlet, you should mount it at a specific height above the ground, and operating temperatures and IP ratings for resistance to water and dust play a role. The TP-Link Tapo TP25 Outdoor Plug (and the identical Amazon-exclusive TP-Link Tapo P400M) is built for the outdoors, with a weather-resistant IP65 rating and an operating-temperature range of -4 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit.

Features such as Schedules, Away Mode, and sunrise/sunset Routines were painless to set up, and the independently controllable dual outlets responded quickly to commands from third-party integrations via Matter. (If you don’t like Matter or don’t have a compatible hub, we still recommend the TP-Link Kasa EP40A.) It also tracks the run time of devices you plug into it, in hours and minutes.

Top pick

This model turns one outlet into six independently controlled smart ones, with built-in energy monitoring and integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Home (but not Apple Home). It also has three USB ports.

Buying Options

Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings

Of the smart power strips I tested, the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip (HS300) is the most well built, and it includes three USB-A charging ports. Its 38-inch power cord opens up its placement options, and it has all of the bells and whistles—energy monitoring, sunrise/sunset scheduling, and an Away Mode—of our single-outlet pick.

That said, this power strip doesn’t have Apple Home compatibility, and the USB ports aren’t controllable. If you don’t mind a model with fewer outlets and no physical-button controls, consider one of the other good smart plugs we found.

Runner-up

The tiny EP10 is cheap and easy to use, and it has impressive features for its size. However, it isn’t Apple Home compatible.

Buying Options

$13 $11 from Amazon

(pack of two)

Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings

If you need to put your smart plug in a tight space, the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini (EP10) is the optimal choice. The EP10 provided quick setup with Alexa and Google Home. It’s also the smallest and least expensive of our picks and includes a surprising amount of features for its size, such as built-in usage monitoring and an Away Mode.

The EP10 makes some trade-offs: It isn’t compatible with Apple Home, and it doesn’t provide energy monitoring. Instead, it tracks a device’s run time in hours and minutes.

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The research

Why you should trust us

I’m an updates writer for the audio, video, and smart-home team. I’ve authored our guide to music streamers, contributed to the gear for a home theater roundup, and I currently have about 15 smart-home devices keeping my life on a stringent routine. I am running the three major smart-home platforms simultaneously, and I still don’t have a favorite (Alexa).

For this guide:

  • I spent over 100 hours testing 20 smart plugs.
  • Senior staff writer Rachel Cericola, who previously authored this guide, also tested more than 65 smart plug models.
  • Like all Wirecutter journalists, I review and test products with complete editorial independence. I’m never made aware of any business implications of my editorial recommendations. Read more about our editorial standards.
  • In accordance with Wirecutter standards, I return or donate all products I’ve tested once my assessment of them is complete, which may involve longer-term testing by my colleagues and me. I never hang on to “freebies” once testing is done, though I do hold on to our official picks (when possible) for future comparison testing.

Who this is for

If you’ve ever been too tired to get out of bed to turn off a lamp, a smart plug may be for you. All it takes is a smartphone and an empty outlet, and you can use a smart plug to control, schedule, and automate most on/off appliances such as lamps, holiday lights, fans, air purifiers, and TVs. Smart plugs are a great option for smart-home newbies and enthusiasts alike due to their ease of setup, affordable price, and range of features. And smart plugs can be an especially useful tool for anyone with mobility and accessibility concerns.

The majority of smart plugs have a common set of features: remote access via a companion app or smart speaker and the ability to power on and off on a Schedule or Routine. For example, remote control over an outlet can stave off worries that appliances such as hair straighteners or space heaters were left on. In addition, if you or a loved one has mobility or dexterity issues, a smart plug can make it easier to control devices with a smart speaker or the sound of your voice.

Along with the base-level functions, smart plugs like our top picks include more advanced features, such as energy monitoring, which can assist in lowering your electric bill, or Away Mode, which can deter wrongdoers by randomly turning devices on and off to make it look as if someone is home.

That said, if you own your home or can change your outlets and want to make smart-plug features more permanent, consider in-wall smart outlets. Additionally, if you’re using your smart plug for a lamp or lights, keep in mind that not all of them have dimming capabilities. If that’s what you want, an in-wall light switch and dimmer for controlling lights or smart LED bulbs for more intricate lighting scenes would be a better option.

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How we picked and tested

All of our smart plug picks against a green background.
Photo: Michael Murtaugh

Our testing and top-pick criteria have evolved since we first published this guide in 2016. In my latest round of testing, I considered the following features to be essential for any smart-plug picks:

  • Routines, Schedules, and timers: A smart plug should allow you to create a Schedule that turns electrical devices on and off at specific times of the day or week. This feature aids in convenience and can be crucial for people with mobility or dexterity issues.
  • Smart-home integration: For our picks to suit most people, it’s vital that they are compatible with—and easy to use with—major third-party platforms. Integration with those platforms allows you to control devices with the sound of your voice or to combine them with other smart devices; for example, you might set up a motion sensor that triggers a device to turn on or off when someone enters the room.
  • User-friendly apps: Initial setup can quickly turn rage-inducing if a device’s companion app is confusing. Plus, not everyone uses their smart plug with a smart-home platform and has to rely on the app to use its features. A readily navigable app that connects your device seamlessly and provides troubleshooting is essential.
  • Physical buttons: Models with physical buttons allow you to turn the plug on or off without needing to depend on another device.
  • Dimensions: We decline to test plugs that block the second outlet or stick out too far.

All of our picks include some form of energy monitoring or run-time tracking, measured in kilowatt-hours or hours and minutes. This feature can help you determine the costs of running a power-hungry device, but it isn’t a must-have for everyone.

In our latest round of testing, I compared indoor and outdoor smart plugs with either one or two outlets. I didn’t include any smart power strips (models with three or more outlets) but plan to for future updates. During testing, I paid attention to ease of setup with companion apps using an iPhone and an Android phone, as well as compatible third-party integrations, such as with Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple Home. I then tested applicable temporal functions, including timers, Routines, and Schedules via companion apps, smart-home platforms, and voice assistants. I also used Schedules to confirm whether features such as energy monitoring were accurate. For instance, I used the Tapo P110 to charge my Apple Watch for a two-hour time period for about two weeks—which resulted in a whopping 22¢ charge on my power bill, according to the app.

A video of a small red inflatable-tube man powered by a smart plug.
Using smart plugs is an easy way to add remote control to any electrically powered device. Video: Kathryn Rath

For indoor smart plugs, I used a miniature sky dancer, string lights, an Apple Watch charger, a plug-in air freshener, a fan, and a table lamp. I tested outdoor candidates with string lights and the sky dancer. In a previous round of testing, I tested the smart power strip models at a workstation that includes a monitor, a printer, a laptop charger, a standing desk, a walking pad, and a phone charger. I tested all of the smart plugs on an Amazon Echo Show 8, an Apple HomePod mini, and a Google Nest Hub.

All of our smart plug picks operate on the 2.4 GHz band. Before purchasing any smart device that operates over Wi-Fi, confirm that your router supports 2.4 GHz devices.

Privacy is a big concern with any device that’s connected via Wi-Fi. (Z-Wave, Zigbee, Thread, and Matter have different encryption standards but require separate controllers or have limited device availability.) Once I narrowed down the candidates, I reviewed their makers’ respective privacy policies and sent a privacy and security questionnaire to the manufacturers.

I asked specific questions about each company’s security policies and practices, and how it handled device owners’ data. Among other things, such data handling includes login practices, support for two-factor authentication, what user data is encrypted, and what data is recorded and shared. We’ve recorded the results in the “Privacy and security snapshot” sections.

Other smart plugs worth considering

We tested a number of smart plugs that we didn’t prefer as picks but found to be perfectly fine choices to suit more specific situations.

If you want to buy only one plug at a time: The Meross Smart Plug Mini MSS110 is a good smart plug that’s compatible with all of the major smart-home platforms. We found our top pick to be easier to use, and this Meross model is also a bit bigger than we’d like. If you don’t care about Apple Home compatibility, the Roku Indoor Smart Plug SE and the Geeni Switch+Charge are simpler options (and the Geeni model includes two USB-A ports).

If you’re scrupulous about power consumption: The TP-Link Tapo P110 tracks how much power is being consumed and can calculate the cost in dollars and cents. After inputting how much my electric company was charging per kilowatt-hour (information that you should be able to find on your electric bill), I was able to track how much money it cost to charge my Apple Watch every day and found that it eventually added up to 22¢ on my power bill. Although this feature and the plug’s sharing capabilities are definitely neat, it’s compatible only with Alexa and Google, and it isn’t small enough to fit behind furniture. Otherwise, it has many of the same features as our top pick.

If Apple Home is your preferred ecosystem: Our current outdoor pick is compatible with Apple Home via Matter, but if you prefer integrating an outdoor plug the old-school way, we still recommend the TP-Link Kasa EP40A. It has a slightly lower weather-resistance rating of IP64 but is otherwise largely the same as the TP25/P400M. We seriously considered choosing the Meross Smart Power Strip MSS425FHK as a pick because it has nearly all of the same features as the HS300 but adds Apple Home compatibility and four controllable USB ports. The HS300 edged it out as our power strip pick, though, because this Meross model’s four outlets lack physical buttons, and it doesn’t include energy monitoring. In addition, the Meross Matter Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini MSS115 is compatible with Apple Home via Matter if you’re looking for something similar in size to the EP10. However, it is more expensive than our runner-up, and Matter setup isn’t always foolproof.

If you’re all in with Alexa or Ring: The Amazon Smart Plug, the Amazon Basics Smart Plug Power Strip, and the Ring Outdoor Smart Plug worked fine in our tests. But their functionality limits them to people who are already committed to their respective ecosystems, and there are less pricey options.

If Matter matters: The TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim KP125M and the TP-Link Tapo Mini Smart Wi-Fi Plug P125M worked decently, but they are more expensive than our top pick—and we actually found the non-Matter Kasa Smart EP25 to be easier to set up with all three major smart-home platforms. Plus, only the Kasa KP125M boasts energy monitoring.

If you’re interested in Thread wireless: The Eve Energy includes Thread and supports Matter, but we found that it wasn’t easy to set up with every smart-home platform, and Matter doesn’t support a few key features, such as energy monitoring. Also, a single plug costs as much as a four-pack of our top pick.

If you need an outdoor dimmer: The Meross Smart Outdoor Dimmer Plug MPD100 has a single outlet that can dim outdoor lighting. However, it has just one controllable outlet and a limited operating temperature of 14 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

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The competition

We’ve tested many different smart plug models since this guide began in 2016, and we can’t list every competitor to date. Here are some of the most notable smart plugs that we’ve chosen to dismiss.

Indoor

Array by Hampton Single Outlet Smart Plug: Unfortunately, the Array plug failed to function properly more than once during previous rounds of testing.

ConnectSense Smart Outlet2: This ConnectSense model has two outlets in one plug, but as a result the unit takes up the entire receptacle. Also, we didn’t find the user interface of the ConnectSense app to be as intuitive as that of our top picks’ apps.

Ezlo PlugHub: This model’s built-in internal Z-Wave hub makes it chunky and may explain why it’s currently $60. That would be fine, if it weren’t so difficult to use.

GE Cync Indoor Smart Plug: Our biggest problem with the GE Cync plug lies in its companion app. We ran into several problems when setting up an account and found its user interface difficult to navigate.

Geeni Smart Dot: We had connectivity issues with this Geeni model and ended up having to switch to manual pairing during testing. Overall, this tiny plug performed fine with the basics, but our runner-up pick offers better features and functionality.

Leviton Decora Smart Wi-Fi Mini Plug-In Dimmer D23LP-2RW and Leviton Decora Smart Wi-Fi Mini Plug-In Switch D215P-2RW: We were disappointed by the D23LP-2RW’s reaction times, which were quite slow. The timer for both units remains a permanent setting unless you manually change it, and the D215P-2RW lacks features that our top pick has but is almost triple the price.

Lutron Caséta Smart Lamp Dimmer: This Lutron dimmer is a good option for a whole-home lighting system, but its outlets aren’t independently controllable, and it works only with lamps.

Meross Matter Smart Wi-Fi Plug MSS315: Matter continues to present issues with setup at times, and the MSS315 was an unpleasant reminder of that. Although Meross provides detailed setup instructions by way of tutorial videos (hosted by an AI avatar straight from the uncanny valley), they still weren’t enough to guide us through the frustrating process of integrating the plug with Alexa or Apple Home. Eventually it was able to connect to Google and then to the other platforms—before un-adding itself the next day.

Satechi Dual Smart Outlet: This model packs two outlets into one plug and is small enough not to block the second outlet. However, it’s too expensive for the features it offers, and it’s compatible only with Apple Home.

Shelly Plus Plug US: Though this model was easy to control in our tests, the app is overly complex, and the plug itself is slightly bigger than we’d prefer.

Shelly Qubino Wave Plug US: This model requires a separate Z-Wave hub to function, which is fine if you already have your home outfitted with Z-Wave. However, its price is high, and factoring in an extra hub makes this choice uneconomical.

UltraPro 1-Outlet Wi-Fi Smart Plug: Instead of covering one outlet evenly, this UltraPro model juts out to one side, limiting its placement options. UltraPro also sells a two-outlet option, but we haven’t tested it.

U-tec Smart Plug: The U-tec Smart Plug is the first and only plug we’ve tested to include a child-lock feature that allows you to disable its physical button either manually or via the app. Although that feature is certainly unique, we didn’t think it was enough to outweigh the plug’s omission of functions such as an Away Mode, sunrise/sunset scheduling, and energy monitoring.

Wemo Smart Plug: This tiny plug offers the option to work over Thread, but it’s missing key features and is compatible only with Apple Home.

WiZ Smart Plug: This model performed well enough during testing, but we concluded that the Kasa Smart EP25 had better features and a more user-friendly app.

Outdoor

GE Cync Outdoor Smart Plug: We didn’t find the Cync app to be user friendly or intuitive, and it had issues with basic functions such as setting a Schedule.

GE Enbrighten Dual Outdoor Wi-Fi Smart Plug: We had setup and performance problems with this model, and the two outlets can’t be controlled individually.

Geeni Outdoor Duo and Geeni Outdoor Smart Plug: Curiously, Geeni’s indoor plugs have a better operating temperature range than their outdoor counterparts. Both the two-outlet Duo and the single-outlet outdoor models can withstand a range of 14 °F to 122 °F.

Leviton Decora Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug: Setting up the Leviton Decora plug with Matter was shaky in our tests, though the plug worked well without Matter. It’s compatible with the Leviton Decora Smart Switch Anywhere Companion, a wire-free wall-mounted controller, but otherwise it has only a single outlet and not enough features for the price.

Lutron Caséta Outdoor Smart Plug: This model requires the Lutron Smart Bridge for remote operation and has only one outlet. While it is sturdy and operates as it should, it doesn’t have all of the same features as our outdoor pick and costs quite a bit more.

Meross Smart Wi-Fi Indoor/Outdoor Plug MSS630: This model’s IP44 rating is the lowest necessary to qualify for outdoor use, and its operating temperature range makes it unsuitable for cold winters.

Monoprice Stitch Outdoor 2-Outlet Smart Plug 44475: This outdoor smart plug’s features are highly limited, and we encountered bizarre app issues during testing, such as the plug showing as “on” or “off” in the Stitch and Alexa apps when the opposite was true.

RCA Smart Outdoor Plug: In our tests, we found that this RCA model had a strange pairing process with Alexa and Google Home. You have better options if you’re looking for an uncomplicated model.

Power strips

Eve Energy Strip: With this model offering only three outlets and Apple Home compatibility, we had a hard time swallowing its price tag. Also, its energy-monitoring feature applies to the entire unit, rather than to each individual outlet.

Geeni Surge: Unlike our current power strip pick, the Geeni Surge doesn’t have physical buttons for its six outlets. It doesn’t include energy monitoring or USB ports, either.

What to look forward to

We plan to test the following smart plugs and will update this guide with our results:

  • The Aqara Border Router Plug supports dual-band Wi-Fi and is one of the first smart plugs to also function as a Thread border router. It has energy-monitoring capabilities, as well.
  • IKEA’s budget-friendly $7 TRETAKT smart plug offers the basics, like a timer, scheduling, and voice control through Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant. However, it requires a DIRIGERA hub to access its full range of functions.
  • The Govee Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring tracks device runtime and energy usage in kWh, which can be reviewed daily, weekly, or monthly for up to a year. It’s compatible with Alexa and Google Home, and is sold as a single unit, in a two-pack, or a four-pack.

This article was edited by Jon Chase and Grant Clauser.

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Meet your guide

Kathryn Rath

What I Cover

I’m a writer based in New York whose coverage areas include audio and video gear such as headphones, speakers, TVs, and projectors. I also cover smart devices for the home.

Further reading

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