We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more›
We’ve made the TP-Link Kasa EP25 our new top choice, and added the Wemo WiFi Smart Plug to Other good plug-in smart outlets.
Using a smart plug is the cheapest, easiest way to remotely control any electrical device in your home. Just plug one into an outlet, add a lamp, fan, or other on/off device, then set it up with an app, and—boom—you’re making magic. Automations and schedules make them convenient and fun to use. They can also be a crucial aid for those who have difficulty reaching light switches or other controls. We recommend the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim (EP25) for inside the home and the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug (EP40) for outdoor use, since they both work really well on their own, as well as when paired with many other devices. Whether you’re home or away, you can turn outlets on and off, have them trigger at scheduled or random times, or set up your plug so that it turns on or off along with other linked smart devices. We also recommend the Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip (HS300) if you want to be able to plug in and independently control and automate multiple devices.
Many smart plugs can monitor usage in hours and minutes, and some can track actual energy usage in kilowatt-hours.
Typically, smart plugs are rated for 15 amps of current and therefore should only be used with low-power devices like lamps and small appliances.
Indoor smart plugs are compact but not weather-resistant. Outdoor models are not only bulkier, but also ruggedized and have multiple outlets.
Consider where a plug will be placed—for tight spots like behind furniture you may have to use a mini model.
This smart plug worked reliably in tests, includes real-time energy monitoring and an Away Mode, and is widely compatible.
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, Samsung SmartThings
The Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim (EP25) includes all of the features you’d want in a single-outlet smart plug. In addition to remote control access and a timer and schedule tool, it can be integrated with a large number of other smart-home devices, including third-party support for Alexa, HomeKit and Google Assistant. It also includes real-time energy monitoring so you can keep tabs on electricity uses in hours, minutes, watts, and kilowatt-hours. It’s a bit larger than several other single-outlet plugs we like, but it doesn’t obstruct the other socket in a duplex outlet.
This weatherproof smart plug withstands snow, rain, heat, and dust, and it has two outlets that you can control independently.
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Samsung SmartThings
The Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug (EP40) is built to weather the outdoors. (You should never attempt to use a typical smart plug outdoors.) The EP40 has an operating-temperature range of -4 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit, it includes two outlets that you can control independently using the app or voice control (via Alexa or Google Assistant but not Siri), and it’s easy to set up and use. And the EP40 is smaller than our previous outdoor pick, the Kasa KP400, so it’s simpler to install. (Just remember, it should still be installed with a covered outlet.)
This Kasa model turns one outlet into six independently controlled smart ones, with built-in energy monitoring and integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant (but not Apple HomeKit). It also has three USB ports.
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Samsung SmartThings
The Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip (HS300) transforms one wall plug into six independently controllable outlets, so you can turn different devices on and off as well as create separate schedules and triggers. Of the smart power strips we tested, it also has the most USB charging ports (three) for smartphones and tablets, as well as the longest power cord. And it supports energy monitoring (in watts and kWh) and voice control via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
This smart plug is easy to use, cheap, and small enough to fit behind furniture. It also performs basic smart-plug tasks reliably and can track the amount of time (in hours and minutes) you’re using electrical devices.
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Samsung SmartThings
The Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini (EP10) is the smallest, least expensive of our picks, but lacks energy monitoring or HomeKit support, which our top pick has. It performed consistently in all our tests, including when operated remotely, running automated schedules, or when triggered by other devices by using a third-party platform like Alexa and Google Assistant. Built-in usage monitoring lets you keep tabs on the precise amount of time you’re using whatever device is plugged into it (like a fan or AC), though not the actual energy consumption.
This smart plug worked reliably in tests, includes real-time energy monitoring and an Away Mode, and is widely compatible.
This weatherproof smart plug withstands snow, rain, heat, and dust, and it has two outlets that you can control independently.
This Kasa model turns one outlet into six independently controlled smart ones, with built-in energy monitoring and integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant (but not Apple HomeKit). It also has three USB ports.
This smart plug is easy to use, cheap, and small enough to fit behind furniture. It also performs basic smart-plug tasks reliably and can track the amount of time (in hours and minutes) you’re using electrical devices.
I first started testing smart-home devices more than 20 years ago, back when the only smart-home devices were X10. Since 2016, I’ve been covering smart-home gear for Wirecutter, and I’ve had my hands on everything from in-wall light switches, smart bulbs, and water-leak sensors to smart video doorbells, indoor security cameras, and security systems. I’ve also written tech articles for The New York Times, Wired, and Men’s Health, among others.
Bringing smart functionality to your home doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. If you have a smartphone and an empty outlet, you can use a smart plug to control, schedule, and automate nearly any electrical device. You don’t need programming skills or an installer on speed dial to set up smart outlets, and they become immediately useful with very little fuss.
Hooking even just one smart plug to your old table lamp, for example, ensures that you’ll never have to enter a dark house. And if you have mobility or dexterity issues, a smart plug can make it much easier to set lights, fans, speakers, air purifiers, game consoles, and air conditioners on a schedule, or to control them with a smart speaker and the sound of your voice.
We’ve been covering smart plugs for over five years now. So we’ve kept tabs on new and existing models, as well as on what features to expect:
Single-outlet smart plugs average about $15 or less. You shouldn’t need to pay more than that, unless you want a multi-outlet model or an outdoor smart plug.
For each smart outlet in our test group, we downloaded the appropriate app to an iPhone 12, an iPad, and a Samsung Galaxy J7 running Android Oreo, when possible. Most of the switches easily connected to Wi-Fi and were simple to operate from inside (and outside, when needed) our 1,650-square-foot house. We then tested plugs using several table lamps, fans, a white noise machine, a radio, and Christmas lights, both inside the house and while at the grocery store (2 miles away), the gym (10 miles away), and other locations across state lines. All of the plugs operated well, except where noted in the Competition section.
When possible, we paired switches to an Amazon Echo Dot, an Echo Plus, an Echo Show 5, HomeKit (via an Apple TV and HomePod Mini), a Google Home Mini, IFTTT, and other smart-home devices.
During testing, we connected all devices to a Firewalla Blue, a firewall device that monitors the communications of all devices on a network and reports which devices are sending out data and to what country. Once we narrowed down our pick candidates, we reviewed their privacy policies and sent our own questions to the company behind each candidate, specifically looking for clauses or activities that were outside normal practice in this category.
Wirecutter takes security and privacy issues seriously and investigates as much as possible how the companies we recommend deal with customer data. As part of our vetting process for plug-in smart outlets, we looked at all of the security and data-privacy practices at TP-Link, the manufacturer behind our picks. We also reached out to the company, and we had them answer an extensive questionnaire (see Privacy and security: How our picks compare) to confirm information we thought should be of primary concern for any potential buyer.
In general, smart plug-in outlets are pretty low risk when it comes to concerns about being hacked, but we always prefer to use the highest form of security, whenever possible. All of TP-Link’s Kasa products require a password for the accompanying app. However, they don’t offer two-factor authentication (2FA), a common system that does a good job of ascertaining that you are indeed you when you log in, by sending a verification code to your phone if you attempt to log into the app.
Data sharing is a bigger concern, but it’s often what makes these devices work better. For instance, companies may rely on the location of your smartphone in order to trigger smart plugs to go on and off based on sunrise and sunset times. If these types of features are of no interest to you, you can turn off location sharing in your smartphone’s settings. The company behind our picks said they never share data with third parties for marketing purposes. However, if you opt to connect to Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Samsung SmartThings, or IFTTT, you are bound to their rules. (Apple says no data is shared with third parties via HomeKit.)
Wirecutter long-term tests all of its picks, and that includes keeping track of hardware and software incidents. Should we find any privacy or security issues with any of our selected models, we’ll report them here and, if necessary, update or alter our recommendations.
This smart plug worked reliably in tests, includes real-time energy monitoring and an Away Mode, and is widely compatible.
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, Samsung SmartThings
The TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim (EP25) combines all of the best features you can find in a smart plug at a price that makes it easy to use them all around your home. It provides reliable remote control and scheduling, works with all of the major smart-home platforms, and includes energy monitoring that lets you track precisely how long you use a device and also how much energy it consumes. The EP25 isn’t as small as some of the other plugs we’ve tested, but it does fit comfortably into an outlet without blocking the second receptacle. The EP25 is currently only sold in packs of four.
Like many of the smart plugs we tested, the EP25 is easy to connect to 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, and it responds to both app and voice commands quickly. We also found it straightforward to create Schedules based on specific times and local sunrise/sunset times, which we used to control fans and lights.
The EP25 can be set up using iOS, Android, or Apple Home apps, with the process being slightly different depending on the platform. When Android users click to add a new device, the app quickly found our plug in setup mode. From there, just enter your Wi-Fi password, name the device, and you’re all set. Both the iOS and Home apps require scanning the HomeKit code on the bottom of the plug.
HomeKit users can bypass the Kasa app and set up the device directly in the Home app. However, those users will miss out on a few features, most notably the EP25’s built-in energy monitoring, and the ability to use the Away Mode, which triggers devices randomly so that it looks like someone is home. Energy monitoring makes the EP25 a standout, allowing you to track device usage in hours and minutes for the day, as well as a count for the past 7 and 30 days. It also delivers stats for the day in watts and kilowatt-hours (kWh), as well as the Daily Average and Total Consumption numbers for the past 7 and 30 days. Those allow you to keep tabs on which devices you could be running too much—and which ones are driving up your energy bill.
We found the EP25 responded quickly to app and voice commands, and we used Echo speakers, a Google Mini, HomePod Mini devices, and an iPhone to test the latter. We also created several Schedules to turn fans and lights on and off at various times of day.
The app also allows you to group devices, such as multiple plugs or even plugs with lights. For instance, we created a group with two EP25 plugs so we could turn multiple fans on/off at the same time. We also grouped the EP25 with our in-wall dimmer pick, the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Light Switch Dimmer HS220. This allowed us to use the app to control lights connected to the dimmer in our entryway and a living room lamp simultaneously. (If you have the HS220, you can also group devices to be controlled at the switch under the Smart Actions section of the app.) However, unlike with the Wyze Plug, you can’t use this group for scheduling purposes; you will need to schedule those separately or use a third-party platform, such as Amazon Alexa.
The Kasa app includes a security feature called Away Mode (which some manufacturers call Vacation Mode) to randomly turn the plug on and off, so it looks like you’re home when you’re away. Unlike some other plugs, this one allows you to set specific start and end times, as well as specific days of the week. For example, you can set the plug to turn a lamp on and off randomly from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays only.
The EP25 is bigger than our runner-up, the EP10. In fact, at 2.61 by 1.49 by 1.57 inches, it’s bigger than a few of the single-outlet smart plugs we tested, which means it may not be the best choice for someone who wants something small or something that can be stuffed behind furniture. That said, it can be placed in an outlet without blocking the second receptacle.
Currently, the EP25 is only sold in a four-pack on Amazon for $40. While $10 per smart plug is a good price, you may not want to spend the $40—especially if you only need one plug. We found the Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim (EP125) on TP-Link’s website, which looks identical to the EP25, but is sold individually at Best Buy and Target. We have not tested this model, but we did ask the company if this was the same product, and they told us that the sales channel and packaging are the main differences, but the model numbers are similar.
This weatherproof smart plug withstands snow, rain, heat, and dust, and it has two outlets that you can control independently.
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Samsung SmartThings
If you’re looking to extend your smart home outdoors, the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug (EP40) is easy to set up and use, reliable, and affordable, and it includes two outlets you can control independently. While it’s widely compatible with several major smart home control apps, notably it does not support Apple HomeKit and Siri.
The EP40 can operate in temperatures of -4 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit, which is pretty typical for outdoor plugs (temperatures below or above those numbers may not even be an issue—the EP40 is just not guaranteed to work in those conditions). Like most outdoor smart plugs, this model is listed with an IP64 rating, so it’s weather-resistant, versus being weatherproof. That means it can’t tolerate being submerged in water, but it can withstand splashes and dust. As you should with any outdoor plug, you should plug the EP40 into a receptacle with a weatherproof box.
At 4.3 by 1.5 by 3.2 inches, the EP40 is slightly smaller than its predecessor (and our former outdoor pick), the KP400. The cord adds an additional 9 inches, when measured from the base of the outlet box to the tip of the three-prong plug. It’s still chunky when compared with an indoor plug, but it is pretty average for an outdoor smart plug. On top it has separate buttons to manually control each outlet. In the iOS and Android apps, you can name and control each outlet independently so that you know, for example, which one is the strand of twinkle lights and which one is the pool pump (and this makes things easier when you’re calling out commands to Alexa and Google devices). You can also group the outlets (perhaps in an “Outside” group), so that one tap of a button on your phone or a voice command turns off both outlets. The app is the same one for all of our picks, so this device includes an Away Mode and scheduling for individual devices (if you wanted to control a group of devices at the same time, you would need to use a third-party system such as Alexa). However, it should be noted that unlike our top pick, this specific product can only keep track of how many hours and minutes devices are used on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis, versus tracking energy monitoring in kWh.
About a year ago, I put this plug on my back deck to control a set of string lights—and I don’t think I can ever go back. It’s held up through rain, snow, heat waves, and bugs, and has performed perfectly while set up with Amazon Alexa, allowing us to turn lights on with one request before heading outside to relax. It’s even nicer to turn them off from bed (again using Alexa or the app), when I inevitably forget. I also appreciate having that extra outlet available for when we want to use a smart speaker, another light, or anything else.
This Kasa model turns one outlet into six independently controlled smart ones, with built-in energy monitoring and integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant (but not Apple HomeKit). It also has three USB ports.
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Samsung SmartThings
Sometimes you want more than one thing to be automated. The Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip (HS300) stretches smart-home capabilities, with six independently controllable outlets and three USB ports. It’s an excellent option not just for home office and entertainment uses, but also for anyone who wants to control multiple devices due to mobility and dexterity issues. For instance, you can plug in a table lamp, a space heater, a radio, and other necessities, and make them controllable via voice commands. Or you can set them on a schedule so they go on and off at the same time every day. This is also the only power strip we tested that includes energy monitoring that can track kilowatt-hours for each of those smart outlets, as well as an Away Mode.
The Kasa app lays out each outlet as if it were a separate device. This makes on/off access easy from the Devices screen. You can rename each plug, too, so you don’t have to remember what’s plugged in where. This option makes it simple to call out voice commands like “Alexa, turn off the table lamp.”
Touching on each device in the app brings up another on/off option, as well as scheduling and timer features. Toggling on Away Mode triggers devices randomly during set periods so that it looks like someone is home. The energy-usage feature provides a peek at real-time power consumption based on readings from the embedded power-meter chipset, as well as daily, weekly, and monthly averages in kilowatt-hours.
The HS300 is the only smart power strip we reviewed that includes manual controls on the actual device for each of its outlets. Since it has the longest cord (38 inches) of any of the power-strip models we tested, you can tuck the HS300 in a corner, out of sight. The HS300 also includes limited surge protection, though not enough to offer much functional value. Per TP-Link, this model is rated to reduce power spikes to 500 volts when exposed to a 6,000-volt surge in testing, which means it will clamp down high-voltage surges to that level and limit the damage to any connected devices. Notably, for our surge-protector guide, the models we test are generally rated to lower surges, to 330 volts, in the same situation. And in our own tests using 5,000-volt surges, our top surge-protector picks were able to reduce that even further, to 200 volts. As such, we don’t think anyone should buy this Kasa power strip for its surge protection as much as for its smart-home capabilities.
About two years ago, senior editor Christine Ryan installed the HS300 to replace a few Wemo plugs she had controlling lamps and an espresso machine. She’s been pleased with the results, but recently had to change her Wi-Fi password. “I couldn't figure out how to change the Wi-Fi password on the power strip,” Christine said. “I’ve looked all through the Kasa app, and there’s no place that I can find to do it.”
Some smart-home devices allow you to change the Wi-Fi password in the app—but Kasa is not one of them. To change the password you’re forced to do a complete factory reset of the device, and then reinstall it again from scratch which isn’t ideal but not terrible complicated. Kasa provides full instructions here.
This smart plug is easy to use, cheap, and small enough to fit behind furniture. It also performs basic smart-plug tasks reliably and can track the amount of time (in hours and minutes) you’re using electrical devices.
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Samsung SmartThings
At 2.36 by 1.50 by 1.21 inches, the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini (EP10) is the smallest of our picks, so it fits a little better in tight spaces you can’t or don’t want to reach that often, such as behind furniture. However, it doesn’t have as many features as our top pick. Instead of energy monitoring, it only tracks device usage in hours and minutes. It also doesn’t work with HomeKit, although it does have support for Alexa, Google Assistant, and SmartThings. However, it’s just as easy to set up and use, and it’s also the least expensive of our picks, so you can add it to almost any room in your house.
Although it’s not the most widely compatible plug we tested, the EP10 can be paired with Alexa and Google Assistant. Those integrations enable voice commands, so you can turn the plug on and off hands-free. We named the plug “Office Fan” in the app and connected it to both Alexa and Google Home, after which we were able to say things like “Alexa, turn the Office Fan off,” and have it work seamlessly. By pairing this plug with a third-party platform, you can create Routines (sets of automated actions). So you can pair the EP10 with other devices to do cool smart-home things. For example, we created this Routine: Every time we said, “Alexa, make Christmas magic,” the EP10 would turn on our Christmas tree lights, and Christmas music would play from an Echo speaker. We also created a group in the app with the EP10 and EP40 (our outdoor pick) so we could turn indoor and outdoor Christmas lights on and off at the same time with one click.
The EP10 has almost all of the features of the EP25. However, unlike our top pick, the EP10 only tracks device usage by day, week, and month; we discovered we were using that lamp for roughly 16 hours a week.
Many Wirecutter readers are concerned about how the world is impacted by the manufacturing, shipping, and normal use of the products we recommend. Wirecutter takes this seriously, too. That’s why we’re looking into the overall sustainability of all of our picks. Our product recommendations are based completely on the criteria outlined in How we picked and How we tested. But we also offer the following information to supplement the knowledge of anyone who uses environmental impact as a deciding factor in their purchases. We also recognize that the following may not paint a complete picture of a product’s supply chain and overall environmental impact.
Smart plugs allow you to save energy by strictly regulating the amount of time you use any electric device—whether that’s by putting it on a set Schedule or making sure that a device like a table lamp or AC turns off automatically when you leave home. And because all of our top picks allow you to keep tabs on how much you’re actually using a device, you may learn a little something about your consumption habits, which may prod you into adopting more energy-wise habits. The Kasa EP25 and the Kasa HS300 power strip actually keep tabs on energy usage in kilowatt-hours (kWh), which can be revealing and help you calculate the actual cost of using your devices.
All of the companies behind our picks state that they use recyclable materials in their packaging, but none currently employ any particularly sustainable manufacturing processes or offer upgrade programs.
The $30 Ring Outdoor Smart Plug requires a Ring Smart Bridge or the Ring Alarm Pro, has two independently controlled outlets, and works with Amazon Alexa. We hope to test it soon.
We’re also planning to look at two plugs TP-Link announced earlier this year: the TP-Link Tapo P125 Smart Mini Plug and the TP-Link Tapo P306 Wall Power Strip, both part of the Tapo smart-home line. The Tapo P125 is similar to our current pick, the EP10, but includes support for Apple HomeKit and is made with V-0 flame-retardant materials. The Tapo P306 is a power strip with no cord—it just plugs straight into the wall and includes three smart outlets, two type-C USB pots, and two type-A USB ports (a corded model is also expected, but we don’t have a release date yet).
We tested a number of smart plugs that we didn’t prefer as overall picks but that are perfectly fine choices.
If you want a smaller option for tight spaces: At 2.7 by 2.0 by 1.5 inches, the Wyze Plug is a little larger than our runner-up. It’s also a little more expensive, but it has an easy-to-use app, it works well, and it can also track how many minutes and hours you’re using a device. It also offers two-factor authentication for added security—something we’d like to see offered on all smart devices.
If you’re interested in Thread wireless: The latest incarnation of the Wemo WiFi Smart Plug looks exactly like our former also-great pick, but this model is only compatible with Apple HomeKit. It also supports Thread, the low-power wireless mesh networking protocol that should allow more reliable and faster connectivity among compatible devices. Unlike Wemo’s previous model, this one doesn’t support Alexa and Google Assistant, and Wemo has confirmed it won’t be upgradable to support Matter, which means another Wemo model may come out this year. If you hope to use Matter devices, you’ll want to hold off or choose another brand.
If you can’t find the Wemo: The Meross MSS110 is a good smart plug with support for Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, IFTTT, and SmartThings. However, the trigger timers are a bit peculiar: If you want a timer to only be used once, you need to make sure to delete the Routine under the Smart tab in the app; otherwise, it will turn the plug off after the set time every time you turn it on. The Meross is also a bit bigger than some of the other plugs we tested, measuring 2.65 by 1.5 by 1.5 inches.
If you’d prefer a budget-conscious outdoor model: The Wyze Plug Outdoor performed reliably in our testing, and it keeps track of how much power is being used in kilowatt-hours (although it’s combined for both outlets). It’s also about $2 cheaper than our outdoor pick. However, we found it difficult to squeeze some plugs into the Wyze Plug Outdoor’s tightly packed outlets. And we didn’t find this model to be as sturdy overall—both outlet protectors fell off after a month, and one is still missing in action somewhere outside.
If you’re prone to torrential downpours: The Lutron Caséta Outdoor Smart Plug is IP65-rated, so it can handle water at a slightly higher pressure than the other smart plugs we tested. However, we have never experienced any issues with other outdoor plugs in New England rain, snow, and wind. And we found this $80 single-outlet model (which also requires the $80 Lutron Smart Bridge for remote operation) to be lacking some of the special features our lower-cost picks offer.
If you’re all-in with Alexa: At $25, the Amazon Smart Plug is too expensive, but it goes on sale—a lot—and would be worth snatching up if you’re an Amazon Alexa user and can find it for under $10.
The latest version of the Eve Energy is identical to the last version, except the company has added Thread support. If Thread is important, we’d recommend Wemo first and our top pick if you just want something to work with HomeKit. However, we do know that this model will be upgradable to Matter and plan to take a fresh look at the plug once that launches.
The Monoprice Stitch Mini is just as affordable as the Kasa EP10 (and almost as small), but the app isn’t as easy to use, and its special features are really confusing since no instructions are included or available online. We also looked at the Monoprice Stitch Wireless Smart Power Strip, but it died after about a year of long-term testing, which is reason enough to skip it. Beyond that it doesn’t have manual controls for each outlet, it lacks energy monitoring, and it comes with an especially short cord (19 inches).
The WiZ Smart Plug is a Wi-Fi model made by Philips, yet it isn’t compatible with the company’s lineup of Hue devices. It does work well, but our top picks have better features and a better overall user experience.
The Geeni Smart Dot performed well in tests, but it doesn’t offer the extras our top picks do, and the app isn’t as user-friendly. The Geeni Surge is also good, but it doesn’t have USB ports. And although the company refers to it as a surge protector, we’d suggest it’s more accurate to consider it a smart power strip.
Our previous also-great pick, the Lutron Caséta Smart Lighting Lamp Dimmer, works well if you have the Caséta system or you want to dim plug-in lights. However, you need a Lutron Bridge to use the Lutron app, in order to control it. Also, it is specifically designed for lights (and nothing else) and has two outlets that you can’t control independently—so you can’t opt to turn on one outlet and not the other.
Both the Leviton D215P-2RW Decora Smart Wi-Fi Mini Plug-In Switch and the Leviton D23LP-2RW Decora Smart Wi-Fi Mini Plug-In Dimmer are at least twice as expensive as our single-outlet picks. The D23LP-2RW does offer a dimming feature, which could make it attractive for some people. But we didn’t think the dimming capabilities were very impressive, despite trying three different LED bulbs. We are going to keep testing this one on additional lamps (and with a light meter) and will report back with any new results.
The Array by Hampton Single Outlet Smart Plug is as cheap as our top picks. But the plug’s wireless range wasn’t as good, and it didn’t have the same selection of useful features. It also has a constantly lit red LED (which we wanted to be able to turn off), along with a blue LED that popped on whenever the plug was in use.
The Satechi Dual Smart Outlet packs two independently controllable outlets into a strip that doesn’t crowd the wall receptacle and offers energy monitoring in kWh. But it’s only compatible with Apple HomeKit, and it’s outlandishly expensive: one plug is $20 more than a 4-pack of our top pick.
The dual-outlet ConnectSense Smart Outlet2 is a double-plug model for users who want to go beyond the basics—but it’s bulky and not very user-friendly.
GE/Jasco offers two lines of plug-in smart outlets: the Enbrighten and the UltraPro. Both look and function the same, but they have different branding and different apps, and they’re sold at different retail locations (UltraPro on Amazon and Jasco’s website, Enbrighten at Lowe’s and on Jasco’s website). The UltraPro Plug-In 1-Outlet WiFi Smart Switch performed well in our tests, but it doesn’t have any of the extras offered by our top picks, and is sold only in packs of two. (Confusingly, the Enbrighten version can be purchased individually.) We had some setup problems with the GE Enbrighten Wi-Fi Outdoor Smart Plug. Once we got it connected, we were disappointed that this $25 outdoor smart plug has two outlets but that they can’t be controlled independently.
The Meross MSS630 Smart Wi-Fi Indoor/Outdoor Plug is IP44-rated, which means it can resist water, but it isn’t dust-tight. Also, the operating temperature is 14 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit, making it a poor choice for some climates. We also had less than a handful of connectivity issues, so we dismissed it.
It’s built well, but the Cync Outdoor doesn’t have special features (such as an Away Mode, energy monitoring, or even a timer) like our top outdoor pick. It’s also about $10 more than the Kasa EP40 and doesn’t have a very user-friendly app.
The Ezlo PlugHub has an internal Z-Wave hub built in, which makes it chunky and may explain why it’s $60. And that would be fine, if it weren’t so difficult to use.
We ruled out Leviton’s DW3HL-1BW and Topgreener’s TGWF115APM because they were bulky and/or expensive, especially considering that neither of them offered anything that warranted the extra space or cost. Topgreener’s TGWF115PQM is more compact but lacks the options of our top picks.
The Wemo WiFi Smart Outdoor Plug is a disappointment on many levels. The temperature range is too narrow for an outdoor plug (just 32 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit), and we found our custom schedules were routinely ignored. And even though it has two outlets, they can’t be controlled independently.
Both the Geeni Outdoor Smart Plug and the Geeni Outdoor Duo have a temperature range of 14 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit, which isn’t as good as on the Kasa EP40. In our testing, the Duo responded slowly at best—and often not at all—both outside and when it was installed indoors right next to our router.
D-Link’s app is confusing and suffered from lag, which made testing the DSP-W118 Mini Wi-Fi Smart Plug and the DSP-W320 Outdoor Wi-Fi Smart Plug painful. Also, we routinely had connectivity issues with the W118 Mini, and both D-Link plugs were overpriced at the time of our review.
We also ruled out the EZVIZ T30-10A and the T30-10B-US. The 10A had setup problems and went offline within a week, even though it was positioned right next to our router. Ultimately, we found both to be frustrating, thanks to a lot of extra steps and error messages.
This article was edited by Jon Chase and Grant Clauser.
Although some plug-in smart outlets use Bluetooth (or other wireless technology), most connect via your home’s Wi-Fi. Many Wi-Fi routers transmit using two wireless frequencies: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. But all of the Wi-Fi–enabled smart plugs we tested are able to connect only via 2.4 GHz networks. And that’s where trouble sometimes crops up; if your smartphone is on the 5 GHz frequency while you’re trying to set up your device, and your plug uses only 2.4 GHz, then you won’t be able to connect. So before you plug anything in or download an app, make sure your smartphone is connected to the network your smart device will live on (2.4 GHz).
Smart plugs are great to place behind furniture, as well as in other spots that are difficult to reach. Just be aware that most smart plugs connect on the front and therefore will stick out from the wall—and even more so once something is plugged into it. If you’re worried about the fit, consider instead using a smart power strip, which sits on the floor. Also, remember that smart plugs (like most smart-home devices) suffer from occasional flubs, so you may need to get back there and reset the device on occasion.
Many smart-home devices ask you to enable location services on your smartphone to unlock specific features. For instance, geofencing is a feature that turns your plug on and off based on the location of your smartphone. Also, many smart plugs can be triggered based on local sunrise and sunset times, which are determined based on your location. If you aren’t interested in these types of features, it’s typically fine to disable location awareness or just opt to enable it only when the app is in use.
Alex Colon and Angela Moscaritolo, The Best Smart Plugs and Power Strips for 2022, PCMag, March 16, 2022
Katie Mortram, The best smart plugs in 2022, Tom’s Guide, August 11, 2022
David Anders, Best Smart Plugs, CNET, September 2, 2022
Rachel Cericola is a senior staff writer at Wirecutter who has been covering smart-home technology since the days of X10. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Wired, Men’s Health, USA Today, and others. She hopes her neighbors read this bio because it would explain why she always has four video doorbells running simultaneously outside her home.
If you want to make the jump from dull lighting to smart lighting, here are some easy ways to get started.
An in-wall smart outlet replaces a traditional electrical outlet and makes automation a permanent part of your home. Our pick is the Geeni Current+Charge .
Put Amazon's Alexa to work for you with these great smart-home devices.
Smart bulbs and plugs can do so much more than just turn on and off with an app. Here are a few easy tips to get the most of smart lighting.
Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing to save people time, energy and money when making buying decisions. Whether it's finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we'll help you get it right (the first time). Subscribe now for unlimited access.
© 2022 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company