Many smart plugs work via an app or smart home speakers and enable you to control home appliances with timers or remote controls. This means you can check to see if you turned off your curling iron, or stop charging a laptop to help preserve its battery, remotely.
Some (but not all) smart plugs work with smart home hub voice controls, meaning you can turn off a lamp or radio without having to move. That includes our top pick, the Kasa Smart Plug by TP-Link, which works with 15A appliances. One of the many advantages of smart plugs is their ability to control your electricity usage. For a relatively inexpensive up-front cost, smart plugs have the power to dramatically reduce your energy consumption - great for cost, and the environment. Keep reading for our top picks.
Kasa Smart Plug by TP-Link
A very affordable option
This smart plug works with appliances up to 15A and can be controlled via the Kasa app or home hubs.
Pros:
- Powerful
- Easy to set up
- Away-from-home safety setting
- Group devices with the Kasa app
Cons:
- Limits access to other outlets
The Kasa Smart Plug by TP-Link comes in packs of one, two or four and works easily with the iOS and Android Kasa app. It can also be voice controlled, working with Alexa, Google Assistant and Microsoft Cortana supported devices. The Kasa app comes with smart safety functions, such as an away setting which will turn lights on and off from time to time, to give the impression that someone is at home. The Kasa Smart Plug can also create a sense of schedule for kids - working with TVs and devices to enforce bedtimes. You can group devices on the Kasa app (such as the kitchen, or a set of lights) and control them in bulk from the Kasa app. The Kasa Smart Plug also works with appliances up to 15A, which is more than most smart plugs.
Philips Hue Smart Plug
A luxury option that'll last for years and years
This smart plug is easy to set up and boasts a small yet subtle design.
Pros:
- Two-year warranty
- Small and subtle design
- Easily set up
Cons:
- Expensive for one plug
The Philips Hue Smart Plug is designed for smart lighting and all-round ambiance - you can pair with a Hue bulb and control color, dimming, and routines, but you still get great smart plug functions if you plug in a regular lamp. You can connect to any plugged in appliance through Bluetooth or the Philips Hue App, and it's also compatible with all major home assistants.
Gosund Mini Smart Plug
An inexpensive pack of four smart plugs
The best smart plug to give you maximum access to other sockets, and it works via voice or app control.
Pros:
- Small and compact size
- Voice and app control
- Inexpensive
- Comes in a pack of four
Cons:
- Not suitable for larger appliances
The Gosund Mini Smart Plug is a great value smart plug which can work via an app, voice control or remote control. It’s easy to install and set up via the Gosund app, and works with Alexa or Google Home Assistant. Like most smart plugs, it’s not suitable for large appliances such as air conditioners, microwave ovens, or induction cookers. However, it works with appliances up to 10A, such as lamps and coffee machines. What’s more, its unobtrusive design allows you to plug numerous smart plugs into outlets, which is a convenience most larger smart plugs don’t offer.
Amazon Smart Plug
An easy to setup smart plug
Amazon’s own-brand smart plug works with Alexa and it doesn’t require a smart home hub. It also works with up to 15A appliances.
Pros:
- Easily set up
- Compact design
- One year warranty
- Works with up to 15A appliances
Cons:
- Only works with Alexa home hubs
The Amazon Smart Plug is designed to add voice-control to your outlets. Its compact design is perfect for freeing up space and letting you access your second outlet. It lets you schedule lights and appliances, but also allows for remote control via the Alexa app. If you have an Echo smart speaker, the Amazon Smart Plug is the perfect smart plug to pair with it. However, it’s not ideal if you’re a user of the Google Assistant or other smart home hubs. Like the Kasa smart plug, it works with appliances of up to 15A and has a one year warranty.
Gosund Smart Power Strip
This smart plug can power up to 6 devices at one time
Meet your new smart charging hub, ideal for home offices or spaces with many appliances.
Pros:
- Power up to six devices at once
- App and voice control
- Surge protect
- Compact enough to travel with
Cons:
- USB ports can't be individually controlled
If you’re looking for a smart charging port, the Gosund Smart Power Strip is a great choice. Not only does it function as a multi port extender, it also has three USB ports for easy charging. This power strip works with the Gosund app, Alexa or Google Assistant, allowing you to charge devices or control your kitchen counter remotely. This is a great smart plug for those with a desk setup or a lot of devices in one area. It has a surge protector to prevent overheating and damage to devices. The USB ports are controlled as one outlet via the app, which means you cannot isolate these ports. However, the remaining plug outlets can be controlled individually or as a group. This power strip gets the balance right between having numerous outlets, while still being portable and convenient to take on trips if needed.
Kasa Smart Plug Power Strip
Control each port individually with this power strip
The Kasa Smart Plug Power Strip gives you a lot of smart ports for your money
Pros:
- Power up to nine devices
- Energy monitoring
- Control each port individually
Cons:
- Expensive
- USB ports aren't smart
If you have a home office or a lot of electrical appliances in one area, the Kasa Smart Plug Power Strip will meet your smart plug needs. It has six ports, as well as three USB ports, which justifies its higher up-front price. A great feature in this power strip is its energy monitoring capabilities, which allow you to check how much energy each device is using. You can control the ports individually from the Kasa app, or via Alexa, Google Assistant, or MicroSoft Cortana smart home hubs. The USB hubs, as with the Gosund power strip, do not function as smart plug ports, but each of the six plug ports work as individual smart plugs.
The verdict
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When it comes to smart plugs, you need something that works with your existing smart home setup. The Amazon Smart Plug is a great choice if you're already used to Amazon's Alexa, but the Gosund Mini Smart Plug and Kasa Smart Plug will work with Google Assistant too. If it's lighting you're concerned with, the Philips Hue Smart Plug is our top pick, and for charging ports and smart desk setups, we love the Gosund Smart Power Strip. If you want something with even more power, the Kasa Smart Plug Power Strip will make up to six devices smart, while also offering three USB ports.