Smart plugs give you more control over your home appliances and make your daily routines more convenient.
If you aren’t sure where to start, take a look at our top picks below.
We’ve also included a handy buyer guide to get you up to speed on what to look out for when making your selection.
1. TP-Link HS100 Smart Plug (Top Pick)
The TP-Link Smart Plug is simple to use; just plug it in and you’re ready to go. It can be controlled by an app from your phone that takes seconds to set up, or it can be controlled through Alexa and Google assistant.
This smart plug has both a countdown timer and scheduling features, so you can fully automate the way your appliances operate. It also has an away mode so when you are on holiday it will continue to turn a light on and off to give the appearance that someone is home.
If you haven’t used a smart plug before, this may be a little bulkier than you expect, but otherwise, this is probably the best wifi smart plug you can buy.
What We Like:
- Easy to set up
- Scheduling and timer
- Away mode
- Kasa App integration
What We Don’t Like:
- A little bulky
- Doesn’t work with Apple Homekit
2. TOPERSUN WiFi Smart Socket Outlet Plug
These affordable smart plugs from Topersun work extremely well. They are easy to install, taking just seconds, and they use wi-fi so you don’t need a hub.
They have all the features you’ll need, such as scheduling, countdown timer, and a smart app. This is a great deal as you get two for the price of a single plug from another brand. While this is a little known brand, these plugs work just as well as the better-known products.
It’s easy to pair and tag devices, the app is very user-friendly, so there is no learning curve.
The price is probably the best thing here; if you want a good budget smart plug or are just looking to try them out and don’t want to invest too much, then these plugs are the way to go.
What We Like:
- Good features and easy to use
- Great value
- Works with Amazon Alexa, Echo Dot and Google Home
What We Don’t Like:
- Provided instructions could be better
3. Elgato Eve Energy Switch & Power Meter Smart Plug for Apple HomeKit
The Eve Energy switch is a high-end option that works with Apple Homekit. Set up is very easy and your phone should be able to pick up the new device almost instantly.
Apple Homekit integration is seamless and this is our recommended pick if you’re looking to utilise the Apple ecosystem for your smart home set-up. The Eve app itself also works very well, for users who aren’t using Homekit.
Interestingly, this plug connects using Bluetooth as opposed to Wifi, however this doesn’t pose any obvious downsides and user reviews are overwhelmingly positive for this product.
What We Like:
- Elegant, compact design
- Works with Apple Homekit
- Easy to use
What We Don’t Like:
- Firmware updates may require phone
4. TP-Link Smart Plug w/Energy Monitoring
This is another great smart plug from TP-Link. It has a countdown timer and a scheduled timer, as well as away mode. It is easily controlled through the phone app, which is user-friendly and simple to install, and pairing it with devices is easy too.
This is a great smart plug that can be used anywhere in your house. It has the ability to monitor your energy usage, so you can find out which devices are using the most power and lower your energy bills.
TP-Link really know what they are doing when it comes to smart plugs, and it shows with this model, although it is a little on the bulky side. If you want to try a smart plug or need a replacement, then this is a very reliable unit that does everything you need it to.
What We Like:
- Good features
- Easy to use
- Monitor energy usage
- Kasa Smart App integration
What We Don’t Like:
- Bulky
5. Meross WiFi Smart Socket Outlet Plug with Energy Monitor and App Control
Here is a four-pack of smart plugs from Meross. This is a good investment, as once you try one smart plug, you tend to want to get more straight away. With this pack, you are on your way to setting up a full smart home with connected devices.
These have all the features you would expect from a good quality smart plug. They can be set on a countdown timer as well as scheduling them to turn on and off throughout the week. They have energy monitoring so you can track your power usage and see how you are doing before your next electricity bill makes your hair fall out.
As with other smart plugs, they are a little on the bulky side, which is always something to be aware of. Overall, this is a great pack if you need multiple smart plugs; they are reliable and fully featured.
What We Like:
- Great multi-pack deal
- Good features
- Easy to use
What We Don’t Like:
- Bulky
6. Pop Design Smart Plug
This is a good budget smart plug from Pop Design. It has the same features as bigger brand models, such as a countdown timer, scheduling, and app control.
The app is very user-friendly and easy to install; just scan the QR code on the package to get the app and the connection instructions.
This does everything you would expect from a more expensive smart plug and the range and connection is good. It’s easy to pair it with devices and it’s simple to use. This is a good plug to go for if you want to buy in bulk.
What We Like:
- Good features
- Easy to use
- Inexpensive
What We Don’t Like:
- No stand-out features
Smart Plug Buyers Guide
Features
There are three main ways to use a smart plug. One way is to set a countdown timer for your electronics and appliances so they turn on or off after a given amount of time.
Another method is to program your smart plug to turn devices on or off according to a schedule. Many smart plugs have calendars and sunrise/sunset settings so you can automate your regular routine.
The third main method is to control your appliances via a smartphone by using an app. You can use your phone to turn on the air conditioner without leaving the kitchen or turn on an electric oven while you are on your way home from work.
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Monitor power usage
Many smart plugs can monitor your power usage and create reports. This can be useful if you want to conserve power or check where you are spending the bulk of your electricity bill.
Connectivity
Many smart plugs use Wi-fi to connect with your phone or other device. If that’s the case then there’s nothing else you need to do. But some smart plugs use Z-Wave or Zigbee which may not be compatible with your devices. In that case, you will typically need to buy a hub for your plugs.
Smart plugs use a negligible amount of bandwidth and typically use less than 50 MB of data in a month, so you probably won’t even notice them on your internet connection.
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Smart Plug FAQs
A smart plug is an adapter that you insert between the plug of an appliance and the wall socket. It lets you turn your appliances on or off remotely and provides some other features as well.
One of the popular ways to use them is through voice control/voice assistant with a device such as Amazon Alexa or Amazon Echo. You can tell Alexa to turn on your appliances in the morning or turn them off when you go to bed. You can have every appliance in your house respond to voice control.
While the apps used to control your smart plug may vary, they are all available on your Android and IOS devices via the respective app stores.
