Thinking of dipping your toe into the smart home waters? Installing a smart plug is the easiest and least expensive way to get a feel for how the technology can improve your life. Plug one into your wall, plug a lamp or a small appliance into the smart plug, connect it to your home network with the manufacturer’s mobile app, and you’ll be ready to experience all the advantages of hands-free control. There’s no special wiring required.
You’ll be able to operate your smart plug remotely with your smartphone, set up a lighting schedule, or program it to turn lights on and off in a random pattern when you’re away from home. If your plug is compatible with a smart speaker—and every one worth buying will be—you can also control it with voice commands: Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri, depending on the device. And a Matter-certified smart plug will be compatible with all of those ecosystems. Advanced users who install a complete smart home system will find smart plugs to be an essential element.
Our top picks in smart plugs
Leviton Decora Smart Wi-Fi Plug-in Switch (2nd Gen) (model D215P) – Best smart plug
Pros
- Supports Alexa, Google Assistant, HomeKit, and Matter
- Slim form factor
- Simple, intuitive app
Cons
- Some hiccups during initial HomeKit setup
- No dimmer function (look at Leviton’s model D23LP for that)
Who should buy the Leviton Decora Smart Wi-Fi Plug-in Switch (2nd Gen) (model D215P)?
Anyone who’s looking to get started with smart plugs will find the Leviton Decora Smart Wi-Fi Plug-in Switch (2nd Gen) (model D215P) and its accompanying app to be an easy-to-use introduction to home automation.
Leviton’s D215P is a compact, versatile smart switch that supports Alexa, Google Assistant, HomeKit, and Matter. Since it works with Wi-Fi, you won’t need a smart hub to get started.
The D215P supports up to 15-amp loads, including up to 1,500-watt incandescent lighting or 3/4-horsepower motors. It’s not the most svelte smart plug on the market, but two of them will fit in a single duplex outlet, so we won’t complain about its chunkiness; especially when it supports cool options like the Decora Smart Switch Anywhere Companion. Mount this battery-powered remote to your wall and you can turn the smart plug on and off from across the room. An available firmware update will render the D215P compatible with Matter.
Leviton Decora Smart Wi-Fi Plug-in Switch (2nd Gen) (model D215P): Further considerations
When you’re ready to expand your smart home setup with in-wall lighting and ceiling fan controls, Leviton offers a deep well of other electrical products—up to and including smart circuit breakers for your home’s electrical load center.
If lamp dimming is on your must-have list, consider Leviton’s second-gen Decora Smart Mini Plug-In Dimmer (model D23LP), instead. The Anywhere Companion works with it, too (on/off only). As with Leviton’s D215P smart plug, an available firmware update will render this plug-in dimmer compatible with Matter.
Read our full Leviton Decora Smart Wi-Fi Plug-in Switch (2nd Gen) (model D215P) review
Lutron Caséta Wireless Smart Lighting Lamp Dimmer Starter Kit (Model P-BDG-PKG2P) – Best smart plug, runner-up
Pros
- The included remote controls give this dimmer tons of extra usability
- Overall simple setup and operation
- Compatible with a variety of smart home hubs and gear
Cons
- Requires a wired bridge to integrate with your smart home
- Onboard buttons make it much larger than other smart plugs
- Only works with lamps, not smart appliances like fans or space heaters
Who should buy the Lutron Caseta Wireless Smart Lighting Lamp Dimmer Starter Kit (Model P-BDG-PKG2P)?
This is an excellent option for the operation of lamps, and only lamps. But while Lutron’s Caséta dimmer plugs are single-task tools, they are exceptional for that purpose.
Like everything in Lutron’s Caséta Wireless ecosystem, its smart plugs offer advanced users more settings and more control—including dimming connected lamps—using Lutron’s app, the included remote controls, or buttons on the plugs themselves.
Lutron’s remote controls can be wall mounted with an accessory. The kit also includes the bridge that’s required to connect Caséta lighting (and Lutron Serena smart shades and blinds) to your Wi-Fi system. The bridge needs to be hardwired to your router; if you already have a bridge, you can buy Caséta components separately.
Lutron Caséta Wireless Smart Lighting Lamp Dimmer Starter Kit (Model P-BDG-PKG2P): Further considerations
While Lutron is a member of the Connectivity Standards Alliance that defines the Matter smart home standard, its products aren’t Matter compatible today. We don’t hold that against them, and we don’t think you should either. Lutron is second only to Leviton in terms of the depth of its other smart home offerings, manufacturing excellent in-wall lighting and fan controls, motion sensors, window shades and blinds, and more.
Despite the absence of Matter support, Caséta products are broadly compatible with other smart home ecosystems, including Apple Home; Samsung SmartThings; Carrier, Ecobee, and Honeywell smart thermostats; and even Sonos speakers.
Read our full Lutron Caséta Wireless Smart Lighting Lamp Dimmer Starter Kit (Model P-BDG-PKG2P) review
TP-Link Tapo P125M Mini Smart Wi-Fi Plug – Best smart plug, second runner-up
Pros
- Matter certification guarantees broad compatibility and easy setup
- We experienced zero operational hiccups
- Physically small and unobtrusive
Cons
- More expensive than non-Matter-certified smart plugs
- No Thread radio on board
- Extremely basic usage history and no energy-consumption monitoring
outlet.
Who should buy the TP-Link Tapo P125M Mini Smart Wi-Fi Plug?
One day, the Matter smart home standard will make the walls between various smart home ecosytems disappear. It won’t matter if your smartphone runs Android, iOS, or anything between. The TP-Link Tapo P125M Mini Smart Wi-Fi Plug is an outstanding example of how well Matter can work when properly implemented. And these plugs are so small, you can plug two of them into the same duplex.
TP-Link Tapo P125M Mini Smart Wi-Fi Plug: Further considerations
The street price has been cut in half since we first reviewed the TP-Link Tapo P125M Mini Smart Wi-Fi Plug, making them an even more outstanding value. While there’s no energy consumption monitoring, users can easily schedule times to turn lamps on and off with your choice of the Tapo app or any other Matter-compatible smart home app.
Read our full TP-Link Tapo P125M Mini Smart Wi-Fi Plug review
Wyze Plug (two-pack) – Best budget-priced smart plug
Pros
- Very affordable
- Supports Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT
Cons
- Only tracks usage by time, not energy consumed
- On/off only; no dimming capability
Who should buy the Wyze Plug (two-pack)?
The Wyze Plug is for frugal smart-home owners who don’t want dimming capabilities and don’t plan to go all in on the Matter smart home standard. Wyze also has a less complete smart home ecosystem than some other vendors, and its app can be a bit confusing, but we deliver plenty of insights on that front in our review for anyone looking for a great deal on a smart plug.
Wyze Plug (two-pack): Further considerations
The Wyze Plug supports Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT and comes in an inexpensive two-pack that sells for less than half of what one Leviton Decora (model D215P) will cost you. This plug is one of the best values in the smart home ecosystem.
Read our full Wyze Plug (two-pack) review
Emporia energy-monitoring smart plug – Best smart plug for tracking energy consumption
Pros
- Outstanding value
- Intuitive and detailed energy-tracking features
- Streamlined, unobtrusive hardware
Cons
- On/off control only; it can’t dim a connected lamp
- No IFTTT or Matter support
- LED can’t be disabled
Who should buy the Emporia energy-monitoring smart plug?
In addition to being a very affordable smart plug, the Emporia will appeal to users who want to track their energy consumption. The smart plug can not only turn your lights on and off, it will also give you a detailed breakdown of the energy use of whatever device is plugged into it.
This is an on/off plug only, it can’t dim a connected lamp, but few smart plugs are capable of energy consumption tracking.
Who should buy the Emporia energy-monitoring smart plug
For users who want detailed tracking of their home’s energy consumption, Emporia’s affordable smart plug can be combined with the Emporia Vue energy monitor, which gets wired into your home’s circuit-breaker panel to track all of your home’s energy use.
Read our full Emporia energy-monitoring smart plug review
Tapo P400M Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug – Best outdoor smart plug
Pros
- Very affordable
- Individual socket control in hardware and app
- Matter certified
- Lots of control options, in-app and via hardware
Cons
- No real energy monitoring features
- Setup process via the Tapo app needs improvement
Who should buy the Tapo P400M Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug?
We rarely find a product that can we recommend to both the smart home enthusiast and the frugal shopper looking for just the basics, but that’s we have in this outdoor smart plug, whether you buy it labeled as the Tapo P400M at Amazon or elsewhere as the Tapo TP25 at Best Buy.
The two outlets on this outdoor smart plug can be independently controlled, and its support for Matter means it can be incorporated into just about any smart home ecosystem you could want: Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings, and more. Outfitted with dual 2.4GHz Wi-Fi antennas, the manufacturer boasts up to 300 feet of wireless range (line of sight) and 164 feet with three concrete walls in between.
Tapo P400M Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug: Further considerations
Not only is the Tapo P400M Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug our top pick in outdoor smart plugs, its close-to-$20 street price is low enough to also be our top pick in the budget-priced category. (The identical product is marketed at Best Buy as the Tapo TP25 Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug).
Read our full Tapo P400M Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug (sold as Tapo TP25 at Best Buy) review
Lutron Caséta Wireless Outdoor Smart Plug – Best outdoor smart plug for Lutron Caséta users
Pros
- Part of the comprehensive Caséta ecosystem
- Can be paired with optional Pico remote control
- Supports pumps and electric motors in addition to lights
- Robust IP66 weatherization
Cons
- Provides only one receptacle
- Not Matter compatible
Who should buy the Lutron Caséta Wireless Outdoor Smart Plug?
If you live in a smart home and are using other Lutron Caséta smart lighting products, the Caséta Wireless Outdoor Smart Plug is your only outdoor smart plug option. As we’ve already discussed, Caséta products are not Matter compatible, but the Caséta platform offers such broad support for other smart home ecosystems that we don’t consider that a detriment.
Lutron Caséta Wireless Outdoor Smart Plug: Further considerations
If you’ve already invested in the Caséta platform–meaning you already have the required Wi-Fi bridge–this versatile plug can do more than control your lighting. This one can also operate small pumps and motors, so it would be a great choice for a water feature.
Read our full Lutron Caséta Wireless Outdoor Smart Plug review
TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Dimmer Plug (model KP405) – Best outdoor smart dimmer
Pros
- Offers the unusual feature of dimming
- Robust construction and IP64 weatherization
- Well priced considering the sparse competition
Cons
- Provides only one outlet
- We occasionally experienced delays in state changes
- Not Matter compatible
Who should buy the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Dimmer Plug (model KP405)?
If you’re looking for an outdoor smart plug that can also dim a connected load, TP-Link’s Kasa Smart Outdoor Dimmer Plug is one of just a few products that fit the bill. In a tradeoff for gaining a dimming function, you’ll get only one receptacle, where most non-dimming smart plugs provide two. Unlike TP-Link’s other outdoor smart plug, however, this smart dimmer is not Matter compatible.
TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Dimmer Plug (model KP405): Further considerations
There probably aren’t many people who are looking for dimmer capability (as opposed to a simple on/off function) for their outdoor lighting, but the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Dimmer Plug (model KP405) is one of the few outdoor smart plugs that offers that option. Fortunately, TP-Link has also delivered a sturdy and weatherproof plug that’s easy to set up.
Read our full TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Dimmer Plug (model KP405) review
TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip (model HS300) – Best smart power strip
Pros
- Six switched AC outlets that can be programmed with complex schedules
- Includes an “away” mode for simulating someone present in a home or office
- Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Home
- Outlets can be combined in scenes with other Kasa Smart devices
Cons
- No manual in the box, not even a tiny one
- Power cord is slightly too short for versatile placement
- No Apple HomeKit or Siri support
Who should buy the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip (model HS300)?
If you are looking to control several devices, with the option for flexible scheduling and control of each one, consider this smart power strip.
There’s isn’t a lot of competition in this area, but TP-Link doesn’t just win by default. The Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip features six grounded outlets that can be independently controlled and scheduled, plus three fast USB charging ports. It of course offers protection from power surges as well.
TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip (model HS300): Further considerations
It might seem expensive at around $80, but it’s actually a pretty strong deal when you compare it to dual-outlet smart plugs that cost about $60.
Read our full TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip (model HS300) review
What to look for when shopping for a smart plug
Smart plugs might seem like a commodity, but they cover a wide range of design styles, capabilities, and compatibilities. If you’re in the market for a smart plug, consider how your environment—and what you plan to connect to the smart plug—matches the following list of features.
Indoor vs. outdoor
Most smart plugs can only be used inside, since they aren’t weatherproof. (These are almost invariably white in color.) Weatherized switches (almost always black) are clearly denoted as safe for outside use.
Outdoor smart plugs are designed to withstand the elements. They’re just the ticket for holiday and landscape lighting.
Hub requirements
If you need to control the switch through a third-party hub like Samsung SmartThings, that’s one more piece of gear you’ll need to budget for. In many cases, a switch vendor will also offer its own hub as an option, though these can be limited in flexibility and features. Using a hub will also make it easier to interconnect various devices, so if you want to press a single button to turn on both overhead lights and lamps at the same time, a hub’s a great way to get this done.
Wireless standard
As with all smart home gear, smart plugs support one of several wireless technologies, ranging from Zigbee, Z-Wave, Matter, and/or Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi plugs typically don’t require a hub—your router serves that role—while Zigbee and Z-Wave models need to be bridged to Wi-Fi. Matter-certified devices can either connect directly to your Wi-Fi network (Matter over Wi-Fi) or via an onboard Thread radio (Matter over Thread). In the latter case, you’ll need a Thread border router to connect to Wi-Fi.
You’ll also encounter two proprietary standards: Clear Connect, used in Lutron’s Caséta products; and Insteon, an old-school hybrid of wireless and powerline home networking that’s uncommon these days.
Apple HomeKit support
If you’re looking for compatibility with Apple’s HomeKit devices (and want to tell Siri to turn lights on and off), you’ll need to look for this support, which should be well-labeled on a product’s website and packaging.
An alternative is to look for the Matter logo, as HomeKit is one of the smart home ecosystems (along with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings) that the new Matter standard supports.
Voice assistant compatibility
Many smart plugs work with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or both. Support for Apple’s Siri is less common, but not hard to find. Matter-certified products are compatible with all three ecosystems. If you have Amazon Echo, Google Home, or Apple HomePod smart speakers in your home, you’ll love being able to turn sockets on and off with voice commands.
Power limitations
You can’t just plug anything into a smart plug. Most are rated to handle just a few hundred watts of power consumption, which is fine for a lamp or a coffee maker, but you might encounter problems if you connect a hair dryer, a space heater, or a professional blender to one.
Power plug manufacturers tend to bury their maximum wattage ratings in the fine print, so check carefully beforehand if you expect the outlet to support high-draw appliances.
TP-Link’s Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip includes six, independently controlled, grounded smart outlets in one.
Number of plugs
Designs vary widely here. Some smart plugs replace a single plug, some replace two. Some designs offer two plugs, but only one of them is smart; the other is an always-on pass-through plug. Whichever design you choose, be sure to consider the physical design of the device itself.
Some of these devices—even those with a single-plug design—cover up both wall sockets, which can greatly limit their utility. You’ll also find smart power strips, which offer multiple, individually controlled smart plugs in a single device.
Grounded or ungrounded
Some smart plugs offer only two-prong, ungrounded power. (This is done in part to dissuade you from attaching heavy machinery to the outlet.) If you need fully grounded electricity, be sure to purchase one of the many smart plugs on the market that includes this feature.
Some smart plugs, such as this GE by Jasco model, accept only two-prong plugs and are not directly grounded.
Energy monitoring features
Curious as to how much power your connected device is sucking down? Energy monitoring features let you use the device’s mobile app to track power consumption over time, giving you a better argument to use against your wasteful, wasteful children who never turn off the TV.
Integrated dimming
If you’re hooking up a lamp to a smart plug, you can easily turn it into a dimmable lamp if the switch includes an onboard dimmer. Some of these types of switches include hardware buttons to control dimming directly on the switch itself in addition to app and voice control.
Author: Christopher Null
Source: PCWorld
Reviewed By: Editorial Team
