The best smart plugs are an easy and affordable way to automate pretty much anything. Want to make an old light remote controllable? A smart plug will do that. Need to kill the power to various devices when you go out? Yesyou can do that as well.
One of the big benefits of smart plugs is that they're increasingly affordablewhich means you can use them to smarten up devices that would be too expensive to replace with smarter versions. And you can control them using an appone of the best smart speakersor via the best smart displays for effortless control of pretty much anything.
The quick list
Below is our quick guide to the best smart plugs around. Use it to narrow down your optionsthen either hop down to the more in-depth entryor head straight to a retailer to buy.
The best smart plug overall
This plug (available for US and UK sockets) doesn't just let you control devices remotely via BluetoothThreadand Matterit also tracks energy usage. If you add the details of your energy tariff using the appit will also tell you how much it's costing to run the appliance it's attached to.
The best cheap smart plug
This budget-friendly plug won't tell you how much power your appliances are usingbut it's a piece of cake to useand is compatible with both Google Home and Alexa. Its connectivity proved stable and reliable during our testsand it's one of the simplest ways to expand your smart home.
The best smart power strip
This power strip is a great option for controlling multiple deviceswith three UK electrical sockets and two USB-C ports. It's Google and Alexa-compatiblewith a handy 'away' mode that turns the power on and off at random timesplus scheduling and automations.
The best smart plug for Alexa
This plug doesn't support Google Assistant or Apple HomeKitbut if your smart home setup is built around Alexa then that won't be an issue. It's relatively bulky compared to some in this guidebut we found it easy to set upand simple to control via the app or with voice commands to a smart speaker.
The best smart plug for lights
If you have Philips Hue smart lights and want to integrate non-smart light fittings into your systemthis easy-to-use plug is the way to do it. It's compatible with all the major smart home ecosystemsand can be controlled via Bluetoothor Wi-Fi provided you have a Philips Hue Bridge.
Hive Active Smart Plug
Hive made its start with smart thermostatsand has grown into one of the biggest names in smart home tech. This plug requires one of the company's thermostats or a Hive Hubbut once you have that you can create a scheduleset triggersand link it to Hive switches and sensors.
The best smart plugs 2025
Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we reviewso you can be sure you're buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
The best smart plug overall
The Eve Energy smart plug is the best you can buy in our eyes. Simple to useit keeps track of the energy consumption of the devices plugged into it - and if you provide specific details from the energy provider - the total costtoo.
This smart plug connects over Bluetoothor Thread and Matter smart home technology. Thread is more stable than Wi-Fi and puts an end to smart home devices failing to respond. And Matter is now included in devices such as Amazon's Echo speakersenabling you to connect this formerly HomeKit-only product to your Matter smart home.
Compared to the rest of the market it's expensive and its all-white design is simplisticbut don't let that fool you - it’s got plenty of handy features such as the ability to create schedules. And the Matter support is a big bonus that makes it more widely compatible.
Read our full Eve Energy smart plug review
The best cheap smart plug
For someno-nonsense means straightforward whilefor othersit means stripped down. Both descriptions apply here as the WiZ Smart Plug is simple and straightforward to use while being fairly light when it comes to features. It's incredibly easy to use and does exactly what it’s supposed tothanks to its stable operation and connection.
You’re not going to find any energy consumption monitoring or Apple HomeKit support. Andyou can only connect it to the standard 2.4GHz band of a Wi-Fi networknot to mention that setup requires a couple extra steps. That saidconsidering the cost of the WiZ Smart Plugthose are minor inconveniences (except for HomeKit users).
Thanks to its straightforward and simple operation along with a low price tagthe WiZ Smart Plug is an ideal option for anyone just starting to put together a smart home and just wants something easy.
Read our full WiZ smart plug review
The best smart power strip
For Alexa and Google Assistant-based smart homesthe TP-Link Kasa KP303 smart power strip is a worthy choice if you need several smart plugs in one location. It’s easy to use and even has a handy Away mode that will turn the plug on and off at random time. That's ideal if a radio or lamp is connected to one of the outletsand you want to to help deter unwanted intruders.
It offers almost all of the functions we’d expectsuch as being able to set schedules and even create automations where other TP-Link branded products work in tandem alongside the smart plug. There are also two USB ports on the power strip. Although these aren’t smartthese are still handy if you need an extra outlet to charge your devicesfor example.
Like all of the smart plugs in this line-upthe plain all-white design won’t win any prizes for . It also lacks energy monitoring and HomeKit support. Howeverit's still a solid contender if you want to smarten your other appliances.
Read our full TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip KP30e review
The best smart plug for Alexa
If your home is all-things Alexathen opting for the Amazon-branded smart plug makes perfect sense. It may not be the cheapest smart plug on the marketbut it integrates well with Alexa routines - making setting up automations for your home a simple task.
The relatively bulky smart plug connects to the internet over Wi-Fiso it can still be controlled even when you’re not at home and was extremely simple to set-up thanks to a QR code that did the hard work for us.
On testit proved to be responsive both when controlled by the app or Alexa. There’s no energy monitoring functionneither is there an Away mode to help deter intruders by randomly turning devices on or off. Unsurprisinglyyou're out of luck with this smart plug if you want Google Assistant or HomeKit support toobut it’s still a solid smart home device.
Read our full Amazon smart plug review
The best smart plug for lights
After a smart plug purely to bring an internet connection so existing lamps that don’t support smart bulb? You’ll be hard pushed to find a better option than the Philips Hue smart plug. It integrates with any Hue smart lighting you already have in your homeand can be controlled through the Hue app. Even betterit's compact and can be used with AlexaGoogle Assistant or HomeKitand the Hue Bridge it connects to is also Matter compatible.
As smart plugs goit’s one of the more expensive models we’ve tested. That's especially if you don’t already have a Hue bridgewhich ensures the plug can be controlled away from home. It also doesn’t offer any energy monitoring feature either.
That saidit's a great buy for anyone looking to make existing lamps smarter.
Read our full Philips Hue smart plug review
The best smart plug for a single ecosystem
Hive began as a manufacturer of smart thermostatsbut has grown into one of the biggest names in smart home devices of all kindsincluding lightscameraslocks and plugs. It's one of the most affordable ecosystems to get into - cheaper than Philips Hueif you're interested in trying smart lighting.
The Hive Active plug requires either a Hive Active Heating thermostat or Hive Hubbut once you have thatit's simple to set up and use. You can create a schedule (with up to six time slots per day)trigger the plug using the Hive app on your phoneor link it to a Hive switch or sensor. It also works with AlexaGoogle Assistantand HomeKit.
The Hive Active Plug is also relatively smallmaking it one of the most discreet (if not stylish) options available. Howeverwe did run into some initial hiccups during set up[so you may need to persevere.
Read our full Hive Active smart plug review
How to choose the best smart plug for you
When choose the best smart plug for youthere are a number of aspects that should be considered before plumping for a particular model
Start by thinking about how the smart plug is installed. Most smart plugs simply connect to an existing outletbut there are some available that replace your existing outlets. These smart plugs look stylishbut they require much more DIY expertiseso you may have to employ a professional.
With smart plugsit's also important to consider the number of outlets a smart plug offers. The majority will have onebut if you have several devices close together than you want to control from your smartphonea power stripwhich can have up to four smart outlets in one devicewill be a more cost effective solution.
Also consider if you need the ability to monitor how much energy a device connected to the smart plug is usingand if sodoes the smart plug work out the subsequent cost if you enter your energy tariff detailstoo.
Some smart plugs connect to your smartphone using Bluetoothbut that means you’ll only be able to control them if you’re close by. However if you’re the forgetful type that struggles to remember to turn devices offa model with Wi-Fi built-in or that uses a bridge to connect to the internet and relay instructions from the cloudwill ensure it can be switched on or off even if you’re no longer at the property.
Not all smart plugs integrate with all voice assistantsso check if a model is compatible if you already use a voice assistant in your home and whether it will integrate with other smart home devices you already own such as home security camerasvideo doorbells and smart lights.
Frequently asked questions about smart plugs
What are smart plugsand how do they work?
Smart plugs allow you to power an electrical socket on or off from your smartphoneeven when you’re not at home. Some use Bluetooth to allow you to use an app on your smartphone to control themwhile others connect to Wi-Fi and use internet access to relay the command.
Smart plugs come in two s; the simplest and most common versions plug into an existing power outletwith the likes of AmazonPhilips HueWe-Moand even IKEA producing this design of smart plug.
Alternativelyopt for a smart outlet that replaces your existing power outlet. Howeveryou won’t have as many models of this type of smart plug to choose fromand you’ll need to access your home’s wiring to replace thesewhich will mean calling in a professional. Find out more in our article What is a smart plugand how it can stop your fear of leaving the coffee maker on?
What is a smart plug good for?
A smart plug is ideal for making any standard appliance smart so it can be controlled from an app on your smartphone. Perhaps you want to be able to brew your coffee without having to get out of bedor perhaps you’re forgetful and are looking for a way to switch your hair straighteners off after you’ve left the house.
It connects to an existing power outlet and can be used with any appliance that has a standard plug on it - the possibilities are endless. Smart plugs can also be useful for monitoring how much energy an appliance is using. The figurewhich is usually in Kwh can be viewed in the companion app. Howeversome smart plugs also allow you to add the energy cost and work out a monetary value for this energy usage too.
Do smart plugs help you save energy?
Smart plugs can save you moneybut only if you’re the sort of person that forgets to turn off electrical devices. For exampleif you leave your laptop constantly on chargeeven when the battery is full it will continue to use energyor perhaps you regularly forget to lightsside lampsor the radio off when you leave the room? If sothen using a smart plug could be the answer.
Do smart plugs work with Alexa (and other voice assistants)
Many smart plugs will work with Amazon Alexaas well as Google Assistant and Siri so you can use your voice to control the gadgetseither by asking a smart speaker or smart displayor by using the voice assistant on your smartphone or tablet.
You can also create automations controlling several smart home devices at once with one commandor when a certain situation happens. For exampleif your home security camera detects motiona DAB radio connected to a smart plug could switch on to give the impression that there’s someone at home.
It’s worth noting that not all smart plugs work with all voice assistantsso if your smart home is well establishedmake sure you opt for a model that integrates with your current setup.
How we tested these smart plugs
To identify the best smart plugs you can buy right nowwe evaluate how easy they are to install and control. We assess how responsive they are to being controlled from a smartphoneboth when we’re away from home and close by. We also check which voice assistants each model integrates with and whether they integrate with AlexaGoogle Assistant or Siriand how effectively AlexaGoogle Assistant and Siri respond to commands related to the smart plug.
We also evaluate each design on how durable it isand any extra features such as energy monitoring and Away modes that control the plug at random times in a bid to simulate occupancy. We also assess any extra kit such as hubs that’s also available for the smart plugs and consider whether it requires reading a thick instruction manual before use.
