You Can Make Any Device Smarter With Simple, Cheat Smart Plugs
You Can Make Any Device Smarter With Simple, Cheat Smart Plugs
We updated this article in February 2023 to confirm all products tested and vetted by the Good Housekeeping Institute were in stock, available and reflected accurate pricing.
Investing in smart home devices can certainly make life around the house easier, but the cost of each individual device can quickly add up. If you prefer a quick solution, smart plugs are one of the easiest and most affordable ways to transform some of the electronics you already own into smarter, connected ones. According to Rachel Rothman, Chief Technologist at the Good Housekeeping Institute, "Smart plugs are one of the best entries into the smart home experience as they are low cost and can quickly and easily add automation capabilities to otherwise 'dumb' electronics." Plugging an ordinary lamp, coffee machine, fan or more into a smart plug enables you to turn the appliance on and off directly from your smartphone. And if you already use Google Assistant or Alexa, you can just ask your favorite voice assistant.
At the Good Housekeeping Institute, our home improvement and tech analysts, experts and engineers have been testing smart devices since they were introduced. We've installed and evaluated everything from smart light switches to video doorbells and smart refrigerators in our homes. When choosing the best smart plugs, we evaluated each one for its performance, ease of use, installation and compatibility with other devices and voice assistants. Whether you're looking for an easy smart lighting solution for your home or a way to operate appliances from another room (or outside the house altogether!), these are our favorite smart plugs of 2023.
Our top picks:
Here's a list of the best smart plugs to buy, according to testing and research. Stick around after our picks to learn more about how we evaluate smart plugs plus several shopping tips to ensure you select the right ones for your home.
1) Wi-Fi Plug Mini EP10
Kasa Smart
amazon.com
$19.95
Our experts love the compact size and design of this mini smart plug. It can be stacked in the same outlet as another smart plug or squeezed into smaller spaces like behind the couch. Compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa, you can use voice control or a smartphone to turn plugged in appliances on and off. In the app, you can also set schedules and auto-timers and create zones of lights or devices that you want to turn on or off at the same time. Our pros like that this plug even offers an away mode, a feature that makes it look like you're at home when you're not by randomly turning on connected devices such as lamps. It's one of the most reliable, affordable picks on this list and is well-equipped to transform your existing devices and get your home connected.
2) Smart Plug
Amazon
amazon.com
$14.99
If you rely heavily on Alexa at home and want seamless integration into your ecosystem, look no further than the Amazon Smart Plug. Featuring a space-saving design, this smart plug is easy to set up and can be operated directly from the Alexa app so everything is in one place. Or you can operate it with your voice via an Alexa-enabled device like the Echo. Much like other smart plugs, you can create schedules and routines or set away lighting when out of town, just remember you won't be able to use any other voice assistants!
3) Cync Indoor Smart Plug
GE
amazon.com
$14.68
Cync by GE has a history in smart lighting, so if you happen to already own a few smart bulbs from the brand, this smart plug is a great addition for other devices you want to get connected. "The nice thing about GE Cync’s Indoor Smart Plug is the family of smart products around it," says Dan DiClerico, Home Improvement & Outdoor Director at the Good Housekeeping Institute. "For example, it’s very easy to integrate a Cync smart sensor into the system, so that a lamp plugged into the smart switch will turn on automatically when you enter the room. I also like that you don’t have to deal with a separate hub or bridge of any kind. Just download the app, pop in the plug and you’re off to the races. For people who don’t have a lot of experience with smart home technology, GE Cync makes it easy to get started," he says.
You can also use voice control via Google Assistant and Alexa to turn devices on and off without having to lift a finger. Our experts like that you can create schedules for devices and that whole-room control is easy within the app, enabling you to turn multiple items on at once.
4) Plug
Wyze
amazon.com
$11.01
Featuring voice control with Google Assistant and Alexa, vacation mode, scheduling, grouping, timers and remote control, there's not much the Wyze smart plug doesn't offer. Unlike other smart plugs, it's even compatible with IFTTT (If This Then That), a platform that enables automations like setting a lamp to turn on the second you open the front door. Though it doesn't offer energy monitoring, you can still save money on your bill by creating schedules for your appliances so they're not drawing energy when not in use.
5) Wi-Fi Power Strip HS300
Kasa Smart
amazon.com
$54.99
Sometimes you need more than one outlet, and that's when this power strip comes in handy. Not only can you plug in and control six devices, and you can operate each one individually, making it a perfect choice for offices or living rooms with a lot of gadgets. This power strip comes with a lot of bells and whistles, featuring energy monitoring, voice assistant compatibility and surge protection. Unlike other smart plugs, it comes with three built-in USB ports so you can charge your smartphone, headphones and more. But if you don't need quite as many outlets, you can also opt for this slightly smaller three-outlet power strip from Kasa Smart.
6) Outdoor Smart Plug
Lutron Caseta
amazon.com
$77.99
If you need a smart plug that you can leave outdoors and not worry about, this pick from Lutron Caseta features a weatherproof design that can withstand severe weather, dust and dirt, according to the brand. Our experts love that you can use the smart plug via the app or a remote (sold separately), though you'll need a smart bridge if you want to be able to use voice control. If you already have Lutron smart lighting set up in your home this outdoor plug is a great choice, enabling you to have everything consolidated in one app. Our pros like that the Lutron brand is compatible with many other smart devices including Ring, Sonos, SmartThings and more.
"Every Caseta product I’ve ever used is extremely user-friendly and the Outdoor Smart Plug is no exception," says Dan. "I like that it can be controlled through the app or via wireless remote. I don’t always feel like opening up the app on my phone, so more often than not I’ll reach for the remote. The plug is also very well built, with durable materials and solid construction. It feels very solid in your hand and the plug has held up well to extreme temperatures and heavy rains."
7) Smart Plug
WeMo
bestbuy.com
$29.99
This smart plug from Wemo is compatible with most voice assistants, including Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit. While our experts haven't tested this particular smart plug, we found the setup of similar previous models a breeze. The compact design of this plug (45% smaller than the older Wemo Mini, according to the brand) makes it a great fit for smaller homes or apartments that are tight on space. Our experts like that it can be programmed to create illusions that you're home even when you're not.
8) Plug Outdoor
Wyze
amazon.com
$17.98
Our pros love that this smart plug from Wyze comes with two individually controlled outlets, making it the perfect choice for outdoor spaces that need a few appliances connected. It features an IP64 rating so it's safe to leave in exposed areas and has an extended WiFi range of up to 300 feet, according to the brand, making it suitable for larger homes. This outdoor smart plug packs in several features, including energy monitoring, voice assistant compatibility, a built-in light sensor and vacation mode to make it look like someone is always home.
9) Energy Strip
Eve
amazon.com
$99.95
While this smart power strip may be one of the more expensive on this list, its sleek, modern design will suit any home. Featuring three individually controlled outlets, this power strip is ideal for Apple HomeKit users and Siri fans. In addition to tracking energy consumption, these smart plugs allow you to create scenes such as the perfect setting for watching a movie (imagine turning on your Apple TV and surrounding lighting just by saying "Hey Siri, it's movie time," or by using your iPad or Apple Watch).
10) Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug-In Dimmer
Kasa Smart
amazon.com
$22.99
If your backyard is decked out in string lights that you wish you could operate just by asking Google or Alexa, this outdoor smart plug will do the trick. It's IP64 rated so it can withstand a rain shower and operate in extreme temperatures, but best of all it features a dimmer so you can adjust the brightness of your lights when hosting a BBQ or romantic soiree. Our pros love that it has an extended WiFi range, according to the brand, to avoid any dead spots in your backyard. We also like that you can schedule your smart plug to turn on your lights or other appliances at a specific time like when the sun begins to set.
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A smart plug is an easy and affordable way to transform the devices you already own into smart ones. These are the best smart plugs in 2023.