Smart home devices are replacing our speakers, old lightbulbs and even our fridges at record speed. But what about the stuff in our homes that isn't smart yet? This is where intelligent connectors come into play.
These nifty devices connect your normal lamp, fan, coffee machine, Kitchen appliance or almost anything else for your smart home for automation and voice control. There are models for every voice assistant. Some even work with all three: Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Apple HomeKit.
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Continue reading: Would you like to buy a smart plug? Read this first
With so many options, choosing the best smart plug to turn your newly connected devices on and off requires you to review all of your needs and your home's connectivity settings, whether you want to use voice commands or not the platform on which you control everything - with "all" now including any socket.
We tested dozen of smart plugs from businesses large and small. These are our tips for the best smart plug to get the rest of your home online. Smart home devices, here we come!
Chris Monroe / CNET
The Kasa smart home product line from TP-Link includes this space-saving smart plug. It works with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa over your Wi-Fi network, and the Kasa app (Android and iOS) offers plenty of detailed options for customizing scheduling, absence modes and timers.
What won't you get Energy consumption data, USB connection or HomeKit compatibility. However, if you want to plan and use voice control and voice commands, TP-Link's $ 14 smart plug is a great choice for controlling a light switch or other connected device. Read the TP-Link Kasa Smart WiFi Plug Mini review.
Tyler Lizenby / CNET
At just $ 18, this smart plug is the cheapest on our list. It is also the smallest. Combine this with energy usage monitoring and smart and voice controls from the Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, and you have a great option for your electrical outlet or smart home.
The SmartThings Wi-Fi Smart Plug doesn't work with HomeKit, and there aren't any additional USB ports for charging - it's not a smart power strip. The SmartThings app (iOS and Android) doesn't offer as many customization options and scheduling features as the Kasa smart plug from TP-Link above, but SmartThings impressed us by creating an easy-to-set-up smart plug from your socket that a SmartThings hub is not required. Continue reading.
Continue reading: These smart plugs are the secret to a seamless smart home
Molly Price / CNET
The WeMo Wi-Fi Smart Plug costs $ 25 and comes with native Google Assistant, Alexa, and HomeKit compatibility.
The WeMo app is not our favorite app, and you won't get energy monitoring with the WeMo Wi-Fi Smart Plug. These shortcomings aside, the space-saving design and solid HomeKit compatibility of this smart plug make it easy to recommend to users in the Apple ecosystem. Read our WeMo Wi-Fi Smart Plug review.
Best for outdoors
iDevices external switch
The $ 80 iDevices Outdoor Switch is a great way to automate outdoor lights, fans, lamps, switches, or other patio electronics. This outdoor smart switch works with Google Assistant, Alexa and HomeKit over your Wi-Fi connection and includes energy tracking and remote control.
You will get two sockets, but you will not be able to control them individually. If this is a must for you, we recommend you try the iClever Smart Plug, which uses the Smart Life app as a control center for remotely controlling your devices. Read our review of iDevices Outdoor Switch.
We tested other models
There are dozens of smart plugs available from businesses large and small, and while we haven't tested each one, we've seen a few come through the CNET smart home. Here's a quick look at other notable options.
- Amazon Smart Plug: The Amazon Smart Plug is a flagship of the brand and costs $ 25. It only works with Alexa. Setup is simple, but not as feature-rich as other models. This can be a deal breaker if you're looking for a smart outlet.
- Satechi Dual Smart Outlet: This HomeKit-friendly smart plug is $ 30 and you get dual power outlets and power monitoring features. There's no compatibility with the Google Assistant and / or Amazon Alexa that doesn't last when they're all in your Alexa app.
- iHome Outdoor: This $ 40 outdoor smart plug works with all three voice assistants, but you only get one power outlet.
- ConnectSense Smart Outlet 2: This 60 dollar giant does it all - energy monitoring, individually controlled sockets, USB connection and LED status lighting. However, the price and unattractive oversized design are enough to deter me from recommending it. Everyone loves a smart socket, but nobody likes an ugly one.
- Koogeek: This $ 32 smart plug works fine with HomeKit, but blocks outlets nearby. Alexa or Google Assistant integrations aren't as smooth as we'd like to see on our connected devices.
- Puregear Pureswitch: This HomeKit-centric smart plug is another great choice for Apple smart homes, but it didn't perform as well in our tests as other HomeKit-compatible devices.
- Eufy Smart Plug Mini: This pint-sized smart plug is only slightly larger than our SmartThings budget mentioned above, and is just a few more dollars at $ 23. You also get smarts from Amazon and Google Assistant.
- Wyze Smart Plug: This twin pack of Wyze plugs for just $ 15 is incredibly affordable and does the basics well. It works with the Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, but there is no energy monitoring.
Continue reading: 6 Coolest Smart Home Devices You Didn't Know Existed
Things to remember
Choosing the smart plug that's best for you starts with the compatibility of the voice assistant. Choose a plug that works with the voice assistant you are using, whether it's a smartphone, tablet, or other device. You can usually find this information on the product box, website, or mobile app of your voice assistant.
Next, consider where your plug will be placed and if blocking other outlets in the vicinity is a problem. If so, be sure to choose a connector that is not too large. Most of the "mini" models are space-saving.
Additional functions such as energy monitoring and USB charging provide even more control and convenience. Regardless of which smart plug you choose, delivering everyday products online with a plug is one of the easiest ways to automate and optimize your home.
3 reasons why you need a smart plug
Originally published last year.