Looking to buy a smart plug? We’ve rounded up the best smart plug for you right here. Scroll down, see which ones fit your needs, and enjoy making your traditional tech that little bit smarter. Want to turn your lamp on and off without fumbling for the cord? Or do you want to up the ante with energy monitoring or Siri, Alexa or Google Assistant voice support? Whatever your motivation, you’ll find what you need below.
Smart plugs are ideal for bringing smarts to lamps and other non-smart lighting. They’re also great for controlling when things like music systems or smart speakers are switched on. Also, smart plugs are great if you need to leave your house for the weekend and switch everything off at the same time.
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Quick list: what’s the best smart plug?
The best smart plugs you can buy today:
1. Tenda SP9
| Tenda SP9 specs | |
|---|---|
| Hub required | No |
| Wi-Fi speed | 2.4 GHz only |
| Platforms | Alexa and Google Home |
We think Tenda’s SP9 smart plug is one of the better value options currently available. It doesn’t have the sleekest or most compact design around, but it supports a max output of 13A and it can handle appliances up to 2990W, making it a versatile bit of kit.
Keeping life simple, it requires no hub. Instead, it relies on a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network, letting you control it remotely via an app or your voice. Alexa and Google Assistant are also supported, letting you turn off connected devices with a mere voice command. We’re a bit disappointed there’s no Siri here, though.
Impressively for this price point, it also has built-in energy monitoring. This enables you to see how much electricity your connected device is using — we find this particularly handy in these energy-critical times.
2. Amazon Smart Plug
| Amazon Smart Plug specs | |
|---|---|
| Hub required | No |
| Wi-Fi speed | 2.4 GHz only |
| Platforms | Alexa |
If you’re a fan of Alexa, then it’ll come as no surprise to hear that Amazon’s Smart Plug is one of the best choices for you. It adds Alexa voice control support to any socket (and device that plugs into it), and it’s simple to set up, with no extra hub required. We found it works seamlessly and reliably.
From scheduling lights, to turning on your coffee machines in the morning, we found this is a handy way to add another string to your Echo device’s bow.
3. Meross WIFI Power Strip
| Meross WIFI Power Strip specs | |
|---|---|
| Hub required | No |
| Wi-Fi speed | 2.4 GHz only |
| Platforms | HomeKit, SmartThings, Alexa, Google Home |
If you’re after something particularly robust with lots of flexibility, we think Meross’ smart power strip is the perfect option for you. It’s more than capable of becoming the hub for all of your power and charging needs. It features a whopping six sockets and four USB ports, which we find incredibly useful and versatile.
From consoles and tablets, to TVs and phones, you will become the master of your charging domain, topping up batteries and providing power with terrifying efficiency.
Better yet, the Meross strip works with Siri, Alexa and Google Assistant. So all voice-controlled bases are covered, while it has built-in surge protection too, for additional peace of mind.
4. Oneplug 2-in-1 Smart Plug
| Quick specs | |
|---|---|
| Hub required | No |
| Max. output | 2.4 GHz only |
| Platforms | Alexa, Google Home |
Oneplug’s 2-in-2 smart plug does exactly what you’d expect. Namely, it converts a single socket into a dual smart socket with minimal fuss. We think that’s very helpful if you’re short on plug space.
Using 2.4GHz Wi-Fi (meaning that there’s no need for a hub), this unit also has built-in surge protection, along with the ability to independently control the power of two devices at once.
We also like that it features Alexa and Google Assistant support alongside a handy timer function. It’s a compact yet versatile dual-power solution.
5. TP-Link Kasa Wi-Fi Plug Slim
| TP-Link Kasa Wi-Fi Plug Slimspecs | |
|---|---|
| Hub required | No |
| Max. output | 2.4 GHz |
| Platforms | Google Home, Alexa |
This hubless pair of smart plugs from TP-Link uses 2.4GHz Wi-Fi to carry out their duties. Controllable via an app or Alexa/Google Assistant, you can use them to remotely control multiple devices without having to lift a finger.
As with some of the other offerings on our list, the app also has a built-in timer function, letting you create the best schedule to suit your needs. And if that means simulating a raging house party to deter nefarious intruders while you’re on holiday, then so be it.
If you fancy even better value, we’d recommend you get a triple-pack for a little extra.
6. Philips Hue Smart Plug with Bluetooth
| Philips Hue Smart Plug specs | |
|---|---|
| Hub required | Not required, but extra features unlocked with hub |
| Wi-Fi | Bluetooth |
| Platform | Alexa, HomeKit, Google Home |
If you’ve already got a Philips Hue setup at home then it makes sense to stick with the brand for all of your smart plug needs, as it’ll comfortably slot into your carefully curated ecosystem with minimal fuss and works with the excellent app.
If you don’t have an existing Philips Hue hub, you can still handily control the smart plug via Bluetooth instead. This does mean you’ll lose Alexa and Google Assistant functionality, though, so we don’t think it’s really worth it.
If you’re a Hue Household then this makes the most sense, otherwise, you’re better off sticking with a cheaper option instead of forking out for the Philips name.
7. Meross Smart Outdoor Wi-Fi Plug
| Meross Smart Outdoor Wi-Fi Plug specs | |
|---|---|
| Hub required | No |
| Wi-Fi | 2.4 GHz |
| Platforms | HomeKit, Alexa, Google Assistant, SmartThings |
If you’d like to extend your smart home beyond the walls of your abode, then you’ll need a suitable plug capable of shrugging off the odd splash.
This Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant-compatible dual smart plug is IP44-rated, which means it can handle splashes when not in use, saving you from bringing it inside all the time.
If you plan on having things permanently connected to it, then you’ll want to house it in a fully waterproof case/cover for additional peace of mind, letting you enjoy your elaborate koi fountain in peace.
How to choose the best smart plug
The first thing you’ll want to consider when buying a new smart plug, is how many you’ll need. If you’re only looking to control/monitor a single device, then a single one will obviously do the trick. If you want to control multiple devices though, it makes more sense to look at multipacks, as they’re better value for your money. If all of your devices are in the same room, a multi-smart plug extension lead could also be the best solution for your needs.
Once that’s settled, you’ll want to consider your existing setup. Do you already have a Philips Hue bridge at home? If so, a Philips smart plug makes the most sense, as it saves you from needing multiple apps. If you have no preference though, then it might be worth opting for a more affordable option that doesn’t require a hub.
Extras like energy monitoring features are also worth considering if you want to keep tabs on how much power any particular device is using. You’ll have to pay extra for this feature though, so it’s only worth it if you think you’ll make use of it.
Lastly, it’s important to double-check which smart assistants each product is compatible with. The majority of smart plugs work with voice assistants like Google Assistant and Amazon’s Alexa, with a few working with Siri as well. Make sure you check the specs, to ensure maximum compatibility.
Now check out Stuff’s guide to the best smart bulbs for app-controlled lighting, our guide to the best smart home tech and our roundup of the best mesh Wi-Fi systems.
