No, it’s not hard to turn on a lamp by hand. But what about turning on five lamps simultaneously precisely 30 minutes before sunset? That’s what gives smart plugs their smarts. They can turn an old vintage light into a smart device, or turn a fan on when your living room reaches a certain temperature. I’ve used them for years to do things like control my space heater and make sure my tomato starts were getting enough light all winter. I’ve shared some of my journey (and schedules) below, but first, I’ve rounded up the plugs that I’ve had the best luck with and make up the best smart plugs you can buy.
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Best smart plugs: Specs comparison chart
| Name |
Price |
Outlets |
Indoor/Outdoor |
Compatibility |
| Kasa Mini EP25 |
$43 (4-pack) |
1 |
Indoor |
Alexa, Gemini, Siri, SmartThings |
| IKEA Grillplats |
$8 |
1 |
Indoor |
Alexa, Gemini, Siri; Matter |
| Amazon Smart Plug |
$25 |
1 |
Indoor |
Alexa |
| Kasa EP40A |
$25 |
2 |
Outdoor |
Alexa, Gemini, Siri, SmartThings |
| Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Strip |
$50 |
6 |
Indoor |
Alexa, Gemini, Siri, SmartThings; Matter |
Best smart plugs for 2026
Amy Skorheim / Yahoo Tech
I’ve had two Kasa Mini EP25 plugs controlling my lamps for over a year now with no issues. They’re compatible with all the major smart home platforms — I currently have mine connected to Google Home, Alexa and HomeKit all at once. If you don't use HomeKit, you can grab the cheaper Google/Alexa version on the same product page.
But that across-the-board compatibility is partly what makes these the best overall smart plugs. I like that they just work with whatever you have, whether that’s an Echo speaker, a Google Nest Hub or just your phone and home Wi-Fi. The EP25 was the easiest to set up, too. Just create an account through the Kasa app then introduce the plug to your preferred ecosystem by adding the device through the respective app (for HomeKit, you may need to scan the included QR code).
There’s a handy button on the side of the plug for manual control of your light (fan, heater, or whatever you’ve got plugged in). You’ll also use it to initiate pairing and reset the plug should anything go wrong and you need to re-pair.
Since these are Wi-Fi plugs, you don’t need a hub for out-of-home control, meaning if you forgot to turn a light off before leaving for work, you can do so when you’re out with the Kasa app. The Alexa and Google Home apps will let you control the EP25 when you’re away as well, but if you want out-of-home control through HomeKit, you’ll need an Apple-made hub .
- Works with all major smart home ecosystems
- Compact design doesn't hog both outlets
- Easy setup
- Reliable connectivity
- The HomeKit version is more expensive
Amy Skorheim / Yahoo Tech
IKEA took its time getting its smart home lineup in order. They’ve had other smart devices before now, but 2026 marked the first time the devices had that same ease-of-use that I associate with the retailer and brand.
Their line of Matter-enabled plugs, bulbs, controllers and sensors work together beautifully as a walled-garden smart home system but are also great (and super affordable) additions to any home with a Matter hub.
The Grillplats smart plug comes alone or with a Bilresa remote . The remote is a great way to add a little analog-esque control to your digital smart home world and the best part is, you can program it for use with other Matter smart devices.
IKEA offers its own hub for $100, but if you have a different Matter hub, that’ll work just fine too. Setup is quick with the included QR code which you’ll find both on the info booklet in the box and on the plug itself. The IKEA app is (perhaps unsurprisingly) nicely designed and easy to use for schedules and routines (which it calls scenes). But really, this is a good plug to grab if you just need a simple and cheap matter plug to add to your smart home system.
- Affordable Matter plug
- Works with all other Matter systems
- IKEA app is nicely designed
- Matter systems require a hub
Amy Skorheim / Yahoo Tech
One of the simplest and cheapest starter smart home kits is an Echo Pop (or Dot or Spot) and an Amazon Smart Plug . Once you set up the speaker, just plug in the plug and the app will prompt you to set it up. The app will then walk you through some beginning smart home basics, like adding it to a group, designating it as a light (or fan, or something else). It’ll also suggest routines such as turning the lights on at sunset and off when you say “Alexa goodnight.”
I’ll admit that this combo taught me a lot about smart home stuff when I was first getting into it. It was one of the first smart plugs I used and opened my eyes to all the different things smart home stuff could do. I’ve had mine running what we affectionately call the “ugly lamp” for a couple years now and have had one connectivity issue in that entire time.
- Easy to set up
- The app guides you through smart home features
- Only works with Alexa
- Expensive when not on sale
Amy Skorheim / Yahoo Tech
Many of my goals in life involve the continual improvement of my backyard. The Kasa Outdoor Smart Plug EP40A has enabled a key part of that evolution: String lights. Every night just before sunset the EP40A flips on those happy fairy lights and transforms my backyard into a lovely hangout space (instead of the scary, buggy trip hazard it once was).
My EP40A model has been through wind, rain, blisteringly hot desert days and frigid high-elevation winters and hasn’t quit. Like our overall top pick, this Kasa plug works with all major smart home ecosystems and has a straightforward setup. The dual outlets can be controlled individually and I like that the connecting cable comes out at right angle — it just looks neater hanging from the socket.
The range is rated at 300 feet, but that’s a best case scenario. With thick walls in the way, you may not get that distance. If you’re having trouble with range, I’ve found that temporarily moving your Wi-Fi router for a better line of sight and keeping your phone pretty close to the smart plug during setup will help. Usually, once established, the connection will hold when you move the router back.
- Stays connected even in harsh weather
- Works with all major smart home systems
- Tested range is less than 300ft
Amy Skorheim / Yahoo Tech
I credit the Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip for making this past winter bearable. I set one of its six plugs to control the space heater in my (unventilated) home office, turning it on 15 minutes before I started work and turning off when my HomePod Mini detected the temperature in the room rose to 72°F or 5 p.m. rolled around — whichever came first.
The energy monitoring feature, which you can easily check out in the Kasa app, reminded me just how much energy a space heater uses. So I appreciated knowing I’d never again leave it running all night like I did when I was controlling the appliance manually.
The device itself is massive with a three-foot long and very sturdy cable. In addition to being smart, it’s also a surge protector with six, decently spaced outlets. You also get three USB-A ports; these don’t have smart control, but they’re a nice additional power source.
Each outlet offers individual control — the toughest part is naming each one in the app and remembering what you plugged in to which socket. Above each port is a button for manually turning the individual plugs on and off — nice if you want to plug something in that you don’t want to program within the app.
- Matter compatible
- Energy monitoring
- Incluedes three USB-A ports
- Can be tricky to keep track of all the plugs during setup
Other smart plugs I tested
Eve Energy Power Strip
The Eve Energy Strip is one of the nicest-looking smart home devices I’ve used. The sturdy aluminum-cased strip houses just three outlets, but they’re perfectly spaced to accommodate all but the bulkiest plugs side-by-side. The strip stores schedules on the device itself, so if your Wi-Fi goes out, the timers you’ve set will still work.
It’s also a surge protector and energy monitor with a lovely app. But it’s much more expensive than other smart power strips and it only works with HomeKit. Still, if you want an impeccably designed power strip for your Apple smart home, this is the way to go.
Emerson SmartVoice 4-in-1 Wall Plug
Anyone looking for a smart plug that’s truly local will appreciate the Emerson SmartVoice plug . This plug does not connect to Wi-Fi and does not have an app. Instead, the onboard mic listens for specific wake words and phrases (“Hey Emerson”) and performs tasks based on preset prompts (power off, lights on and so on). If you have more than one Emerson smart plug, you can program it (using physical buttons) to respond to other prompts, including “plug one” and “plug two.”
These are the smart plugs for people who don’t want to invite big tech listening devices into their homes, but want something more advanced than The Clapper .
Aqara Smart Plug
The Aqara smart plug requires its own hub, for a grand total of around $160. That makes it a hard sell for the general population. But if you want to build a reliable, Matter-compatible setup from a brand with a wide range of smart home devices (cameras, locks, sensors and more), Aqara is a good place to start. When I tried it out, setup was simple and the connectivity and reliability was rock solid.
How we test smart plugs
I’ve used smart plugs throughout my home for a few years now. They mostly control my lamps, but also grow lights, fans and space heaters, depending on the season. For this guide, I used data I collected from testing plugs from ten of the more popular smart home brands.
I tested out how easy each one was to set up and how well they maintained connections. I used each plug’s proprietary app as well as the apps of the smart home eco-systems they were compatible with (HomeKit, Alexa, Google Home). Finally, I compared the price to function to come up with these picks. As more plugs come on the market and to my attention, I’ll update this guide.
Smart plug FAQs
How do I use a smart plug?
Even before you plug the thing in, you should start by downloading the app for your plug’s brand onto your phone or tablet. After you create an account and give the app access to your Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, you can go ahead and stick the plug in the wall. Prompts should appear to guide you through the pairing process.
Once a plug is set up in the brand’s app, you can then pair it with other compatible systems (like Google Home, Alexa or HomeKit) through those respective apps using the “add device” feature (usually a plus sign icon).
You can set up schedules or routines within either the manufacturer’s app or the smart home platform app. The latter option might make more sense if you plan to use more than one brand in your smart home ecosystem.
What can I plug into a smart plug?
Lamps, fans, a basic coffee maker, radiating space heaters, or anything else with a simple on/off switch is a good candidate for a smart plug. Other devices that you need to interact with after turning on, like a humidifier with a touch screen or a programmable coffee maker don’t work well with smart plugs.
Use extra caution if you’re using a smart plug with an appliance that’s a potential fire hazard — such as ceramic/blowing heaters and curling irons. Consider only using the smart plug’s “off” function to save energy, and don’t have it turn on when no one is around.
Can I use a smart plug outdoors?
Only plugs labeled for outdoor use should be used outside. These plugs look a little different from standard smart plugs. Instead of a white rectangle, most are black and combine a wedge-shaped housing for two sockets with a short cord ending in a three-prong plug.
Can I use a smart plug without a smart home hub?
Many smart plugs will work without a hub. Most Wi-Fi smart plugs will work with simply a connection to your home network, which you can initialize through the plug’s app on your smartphone or tablet.
If you want people other than you to be able to use voice control, such as talking to Siri, Alexa or Gemini to control your lights, you’ll usually need a dedicated smart speaker.
Matter plugs, HomeKit-only plugs and certain brands like Aqara do require a hub. Before you buy, search the product page for the word “hub” to check whether your plug needs one.
What is Matter for smart plugs?
Matter is a set of connectivity standards for smart home equipment developed by the Connectivity Standards Alliance , a group that counts Apple, Google, and Amazon as members. Devices that use Matter are supposed to all work together seamlessly, regardless of brand.
The main caveat is that you need at least one Matter-enabled hub to get started. There are hundreds of these devices and they include dedicated hubs as well as dual-function devices like smart speakers that also act as Matter hubs — examples include the Apple HomePod and HomePod Mini, Google Nest Audio and Mini, Alexa Echo and Echo Dot Max, and others.
Once you have a hub set up, you should be able to add new Matter devices using the hub’s app and the QR code printed on the new device.
How do schedules and routines work with smart plugs?
Schedules and routines are what put the smarts in smart plugs. Once you’ve set your plug up, you can use the connected app to set a time/day-based schedule or create an if/then routine. Here are some examples I’ve used in my home:
-
Schedule: Lamps turn on a half-hour before sunset and go off at 10 p.m.
-
Routine: All lamps turn off when I say “Alexa, goodnight” to my Echo speaker
-
Schedule: Turn on the space heater in my office at 7:45 a.m. each weekday morning
-
Routine: Turn off the space heater when the HomePod Mini detects the room hits 72 °F
-
Schedule: The grow lights over my tomato starts turn on at 4 a.m. and off at 2 p.m. every day
-
Routine: Certain lights in my living room turn off when I say “Alexa, We’re watching TV” to the Echo speaker
How to pick a smart plug
Siri, Alexa, Gemini or something else?
When you’re deciding which smart plug to get, the main thing to consider is compatibility. If you already use an Amazon Echo speaker, you may want to get a plug that’s compatible with Alexa. If you’re an enthusiastic Apple household, a HomeKit-enabled plug may make the most sense. Android homes may want to go with a plug that works with Google Home.
Thanks to Matter, you can now mix and match. As long as a plug carries the Matter-certification logo, it should work with any Matter-enabled hub, regardless of brand. Of course, if you don’t want to work with any of the major smart home ecosystems, you can stick with a single manufacturer or go a more DIY route with open source integrations from something like Home Assistant .
Wrap-up
After testing so many smart plugs, I think the best ones are those you don’t have to think about. It should be easy to set up and should work with the widest range of smart home products you have or will get in the future. I like the Kasa Mini E25 plugs because they work with all major smart home platforms and combine an easy setup with reliable connectivity and a great value (four for around $40).
