7 Best Smart Plugs for 2024: Indoor, Outdoor & Buying Guide

Simplify Your Home Automation with the Best Smart Plugs

Introduction

Smart plugs are an affordable and hassle-free way to bring the convenience of home automation to your living space. By simply plugging them into your existing outlets, you can control your devices remotely, set schedules, and even monitor energy consumption. In this article, we’ll explore some of the top smart plug options available, including our top pick, the TP-Link Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini (TP15), and the best outdoor plug, the Cync Outdoor Smart Plug.

The Best Smart Plug: TP-Link Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini (TP15)

The TP-Link Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini (TP15) is our top choice for its compact design, easy setup, and compatibility with major smart home platforms. Its small form factor ensures that it won’t block adjacent outlets, making it perfect for maximizing your outlet space. Setting up the TP15 is a breeze, as it works directly with Apple HomeKit without the need for a separate hub or app.

Works with Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Samsung SmartThings.

For those interested in Matter compatibility, Meross offers the Matter Smart Plug Mini ($14), which works with Amazon and Google ecosystems. However, its round shape may obstruct the outlet below it.

Another Great Mini Plug: TP-Link Kasa Mini Smart Plug EP10

TP-Link’s Kasa line of mini smart plugs is another favorite among The Zero Byte team. These compact plugs offer the same functionality as their larger counterparts, with the added benefit of easy stacking and minimal outlet obstruction. The Kasa app is user-friendly, allowing you to create scenes, timers, and schedules to suit your needs. The “Away mode” feature is particularly useful, as it randomly turns plugs on and off to give the impression that someone is home, similar to the classic movie Home Alone.

The Zero Byte reviews editor, Julian Chokkattu, has been using the larger version of these plugs, the HS103 ($13), for years without any issues. For those interested in energy monitoring, the EP25 ($23) version is also available.

Works with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa

A Cute Smart Plug With a Child Lock: Nooie Smart Plug

Nooie’s compact smart plugs are not only easy to set up and manage but also feature a unique loop timer function. This is particularly useful for devices that need to run on a cyclical basis, such as a fish tank oxygen pump that needs to operate for 10 minutes every hour. The child lock feature adds an extra layer of safety, preventing curious little hands from accidentally turning off essential devices.

Setting up the Nooie Smart Plug is straightforward, and the app offers a range of customization options, including schedules, timers, and scenes. The plugs themselves have a sleek, minimalist design that blends well with most home decor styles.

Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

Conclusion

Smart plugs are an excellent entry point into the world of home automation, offering convenience, energy savings, and peace of mind. Whether you opt for our top pick, the TP-Link Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini (TP15), the versatile TP-Link Kasa Mini Smart Plug EP10, or the child-friendly Nooie Smart Plug, you’ll be well on your way to creating a smarter, more efficient home.

Simplify Your Life with These Top-Rated Smart Plugs

Nooie Smart Plug: The Best Overall Choice

The Nooie Smart Plug is our top pick for its user-friendly app, reliable performance, and compatibility with both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. Setting up schedules and timers is a breeze, and you can even create a loop timer to turn the plug on for 10 minutes and off for 50, repeating every hour. The travel mode feature adds an extra layer of security by randomly turning lights on and off to give the impression that someone is home.

Nooie’s app also includes two-factor authentication and a child-lock feature, ensuring that curious kids can’t accidentally turn off appliances. When connecting to Google Home, be sure to choose “Nooie Home” for seamless integration.

Amazon Smart Plug: The Go-To for Alexa Users

While any Matter-compatible plug can easily be added to your Alexa ecosystem, the Amazon Smart Plug is a solid choice for those who prefer to stick with a single brand. Setting up timers and schedules may not be as intuitive as other options, but if you’re already using Alexa with other devices, the process will be familiar. Alexa Guard acts as a vacation mode, automatically turning the plug on and off to create the illusion of someone being home.

Other Notable Smart Plugs

With so many smart plugs available, your decision may come down to price and brand preference. Here are a few other options we recommend:

• Ezviz T30-B Plus: An affordable and user-friendly option that works with both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
• Cync Smart Plug: While we haven’t tried this specific model, we enjoyed using an older version when the brand was still known as C by GE. The updated app is straightforward and controls all your Cync products, and it’s compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.

Ultimately, choosing the right smart plug for your home depends on your specific needs and preferences. Whether you prioritize ease of use, compatibility with your existing smart home ecosystem, or budget, there’s a smart plug on this list that will suit your requirements and help simplify your daily life.

Choosing the Right Smart Plug for Your Home

Factors to Consider Before Making a Purchase

When shopping for a smart plug, there are several important factors to keep in mind to ensure you select the best option for your specific needs and setup.

1. Intended Use: Not all devices are compatible with smart plugs. Appliances that require a manual button press to start, such as some coffee makers or air conditioners, may not work as intended. The best candidates for smart plugs are devices that turn on immediately when power is supplied, like lamps, TVs, and fans.
2. Size and Form Factor: Smart plugs tend to be larger than traditional plugs, which can lead to compatibility issues with adjacent outlets. Be mindful of the plug’s dimensions to avoid blocking access to other sockets. Mini plugs are often the safest choice for maintaining outlet accessibility.

Smart Plugs to Approach with Caution

While there are many excellent smart plug options on the market, some products may not live up to expectations or have specific limitations to consider.

• Eve Energy ($40): Despite its popularity for energy monitoring and Matter support, the Eve Energy plug has some drawbacks. Connecting via Matter to non-Apple ecosystems disables the energy monitoring feature, which is the main justification for its higher price point. Additionally, a HomePod or Apple TV is required for energy monitoring to function properly.
• Wemo Mini ($40): Although the Wemo Mini has a loyal following, some users have reported issues with long-term reliability. One Zero Byte editor experienced difficulties reconnecting the plug to the app after a Wi-Fi outage, rendering the device unusable.

Smart Plugs That May Not Make the Cut

Some smart plugs have notable limitations or drawbacks that make them difficult to recommend without reservations.

• Eve Energy Strip ($100): While the sleek design of the Eve Energy Strip complements Apple aesthetics and offers HomeKit compatibility, its high price point and limited three-outlet configuration may not justify the investment for many users.
• Hubspace Defiant Smart Indoor Plug ($10): This budget-friendly option from Home Depot’s smart home ecosystem works with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa but may require a bit more effort to plug in devices securely.

By carefully considering your specific needs and the potential limitations of each smart plug, you can make an informed decision and select the best option for your home automation setup.

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect Smart Plug for Your Home

Key Considerations When Shopping for Smart Plugs

When it comes to selecting the ideal smart plug for your home, there are a few crucial factors to keep in mind:

• Size matters: While rounder plugs may be more prone to blocking the outlet below, mini plugs are generally the safest bet to avoid obstructing a double outlet. However, there are always exceptions to the rule, so it’s essential to double-check before making your purchase.
• App compatibility: If your smart plug isn’t Matter-enabled, you’ll likely need to download a dedicated app for setup and control. This app will allow you to access more advanced features, such as setting schedules and grouping multiple plugs into a single category. To simplify your life, consider purchasing all your smart plugs from the same manufacturer. Most of these plugs also work seamlessly with popular voice assistants like Google Assistant or Alexa, so once you’ve completed the initial setup and connected them to your preferred assistant, you may not need to use the app at all. If you opt for one of our Matter-enabled recommendations, you can skip the app entirely and set up the plug directly through your chosen voice assistant.
• Potential connection issues: In the event of a Wi-Fi or power outage, you may need to reconnect your smart plug. Some plugs are designed to automatically restore their last settings once power is restored, but it’s worth keeping this in mind when making your selection.

Our Rigorous Testing Process

At our lab, we understand that while smart plugs may seem simple, they should integrate seamlessly with your existing smart home setup. That’s why our primary focus is on assessing how easily and quickly a plug can be incorporated into your daily life, so we can provide you with the most accurate and relevant recommendations.

Our testing process involves setting up each smart plug using both the associated app and the Matter smart home interoperability standard, when available, to compare the ease of setup. Once the setup is complete, we plug in a lamp from our home, such as a table lamp near our desk or a floor lamp in the living room. During this process, we pay close attention to any manual effort required to plug an item into the smart plug, the security of the connection, and whether the plug blocks other outlets.

Next, we connect the smart plug to various voice assistants to evaluate compatibility and response time. Finally, we incorporate the plug into our everyday routines for about a week to ensure it performs consistently and reliably.

Smart plugs aren’t a super complicated item, but they should integrate easily and quickly with your existing smart home.

By following this comprehensive testing process, we can provide you with the most accurate and trustworthy recommendations for smart plugs that will enhance your home’s functionality and convenience.