Do you want the convenience of a smart home but don’t want to break the bank? Instead of redoing all the electrics in your house, you can opt for smart plugs. All you have to do is plug your smart plug into an outlet, connect the outlet to your wifi, download the plug’s app to your phone or tablet, and plug in the appliance that you want to control on the app.
There are a lot of options for smart plugs out there, and it can be hard to know where to start. You might need a smart plug that is compatible with Alexa rather than Siri, or you might prefer a plug that you can use to turn your lights on and off on a schedule. How do you pick the right smart plug?
In this article, we’ll break down the pros and cons of several of the best smart plugs on the market so you can get a better idea of the best choice for your needs and your budget.
Kasa Smart Plug Mini
If you’re looking to maximize your space, the Kasa Smart Plug Mini is a good choice. Its compact design will allow you to use two smart plugs stacked on the same outlet, and it can easily fit in tight spaces, like behind a couch or nightstand.
You can use the Kasa Smart Plug Mini with Alexa or Google Assistant. The device can be set up to respond to voice commands or an app on your phone or tablet. You can also use the app to create zones in your house or schedule your appliances to turn on and off at specific times.
The Kasa Smart Plug is reliable and affordable. It even has an “away” feature that consumers love. You can set this feature to randomly turn on lights and other appliances to make it look like someone is home while you are traveling.
This plug is a great option for low-power electronics, but it can’t be used with anything too high-power. It also lacks the energy-monitoring feature that other smart plugs have that would allow you to track how much energy the appliance is using.
Amazon Smart Plug
If you solely use Alexa on your smart devices, the Amazon Smart Plug is a great option for your home. It is inexpensive and extremely easy and quick to set up. You can control all of your appliances plugged into Amazon Smart Plugs directly from your Alexa app.
You can control your Amazon Smart Plug using your Alexa speaker from anywhere in your home. You can also set up an automatic schedule to turn your appliances on and off. There is also a power switch on the plug to turn the appliance on or off without Alexa or the app. This feature allows guests who don’t have access to your smart devices to use the appliance too.
The Amazon Smart Plug can only be used with Alexa, so this smart plug is not for users of other smart speakers, like Google Assistant or Siri. Some buyers have also struggled with the scheduling function on the Amazon Smart Plug, saying that this feature tends to be buggy.
Wyze Plug
The Wyze Plug is an affordable smart plug option that is compatible with both Google Assistant and Alexa. In fact, a two-pack can cost as little as $15, which is close to the cost of other brands’ single smart plugs! Wyze also has other products that pair well with their smart plugs, like the Wyze Bulb, Wyze Cam, and the Wyze Smart Lock.
The Wyze Plug has many of the great features of other smart plugs, such as a scheduling and vacation mode, which turns your appliances on at random to make it appear as though someone is home. Unlike many other smart plugs, however, the Wyze Plug is also compatible with IFTTT, which has special features, like turning on a lamp when you walk in the door.
The Wyze Plug does not have an energy-monitoring feature, so you cannot see how much electricity your appliances are using, and it is not compatible with Siri.
WeMo Smart Plug
The WeMo Smart Plug works best with Siri/Apple Home Kit, but it is also compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant. This smart plug is a compact plug that won’t cover your entire outlet. It is easy to set up and has a physical control button on the plug that allows you to turn it on and off without using a voice command or the app.
Like other smart plugs, you can use the WeMo Smart Plug to set up schedules to turn your appliances on and off or turn on the “away” feature to randomly turn on your appliances when you aren’t home.
The WeMo Smart Plug is not compatible with 5Ghz Wi-Fi. Some users have also reported that, while the smart plug will work with Alexa and Google Assistant, some features, like the dimming function, are not compatible.
GE Lighting CYNC Indoor Smart Plug
The GE Lighting CYNC Indoor Smart Plug is easy to use and inexpensive. The CYNC app is intuitive and has great features. This smart plug doesn’t require any kind of smart hub; you can control everything directly from the app. However, it is compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa if you would prefer to use spoken commands.
Like other smart plugs, you can use the GE CYNC Indoor Smart Plug to set up schedules to turn your appliances on and off. This smart plug also allows you to control an entire room so you can turn several appliances on and off at the same time.
CYNC has had smart lighting products for many years, so if you already have other CYNC products, like their smart bulbs, their smart plug integrates perfectly into that system.
The GE Lighting CYNC Indoor Smart Plug is not compatible with Apple and doesn’t include energy monitoring. It is also specifically designed for lighting. Other low-energy appliances are also compatible, but lighting works best.
Eve Energy Smart Plug
The Eve Energy Smart Plug is a great choice for a conscientious energy user. If you’re looking for a device to help your family regulate the amount of electricity you use, the app for this smart plug provides an extensive report on the energy your appliances use.
This smart plug is great for Apple users, but it is not compatible with Google Assistant or Alexa. It also requires a HomePod Mini or Apple TV to use remotely.
This sleek, modern-looking smart plug does not come cheap, but the savings on your electric bill can be well worth it! It will also let you create specific “scenes,” like mood lighting for watching a movie or your morning coffee break.
Summary
If you’re looking to bring your home into the smart-tech generation, you have a lot of options to choose from. It’s easy to get overwhelmed while sifting through your choices, trying to determine which smart plug will be best for your family and integrate with your existing appliances.
We hope our review of the best smart plugs on the market has helped you make the right choice for your needs, whatever they may be.