Best smart plug
A smart plug is a remotely controlled switch that you plug into a power socket, which you then plug another device into. You control them via an app on your smartphone or tablet over Wi-Fi, or with voice controls through Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri.
The best plugs also help you monitor energy usage, improve energy saving, and can be used as timers to turn appliance on and off at set times of the day plus, some can be controlled when you’re away from home.
The main restriction with smart plugs is that they only work for devices that can be left in the ‘on’ position, then switched on and off by controlling the power from the socket. Anything that needs to be turned on at the device won’t come on just because you turn on the socket, so a smart plug won’t be much use with these types of devices.
Monitoring energy use with a smart plug
The best plugs also offer energy use and cost monitoring. Devices left on standby when not in use can account for up to 16 percent of your electricity bill so, by turning off devices at the socket, a smart plug cut down on wasted electricity and save you money.
How to choose the best smart plug
There are hundreds of options available so choosing the best smart plug for your smart home depends on a range of factors. The most important aspect is how you can control the plug, because you probably want it to work with your existing smart home appliance and to control it through the same app that you use for other devices. If you’re already an Apple user you want one that is compatible with HomeKit, Google users will want one which is compatible with Google Assistant, and Amazon users will want one which is compatible with Alexa.
Other factors to consider are energy monitoring and of course, price.
Our recommended smart plugs are as follows:
- Best budget smart plug – Tapo P100 Mini – £8.79 – Buy now on Amazon
- Best budget smart plug with energy monitoring – Humax – £15.00 – Buy now on Amazon
- Best smart plug with energy monitoring – Eve Energy – £39.99 – Buy now on Amazon
- Best smart plug for HomeKit – Eve Energy – £39.99 – Buy now on Amazon
- Best smart plug for Alexa – Amazon smart plug – £24.99 – Buy now on Amazon
- Best smart plug for Google Assistant – Humax – £15.00 – Buy now on Amazon
- Best smart plug for Hue users – Philips Hue – £26.99 – Buy now on Amazon
- Best smart plug for Hive ecosystem – Hive Active – £35.29 – Buy now on Amazon
Eve Energy
| Eve Energy | |
| Works with | • HomeKit • Bluetooth • Thread |
| Dimensions | • 2.8 x 1.5 x 2.4 inches • 7.2 x 7.2 x 7.1 cm |
| Pros | • Excellent energy monitoring • Thread support |
| Cons | • No Alexa or Google Assistant support • Expensive compared to the rest of the market |
| Price | £39.99 – Buy now on Amazon |
The best smart plug for HomeKit and energy monitoring
The Eve Energy smart plug is one of the best you can buy – although it won’t work with Alexa or Google Assistant. It’s very simple to use, monitors the energy consumption of the devices plugged into it – and if you provide price details from your energy provider – the total cost of energy used too.
The Eve Energy connects over Bluetooth, or Thread smart home technology – if you have a HomePod Mini or an Apple TV – so you’ll be able to control it even when you’re not at home. Thread is more stable than Wi-Fi and puts an end to smart home devices failing to respond. Compared to the rest of the market it seems like an expensive option but it’s a high quality device, has excellent energy monitoring, and the ability to create schedules too.
Belkin WeMo WiFi
| Belkin WeMo WiFi | |
| Works with | • HomeKit |
| Dimensions | • 1.81 x 2.05 x 1.34 inches • 6 x 6 x 7cm |
| Pros | • Compact – fits alongside other plugs • Easy to use |
| Cons | • No energy monitoring • Integration with voice assistants differs per territory |
| Price | £24.99 – Buy now on Amazon |
The best smart plug for HomeKit, if energy monitoring is not required
If you’re using HomeKit, but aren’t worried about energy monitoring, the WeMo WiFi is ideal. But, due to some odd regional specification, in the UK it wont works with Alexa or Google.
The Belkin Wemo is a compact plug, it’s simple to use and includes the ability to set schedules so it turns on or off automatically, and also features ‘Away mode’ – which randomises the times the plug switches on and off – to simulate occupancy. It has a manual power buttons, and LED that illuminates when the plug is switched on. Its main drawback is the lack of energy monitoring.
Amazon smart plug
| Amazon smart plug | |
| Works with | • Alexa |
| Dimensions | • 3.2 x 1.5 x 2.2 inches • 5.6 x 9.62 x 6.3 cm |
| Pros | • Simple setup • Easy to create automations with other smart home devices |
| Cons | • No energy monitoring • No HomeKit or Google Assistant support |
| Price | £24.99 – Buy now on Amazon |
The best smart plug for Alexa
If you’re already an Alexa user, then the Amazon smart plug makes good sense. It is not the cheapest on the market, but it integrates well with Alexa routines – so setting up automations for your smart home is as simple as other Alexa tasks.
The Amazon smart plug is quite large compared to other plugs which could be a drawback if space is limited around your sockets. It connects to the internet over Wi-Fi, so it can still be controlled even when you’re not at home and is simple to set-up.
It doesn’t provided energy monitoring, neither is there an ‘Away mode’, and it doesn’t work with Google Assistant or HomeKit.
Philips Hue smart plug
| Philips Hue smart plug | |
| Works with | • Hue app • Alexa • Google Assistant • HomeKit |
| Dimensions | • 2 x 3 x 1 inches • 6.4 x 6 x 6cm |
| Pros | • Compact design • Integrates with Philips Hue system |
| Cons | • Expensive compared to rest of the market • Requires Hue Bridge for control when you’re not close by • No energy monitoring functions |
| Price | £26.99 – Buy now on Amazon |
The best smart plug for Philips Hue users
If you are after a plug to control lamps and other lights the Philips Hue plug is a great choice. It integrates with any Hue smart lighting you already have in your home, and can be controlled through the Hue app, Alexa, Google Assistant or HomeKit.
It’s one of the more expensive models of smart plug, considering it doesn’t offer energy monitoring. But, if you already have a Hue bridge, it makes a lot of sense and can be controlled when you’re away from home.
Hive Active Plug
Specifications
| Hive Active plug | |
| Works with | • Alexa • Google Assistant • HomeKit |
| Dimensions | • 1.2 x 2 x 3.9 inches • 3 x 4 x 8 cm |
| Pros | • Small, neat design • Easy to create automations |
| Cons | • Needs Hive Hub or Active Heating • Some issues during initial setup |
| Price | £35.29 – Buy now on Amazon |
The best plug for Hive ecosystem
Hive is one of the most affordable ecosystems to get into – cheaper than Philips Hue, if you’re interested in building up a smart home which isn’t reliant on Google, Apple or Amazon.
The Hive Active plug requires either a Hive Active Heating thermostat or Hive Hub, but if you own either of those, it’s simple to set up and use. You can create complex schedules too, with up to six time slots per day, control the plug using the Hive app on your phone, or link it to a Hive switch or sensor. It also works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and HomeKit.
The Hive Active Plug is quite bulky and can have some issues during set up, so you may need patience!
IKEA TRÅDFRI Wireless Control Outlet
| IKEA TRÅDFRI Wireless Control Outlet | |
| Works with | • Alexa • Google Assistant • HomeKit |
| Dimensions | • 3.9 x 2.1 x 2.4 inches • 10 x 5.3 x 6.2 cm |
| Pros | • Simplistic • Easy-to-use app |
| Cons | • Needs additional hub and remote • No energy monitoring |
| Price | £20.00 – Buy now on Amazon |
The IKEA TRÅDFRI is not a pretty plug, but it’s reliable and a reasonable price. It’s controlled via the IKEA Home Smart app. Once it’s set up, it can be controlled via Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri but, unlike most smart plugs, which connect directly to your home Wi-Fi network, it requires the Tradfri gateway and a Tradfri ‘steering device’, which makes it a less attractive choice. It also lacks features such as ‘Away mode’ and energy monitoring.
TP-Link Kasa Mini
| TP-Link Kasa Mini | |
| Works with | • Alexa • Google Assistant • SmartThings |
| Dimensions | • 2 x 2.4 x 2.85 inches • 5.15 x 6.03 x 7.25 cm |
| Pros | • Simple budget plug • Easy to set up |
| Cons | • No HomeKit support • No energy monitoring |
| Price | £10.00 – Buy now on Amazon |
The best budget smart plug
At just £10, the TP-Link Kasa Mini is great value. It’s easy to install and has a decent ‘Away mode’ that switches the socket on and off at random times. The £10 version does not monitor energy usage but if you need that feature, you can go for the slightly more expensive £15 version.
The Kasa plug connects to your router without the need for a separate hub, can be controlled via the Kasa app, Alexa or Google Assistant too.
Meross Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini
| Meross Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini | |
| Works with | • Alexa • Google Assistant • HomeKit • SmartThings / IFTTT |
| Dimensions | • 2.4 x 2 x 2.16 inches • 6.2 x 5 x 5.5 cm |
| Pros | • Good value • Easy to set up |
| Cons | • Some people have reported short range • No energy monitoring |
| Price | £17.99 – Buy now on Amazon |
The Meross Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini is the company’s latest smart home device which can be controlled using Meross’s own app, HomeKit, Google Assistant or IFTTT. It’s a super-compact design and connects to your home’s Wi-Fi network to let you set schedules and timers for the plug to switch on and off, or use sunrise and sunset times to activate schedules, which is a nice feature. But it doesn’t have any energy monitoring features.
Hey Smart Plug
| Hey! smart plug | |
| Works with | • Alexa • Google Assistant |
| Dimensions | • 2.16 x 2.16 x 1.18 inches • 5.5 x 5.5 x 3 cm |
| Pros | • Good value considering it does energy monitoring too • Smart design |
| Cons | • No HomeKit support |
| Price | £15.00 – Buy now on Amazon |
Hey! is a new UK smart home brand which stands out mainly for its stylish packaging – although that’s not really a reason to buy their products – the main reason is a the great prices. If you’re just after the basics this is a worthwhile option at just £15. It’s a nice, compact design that won’t obstruct the plug socket next to it and can fit in places some larger plugs can’t. It connects straight to your wifi without the need for a hub and can be controlled via the Hey app, Alexa or Google Assistant.
Humax Wi-Fi
| Humax Wi-Fi Smart Plug | |
| Works with | • Alexa • Google Assistant • IFTTT |
| Dimensions | • 2.16 x 2.16 x 2.28 inches • 5.5 x 5.5 x 5.8 cm |
| Pros | • Compact design • Good features |
| Cons | • No HomeKit support |
| Price | £15.00 – Buy now on Amazon |
Best budget smart plug with energy monitoring
Humax’s smart plug is beautifully compact, and won’t obscure adjacent sockets. It has a button on the left-hand side to manually turn on and off the connected device, which is useful if you have it on a strip.
Sett up via the Humax Smart Living app is simple: press the button on the plug for five seconds, tell the app the blue light is flashing and it pairs over Bluetooth, then asks for your Wi-Fi password and you’re done. Plus, it works with Alexa and Google Assistant too, as well as IFTTT. The Humax Smart Living app also tells you how much power is being consumed in real time, and the total amount of energy used ‘today’ and overall, a nice set of energy monitoring features. It also features schedules for turning power on and off, countdown timers and – most usefully for lights – schedules based on sunset and sunrise.
Tapo P100 Mini
| Tapo P100 Mini | |
| Works with | • Alexa • Google Assistant • IFTTT |
| Dimensions | • 1.57 x 2.83 x 2 inches • 4 x 7.2 x 5.1 cm |
| Pros | • Compact design • Plenty of features, including away mode |
| Cons | • No HomeKit support • Can’t be used with the Kasa app |
| Price | £8.79 – Buy now on Amazon |
Best budget smart plug
Tapo is a sub-brand of TP-Link and the P100 Mini is one of the most affordable smart plugs on the market. It has a simple design, which is reasonably compact, although it’s still a bit more bulky than some of the more expensive options. It features schedules and timers and there’s even an ‘Away mode’ which turns devices on and off randomly, to make it look like you’re at home. There’s also a button on the plug if you want to switch it manually.
It works with Google Assistant and Alexa, but not with HomeKit or the Kasa app, so it isn’t ideal if you already have TP-Link smart plugs or other smart devices. Overall, unless you’re already locked into a different ecosystem, this is definitely one to consider.
