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 – Yuin – £13.00 – 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 – Yuin – £13.00 – 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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Meross Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini

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! 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

Best budget smart plug with energy monitoring

Yuni’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.

Set up via the Smart Life 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 Smart Life 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

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.

Check out the best smart radiator valves for your home, see how much you could save on energy and also check if you can save on broadband.

Some newer smart plugs feature in our list of smart tech gift ideas.

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A lot of smart devices can be used with HomeKit or another app but some are designed only for HomeKit and cannot be controlled via non–Apple devices so, if you are not an Apple user, you may want to check out alternative solutions. But, if you use Apple devices already, HomeKit provides a smart way to use your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch to control your home accessories and start building a smart home.

Getting started with Apple HomeKit for smart homes

To get started, you will need to buy at least one HomeKit compatible accessory from the range of lights, switches, outlets, thermostats, fans, speakers, doorbells, and cameras available online on in your local technology store. Look out for the ‘Works with Apple HomeKit’ sticker on the box.

A simple place to start is with some lights. The most popular lighting solution is Phillip’s Hue bulbs which can be purchased separately or in bundles – and all you need to do is install one of these smart light bulbs into an existing lamp, and you have the beginnings of a smart home – and a simple setup to start to get to grips with HomeKit.

Once you have a HomeKit compatible accessory plugged in at home, download the manufactures’ application from the App Store and walk through the set up process to make sure it works OK.

Using Apple’s HomeKit App for smart homes

Now your accessories is connected and can be controlled via the manufacturer’s app, it is time to set it up with HomeKit. Find or download the HomeKit app and open it up to get started. Use the + button in the top right–hand corner to add a new accessory, and follow the onscreen instructions to scan the QR code on the box of hold your device near the new accessory and you’re good to go!

Setting up HomeKit ‘Scenes’

Apple calls groups of accessories ‘Scenes’ – which provide a way to switch between different configurations of multiple devices with a single tap. You can add a new Scene via the + symbol in the upper right–hand corner. You can set up as many Scenes as you like for specific times of day or night when you want your devices configured in a specific way, for example you might want Scenes for:

• Arriving home: This scene might turn on your home’s lights, unlock your front door, and turn up the thermostat.
• Movie night: This scene could automatically lower the lights, turn on your home theater or TV and other devices and even close your curtains, if you have them connected!
• Date night: This scene could change your lights colors for the right mood, adjust the thermostat to the perfect temperature, and play some romantic music for you…

Expanding your smart home with HomeKit

HomeKit works best with loads of accessories that make your life easier. But setting up a smart home can be an expensive endeavor, so start room by room and pay attention to energy efficiency. Some of the ‘smartest’ devices are smart plugs which you can use to connect multiple devices so just one tap on the app kills a whole lot and you know they’re not consuming any energy at all.

Check out all the other HomeKit devices you can buy – but don’t get too carried away!

Controlling HomeKit devices with voice via Siri

If you’re signed in on your Apple devices with your Apple ID, then you can control your smart home accessories from multiple devices including your iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch, if you have one.

You can even control HomeKit via Apple TV (fourth generation or later) or an Apple HomePod Mini speaker. Whichever devices you’re on you can boot up Siri and simple state your request with phrases like “Hey Siri, turn off the living room lights” or “Hey Siri, set my reading scene.”

Control your HomeKit devices while you’re away

If you have an Apple TV or HomePod mini, HomeKit will automatically set up your device to act as a hub so that you can issue remote commands to your home when you aren’t there. This can be useful when you want to change the temperature or double check that your front door is locked while you’re away.

Got questions? Let us know in the comments or via the contact form.

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Starpath is created using an innovative, cost-effective resurfacing process that can be sprayed directly onto existing concrete, tarmac, and other hard surfaces. A polyurethane base, a coat of light-absorbing particles in a range of colors and sizes, and a waterproof, anti-slip finish are applied without the need to remove worn-out surfaces. It dries in 30 minutes, causing minimal disruption.

In a press release, Pro-Teq owner Hamish Scott said that he hopes city councils across the country, many of whom are turning off streetlights at night to save money, will adopt Starpath technology to save energy and increase public safety with increased visibility. While the Starpath isn’t bright enough to replace streetlights it does create a varying intensity of ambient light depending on how dark it is outside. What’s more, the aggregate used is nonreflective and doesn’t produce glare, just a starry walk through the park at night, which means that it can also be used in denser areas including private driveways without creating another reason to fight with your neighbours.

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