Best Smart Plugs 2025: Transform Any Device Into a Voice-Controlled, Schedulable Smart Home Essential

Smart plugs are the unsung heroes of home automation. These affordable little gadgets plug into your existing outlets and instantly make any "dumb" device smart—no expensive replacements needed! Whether you want to turn on your coffee maker from bed, schedule your holiday lights, or check if you left the iron on, smart plugs deliver powerful functionality at a fraction of the cost of dedicated smart appliances.

We've tested dozens of smart plugs to find the ones that offer the best combination of reliability, features, compatibility, and value. Here are our top picks for 2025.

What Makes a Great Smart Plug?

Before we dive into our recommendations, here's what we looked for:

• Reliable connectivity: Strong Wi-Fi connection that doesn't drop randomly
• App quality: Intuitive mobile apps that make setup and control effortless
• Voice assistant compatibility: Works seamlessly with Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri
• Compact design: Doesn't block adjacent outlets
• Scheduling features: Set timers and routines to automate your home
• Energy monitoring: Track power usage to identify energy hogs (bonus feature)
• Away mode: Randomly turn lights on/off to simulate presence when traveling

Our Top Picks

Best Overall: Kasa Smart Plug Ultra Mini (EP25)

What we love: This tiny powerhouse from TP-Link's Kasa line is our top pick for most people. At just 2.4 inches tall, it won't block adjacent outlets, yet it packs impressive features including scheduling, away mode, and seamless integration with Alexa, Google Assistant, and even Apple HomeKit via Matter support. Setup takes under two minutes, and the Kasa app is one of the most user-friendly we've tested.

Other things to know: Rated for 15 amps (1800W), perfect for most household devices. Available in 2-packs and 4-packs for better value. No energy monitoring on this model—if you need that, check out the EP10 below. Works on 2.4GHz Wi-Fi only (like most smart plugs).

Price range: $10-15 per plug (frequently on sale)

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Best with Energy Monitoring: Kasa Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring (EP10)

What we love: Want to know which devices are secretly running up your electric bill? This plug tracks real-time and historical energy usage right in the app, showing you exactly how much power (and money) each device consumes. We discovered our old space heater was costing us $40/month—prompting an immediate upgrade! Same great Kasa reliability and compact design as the EP25.

Other things to know: Slightly larger than the Ultra Mini but still reasonably compact. The energy data is surprisingly detailed, with daily, weekly, and monthly reports. Great for tracking seasonal usage patterns and optimizing your energy consumption.

Price range: $15-20 per plug

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Best Budget Option: Amazon Smart Plug

What we love: If you're already in the Amazon ecosystem with Alexa devices, this official smart plug is dead simple and incredibly affordable. One-tap setup if you have an Echo device—literally just plug it in and the app finds it automatically. Perfect for beginners or anyone who wants no-fuss smart home control.

Other things to know: Alexa-only—no Google Assistant or HomeKit support. Slightly bulkier than the Kasa options. Limited scheduling features compared to competitors. But for the price and seamless Alexa integration, it's hard to beat if that's your platform.

Price range: $13-25 (watch for frequent sales at $5-10 off)

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Best for Google Home Users: Google Nest WiFi Point with Smart Plug

What we love: This clever 2-in-1 device combines a Wi-Fi extender with a built-in smart plug outlet. If you have dead zones in your home and need smart plug functionality, this kills two birds with one stone. The Google Home integration is flawless, and you get the added benefit of improved Wi-Fi coverage.

Other things to know: More expensive than standalone smart plugs, but consider the value if you need both functions. Only one controllable outlet per unit. Works exclusively with Google Home ecosystem.

Price range: $80-100

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Best for Apple HomeKit: Wemo Smart Plug (Matter-Enabled)

What we love: Belkin's Wemo has long been a favorite for Apple users, and the Matter-enabled version works beautifully with HomeKit, Alexa, and Google Assistant. Siri control is snappy and reliable, and it integrates seamlessly into Apple's Home app for automation and scenes. The Thread support (via Matter) provides more reliable connectivity than Wi-Fi-only plugs.

Other things to know: Slightly pricier than competitors but worth it for the multi-platform flexibility and Thread reliability. Compact design that doesn't block adjacent outlets. The Wemo app offers advanced scheduling if you don't want to use the platform apps.

Price range: $20-25 per plug

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Best Outdoor Smart Plug: Kasa Smart Outdoor Plug (EP40A)

What we love: Weatherproof design with two independently controllable outlets makes this perfect for patio lights, fountain pumps, or holiday decorations. We've had one running our string lights and garden fountain for two years through rain, snow, and blazing summer heat—still going strong. Each outlet can be controlled separately, which is incredibly useful.

Other things to know: Larger than indoor plugs (obviously) but well-designed with a mounting bracket. 15-foot power cord gives you placement flexibility. IP64 weather resistance rating. Works with Alexa and Google Assistant.

Price range: $25-35

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Best for Heavy-Duty Appliances: BN-LINK Smart Plug (Heavy Duty)

What we love: Rated for 20 amps and 2400 watts, this beast can handle space heaters, window AC units, and other power-hungry devices that would overload standard smart plugs. We use one for a portable air conditioner and love being able to cool down the bedroom before we get home. The chunky design inspires confidence for high-wattage applications.

Other things to know: Noticeably larger than standard smart plugs—will likely block one adjacent outlet. Basic features (no energy monitoring), but rock-solid reliability for heavy loads. Works with Alexa and Google Assistant.

Price range: $15-20

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Smart Plug Use Cases We Love

Still wondering if you need smart plugs? Here are our favorite ways to use them:

Coffee maker automation: Wake up to fresh coffee by scheduling your coffee maker to start brewing 5 minutes before your alarm goes off.

Lamp scheduling: Set living room lamps to turn on at sunset and off at bedtime automatically—no more walking into a dark house.

Fan control: Turn bedroom fans on/off from bed without getting up. Game-changer during hot summer nights.

Holiday light timer: Schedule decorative lights to turn on at dusk and off at midnight, saving energy and eliminating the daily chore.

Vacation mode: Use away mode to randomly turn lights on/off while you're traveling, deterring potential burglars.

Energy monitoring: Identify vampire power drains and devices that cost more to run than you realized.

Voice control for non-smart devices: Give any lamp, fan, or appliance voice control capabilities instantly.

Phone charging station: Schedule your phone charger to turn off after a few hours to preserve battery health (or save a tiny bit of energy).

Setup and Compatibility Notes

Wi-Fi requirements: Most smart plugs require 2.4GHz Wi-Fi (not 5GHz). Make sure your router broadcasts a 2.4GHz network or has a combined 2.4/5GHz network.

Voice assistant compatibility:

• Alexa: Nearly all smart plugs work with Alexa
• Google Assistant: Most work with Google (check product specs)
• Apple HomeKit/Siri: Fewer options available—look for HomeKit certification or Matter support

Matter support: The new Matter standard allows smart plugs to work across all platforms. If you use multiple ecosystems or might switch in the future, prioritize Matter-enabled plugs.

Hub requirements: Most modern smart plugs connect directly to Wi-Fi and don't require a separate hub. This makes them incredibly easy to set up and more affordable than Zigbee or Z-Wave alternatives.

Buying Tips and Considerations

Multi-packs save money: If you're outfitting multiple rooms, buy 2-packs or 4-packs for significant savings per plug.

Check the wattage rating: Standard plugs handle 15 amps (1800W). If you're controlling heaters, AC units, or other high-wattage devices, get a heavy-duty model rated for 20 amps.

Measure your outlet spacing: If you have closely-spaced outlets, prioritize compact "mini" designs that won't block adjacent sockets.

Consider energy monitoring: If you're curious about power consumption or want to optimize energy usage, spend a few extra dollars for monitoring capabilities.

Watch for sales: Smart plugs go on sale frequently, especially during Prime Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday. Stock up when prices drop.

Start with one: Not sure if you'll use smart plugs? Buy a single unit to test before committing to outfitting your whole home.

The Bottom Line

Smart plugs are one of the most affordable and versatile entry points into home automation. For $10-25, you can add voice control, scheduling, and remote access to any device with a plug—no expensive replacements or complicated installation required.

Our top pick for most people is the Kasa Smart Plug Ultra Mini (EP25) for its compact design, reliable performance, and broad compatibility. If you want energy monitoring, upgrade to the EP10. Alexa users on a budget should grab the Amazon Smart Plug, while Apple fans will appreciate the Wemo Matter-enabled plug.

Start with a couple of smart plugs in high-traffic areas like your bedroom and living room. Once you experience the convenience of voice-controlled lamps and scheduled devices, you'll wonder how you ever lived without them!

Ready to make your home smarter? Smart plugs are the easiest way to start—and they might just be the gateway to a fully automated smart home.