Best Smart Plugs 2025: Turn Any Device Into a Smart Home Gadget

Why Smart Plugs Are the Gateway to a Smarter Home

Smart plugs are the easiest and most affordable way to dip your toes into home automation. These clever little devices plug into your existing outlets and instantly give you remote control over anything you plug into them. Coffee maker, lamp, fan, space heater—suddenly they all respond to voice commands and smartphone apps.

We've tested dozens of smart plugs to find the ones that offer reliable connectivity, useful features, and the kind of "set it and forget it" reliability that makes smart home tech actually worth using.

What We Looked For

We evaluated each smart plug based on:

• Setup ease: Can you get it working in under 5 minutes?
• Reliability: Does it stay connected to your WiFi and respond instantly to commands?
• Smart home compatibility: Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, HomeKit, or all three?
• Energy monitoring: Can you track how much power your devices are using?
• Size: Does it block adjacent outlets?
• Features: Scheduling, timers, away mode, and other useful automations

Our Top Picks

Best Overall: Kasa Smart Plug Mini (EP25)

What we like: This tiny plug packs serious smarts into a compact design that doesn't block adjacent outlets. Setup takes less than 3 minutes with the Kasa app, and it works flawlessly with Alexa and Google Assistant. The scheduling feature is incredibly intuitive—we set our coffee maker to start brewing 5 minutes before our alarm goes off. Energy monitoring shows exactly how much power each device uses.

Other things to know: No HomeKit support (that's our only complaint). Requires 2.4GHz WiFi. The app lets you create scenes that control multiple plugs at once. We've been using these for over a year with zero connectivity issues. Available in 2-packs and 4-packs for better value.

Best Budget: Wyze Plug

What we like: At under $10, this is the smart plug to buy when you need several around the house. Despite the low price, it includes scheduling, vacation mode, and energy monitoring. Works with Alexa and Google Assistant. The compact design fits in tight spaces.

Other things to know: The Wyze app isn't as polished as competitors, but it gets the job done. Setup can be finicky—follow the instructions exactly. No USB ports. For the price, you really can't complain. Perfect for lamps, fans, and other simple devices.

Best for Apple Users: Eve Energy

What we like: This is the smart plug for HomeKit enthusiasts. Thread support means rock-solid connectivity and lightning-fast response times. Energy monitoring is detailed and insightful. The Eve app shows historical usage data and helps identify energy vampires. Premium build quality with a matte finish that looks great.

Other things to know: Only works with Apple HomeKit—no Alexa or Google support. Requires a Thread border router (HomePod mini, Apple TV 4K, or certain other devices). More expensive than competitors, but worth it for the reliability and HomeKit integration. The plug is a bit bulky.

Best with USB: Kasa Smart Plug Power Strip (HS300)

What we like: Six individually controlled smart outlets plus three USB charging ports make this the ultimate desk or entertainment center companion. Each outlet can be controlled, scheduled, and monitored separately. Surge protection keeps your gear safe. The 4-foot cord gives you flexibility in placement.

Other things to know: This is basically six smart plugs in one, which justifies the higher price. The power strip is large—measure your space before buying. Energy monitoring for each outlet individually. Works with Alexa and Google Assistant. We use this for our entertainment center to cut phantom power drain from devices on standby.

Best Outdoor: Kasa Smart Outdoor Plug (EP40)

What we like: Weather-resistant design with two independently controlled outlets perfect for holiday lights, fountain pumps, or patio lighting. The sunrise/sunset scheduling feature automatically adjusts as seasons change. Rated for outdoor use in rain, snow, and extreme temperatures.

Other things to know: Requires a weatherproof outlet box or covered location. The WiFi range is impressive—we had no issues connecting from inside the house. Each outlet is rated for 15 amps. Works with Alexa and Google Assistant. The scheduling features make holiday decorating so much easier.

How to Choose the Right Smart Plug

Match your smart home ecosystem. If you're all-in on Apple HomeKit, get plugs with HomeKit support. Alexa or Google users have more options.

Check the size. Some smart plugs are bulky and block adjacent outlets. Look for mini or compact designs if outlet space is tight.

Consider energy monitoring. If you want to track power usage and identify energy hogs, make sure the plug includes this feature.

Think about your WiFi. Most smart plugs require 2.4GHz WiFi. Newer models support Thread or Matter for better reliability.

Smart Ways to Use Smart Plugs

Schedule your coffee maker to brew before you wake up. Set lamps on timers to make it look like you're home when traveling. Cut phantom power drain from TVs and game consoles. Create "good morning" and "good night" routines that control multiple devices. Monitor energy usage to identify devices that are costing you money.

The Bottom Line

For most people, the Kasa Smart Plug Mini offers the best combination of features, reliability, and value. Apple users should invest in the Eve Energy for seamless HomeKit integration. And if you need to control multiple devices in one location, the Kasa Smart Power Strip is unbeatable.

Smart plugs are proof that the best smart home tech is the stuff you set up once and then never think about again—it just works, making your life a little bit easier every single day.