Best smart plugs for starting a smart home in 2024

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Turn appliances on and off using your phone

Smart plugs quickly make your home more intelligent, turning a simple appliance into one that connects to your wifi. When you think of the possibilities, it's easy to see how turning plugs on and off is useful.

Need a cuppa right away? You can get the kettle boiling before you reach the front door. If you're not home, have lamps go on and off to make it look like you are; or you can double-check you definitely switched off your hair straighteners – we've all been there.

Along with the best smart bulbs and video doorbells, these small internet-paired devices are among the simplest and most affordable ways to set up your smart home, enabling you to control your appliances remotely and set them to a schedule from your smartphone.

They might look like an ordinary adaptor or extension lead, but they can do so much more, connecting to your wifi and letting you manage your gadgets from an app on your phone.

Setup is as straightforward as popping one in a socket, pairing it with your network, and then using it to switch on and off any appliance attached to it. But they aren’t all the same. This roundup explains the key things to look out for and how to pick the best option.

Why we like it: With an affordable price for a single plug, this offers so much value that it would be our first recommendation to most smart plug shoppers.

It’s simple and easy to install, and great for remote control of appliances while offering energy-monitoring in a compact design. Because it’s Matter-certified, it’s possible to control it with voice commands via Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri, or Google Assistant.

We set ours up directly into Apple HomeKit and then also connected it to the Tapo app. Within the app, you can set timers, a schedule or use an “away” mode that switches the socket on and off at random times. This is ideal for hooking up a few lamps and using as a burglar deterrent.

We like that it can manage its firmware updates in the background at a specific time that you can select and that it can be set to power off if its usage exceeds a customisable threshold. We’d struggle to think of any features this tiny plug lacks and, especially given its affordable price, it’s the top plug we’d recommend for value for money.

How it connects: This plug connects to your router without needing a separate hub. You can control it via the Tapo app, which can show you how much energy you’re using, and as it’s Matter-certified it's compatible with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant too.

Why we like it: Already have a device with built-in Alexa? We’d recommend the Amazon Smart Plug as a safe buy, especially when it's at a low price and on offer. It’s straightforward to connect if you already have the app, and offers support for schedules within the app.

Like any smart plug, this makes it easy to remotely control any device connected to the outlet and you can create routines with other smart home devices using the Alexa app. However, voice control is restricted to Alexa and in our testing we did find it was fiddly to set schedules to turn the smart plug on and off automatically.

While it looks bulky, we found it didn't obstruct other plugs, even on an extension cord, and that's not something you can say about all the rival options. At full price, though, it's more expensive than more capable options like the Matter-enabled smart plug from Tapo which is now our top pick.

How it connects: You just need your wifi and the Alexa app on your phone, from there you can create routines and use voice control with any other device – like a Fire TV or a wireless speaker – that also uses the Alexa app.

Why we like it: If you're looking for the best cheap smart plug, this is one of the only models that we see going for under £10 consistently when there are sales and deals events. It's more affordable than most rivals and delivers most of the features most users need.

It does lack support for Apple HomeKit, but still enables you to connect to Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings or Google Assistant, and can be controlled through the straightforward Kasa app.

However, it is worth noting that the much more advanced Tapo Matter Smart Plug is around the same price and much better value, so we'd recommend that if this plug isn't on sale.

One of the only things you'll miss with this is an energy monitoring feature. However, we've tracked the standby energy usage of our Samsung TV over the past year and haven't found it uses much at all. Newer TVs and gadgets, no matter the brand, use a lot less electricity than they used to when on standby. That's why paying extra for this on your smart plug may be unnecessary.

How it connects: This plug connects to your router and won't require you to set up an extra hub. You can control it within the Kasa app, and also through Alexa or Google Assistant.

Why we like it: If you’ve spotted that you have several gadgets or appliances near each other that you’d like to smarten up, we’d say that buying an extension cord with smart functionality will be more straightforward than individual plugs and will work out as better value too.

This is the solution that we use to keep everything that we use at the desk – including a wireless charging station, monitor, charger and lamp – connected and integrated into smart home routines.

This one has four individually controlled AC outlets and four USB slots that are controlled as a group, and its cable is just under two metres long, making it very versatile. On test, it quickly turned devices on or off (within one second) and we think that the USB ports are useful for charging phones too, although this is limited at 20W maximum, so they’re not going to charge your handset as quickly as other options might.

Overall, though, it’s a great choice to put in your study and it works with all the main smart home platforms of Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings. If you’d prefer to control it only through its own Meross app, you’ll still get access to firmware updates, routines and schedules.

How it connects: You don’t need a separate hub and it connects via your wifi router. It’ll link up to HomeKit, SmartThings, Alexa or Google Assistant, but it doesn’t have the energy monitoring feature of more premium plug options.

Why we like it: Thread is a mesh network that allows devices on your smart home to talk to each other, rather than relying on sending data to wifi. As a result, it’s a more stable solution that promises to reduce lag, failed connections or devices that don’t respond.

The simple way to explain this is that Thread is a pathway to better smart home interconnectivity, but it isn’t the same as Matter, which is a protocol for different brands to work together. Luckily, this smart plug from Eve has both Matter support and works on a Thread network.

Setup is easy, this plug can connect to your Apple HomeKit, Alexa, Google Home or Samsung SmartThings platform with a scan of its QR code, and you can also control it through the Eve app for firmware updates and for keeping track of how much energy an appliance uses. It is worth noting, though, that this app is still only available on iOS devices.

This plug used to only work for Apple users, and is now much more widely compatible with Matter, but if you want that detailed breakdown of your energy use, it’s not going to be possible if you use a Samsung or Google device. And, while we like its simple design, it is bulkier than many plugs we’ve tried and will obstruct adjacent sockets if used in an extension cord.

How it connects: Because this is a Matter-enabled plug, you are able to scan its QR code to add it to your smart home. It does, however, require a compatible hub, which will differ depending on your platform. For Apple, you’ll need a specific Apple TV 4K, HomePod or HomePod mini; on Samsung, you’ll need the SmartThings Hub v3; Amazon setup requires either an Echo (4th gen) or Echo Show 8 (3rd gen); and, lastly, Google Home requires you to have a Nest Hub (2nd gen), Nest Hub Max or Nest Wifi Pro.

Why we like it: It depends what the situation is like for your outdoor wiring, but this plug could end up being excellent for making some outdoor lighting smarter. This model is made to work outside, with an IP44 rating that should help it to withstand some rain and wet conditions. However, we think it’s worth remembering that once something’s plugged in, it’s not as water-resistant, and it definitely won’t be waterproof enough to get through a big downpour.

It features a protective flap over each of the two sockets, and an 11.2-inch long cord, which is quite short. If you want actual waterproofing, you’ll need to buy and install a separate waterproof cover for it. It delivers a stable wifi connection and schedules and timers within the Meross app.

However, you’re likely to use it with a smart home platform and the good news here is that it supports all the main ones. You can set this up to work with Apple HomeKit, Amazon’s Alexa, Google Assistant and Samsung SmartThings.

How it connects: It will connect directly to your wifi router without the need for a separate hub, and you can control it through the main Meross app – which can set timers, routines and schedules – or through Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings or Apple HomeKit (to work through HomeKit, though, it does require a HomePod or an Apple TV to function as a hub).

Why we like it: The Emporia smart plugs are easy to set up and give you lots of real-time energy monitoring data via the brand’s phone app – all for £12 per plug.

But we consider it one of the best options when bought as a multipack of four. That brings the cost of each plug to under £10 – better value than most three or four-pack options from competitors, which typically cost closer to £50 for the same number of plugs.

The app doesn't have the most appealing design, but it lets you see energy use right down to the second (it goes as broad as per year) and you can set schedules so it turns on at specific times.

How it connects: The plug connects to your home wifi without needing a separate hub. It is controlled by the Emporia app and is compatible with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant if you have a smart speaker or a smart speaker in your home.

Setting it up took us under five minutes, and that included pairing it to our home’s wifi network and a software update.

On the GH tech team, we test out smart plugs by using them as you do; we pop them in our wall plugs, connect them to our setup and look at how quickly they can turn on lights, fans, hair straighteners and slow cookers.

We also set up automations to turn on and off remotely while we're off on holiday and try out features in the companion app, such as schedules and integrations with smart home platforms such as Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit. Our roundup is a mix of our hands-on testing and rigorous research.

Right now, we'd recommend most people looking for the best smart plug buy the Tapo P110M Matter Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring, because it's capable and affordable.

It works with all the main smart home platforms via Matter and can monitor energy usage. At its price, it also costs around as much as a budget smart plug, so it's a great value recommendation too.

If you must have the most stable possible smart home setup, we'd suggest looking at Thread for connectivity, and the Eve Energy Matter Smart Plug works with Thread for fewer dropouts or connection failure issues. It's a bit bulky and pricey but makes for a worthwhile upgrade pick.

While we'd also recommend the Kasa Mini Smart Plug KP105 as a cheap option when on offer, it's often around the same price as our all-rounder pick of the Tapo Matter Smart Plug.

You’ll be able to control your plug and create schedules using a smartphone app from the brand. Some of these are also compatible with a platform called IFTTT, which stands for “if this, then that”.

This service can get devices and services from different brands working together. For example, you could set it up so that your wifi security camera could automate a lamp switching on, but only if the camera spots someone outside your house.

In addition, you can use voice assistants like Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s Siri and Google Assistant to switch plugs on and off.

If you prefer to keep everything in one place, you can also create “automations” and schedules within the app for the voice assistant.

Not all plugs work with all assistants though, so we’ve covered that in our reviews.

Smart plugs can help you save energy by helping you to switch off appliances that may be consuming electricity while on standby. Set-top boxes, older gaming consoles and ageing TVs are some of the main culprits.

Newer TVs are more energy-efficient, but it still can help to switch a few appliances off overnight to save precious pennies on your energy costs.

Models from brands like TP-Link and Eve will offer you energy-monitoring capabilities too, helping you to know how much energy you’re using and what it costs.

Simon Cocks is Hearst UK’s Technology Ecommerce Editor, overseeing tech shopping content and strategy across a range of titles including Good Housekeeping UK, Esquire UK, Digital Spy, Men’s Health UK and Women’s Health UK.

Simon specialises in testing the latest smart gadgets, home entertainment gear, headphones, speakers, portable chargers, radios, ebook readers and smartphones. He's reviewed top tech products from brands including Google, Apple, Amazon, JBL and Bose.

He joined Good Housekeeping UK as the Editorial Assistant for Special Projects and was part of Good Housekeeping’s Consumer Affairs Team between 2014 and 2019. In this role, he conducted price comparison research, wrote detailed household and money-saving advice guides and edited thousands of in-depth reviews for the Good Housekeeping Institute.

He has focused on technology and gadgets since 2020, where he started by testing out power banks and instant cameras. He writes reviews, roundups, news articles and deals updates, and also covers top tech deals during sales like Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

When not testing out the latest gizmos, you’ll find Simon either catching up with the newest releases at his local cinema or out shooting with his beloved compact camera.You can follow Simon on Instagram at @simonrcocks, on Threads at @simonrcocks, and on Twitter/X at @simoncocks.

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