Price
The good news is that smart plugs are super affordable and their apps are free to use. However, if you’re on a strict budget it may be worthwhile to look for options that are less than $20. Most of our plug choices are about $15. We even have one or two less than $10, although you may lose some features at prices that low.
Size and design
Size is especially important for smart plugs because we only have so much room around our outlets. You may be plugging in other appliances to the spare socket or the outlet may not have much room for a plug to protrude. Compact is usually better as a result. You don’t want a plug that goes out much beyond the edges of the outlet, for example.
Other important design features include a physical on/off button, which some users find very important, and indicator lights to see the status of the plug.
Smart home support and Matter
Smart home support can be very convenient for voice assistants and routines, but compatibility can vary. Apple compatibility is still relatively rare so if you prefer Apple make sure your plug works with HomeKit. Google and Alexa compatibility are more common but ultimately you’ll want home compatibility that your smart devices already have, or what you’re comfortable using.
Energy management
Many smart plugs offer energy management and electricity tracking, which is excellent if you want to see what devices are power hungry and arrange schedules to save money. We prefer these energy management options but not everyone is interested in them and they can make apps a bit more confusing to use.
App controls
App UI is important even for simple devices like smart plugs. We chose options that are easy to manage and quick to set up, especially with processes like scheduling on/off times. Apps shouldn’t be cluttered with unnecessary content or take a long time to find what you’re looking for.
Amps
Most smart plugs are rated for 15A, suitable for most basic devices. But if your device uses more amps than that (like a small heater, for example) you need to find a smart plug that has a higher wattage rating to avoid problems.
Scheduling and modes
High-quality smart plugs should always have the option for scheduling times to turn on or off. More advanced models may offer home/away modes based on location tracking
Outdoor rating
This list focuses on indoor smart plugs but we have a guide for outdoor models, too. If you plan on using the smart plug outdoors, it absolutely needs weather resistance (usually with an IP rating) and a design that allows for outdoor functioning.
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