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.

At the Good Housekeeping Institute, we test our 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.

After unboxing the smart plugs from our shortlist, we test and evaluate the ease of setup and the process of connecting the plug to our wifi, creating an account and adding the device. The functionality of the app is a big focus for us, so we look at how intuitive and user-friendly each page is, considering everything from accessing support to setting up timers. We also test each plug using a standard UK wall socket and a variety of extension leads.

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. We factor in manuals and online resources to our overall score too, as we’re looking for clear diagrams with logical instructions.

Finally, a panel of testers tries each plug at home before feeding back their verdicts via a detailed survey, helping us get a feel of what they are like to use every day over a few weeks.

Score: 95/100

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 offers energy monitoring to help you estimate energy bills and, because it’s Matter-certified, it’s possible to control it with voice commands via Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri, or Google Assistant.

Within the app, you can set timers, and 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 them as a burglar deterrent.

On test: It’s simple to install, and great for remote control of appliances while offering energy-monitoring in a compact design. We appreciate the straightforward setup process and user-friendly app, and it does a great job of guiding you to recommended shortcuts to get started with schedules. It also has a slim and compact design.

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, 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.

Score: 94/100

Why we like it: This Meross smart plug is an effective option with Matter support, so it works with Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Home for voice control. By volume, it’s the smallest plug we tried in our tests, and we’re impressed by its app which includes schedules, timer settings, remote control, troubleshooting, the instruction manual and more.

Like other high-end plugs, it offers energy-monitoring features. You can input the cost per Kilowatt-hour (kWh) for accurate cost estimates and the app also includes a detailed graph for the past 24 hours or 7 days of usage. This information can be easily exported and emailed too.

On test: The simple app makes setting up this plug a breeze, and it includes a Matter QR code during the setup process so that you can easily connect it to any of the major voice assistants. We tested it across Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit, and found the process effortless.

The app also gives you an intuitive interface and easy-to-use controls, and we had no trouble setting schedules and managing the device remotely. The mini smart plug is a consistent top performer, and it’s compact and slim enough to fit in an extension plug without blocking the adjacent sockets.

The only downsides we spotted were that there isn’t the “away” mode feature that we like from Tapo’s Matter plug, you need to create an account to use the app and we weren’t able to group devices by room in the app. It’s also just a little more expensive than the similar Tapo plug, but we’ve noticed that it’s often on sale too.

How it connects: It connects to your wifi without a hub and, as mentioned above, has wide compatibility so can be controlled through its own app, all the main assistants, and IFTTT.

Score: 92/100

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 control any device connected to the outlet remotely and you can create routines with other smart home devices using the Alexa app. You also won’t need any smart home hub to set it up.

On test: This ranked top among our testers for its app design, functionality and support, and it’s super simple to set up the plug via the app. There’s loads of information and several recommendations for shortcuts and automations. However, voice control is obviously restricted to Alexa and in our testing, we did sometimes find it fiddly to set schedules to turn the smart plug on and off automatically. That may be because the plug is more of an add-on feature of the app, rather than its main focus.

The on/off button is very responsive with no delay, though, and it’s easy to group smart home devices by room or even by larger areas (such as upstairs and downstairs). Our panel of at-home testers are delighted overall with the plug’s ease of use, saying they’ll continue to use it and recommend it to friends and family.

While it looks a little bit 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 top-scoring Matter-enabled smart plug from Tapo.

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.

Score: 90/100

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. That means it’s a great option if you value security and want a system that works on a local network without the need for the cloud, registration or tracking.

On test: Setup is easy because this plug can connect to your Apple HomeKit, Alexa, Google Home or Samsung SmartThings platform with a quick scan of its QR code. You can also control it through the Eve app for firmware updates and to keep track of how much energy an appliance uses. It is worth noting, though, that this app is still only available on iOS devices – an Android app is in development but we can’t say with confidence when this will be available for users.

During our tests, we liked how easy it was to create personalised rules, issue guest access, establish scenes and automations, and to track power consumption with projected costs. It offers instantaneous response times too, so it’s very reliable in use, although certain parts of the app and experience feel catered to more advanced smart home users.

This plug used to only work for Apple users, and is now much more widely compatible with Matter, but if you want a 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 could potentially 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.

Score: 90/100

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. It’s the solution we use to keep everything at the desk – including a monitor, charger and lamp – connected and integrated into smart home routines.

This Meross 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. It’s also worth noting that a 2.4GHz network is required for setup, so you will need to check this setting on your router.

Our at-home testing panel had positive feedback overall, saying they found the additional USB ports handy and found the app intuitive. But they did note that it doesn’t offer energy monitoring and that it’s a shame that the USB ports can’t be controlled individually. We also would’ve liked it if it was possible to turn off the light on the socket indicators, as this makes it less ideal for use in dark rooms.

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. It’s easy to set up and use, and 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.

Score: 90/100

Why we like it: It depends on what the situation is like for your outdoor wiring, but this plug could be excellent for making some outdoor lighting smarter. This model is made to work outside, with an IP44 rating that should help it withstand some rain and wet conditions. However, it’s worth remembering that once something’s plugged in, it’s not as water-resistant, and it 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.

On test: As with the other Meross products on test, we found the app highly intuitive and user-friendly. It delivers a stable wifi connection and schedules and timers within the Meross app.

We like how it includes settings for sunset and sunrise control for your outdoor lighting, which would be great for a simple automated evening routine as the sun goes down. We also found that when positioned too far from the router, the plug could lose connection. It may not be ideal for those in a larger home.

Still, it hides away neatly behind outdoor furniture and holds up well against a few light rain showers. While it is simple to set up, we did have some feedback from our at-home testing panel that the design is quite bulky and may potentially block an adjacent socket. If you’ve got the space for it, though, this shouldn’t be a major issue.

While you could use it entirely through the Meross app, we know you’re likely to use it with a smart home platform. 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).

Score: 89/100

Why we like it: If you're looking for the best cheap smart plug, this is one of the only models we see going for under £10. It's not only more affordable than most rivals it also 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 Tapo 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.

On test: Like our winning Tapo plug, this model is easy to set up with no hub required. It supports remote control, scheduling, timers, and an away mode that switches devices on and off at random times. It also includes voice control through multiple platforms, something you don’t get if you go for the Amazon Smart Plug, for example.

Its compact design (which looks just like the Tapo P100M) won’t get in the way of adjacent sockets and we spot no noticeable difference when it comes to its response times and scheduling or timer setup. We like its discreet LED indicator and convenient physical button too.

One of the only things you'll miss with this is an energy monitoring feature. However, newer TVs and gadgets, no matter the brand, use a lot less electricity than older ones 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 Tapo app, and also through Alexa, Google Assistant, or Samsung SmartThings.

Score: 85/100

Why we like it: This is a good choice if you’ve already got some Philips Hue bulbs set up and want to turn a floor lamp into a smart light too. It’s a little plug that isn’t as bulky as some on our list, but it’s a bit pricier than the competition too. We like how you can also grab a bundle with a Hue bulb that reduces the price of the smart light too.

Once it’s set up, you can control the plug from anywhere and set up schedules to suit your routines. You control it through the Philips Hue app, where you can also coordinate your other lights, so we can see it being useful for making that one vintage lamp a bit smarter. It’s also possible to control your Philips Hue setup with Alexa, Google Assistant or Apple HomeKit.

On test: We found it simple to set up the Philips Hue Smart Plug, and it’s great that you can use Bluetooth to control it if your wifi or 4G is unavailable. As mentioned, you’ll need the Hue Bridge to control it remotely and use features like automations, and this is something our panel noted as a bit of a limitation.

In use, it’s fast and responsive, switching lights on and off almost instantaneously when controlled by the app. We didn’t experience any delays or stability issues at all. It’s possible to set up a mode where lights randomly come on during a set time period, a lot like an “away” mode.

How it connects: This needs a separate Hue Bridge to get connected, although you’ll already have this if you have some existing Hue smart lights. Once the hub is connected, it works through the Phillips Hue app and the main voice assistants.

Score: 84/100

Why we like it: This little plug is a brilliant option for those short on space, as it was almost the smallest by volume in our tests and the shortest height of any smart plug that we tried, which means it’s a good pick if you want something that’s not going to get in the way of your plug switch.

It’s a relatively inexpensive option too – especially as it’s been as low as £12 when on offer – and it packs in a good set of features including remote control, voice control (via Google Assistant or Alexa), and a “vacation” mode to randomly turn lights on and off in a way that makes it look like you're home when you’re not.

On test: If you’re after the basics, the 4Lite Wiz product is a good option, although others in this list are more affordable for a similar set of features. Our testing panel found this plug simple to set up and that its app is easy to navigate. However, we did encounter issues during the setup process in our lab tests and they took some time to resolve.

Once set up, though, we appreciated the preset recommendations for lighting schedules and setting schedules is easy too. It responds quickly and we find that it works without glitches and interruptions, and that’s true when using it via Google Assistant too.

How it connects: This plug connects straight to your wifi without a separate hub. You can control it via the Wiz app for iOS and Android, and it's compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.

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.

Our runner-up is the Meross Matter Smart Plug, which is smaller and just as feature-packed as the top-scoring Tapo, while we recommend the Amazon Smart Plug for the simplest possible setup with an Alexa-based smart home system.

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 cheaper Tapo P100 as the best affordable option, it's often almost the same price as our winning Tapo P100M 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.

Blossom is passionate about finding the best home products and appliances for GH readers. As head of the homes testing team, she has led reviews across multiple categories, from pizza ovens, and smart plugs to portable fans and hobs. She enjoys delving into the intricacies of products and refining testing protocols to ensure we’re testing them against their claims. Her aim is to find the top-performing products on the market, to help take the hard work out of housework. Blossom’s most notable accomplishment in the lab has been toasting 528 slices of bread in her quest to find the best toasters money can buy. In her free time, she openly admits to being a music geek and indulges her creative side through crocheting, baking, singing and writing.

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