Socket to Me—What Is a ‘Smart Plug’ and What Are the Best Ones To Buy?

Everything you need to know about smart plugs for your home.

Ironically, shopping for smart plugs can make a person feel really, really dumb.

The premise for how they function is simple enough: When you plug one of these newfangled power outlets into an existing wall outlet in your home, anything you plug into it can be controlled by your voice or phone. Even more impressive, you can automate outlet function—scheduling your smart plug to power up first thing in the morning so your coffeemaker will brew before you ever stumble out of bed.

When you actually begin to shop for the right smart plugs, however, things become a little trickier. Even when you generally know what you want to buy, it can be difficult to discern what sets one smart plug apart from another.

Is this brand any good? Is that price too high? 2.4 GHz? It hurts my head to think about gigahertz! The questions—and the headaches—pile up fast.

Then there is the additional complication of compatibility to consider. If you already enjoy asking Siri to tell you about the day's weather, or instructing Google to add items to your shopping list, or commanding Alexa to play music by your favorite artists, you will want smart plugs that can be controlled the same way.

Here, we answer some of the most commonly-asked questions about smart plugs so you can shop for them with confidence. To assist you further, we have also identified some of the different types of smart plugs you can expect to encounter as you search, including specific models that might be perfect for your needs.

Here at Parade.com, we're all about sharing products we love with our audience. When you make a purchase on an item seen on this page, we may earn a commission, however, all picks are independently chosen unless otherwise mentioned. 

What does "smart plug" mean?

A smart plug looks like a power outlet, but it functions more like a switch. When you plug it into an existing power outlet, you can control the outlet with your phone and voice, and integrate it into your smart home's operations.

Smart plugs are available in all kinds of configurations. There are single-outlet and dual-outlet models. Then there are power strips featuring anywhere from 3-6 outlets, with many of these models featuring USB ports. The models with USB ports tend to offer phone and voice control of the ports as one group or they offer no control at all, with all ports remaining powered whenever the strip is plugged into the wall. Then there are those hardy models that are made to function in the Great Outdoors too. The list goes on.

When plugged in, these Bluetooth or Wi-Fi-connected power outlets empower users to automate elements of the home. If you are away on vacation, for example, you can program lamps to turn on or off at specific times to give would-be burglars the impression that you are, in fact, home.

Some smart plugs feature power monitoring technology so you can identify which devices in your home use the most power when they are plugged in and turned off. With this knowledge lighting the way, you can automate the reduction of energy consumption—and save moola too—by shutting off the offending outlets while those devices are not in use, or while you are away.

How much do smart plugs cost?

Single-outlet indoor models cost anywhere from $10-$30 each depending on brand, but price per unit may be lower when outlets are purchased in bundles. Outdoor models, which are built to endure exposure to weather, tend to cost more.

When purchasing models that feature more than one outlet, here's a good rule of thumb: The more outlets on a model, the higher the price tends to be.

What is the best smart plug brand?

This is a difficult question to answer given the number of companies currently manufacturing quality smart plugs. If pressed, one might identify TP-Link's Kasa smart plugs, as they tend to receive rave reviews regularly.

A better (although, longer) question might be, "Which smart plug features the number of outlets I need, is compatible with my preferred virtual assistant, does what I need it to do, and receives uniformly positive reviews from product-testers and customers alike?"

How many watts can a smart plug handle?

Amps and volts and watts, oh my!

There is no single answer to this question, as power specifications for smart plugs vary from model to model and manufacturer to manufacturer. That being said, product pages on sites like Amazon feature power specs for individual smart plug units so you can gauge the suitability of the model for your power needs.

Does Amazon Smart Plug have Bluetooth?

While some smart plugs use Bluetooth, most—including the Amazon Smart Plug—use Wi-Fi for connection. Before looking at other smart plugs on the market, let's look at what this model offers consumers.

Amazon Smart Plug, for home automation, Works with Alexa - A Certified for Humans Device

Amazon Smart Plug, Single Outlet, $24.99

This particular smart plug is unique because it is designed to function exclusively with Alexa, so if you already rely on her for your smart home functions, integrating these plugs into your home and maximizing their potential will be a snap for you.

For example, you can set up routines and schedules for your home—scheduling humidifiers or air purifiers to run during specified times of the day—using the Alexa app. Handy, no?

If you want to know how much energy a device or appliance is using, if it is plugged into one of these outlets, you can view the data via your Alexa energy dashboard.

While some smart plugs are larger, making it impossible to accommodate a second one in the socket above or below, you can install two Amazon Smart Plugs in one dual-receptacle outlet.

This model features a 1-year limited warranty and is also Climate Pledge Friendly. It must connect to a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network.

Other Smart Plug models on the market

If you search Amazon's page for smart plugs, you will find that the available models are almost as numerous as the grains of sand on a beach. We have taken the liberty of highlighting some of the best we have found to narrow down your options.

To save you time and headaches, all of the models featured below must connect with a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network to function. They will not connect with 5 GHz networks. So there is no need to hurt yourself thinking about gigahertz—we have taken care of it for you. You're welcome!

Related: Dial-Up, Anyone? 10 Tech Sounds You Won’t Hear Again

Kasa Smart Plug Mini 15A, Apple HomeKit Supported, Smart Outlet Works with Siri, Alexa & Google Home, No Hub Required, UL Certified, App Control, Scheduling, Timer, 2.4G WiFi Only, 4-Pack (EP25P4)

Kasa Smart Plug Mini 15A, Single Outlet, 4-Pack, $39.99

We began by looking at Amazon's Smart Plug. But what if you are an Apple fanatic or you prefer to use Google products? Or perhaps you rely on multiple virtual assistants to get through the day?

Let's also say you're ready to dive headlong into the wide world of smart plugs. You absolutely cannot go wrong with this bundle from Kasa, which features four individual plugs at the cost of $10 each.

Using Kasa's free app, you can control these smart plugs with your phone or by giving voice commands to Siri, Google, Alexa or even Samsung's virtual assistant, Bixby. With the same app, you can learn about a plugged-in device's historical energy consumption and keep an eye on how much power it's pulling in real-time too.

Apple-heads take note: Remote control of these smart plugs requires use of another networked Apple device like an iPad, HomePod or Apple TV.

Like the Amazon Smart Plug, these doodads are small enough for you to install two per dual-receptacle outlet. Unlike the Amazon Smart Plug, however, these include a 2-year warranty.

HBN WiFi Heavy Duty Dual Outlet Smart Plug with Individual Control, No Hub RequiredWhite, Compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, 2.4 Ghz Network Only

HBN Dual-Outlet Smart Plug, $9.99

When you plug two of these compact dual-outlet smart plugs into a dual-receptacle wall outlet, you end up with four smart, independently-controllable outlets at your disposal.

Don't want to control them separately? Then control them as a group using either Alexa or Google, your phone, or by automating them to turn on or off as you see fit. These are not compatible with Apple Homekit, but if you use more than one virtual assistant at home, this may not be an insurmountable obstacle.

While this model lacks the energy-monitoring functionality of the Amazon Smart Plug and the Kasa Smart Plug Mini 15A, the price may make up for it—at $5 per smart outlet, this is a difficult deal to beat. Plus, it comes with a 15-month warranty.

Related: 8 Tech Products Caregivers Swear By To Do Their Jobs Well—and Take Care of Themselves

Smart Plug Power Strip, WISEBOT USB Surge Protector with 3 Individually Controlled Smart Outlets and 3 USB Ports, Works with Alexa & Google Home, WiFi Timer Plug Extender for Travel, 2.4G WiFi Only

WISEBOT Smart Plug Power Strip, Surge Protector, with 3 Outlets and 3 USB Ports, $23.99

If a dual-outlet smart plug does not feature enough outlets for your needs, you may be wondering if a smart plug power strip is right for you.

You may have already thought of Googling, "Can I plug a regular power strip into a single-outlet smart plug?" That would save some money, after all, right? The answer is, "Yep, you absolutely can do that—and yep, it would."

Plugging a no-frills power strip into a smart plug would give you control over the power strip as a whole, sure—and that may be just what you need. Unlike a smart plug power strip, however, you would not be able to control each outlet individually by voice or phone.

That being said, if you want to spring for a smart plug power strip, this model from WISEBOT gives you options without costing as much as a model with more outlets.

It features three independently-controllable smart outlets and three USB ports that are controllable as a group for a total of four components that can be controlled by phone, voice or automation.

As we said earlier, some of these smart plug power strips feature USB ports that cannot be controlled at all—they remain on as long as the power strip is plugged into the wall. On a related note, other smart plug power strips feature a mixture of smart outlets that can be controlled individually and other outlets that likewise cannot be controlled. These outlets remain on whenever the strip is powered. Be sure to read the product listing fine print so you end up with a model that has the features you want.

While the USB ports featured on this model allow you to charge items like phones, tablets and headphones, controlling them as a group is useful if, for instance, you are powering multiple strands of LED lights that terminate in USB plugs.

Let's not forget that this model is a surge protector too. It features fireproof resistance, overload protection, surge protection and short circuit protection—something the single-outlet and dual-outlet models above do not. And it comes with a 12-month warranty.

Kasa Smart Plug Power Strip HS300, Surge Protector with 6 Individually Controlled Smart Outlets and 3 USB Ports, Works with Alexa & Google Home, No Hub Required , White

Kasa Smart Plug Power Strip, Surge Protector, with 6 Smart Outlets and 3 USB Ports, $42.99

If the previous power strip does not feature enough outlets for your needs, this model from Kasa may fit the bill, with six individually controllable smart outlets and three USB ports that remain on whenever the unit is powered.

You can control the smart outlets with Alexa, Google, and—wait for it—Microsoft's own Cortana. Remember her?

In addition to being able to control up to six devices individually and charging three items via USB, this model is a surge protector too. If you want to know how much each device on the strip is consuming, you can monitor each outlet via the Kasa app.

This model comes with a 2-year warranty.

Related: A 'Tech Fast' Might Work Wonders for Your Anxiety, According to Doctors—Here's How It Works

Wyze Plug Outdoor, Dual Outlets Energy Monitoring, IP64, 2.4GHz WiFi Smart Plug, Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT, No Hub Required, Black – A Certified for Humans Device

Wyze Outdoor Dual-Outlet Smart Plug, $17.98

When it comes to outdoor smart plugs, you need a model that delivers—like a mail carrier—in rain, sleet and snow.

This weather-resistant model from Wyze offers two smart outlets that can be controlled independently with the Wyze app on your phone, or with Alexa, Google or IFTTT—and at a distance of up to 300 feet from the outlet.

The Wyze app also allows you to monitor your energy use and see historical energy-consumption data for the outlets too. If you learn your holiday light configuration is pulling National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation levels of power, you can make adjustments accordingly so Christmas will be a little less of a burden on your bottom line.

BN-LINK Smart WiFi Heavy Duty Outdoor Outlet, Timer and Countdown Function, No Hub Required for Outdoor Lights, Compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant (Outdoor) 2.4 GHz Network only

BN-LINK 3-Outlet Outdoor Smart Plug, $19.99

For only a few dollars more, you can add a three-socket smart plug to your outdoor smart home setup. Note that the outlets on this model are not independently controllable—they can only be controlled as a group.

If you are powering multiple strands of patio lights, you may not need to control them individually, so this limitation may not prevent you from purchasing this affordable model. In the end, it is all about what you need, and about reading the fine print to ensure that you know exactly what you are buying.

This weatherproof model is designed to duke it out with the elements and keep on trucking. Control it with BN-LINK's app, or with Alexa or Google via voice control. Schedule times for use or employ a countdown timer to automatically shut off outlets.

In Conclusion

Hopefully, after reading all of this you will feel a little less dumb when shopping for smart plugs. Once you know what to look for in a model, you can focus on finding ones that fit your home's needs. When your shopping is complete and your smart plugs are integrated into your smart home setup, you will be one step closer to having a home that would make the Jetsons proud!

For Your Next Tech Fix: Check out The Best Tech Accessories To Give This Year!