Smart plugs are an often overlooked but game-changing solution to creating a smarter home. Automating your home can get expensive, and smart plugs are some of the lowest cost items on the market.
These affordable little gadgets take your regular “dumb” electronics and give them an intelligence boost by allowing you to control them via your phone and voice assistants, just by plugging them into an outlet as you normally would.
We are going to look at six excellent smart plugs from three companies: 4 are indoor only plugs, two are designed for outdoor use, and one of those indoor models is a full, smart power strip. There are many brands out there, although we’ve chosen these three popular brands to look at:
- Roku (inside and outdoor models)
- Wyse (inside and outdoor models)
- TP-Link Kasa series (inside outlet, and a smart powerstrip)
The best part? Since there are smart plugs for indoors and outdoors, you can get truly creative with what and where you automate, without having to buy all sorts of new products to replace your typical household items.
In this article, we’ll dive into the features and benefits of these smart plugs, as well as provide you with a list of smart plugs from different manufacturers so you can have your pick!
Oh, So Convenient
Anyone who has a smart light bulb can tell you how nice it is to have the ability to turn it on and off from the comfort of their bed, or to set a schedule or routine so it does it automatically. This can be done for other household items that wouldn’t normally be smart.
Some years ago, I had an LCD TV that we didn’t have a remote for, was not smart, and was a bit of a drag to turn on and off. I plugged it into a smart plug and was then able to turn on and off via my phone, as well as by using Alexa. I did the same thing for a neon cactus light that was most certainly not smart.
That’s fun, but what about during these hot summer months? What if you could… make your fan smart? When it’s hot, you’re sluggish, and not having to get up to turn on the fan is a nice benefit. By using these smart plugs, not only was it convenient for me, but I saved myself some time and physical energy by not having to walk to and fro turning things on and off.
Many of these smart plugs, like smart bulbs, are also made with energy in mind—energy saving, that is. So, items that are plugged into them consume less electricity. That’s dollar bills back in your pocket (or bank account).
The Smart Plugs
Roku Indoor Smart Plug
Roku has some of the most cost-effective smart plugs on the market, for both indoor and outdoor. We wrote an article on Roku’s smart home products that features these two smart plugs.
- Power devices remotely
- Create and save custom schedules
- Vacation mode
- Multi-plug sync
- Voice control works with Roku Voice, Alexa, and Google Assistant
- Required: Wi-Fi 2.4GHz
- Comes in a 2-pack for $13.99 on Roku’s website
Roku Outdoor Smart Plug
- Power outdoor lights and devices from anywhere
- Create custom schedules
- Vacation mode
- Smart energy tracking
- Voice control works with Roku Voice, Alexa, and Google Assistant
- Required: Wi-Fi 2.4GHz
- Comes in a 2-pack for $14.99 on Roku’s website
Wyze Plug
Another company that does smart home on the low low—that is, low price—is Wyze. They also have smart bulbs that are pretty cool, just for your information. They have both an indoor and an outdoor smart plug, just like Roku.
- Remote Control Through the App
- Voice Assistant Ready
- Scheduling, Grouping, Timers, and Automation
- Vacation Mode
- Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT
- Required: Wi-Fi 2.4GHz
- Comes in a 2-pack for $16.99 on the Wyze website
Wyze Plug Outdoor
- Remote Control Through the App
- Two Individually Controlled Outlets
- Voice Assistant Ready
- Built-in Light Sensor
- Energy Monitoring
- IP64 Rated
- Vacation Mode
- Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 2.4GHz or Bluetooth V4.2 (for simple setup)
- Comes in a 2-pack for $23.98 on the Wyze website
TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim
TP-Link is one of the manufacturers leading the Matter initiative, so if Matter… matters to you, the Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim may be the plug you’ll want to go with. It works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Samsung SmartThings so compatibility all around.
Art, our editor has been using various smart plugs for more than a decade. At this time, he’s running six TP-Link Kasa plugs in his highly automated home. (He also has a few other smart plugs acquired over the years from other brands.)
- Remote Control via the Kasa Smart app
- Set Schedules, Scenes and Timer
- Energy Monitoring for Real-Time and Historical Power Consumption
- Compact Design
- Voice Control via Alexa, Google Assistant, or Samsung SmartThings
- Multiple Safety Guarantees: UL certified for safety use, 2-year warranty, V-0 rating PC flame retardant shell and nickel-plated phosphor bronze contacts
- Away Mode
- Grouping to Combine your Smart Plug with other Kasa Smart devices for seamless control with one single tap on your phone
- Matter Compatible
- Comes in a 2-pack for $34.99 via Amazon
Also from TP-Link, we have a smart surge protector power strip! That’s awesome. Each outlet of the Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip is individually controlled, it has USB ports, and works with Alexa and Google Assistant.
TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip
- Remote Control via the Kasa Smart app
- 6 Independently Smart Outlets
- 3 Built-in USB Ports
- ETL Certified Surge Protection
- Energy Monitoring for Real-Time and Historical Power Consumption
- Voice Control via Alexa or Google Assistant
- Grouping to Combine your Smart Plug with other Kasa Smart devices for seamless control with one single tap on your phone
- $46.99 for one power strip via Amazon
A Simple, Cost-Effective Addition to Your Home
Integrating smart plugs into your home automation system is a decision that brings a multitude of benefits. By making your typical household items smart, you unlock enhanced convenience, financial savings, and time optimization. Whether it’s controlling lights, fans, coffee makers, or even holiday decorations, smart plugs provide the flexibility and ease-of-use to make your life more comfortable and efficient. Embrace the power of smart technology and transform your home into a smart haven with the simple and cost-effective addition of smart plugs.
