What I Tell People Who Ask Me What Smart Plug to Buy
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As a longtime tech writer, I loveall things tech, but I especially love smart devices. Smartphones, smart watches, andsmart thermostatsall make a ton of sense. They use technology to make our lives easier. But even I was skeptical about smart plugs. Does a wall outlet really need to be smart? It made me wonder if this “smart” phenomenon had gone overboard.
Then I bought one. I used it a few times to do simple things, like turning onlampsor theTVwhen I wasn’t home, so that other people would think the house was occupied. Soon I was swapping different devices into it, like myWi-Fi router, turning it off automatically when thekids’ screen time was over for the day. I bought a few more, followed by a few more. LastHalloween, I had enough smart outlets to set up ahaunted house, allowing me to use my smartphone to control the electronic scares. My house was the most popular in the neighborhood. (I have some big plans forholiday lightsthis year too. Apologies to the neighbors ahead of time.)
Smart plugs expand the number of things we can consider smart devices. If something plugs into the wall, you can make it smart. Just insert the smart plug into a traditional outlet, then plug a device into it. The plug itself connects to yourWi-Fi, allowing you to determine when and for how long power reaches anything that’s plugged in. (Many can also track your energy consumption.) Instead of flipping a switch to turn on a lamp, you can ask Alexa or your Google Assistant to do it. Or you can open up an app and do it from there. You get remote control for any device from anywhere you can access the internet — whether you’re on vacation or in a chair in the other room.
The biggest challenge is deciding which specific outlets are right for you. (And believe me: After you buy one, you’ll buy more.) There are plenty of options out there, and choosing one depends on what you want to do with it. Here are the ones I recommend when friends and family ask me for advice.
The best budget smart plug
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This power strip includes six smart outlets, along with three USB ports, so you can plug in up to nine devices and give them smart capabilities. You can control each outlet in the smart plug independently, which is an extremely handy feature. It also has surge protection, so whatever you plug in will be smartandprotected.
The best smart power strip
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Wyze Smart Plug
The Wyze lets you set up simple daily on/off schedules, like turning on yourelectronic toothbrush’s charging station for only an hour a day, so it isn’t drawing — and wasting — power the other 23. You also can have the Wyze turn on any time one of your other smart devices is activated. For example, if someone approaches yourvideo doorbell, you could have a lamp in the window automatically turn on to make it look like someone is home. The Wyze plug is large and it does take up more space than other models, but it will leave enough free space in a double wall outlet for you to access the other outlet. Ultimately, it’s the price of this smart plug that makes it easy to recommend. If you’re a leery of trying a smart plug, start here.
The best smart plug for dimming lamps
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This is one of the more limited-use smart plugs out there, in that it only works with lamps, but if you’re looking to turn a traditional lamp into a dimmable one, the Caseta is your best option. Along with being able to control the switch through the app or the remote, it has actual buttons to adjust the dimmer, as well as an on/off switch. That makes the hardware quite a bit larger than most other smart plugs, but it also makes it much easier to use for anyone who might be a little less tech savvy. And because it has two outlets, you can use it to control two lamps at the same time.
The best smart plug for smart homes that aren’t controlled by Alexa or Google Assistant
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The majority of smart plugs will work with Alexa or Google Assistant, but when you need a Wi-Fi smart plug that is compatible with other types of smart-home systems, I recommend the iHome iSP6X. It’s the best smart plug for Apple’s HomeKit, but it is so versatile as to be a good pick for almost anyone who has a smart-home system already in place. (Along with Alexa and Google Assistant, the iHome works with IFTTT, Nest, Samsung SmartThings, and Wink.) The iSP6X is more expensive than some options, but it’s a high-quality device with excellent scheduling capabilities. For example, you could plug your TV into it and schedule it to turn on at 6 p.m. and turn off at 10 p.m. when you’re on vacation.
[Editor’s note: The iHome iSP6X is no longer available. The brand has anewer smart plugin stock for $22, but it’s only compatible with Alexa and Google.]
The best outdoor smart plug
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For those who want to install security lighting outdoors that they can run from a smartphone app, I recommend the Kasa Smart Outdoor Plug. It also works nicely for holiday lights or to run something like a filter pump for apool, which needs to be on for only a few hours a day. The Kasa has a Wi-Fi range of up to 300 feet, and it’s water-resistant, so it can handle rain. For permanent outdoor installation, however, it’s best to enclose it in a weatherproof box, like theSealproof Weatherproof Outlet Cover and Box Kit. The plug contains two smart outlets that you can control independently, and the buttons on top allow you to control it manually when your smartphone isn’t nearby. You also can program it to turn on automatically at sunset and to turn off at sunrise.
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