2022 The Most Advanced Smart Plugs Will Be Available

Many important items in your house have only two settings: on and off. Wi-Fi-enabled smart plugs are the answer to getting older pieces of your house to “wake up.” Through Amazon’s Alexa, Google’s Google Home, or Apple’s HomeKit interfaces, these simple-to-use gadgets may turn a device’s power on and off with a simple voice request. So, whether it’s the lights on your turtle tank, the old-school coffee machine you just can’t part with, or your beloved antique lamp that won’t fit a smart bulb, these smart plugs can easily integrate them all into your voice-controlled smartphone.

How did we choose the finest smart plugs?

We pooled our personal experiences with those of tech-savvy friends and coworkers, as well as testimonies from the most reliable sources. Many of the goods on this list have also been tried and true by us. We’ve narrowed down the globe of options to a few suggestions. Reliability, pricing, compatibility, and convenience were the most important factors to consider. Because installing a smart plug into your area might be difficult than it appears, size and form factor are especially crucial.

When looking for the best smart plugs, there are a few things to keep in mind.

When it comes to sprucing up your surrounds, there are a few things to think about:

Socket count

Clearly, knowing how many plugs you’ll need and how close they’ll be together is crucial. A smart power strip is a better option if you have a lot of gadgets that need smart plugs all at once. Smart power strips are more costly than smaller power strips, but they include individually adjustable plugs, making them less expensive overall than several plugs. They nearly always contain USB ports for charging mobile devices as well.

Platform for smart homes

To support the gadgets in your smart home, you’ll need to pick a smart home platform like Google Nest, Apple HomeKit, or Amazon Alexa—through these, you can automate anything from light bulbs to doorbell cameras, and you’ll want to be sure your plug is compatible with your chosen system. Alexa works well with an Amazon Echo device, which come in a variety of styles.

Is it better to be indoors or outside?

If you have an attractive outdoor lighting setup for your deck or balcony, you should invest in outdoor-fitted plugs to minimize problems when the weather becomes bad. There are fewer alternatives for staying stylish while going outside, but those that are available are durable and weather-resistant. Indoors, you have a wider range of alternatives, including single-plug replacements, multi-plugs, and power strips, both with and without USB.

Extra features

Some smart plugs go beyond simply turning devices on and off. They can create schedules or timers, for instance, to customize their functionality. Timing features can be handy when you’re away from home but want the home to seem occupied as a precaution against break-ins. 

You can also create dynamic power set-ups for different situations. If you pair your smart plugs with smart bulbs in different lamps and fixtures, you can create multiple colored light combinations for reading, watching TV, romantic encounters, parties, or any other situation. The smart home apps can also give you information about power usage for each device.

So here are the List of 2022 The Most Advanced Smart Plugs

Best smart plug for Alexa or Google Nest

Wyze Plug

Price: $11.98

Why it made the cut: Wyze plugs do the job reliably on the cheap and they get even more affordable if you buy in bulk.

Specs

• 15 amps
• 110 volts
• 2.75 x 4.1 x 1.5 inches
• Compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant
• Controllable remotely through the Wyze app
• Wyze app allows for multiple plugs to be controlled as a single system

Pros

• Reliable
• Reasonable price
• Good companion app
• Alexa and Google Assistant compatible

Cons

• Not HomeKit compatible
• A slight bit bulky compared to som

Wyze, a Seattle-based smart plug company founded by former Amazon workers, has risen to prominence in the smart plug field in only two years by presenting a compelling proposition: a plug that works well, lasts a long time, and seldom fails for a price that’s hard to beat. While comparable plugs might cost anywhere from $15 to $25 per unit, Wyze undercuts them all. The Wyze Plug is sturdy all-around, with almost no aesthetic points; these basic white blocks know what they’re doing. Because they’re compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Nest, they’re simple to set up and use, and the free Wyze app allows you set timers, connect various plugs together, and make calendars. The Wyze app is simpler and easier to use than some of its competitors.

Best smart power strip

TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip

Price: $49.98

Why it made the cut: Offering two options with a ton of plugs, individual control, and surge protection all in one package, the Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip offers even more than what a single plug does.

Specs

• 125 Volts
• 3-plug / 2-USB or 6-plug / 3-USB options
• Individually controllable plugs
• Surge protection
• Compatible with Amazon Alexa or Google Nest

Pros

• Individual control of plugs
• Surge protection on strip
• USB slots means no need for USB power adapters to power or charge devices
• Sturdy and reliable

Cons

• Not compatible with Apple HomeKit
• More convenient six-outlet model is more expensive than two three-outlet models
• USB is always-on, not controllable

Because most of us have more gadgets than sockets, you’ve probably already got a few power strips in your house. Plugging a power strip into a smart plug, on the other hand, will simply allow you to switch off the entire strip. The TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip allows you to manage each individual plug on the strip using the Kasa app, as well as providing surge protection and USB power ports. The Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip comes in two versions: a 3-plug version with two USB ports and a 6-plug version with three USB ports. However, in an odd pricing oddity, two of the smaller Kasa are much less expensive than the bigger.

More: 2022 The Best Smart Locks To Improve Your Home’s Security

Best smart plug for HomeKit

Wemo Smart Plug

Price: $19.46

Why it made the cut: Finding affordable plugs compatible with Homekit can be a challenge, but this model fits the bill nicely. 

Specs

• 1.34 x 2.05 x 1.81 inches
• Space-saving design prevents blocking other outlets
• Compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit
• Controllable remotely through the Wemo app
• Wemo app allows for remote control and scheduling
• Away mode will create random light off/on patterns to simulate someone being at home

Pros

• Compatible with all three major voice-control systems
• Slim profile for more efficient use of space
• Robust features in the app
• Reliable and sturdy construction

Cons

• Slightly more expensive per unit than Wyze
• No grouping options in app
• Only comes in white

If you utilize Apple HomeKit, your smart plug options are rather restricted when compared to Alexa and Google. For most people, Wyze is a fine basic alternative; however, Wemo is the way to go if you’re an Apple fanatic. The Wemo’s casing is substantially smaller and more elegant than the Wyze’s. The app is a little more stripped-down, but it still offers all of the features that most users require. Wemo comes with a three-year manufacturer’s warranty, so you can trust it to get the job done. They’re simple to set up, and there’s a physical power button on the side if you don’t want to use a voice command.

Best outdoor smart plug 

Wyze Plug Outdoor

Price: $17.98

Why it made the cut: If you need power on the patio or by the pool, the Wyze Plug Outdoor has all the same benefits as the Wyze plug plus some extra features and even stronger protection from the elements.

Specs

• Energy consumption controls and monitoring with Wyze app
• Up to 300 ft. Wi-Fi range
• 3.93 x 2.68 x 1.42 inches
• IP64 Weather Resistant against rain, dust, dirt, and snow
• Two outlets with independent control
• Compatible with Alexa or Google Nest or control from Wyze app without a hub

Pros

• Additional power saving and monitoring features
• Durable, weather-resistant casing
• Competitive price
• Wyze reliability

Cons

• No HomeKit compatibility
• Short cord
• Bulky

Decks, pools, porches, and balconies may use as much electricity as inside rooms, with lighting, fans, and barbecues guzzling current. Wyze provides a dual-plug solution for outdoor use that can withstand everything Mother Nature throws at you while offering you total control and a greater knowledge of your power use. Unlike the standard Wyze Plug, the Wyze Outdoor Plug allows you to monitor and control connected devices depending on their power use.

The Wyzer Outdoor Socket’s two plugs are individually managed via the app and feature covers to protect the interior of the plug when not in use, making it bulkier than the Wyze Plug. Both Google and Amazon—unfortunately, the only two systems that work with Wyze—offer battery-powered versions of their smart speakers that are ideal for use as outdoor hubs since they don’t need to be tethered to the electricity.

Best dimmable smart plug 

TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug-In Dimmer

Price: $19.98

Why it made the cut: Control dimmable lights outdoors without worry.

Specs

• IP64 Weather resistance
• Long range wifi (up to 300 ft.)
• Alexa or Google Assistant compatible
• Dimming capabilities
• App allows multiple plugs to be grouped for even dimming
• Max power: 300W incandescent, 150W LED

Pros

• Offers functionality traditional smart plugs do not
• Versatile
• Reliable
• Grouping and scheduling possible.

Cons

• Only offers a single plug
• Bulky due to being built for outdoor use
• Short cord

Smart plugs usually have only two settings: on or off. A standard smart plug, on the other hand, will not work if you have a dimmable lamp or, more typically these days, dimmable string lights for accent and mood lighting. A dimmable plug is required. The Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug-In Dimmer fits within a robust, weather-resistant housing since it’s meant for the outdoors. The black case hides the outlet well outdoors, but it pops out a little indoors, so you’ll need to put it strategically or choose a color scheme that complements the plug. The Kasa app has options for grouping and scheduling. While some indoor plugs fit in better, the Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug-In Dimmer is more versatile.