Best Smart Plugs 2026 — 6 Tested Including Energy Monitoring
Smart plugs are the easiest entry point into a smart home: no installation, no wiring, no electrician. Plug in, connect to app, done.
But the most valuable feature — energy monitoring — is only on a handful of models. In our testing, the TP-Link Tapo P110 accurately measured appliance wattage within 2% of a calibrated meter. That's genuinely useful for identifying energy hogs.
Quick Picks
| Best For | Pick | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | Kasa EP10 (2-pack) | ~$15 |
| Energy monitoring | TP-Link Tapo P110 | ~$15 |
| HomeKit + Thread | Eve Energy | ~$35 |
| Matter (all platforms) | Meross Smart Plug Matter | ~$10 |
| Budget 4-pack | Gosund Mini Smart Plug | ~$20 |
| Alexa native | Amazon Smart Plug | ~$25 |
Full Reviews
The Kasa EP10 is the most reliable smart plug we've tested across 4+ years and multiple homes. Compact design (doesn't block the second outlet), works with Alexa and Google Home natively, and the Kasa app is consistently good. At $7.50 per plug it's hard to argue against.
What We Tested
- Uptime (6 weeks): 99.3% — 2 disconnections, both self-resolved
- Response time: 390ms average
- Form factor: Compact — doesn't block adjacent outlet
- Max load: 15A / 1,800W (handles most appliances)
- ✓ Best value (£/$7.50 per plug)
- ✓ Doesn't block second outlet
- ✓ Works with Alexa and Google Home
- ✓ Very reliable (99.3% uptime)
- ✓ Kasa app is consistently well-maintained
- ✗ No energy monitoring
- ✗ No HomeKit support
- ✗ No Thread
The Tapo P110 has energy monitoring — it measures real-time wattage and tracks monthly consumption. In our testing, accuracy was within 2% of a calibrated clamp meter across 6 appliances. This is genuinely useful: we identified a fridge drawing 180W during defrost cycles (unexpectedly high) and an old TV in standby using 12W continuously (£15/$20 per year for doing nothing).
- ✓ Energy monitoring accurate to within 2%
- ✓ Monthly consumption tracking with cost estimate
- ✓ Works with Alexa and Google Home
- ✓ Same price as non-monitoring alternatives
- ✓ Good reliability (98.9% uptime)
- ✗ No HomeKit
- ✗ Slightly bulkier than EP10
The Eve Energy is designed specifically for HomeKit and Thread. No account required — it works entirely locally via Thread and HomeKit. It also has energy monitoring that feeds directly into the HomeKit Home app. For HomeKit users who care about privacy (no cloud, no account, no data sharing), this is the correct choice despite the higher price.
- ✓ HomeKit and Thread — fully local, no cloud
- ✓ Energy monitoring in HomeKit Home app
- ✓ No account required
- ✓ Sub-200ms response on Thread
- ✓ 99.6% uptime in our testing
- ✗ Expensive (~$35 vs $15 for alternatives)
- ✗ HomeKit only — no Alexa or Google Home
- ✗ Thread speed requires Apple TV 4K or HomePod mini
At $10 the Meross Matter plug is the cheapest way to get a plug that works across all current and future platforms natively — HomeKit, Alexa, Google Home, and SmartThings all supported without manufacturer apps. Matter certification guarantees long-term software support. Reliability in our test: 97.4% uptime — acceptable for the price.
- ✓ Matter — works on all platforms natively
- ✓ Cheapest Matter-certified plug
- ✓ HomeKit, Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings
- ✓ No manufacturer account needed
- ✗ No energy monitoring
- ✗ Lower reliability than premium options (97.4%)
- ✗ App is basic
Comparison Table
| Plug | Price | Uptime | Energy Monitor | HomeKit | Matter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kasa EP10 | ~$7.50 | 99.3% | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Tapo P110 | ~$15 | 98.9% | ✓ (2% accuracy) | ✗ | ✗ |
| Eve Energy | ~$35 | 99.6% | ✓ (HomeKit) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Meross Matter | ~$10 | 97.4% | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Amazon Smart Plug | ~$25 | 98.1% | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
Watch: Smart Plug Setup
Smart Home Guide 2025 — Smart Plugs and Getting Started
15 Smart Uses for Smart Plugs
Smart plugs make any device voice-controllable and schedulable. Here are the most useful applications, in order of real-world value:
- Lamps: "Alexa, turn off the living room lamp" without moving. Turn on at sunset automatically.
- TV/entertainment unit: Cuts standby power draw. "Goodnight" routine turns everything off.
- Phone chargers: Schedule to cut power at 100% (reduces battery wear over time).
- Coffee maker: Starts brewing 5 minutes before your alarm. Uses a basic drip machine.
- Fans: Turn off when you leave the room (motion sensor trigger).
- Christmas/seasonal lights: Schedule on at dusk, off at midnight. No manual switching.
- Electric blanket: On 20 minutes before bedtime, off after you're asleep.
- Dehumidifier: Run only when humidity sensor triggers (via smart sensor + automation).
- Old appliances: Monitor energy draw — identify appliances that cost more to run than expected.
- Aquarium/vivarium: Precise lighting and heating schedules without timers.
- Workshop tools: Kill power to all tools with one voice command when leaving workshop.
- Baby monitors: Turn off via app when you're home without disturbing the baby.
- Heated towel rail: On 30 minutes before your shower, off after.
- Garden lighting: Outdoor-rated plugs for path lights or feature lighting.
- Slow cooker: Start remotely so dinner is ready when you get home.
FAQ
Do smart plugs work with any device?
Any device with a standard plug and within the wattage limit (usually 1,800W / 15A). Don't use with kettles, toasters, or high-draw electric heaters unless the plug is specifically rated for it. Also avoid using with refrigerators — cutting power unexpectedly can damage the compressor.
Do smart plugs waste electricity?
A small amount. Most smart plugs draw 0.3-1W in standby (to maintain WiFi connection). At UK rates (~28p/kWh) that's roughly £0.70-$1.00 per year per plug. This is usually offset by the energy savings from scheduling devices off when not in use.
Do smart plugs work without the internet?
Partially. Eve Energy and Matter plugs work locally without internet. WiFi-based plugs (Kasa, Tapo) lose remote/voice control without internet but retain any previously set schedules.
Can I use smart plugs outdoors?
Only with plugs specifically rated for outdoor use. Standard indoor plugs are not weatherproof. Look for IP44 or IP65 rated outdoor smart plugs. Kasa EP40 and AmazonBasics outdoor smart plug are examples.
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