Setup is simple: just plug it into the wall, then fire up the Alexa app and connect it to Wi-Fi. Then you’re good to go. The plug itself is a sleek white design with a 3.2 x 2.2 x 1.5-inch footprint that will only take up one outlet. It has a bright blue LED to indicate status, a physical on/off button, and that’s about it. It’s simple and easy-to-use, making it an intuitive and convenient addition to any home (but especially those that already have Alexa). You can even create custom schedules for devices you use all the time. Plus, use the smart plugs to track power usage for connected devices, so you can find any energy vampires in your home that might be driving up your bill. With a smart plug, you’ll know which devices are still drawing energy even when they’re not in use. As an added bonus, this four-pack of plugs come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, a two-year warranty and lifetime support – with that kind of reassurance, why not try them out? Create convenient schedules for big energy users like your air conditioner or even come home to a pre-lit house after scheduling your connected lights to come on at your normal arrival time. This smart plug also has a handy timer function that is ideal for use with devices such as curling irons or toaster ovens. You’ll never have to rush home from work if you forgot to unplug a device – simply set the timer or deactivate the device using the free app on your phone. The SmartThings Smart Plug has a compact design that only covers a single socket. You can even fit two together in the same wall outlet. And you may end up wanting to buy more than one — link multiple Samsung plugs in the SmartThings app to coordinate all the devices in the same room. It’s a somewhat limited feature set, but its straightforward functionality makes this a solid choice for a budget smart plug. The Kasa Outdoor Smart Plug resembles a power strip in that it has a cord and two individual sockets. This gives you an extra plug outside and also allows you to separately control your two connected devices. It’s perfect for outdoor lighting, above-ground pool pumps, outdoor fans, speaker systems, and more. Finally, we look at the user experience as a whole, judging the value offered by the smart plug, and balancing it against the price and competition to make an ultimate judgment. All the smart plugs we test are purchased by Lifewire; none are provided by manufacturers.
About Our Trusted Experts
A former editor of Lifewire’s product round-ups, Emmeline Kaser has over four years of experience researching and writing about the best consumer products out there. She specializes in consumer tech. Patrick Hyde has been writing about tech for more than four years now and is an expert in consumer technology and electronics, including smart home tech. His work has appeared in a number of leading publications, and he has prior experience as a marketing communications director.
What to Look for in a Smart Plug
Platform - Make sure that any plug you buy works with your existing smart hub. If you don’t already have a hub, then choose one first and build the rest of your smart home around that. If you have a lot of Apple devices, look for plugs that support HomeKit. Another important thing to look for is IFTTT compatibility. Scenes - Look for smart plugs that support scenes, which is a feature that allows you to set multiple smart devices to turn on or off together. This feature makes it easier to turn on all the lights in a room, turn on specific lights at the same time you activate a device like your coffee maker, or even set a slightly-randomized pattern to make it seem like you’re still at home when you’re actually on vacation. Energy monitoring - If you want to keep track of your energy usage, look for smart plugs that have built-in energy monitoring. This makes it easy to see how much power different devices are using so you can make adjustments to save energy and money.
