Smart plug it’s a very useful gadget, but for a while, it was promoted as a device that you can add to anything to make it smart. That is true to some extent; you can use a smart plug to add instant power control to any location, allowing you to turn it on and off at your command from anywhere in your home (or even when you’re away). The TV can now be turned off on command, the lights will automatically turn on at 5 pm, and a simple coffee maker or appliance can operate itself if all you need is power.
If you’re looking to control something simple that only needs power to be sent to it, then we’ve found some of the best smart plugs for you. TP-Link smart plugs have been a favorite of mine for years, and the TP-Link Tapo Matter-Certified Smart Plug Mini (P125M) ($25, 3-pack) lets you connect it to your home hub of choice using the Matter protocol. Smart plugs are also suitable for outdoor use; the Cync Outdoor Smart Plug ($17) is designed for this purpose and includes two built-in outlets.
Not sure if a smart plug can solve your dumb device problems? Read on for all our tips on where smart plugs are, how to best use them, and how to tell if they’re right for your device. While you’re at it, be sure to check out our other smart-home buying guides, including the Best Smart Bulbs, Best Security Cameras, Best Smart Speakers, and Best Smart Displays.
Updated April 2026: The Ikea Grillplats Smart Plug is a new option in this guide, and we’ve added a new section about power monitoring.
What is a Smart Plug? What Can They Do?
Smart plugs attach to a socket, and you connect your device of choice (light, coffee maker, etc.) to the plug to control the flow of power. The smart plug connects to your home Wi-Fi, allowing you to control it with automatic schedules, a dedicated app, or your voice through a smart speaker, if you have one.
Controlling the power flow from your phone can allow you to turn on the lights in your house at a certain time or turn them off without leaving your bed. It may also allow you to turn on simple coffee machines or turn off the TV. But for most devices, powering the device back on doesn’t mean turning it back on.
Which Devices Work Well With Smart Plugs?
A smart plug is a great fit for a device with a simple on and off switch that you can leave on, letting the smart plug handle the on and off part. A great example is a light bulb with a switch, and my most common use of a smart plug in my house. I also really like the special outdoor smart plugs for “dumb” outdoor lights and decorations (like my inflatable Santa Claus that hangs on my porch), though I’ve now switched to permanent outdoor lights with smart bulb-like controls.
Smart plugs have the ability to schedule in the app, so you can set them to turn your lights on and off at certain times to make it look like you’re home, or have all the lights and the TV automatically turn off at 11 pm to force yourself to sleep. (I do this, but I just tell Alexa to turn it back on. Maybe one day I’ll go to bed on time.)
I used my smart plugs with the TV to turn it off, but sending power to it doesn’t turn it back on, so it didn’t help me at the time. Now, with a 3 year old, that would be a useful way of saying the TV is broken so I don’t have to watch another episode The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse for the twelfth time.
What Devices Don’t Work Well With Smart Plugs?
Smart plugs are not well suited for devices that require you to press buttons or select a mode to operate after power has been sent to them. My electric teakettle won’t heat until I choose how hot it should be, for example, so I can’t use the smart plug to start my morning routine, as some people recommend. Most coffee machines work the same way. As mentioned above, the TV is another example that will not turn on when the power is restored; I still need to find a remote control to turn it on and select what I want to watch.
What Else Can Smart Plugs Do?
If controlling your “dumb” devices and lights isn’t your biggest concern, you can also use smart plugs to track your home’s energy usage. It’s a great option if you want to know where your energy usage is coming from, and if you’re trying to purposefully use electricity at the best times of the day to find the things that use it the most. I’m reviewing the Kasa EP25 ($23) next in this guide, with that use in mind.
Our Favorite Smart Plugs
We’ve tested many smart plugs over the years. These are our favorites.