But the Peace plugs wireless range wasnt as good, and it didnt have the same selection of useful features. Like many higher-priced plugs, the Wyze Plug can keep tabs on daily device use, as well as a seven-day average. Wirecutter long-term tests all of its picks, and that includes keeping track of hardware and software incidents. This smart plug is easy to use, cheap, and small enough to hide behind furniture. Notably, for our surge-protector guide, the models we test are generally rated to lower surges, to 330 volts, in the same situation. Sometimes you want more than one thing to be automated. Like many of the smart plugs we tested, the EP10 is easy to connect to Wi-Fi, and it responds to both app and voice commands quickly. Smart plugs allow you to control the amount of time you use any electronic devicewhether thats by putting it on a set timer or making sure that a table lamp is turned off after youve already embarked on a weeklong vacation. Seems a lot are no longer sold on Amazon or Best Buy. Weve started testing an updated version of our current Also Great pick, the Wemo WiFi Smart Plug. TP-Link also announced the Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini (EP25), with real-time energy monitoring and support for Alexa, Google Assistant, and HomeKit.
These smart plugs are the secret to a seamless smart home, Want to buy a smart plug? Thats why were looking into the overall sustainability of all of our picks. Or you can set them on a schedule so they go on and off at the same time every day. But if you want HomeKit compatibility, the TP-Link Kasa Wi-Fi Smart Plug Mini isn't for you. If youre worried about the fit, consider instead using a smart power strip, which sits on the floor. For instance, geofencing is a feature that turns your plug on and off based on the location of your smartphone. But the newer model is also a lot easier to set up. Unlike the apps of our top two picks, the Wemo app doesnt allow you to group plugs. Those integrations enable voice commands and allow for Routines, or automated actions that you configure using the app. An in-wall smart outlet replaces a traditional electrical outlet and makes automation a permanent part of your home. TP-Link's $30 Kasa Wi-Fi Smart Plug Mini adds scheduling, voice commands and remote access to everyday devices. D-Links app is confusing and suffered from lag, which made testing the DSP-W118 Mini Wi-Fi Smart Plug and the DSP-W320 Outdoor Wi-Fi Smart Plug painful. Its also a little larger (about 3.25 by 1 by 1.25 inches), and is sold only in packs of two. And the EP40 is smaller than our previous outdoor pick, the Kasa KP400, so its simpler to install. GE/Jasco offers two lines of plug-in smart outlet: the Enbrighten and the UltraPro. It will count down a set number of minutes or hours to when you'd like the device to turn on or off. The temperature range is too narrow for an outdoor plug (just 32 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit), and we found our custom schedules were routinely ignored. Serv. It has an app thats easy to use, and it works well with Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT. Although some plug-in smart outlets use Bluetooth (or other wireless technology), most connect via your homes Wi-Fi. If youre prone to torrential downpours: The Lutron Casta Outdoor Smart Plug is IP65-rated, so it can handle water at a slightly higher pressure than the other smart plugs we tested. Even though the app supports a host of devices, it doesn't feel cluttered or full of menus. We made a Plugs button in both apps that would turn multiple plugs on together, so we didnt have to click them separately. The TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plus Mini (EP10) works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Samsung SmartThings, but it does not integrate with Apple HomeKit. Smart bulbs and plugs can do so much more than just turn on and off with an app. Both the iOS and Android apps are easy to operate and well laid out. We also scheduled two Wemo plugs to go on at the same time, as well as to turn on when triggered by someone walking by the Wyze Cam v3 (using Alexa) or turning on the Lutron Casta (via HomeKit). Then there's away mode, in which the plug will turn on and off randomly during your specified window of time, to simulate someone being at home. 2022 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company, TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini (EP10), TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug (EP40), Security, privacy, and plug-in smart outlets, Our pick: TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini (EP10), Our pick: TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug (EP40), Power-strip pick: Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip (HS300), Privacy and security: How our picks compare, TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Light Switch Dimmer HS220, TP-Link Tapo P125 Smart Mini Plug and the TP-Link Tapo P306 Wall Power Strip, Monoprice Stitch Wireless Smart Power Strip, Leviton D215P-2RW Decora Smart Wi-Fi Mini Plug-In Switch, Leviton D23LP-2RW Decora Smart Wi-Fi Mini Plug-In Dimmer, Peace by Hampton Single Outlet Smart Plug, UltraPro Plug-In 1-Outlet WiFi Smart Switch, Meross MSS630 Smart Wi-Fi Indoor/Outdoor Plug, The Best Smart Plugs and Power Strips for 2021. Its well built, but the Cync Outdoor doesnt have special features (such as an Away Mode, energy monitoring, or even a timer) like our top outdoor pick.
So far, the iDevices Switch is our favorite HomeKit option. Just getting into smart plugs in my hone setup. There is a page within the Kasa app that displays the current length of time your device has been on, as well as 7-day and 30-day averages, but with TP-Link's mini smart plug, you won't see anything with regard to kilowatt hours. This model is built to support Matter over Thread. Both the Leviton D215P-2RW Decora Smart Wi-Fi Mini Plug-In Switch and the Leviton D23LP-2RW Decora Smart Wi-Fi Mini Plug-In Dimmer are twice as expensive as all three of our single-outlet picks. TP-Link makes another plug with that feature and I'll be testing it out soon. And we dismissed both the EZVIZ T30-10A and the T30-10B-US. If you arent interested in these types of features, its typically fine to disable location awareness or just opt to enable it only when the app is in use. But we also offer the following information to supplement the knowledge of anyone who uses environmental impact as a deciding factor in their purchases. Our pick is the Geeni Current+Charge. The apps have the same features as those of our top and power-strip picks. It also allows you to keep tabs on how much you use a device (in hours/days).
Put Amazon's Alexa to work for you with these great smart-home devices. And you can control it with its app as well as with Alexa, Google Assistant, or SmartThings. Its almost identical to our runner-up, the Wyze Plug, except the Kasa plug is physically a little smaller, so its a better choice for tight spaces. If you need to integrate your smart plug into an Apple HomeKit system, the Wemo WiFi Smart Plug is the one to get. Although its not the most widely compatible plug we tested, the EP10 can be paired with Alexa and Google Assistant. You can also create scenes with one or more devices and set those scenes to activate on a schedule. Hooking even just one smart plug to your old table lamp, for example, ensures that youll never have to enter a dark house. Its an excellent option not just for home office and entertainment uses, but also for anyone who wants to control multiple devices due to mobility and dexterity issues. It does work well, but our top picks have better features and a better overall user experience. All of our picks require a password for the accompanying app. The cord adds another 9 inches, when measured from the base of the outlet box to the tip of the three-prong plug. The HS300 is the only smart power strip we reviewed that includes manual controls on the actual device for each of its outlets. That's a nice, realistic feature for something like a lamp, TV or sound system. You can control all of these through the clean, well-designed Kasa app for iOS or Android devices. This allowed us to control lights connected to the dimmer in our entryway and a living room lamp simultaneously. We are going to keep testing this one on additional lamps (and with a light meter) and will report back with any new results. An important buying consideration: Currently, this new version of the Wyze Plug is sold on Wyze.com; however, you may end up getting the new or older version when purchasing from other online retailers, such as Amazon. 2022 CNET, a Red Ventures company. Learn more. Should we find any privacy or security issues with any of our selected models, well report them here and, if necessary, update or alter our recommendations. Here are a few easy tips to get the most of smart lighting. But it works with Apple HomeKit only, and its usually three times the price of the Wemo, which makes it a hard sell. In my testing, both assistants set up quickly and executed commands with little to no lag.
But only Wyze and Wemo offer two-factor authentication, a common system that does a good job of ascertaining that you are indeed you when you log in, by sending a verification code to your phone if you attempt to log into the app. We ruled out Levitons DW3HL-1BW and Topgreeners TGWF115APM because they were bulky and/or expensive, especially considering that neither of them offered anything that warranted the extra space or cost. The TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini (EP10) is easy to set up and use. And because most of our top picks (except for the Wemo) allow you to keep tabs on how much youre actually using a device, you may learn a little something about your consumption habits, and this may prod you to adopt more energy-wise habits. We recommend the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini (EP10) for inside the home and the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug (EP40) for outdoor use, since they both work really well on their own, as well as when paired with other devices through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. But we didnt think the dimming capabilities were very impressive, despite trying three different LED bulbs. The Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini has a handful of features beyond just automated on and off control.
And there is an option to disable the Plug Status Light, which illuminates a small blue LED when the plug is on. As part of our vetting process for plug-in smart outlets, we looked at all of the security and data-privacy practices behind our picks. Deal. But it relies on Apple HomeKit for remote control, so you need to have a HomePod, Apple TV, or iPad at home. Hd. Gen. #0907906. Alex Colon and Angela Moscaritolo, The Best Smart Plugs and Power Strips for 2021, PCMag, November 9, 2021, Katie Mortram, The best smart plugs in 2021, Toms Guide, December 3, 2021, Molly Price, Best smart plugs to buy in 2021, CNET, October 13, 2021. All rights reserved. Available for iOS and Android, the Kasa app lays out each outlet as if it were a separate device. Deal. Within the Kasa app, you can set a detailed schedule for each device on your Kasa platform. You dont need programming skills or an installer on speed dial to set up smart outlets, and they become immediately useful with very little fuss. The Tapo P306 is a power strip with no cordit just plugs straight into the wall and includes three smart outlets, two type-C USB pots, and two type-A USB ports (a corded model is also expected but we dont have a release date yet.). The Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug (EP40) is built to weather the outdoors. Most of the switches easily connected to Wi-Fi and were simple to operate from inside (and outside, when needed) our 1,650-square-foot house. Just plug one into any standard electrical outlet, and add a lamp, fan, or other on/off device. Its also about $2 cheaper than our outdoor pick. The dual-outlet ConnectSense Smart Outlet2 is a double-plug model for users who want to go beyond the basicsbut its bulky and not very user-friendly. The Tapo P125 is similar to our current pick, the EP10, but includes support for Apple HomeKit and is made with V-0 flame retardant materials.
When I tested this out, the lamp turned on for short intervals, approximately every three or four minutes, and stayed on for around five minutes. They can also be a crucial aid for those who have difficulty reaching light switches or turning inline rotary light switches. We close every Friday evening to Saturday evening for Shabbat. The energy-usage feature provides a peek at real-time power consumption based on readings from the embedded power-meter chipset, as well as daily, weekly, and monthly averages in kilowatt-hours. Our product recommendations are based completely on the criteria outlined in How we picked and How we tested. The D23LP-2RW does offer a dimming feature, which could make it attractive for some people. *At the time of publishing, the price was $47. Outdoor models are bulkier but also ruggedized, with two or more outlets. The Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini fits into any standard outlet, and its rectangular design keeps the plug from blocking outlets above or below it. Smart plugs are great to place behind furniture, as well as in other spots that are difficult to reach. There's a timer option as well. The 10A had setup problems and went offline within a week, even though it was positioned right next to our router. The $30 Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini by TP-Link does just that with a simple setup, great scheduling options and Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility. The Tp-Link Kasa Wi-Fi Smart Plug Mini has a thin design to keep adjacent outlets accessible. The one thing this plug doesn't have is true energy monitoring. Once we narrowed down our pick candidates, we reviewed their privacy policies and sent our own questions to the company behind each candidate, specifically looking for clauses or activities that were outside normal practice in this category. The $30 Ring Outdoor Smart Plug requires a Ring Smart Bridge, has two independently controlled outlets, and works with Amazon Alexa. Please enable javascript for your best B&H experience.
And even though it has two outlets, they cant be controlled independently. The EP40 can operate in temperatures of -4 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit, which is pretty typical for outdoor plugs (temperatures below or above those numbers may not even be an issuethe EP40 is just not guaranteed to work in those conditions). The TP-Link Kasa EP10 is our top pick and the Kasa EP40 is our outdoor pick. I tested out the smart plug with a table lamp, but supported load types reach up to 1,500 watts for appliances like heaters and irons. You can also group the outlets together (perhaps in an Outside group), so that one tap of a button on your phone or a voice command turns off both outlets. If youre looking to extend your smart home outdoors, the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug (EP40) is easy, reliable, and affordable, and it includes two outlets you can control independently. #0907905; Sec. Both look and function the same, but they have different branding and different apps, and theyre sold at different retail locations (UltraPro on Amazon and Jascos website, Enbrighten at Lowes and on Jascos website). Once you've paired the plug and connected it to your Wi-Fi by following the steps in the app, everything is ready to go. And if you make that a HomePod Mini, you can also tap into Thread support. These include keeping track of how many hours and minutes devices are used on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis, as well as scheduling of individual devices (you can use a third-party system such as Alexa to schedule groups) and an Away Mode. The Wyze Plug quickly responds to app and smart speaker voice commands, and it performs equally well when handling daily on/off schedules. Since it has the longest cord (38 inches) of any of the power-strip models we tested, you can tuck the HS300 in a corner, out of sight. Select a time and day of the week, and let the app know what you'd like the plug to do. But the app isnt as easy to use, and its special features are really confusing since no instructions are included or available online.
That means it cant tolerate being submerged in water, but it can withstand splashes and dust. Were also planning to look at two plugs TP-Link announced earlier this year: the TP-Link Tapo P125 Smart Mini Plug and the TP-Link Tapo P306 Wall Power Strip, both part of the Tapo smart home line. Yet it leaves enough room for you to plug another device (including a second Wyze Plug) into the remaining receptacle. Scheduling and automation options are tucked under the Settings icon. Otherwise, the Wemo Android and iOS apps are almost identical, offering on/off controls, scheduling, timers, and an Away Mode. We also ruled out the Sylvania Smart+ HomeKit Smart Plug due to the high price and performance issues. We also recognize that the following may not paint a complete picture of a products supply chain and overall environmental impact. Its just a little bit bigger and more expensive than our top pick.
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Log in to submit feedback. In the iOS and Android apps, you can name and control each outlet independently so that you know, for example, which one is the strand of twinkle lights and which one is the pool pump (and this makes things easier when youre calling out commands to Alexa and Google devices). The EP10 is also the least expensive of our picks, so you can add it to almost any room in your house. And we found this $80 single-outlet model (which also requires the $80 Lutron Smart Bridge for remote operation) to be lacking some of the special features our lower-cost picks offer. You can start a new thread to share your ideas or ask questions. Since 2016, Ive been covering smart-home gear for Wirecutter, and Ive had my hands on everything from in-wall light switches, smart bulbs, and water-leak sensors to smart video doorbells, indoor security cameras, and security systems. The most obvious difference between the Wemo WiFi Smart Plug and the older Wemo Mini is the size of the two plugs.
Both the Geeni Outdoor Smart Plug and the Geeni Outdoor Duo have a temperature range of 14 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit, which isnt as good as on the Kasa EP40. Many smart plugs can monitor usage in hours and minutes, though some can track energy usage in kilowatt-hours. The app also includes information about device usage by day, week, and month; we discovered we were using that lamp for roughly 16 hours a week. The Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini works with your Wi-Fi, so you'll need a good 2.4GHz internet connection. (Just remember, it should still be installed with a covered outlet.). We named the plug Kasa Mini in the app and connected it to both Alexa and Google Home, after which we were able to say things like Alexa, turn the Kasa Mini off, and have it work seamlessly. Speed up future orders, see order history, create wish lists, and more. It can even keep tabs on the amount of hours and minutes youre using devices, with a daily, weekly, and monthly tally, so youll know how much youre running that window air conditioner or fan. This is also the only power strip that includes energy monitoring that can track kilowatt-hours for each of those smart outlets, as well as an Away Mode. But all of the Wi-Fienabled smart plugs we tested are able to connect only via 2.4 GHz networks. All of the companies behind our picks state that they use recyclable materials in their packaging, but none currently employ any particularly sustainable manufacturing processes or offer upgrade programs. The email address you entered was an invalid email. We also grouped the Kasa Mini with our in-wall dimmer pick, the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Light Switch Dimmer HS220. The Kasa Wi-Fi Smart Plug Mini works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice commands like, "Hey Google, turn on the lamp." Those integrations enable voice commands, so you can turn the plug on and off hands-free. Any help would be appreciated. It also has a constantly lit red LED (which we wanted to be able to turn off), along with a blue LED that popped on whenever the plug was in use. We found it straightforward to created Schedules based on specific times and local sunrise/sunset times, to control Christmas lights and fans. We also looked at the Monoprice Stitch Wireless Smart Power Strip, but it doesnt have manual controls for each outlet, it lacks energy monitoring, and it comes with an especially short cord (19 inches). When possible, we paired switches to an Amazon Echo Dot, an Echo Plus, an Echo Show 5, HomeKit (via an Apple TV), a Google Home Mini, IFTTT, and other switches. Topgreeners TGWF115PQM is more compact but lacks the options of our top picks. The WiZ Smart Plug is a Wi-Fi model made by Philips, yet it isnt compatible with the companys lineup of Hue devices. Subscribe now for unlimited access. For example, you can set the plug to turn a lamp on and off randomly from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays only. (And Wemo requires it for new accounts.) I first started testing smart-home devices more than 20 years ago, back when the only smart-home devices were X10.
Like most outdoor smart plugs, this model is listed with an IP64 rating, so its weather-resistant, versus being weatherproof. Its the smallest of our single-outlet picks. And although the company refers to it as a surge protector, wed suggest its more accurate to consider it a smart power strip. Unlike our other picks, the Wemo WiFi Smart Plug doesnt include any sort of energy or device tracking (which we didnt mind, but this could be a dealbreaker for some people). The EP40 has an operating-temperature range of -4 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit. After tons of research I decided on the Kasa family of products. If you cant find the Wemo: The Meross MSS110 is a good, if basic, smart plug with support for Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, IFTTT, and SmartThings. This smart plug keeps other outlets free, works with Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa, and offers plenty of scheduling and timing options. That can help cut down on energy use. This Kasa plugs Away Mode is more advanced than the Wyze Plugs Vacation Mode; it allows you to set specific start and end times, as well as specific days of the week.