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Best Smart Plugs in 2026 (for Every Home and Budget)
A smart plug is the easiest first step into a smart home. Plug it in, plug a lamp or fan into it, and control it from your phone, by voice or on a schedule. No wiring, and nothing your landlord needs to know about.
- Most people: Kasa EP25. Works with Alexa, Google, Apple and SmartThings.
- Want Matter / Apple Home? Kasa KP125M, or Eve Energy if you have a Thread hub.
- Cheapest per plug: Govee H5086 multi-packs.
- Outdoors: Tapo P400M, with two weatherproof outlets and Matter.
We compared manufacturer specs, compatibility lists and what established reviewers report. No prices are listed because they change daily. Use the buttons to see today’s price.
The best smart plugs, ranked
Kasa Smart Plug Mini EP25
Works with every major assistant and tracks energy, at a multi-pack price.
- Alexa · Google · Apple · SmartThings
- Energy monitoring
- 15 A / 1,800 W
- No hub
Best for: Most homes, and anyone who might switch assistants later
- Works with all four big ecosystems
- Shows power use and cost
- Slim, leaves the other outlet free
- Not a Matter device
- 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi only
Kasa Matter Smart Plug KP125M
The easy way to get Matter, and native Apple Home, without a hub.
- Matter over Wi-Fi
- Apple · Google · Alexa · SmartThings
- Energy monitoring
- Bluetooth setup
Best for: Apple Home users and future-proof setups
- Matter certified
- Works on every major platform
- Energy monitoring
- Apple Home works best with a HomePod or Apple TV
- Pricier than the EP25
Eve Energy
Fast, Wi-Fi-free Thread plug with detailed energy history.
- Matter over Thread
- Apple · Google · Alexa · SmartThings
- Energy monitoring
- Needs Thread border router
Best for: Apple homes that already have a HomePod mini or Apple TV 4K
- Doesn’t crowd your Wi-Fi
- Detailed energy history
- Works with Home Assistant too
- Needs a Thread border router
- Bulkier body
- Costs more than Wi-Fi plugs
Govee Smart Plug Pro (H5086)
Energy monitoring on every lamp for very little money per plug.
- Alexa · Google
- Energy monitoring
- 15 A / 1,800 W
- Wi-Fi + Bluetooth
Best for: Alexa or Google homes buying several plugs at once
- Very low cost per plug in multi-packs
- Energy monitoring
- No hub
- No Apple Home
- Not a Matter device
Amazon Smart Plug
The simplest setup there is, if Alexa is all you use.
- Alexa only
- Set up in the Alexa app
- No hub
Best for: All-Echo households that want zero extra apps
- Dead-simple setup
- No extra app or account
- Alexa only
- No energy monitoring
- Usually pricier per plug
Tapo P400M Outdoor Matter Smart Plug
Two weatherproof outlets with Matter, so it works with every assistant.
- 2 independent outlets
- IP65
- Matter: Apple · Google · Alexa
- 15 A per outlet
Best for: String lights, holiday displays and pond pumps
- Works with every major platform via Matter
- IP65 weather rating
- Each outlet controlled on its own
- No energy monitoring
- Needs a GFCI outdoor outlet
See all our picks in the best outdoor smart plugs guide.
Check price on AmazonWhich assistants does each plug work with?
How to choose a smart plug
Start with your assistant
Alexa and Google homes have the most choice. Apple users should look for Matter or HomeKit support specifically, because many cheap plugs skip it.
Matter or plain Wi-Fi?
Matter plugs work across platforms and are the most future-proof. Plain Wi-Fi plugs that already support your assistant work just as well day to day, and often cost less.
To see energy use inside Apple Home, Google Home or SmartThings, both the plug and your hub need Matter 1.3 or later. Many early Matter plugs only show energy in their own app.
Check the size and the load
Bulky plugs can block the second outlet. Most plugs handle 15 A / 1,800 W, which covers lamps, fans and small appliances.
Read both manuals before putting a high-draw heater on any smart plug. Many manufacturers advise against it.
Keep the firmware updated
In 2026 TP-Link shipped fixes for a security flaw affecting many Kasa devices. Whatever brand you buy, turn on automatic updates in its app.
Easy first projects for renters
- Lamp on at sunsetSchedule a living-room lamp to switch on at dusk.
- Fan at bedtimeHave a fan turn on at 10 p.m. and off at 6 a.m.
- Coffee at 7 a.m.Works if your coffee maker has a physical switch that stays on.
FAQ
Do smart plugs need a hub?
Most Wi-Fi plugs don’t. Thread plugs like Eve Energy need a Thread border router, which is built into many recent smart speakers and streaming boxes.
Do smart plugs use a lot of electricity?
No. They draw very little on standby, and plugs with energy monitoring can help you find devices that waste power.
Can a smart plug make any device smart?
Only devices with a physical switch that stays on, like most lamps and fans. Devices that need a button press after power returns won’t start by themselves.
Why does setup fail on my Wi-Fi?
Most plugs need 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. If setup keeps failing, temporarily split your router’s 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks.
If you’re unsure, get the Kasa EP25. It works with the most platforms and still tracks energy.
