Smart Plug Guide (2026): When you should or shouldn’t use one

Smart plug It’s a very useful gadget, but for a while it was promoted as a device that you could add to anything to turn it into a smart device. This is true to some extent. You can use a smart plug to add instant power control to any outlet, allowing you to turn the outlet on and off on demand from anywhere in your home (or even if you’re not there). The TV can now be turned off on demand, the lights will turn on automatically at 5pm, and a simple coffee maker or appliance can basically function if all it needs is power.

If you’re looking to control something simple that only needs power sent to it for the full experience, we’ve found some of the best smart plugs to do it for you. TP-Link’s smart plugs have been a favorite of mine for years, and the TP-Link Tapo Matter-Certified Smart Plug Mini (P125M) ($19, 3-pack) lets you skip getting an app and use the Matter to plug it directly into your home’s hub of choice. Smart plugs are also great for outdoor use, and the Cync Outdoor Smart Plug ($19) is made for outdoor use and has two plugs built into it.

Not sure if a smart plug can solve your dumb device problems? Read on for all our tips on the real purpose of smart plugs, how to best use them, and how to know if they’re right for your device. While you’re there, 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.

What is a smart plug? What can they do?

Smart plugs plug into an electrical outlet, and then you plug your device of choice (lamp, coffee maker, etc.) into the outlet to allow you to control the flow of power. The smart plug can connect to Wi-Fi and an app, as well as your smart speaker if you have one, to allow you to control it with automatic schedules, a custom app, or your voice.

Controlling the flow of power to an appliance can allow you to turn on lights around your home at a specific time or turn them off without leaving your bed. It can also let you run simple coffee makers or turn off the TV for you. But for many devices, restoring power to the device does not necessarily restart it.

Which devices work best with smart plugs?

A smart plug is a perfect fit for a device that has a simple on-off switch that you can leave on, letting the smart plug control the on-off part. The best example of this is a hand-switched light bulb, which is the most common use of a smart plug in my home. I also really like outdoor smart plugs for “dumb” outdoor lights and decorations (like the inflatable Santa Claus that hangs from my porch), although I’ve now switched to permanent outdoor lights that have smart bulb-like controls.

Smart plugs also have scheduling capabilities in the app, so you can set the smart plug to turn lights on and off at certain times to show up in the house, or automatically turn off all lights and TV at 11 p.m. to force yourself to go to bed. (I do this, but I just ask Alexa to play it again. Maybe one day I’ll go to bed on time.)

I’ve used smart plugs with a TV to turn it off, but putting power back on it doesn’t actually turn it back on, so it wasn’t useful to me at the time. Now, with a 3-year-old, this might be an easy way to claim the TV is broken so I don’t have to watch Mickey Mouse Club For the thousandth 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 you have already sent power to them. My electric tea kettle won’t heat up until I choose how hot it is, for example, so I can’t use a smart plug to start my morning routine, as some people recommend. Many coffee machines work the same way. As mentioned earlier, a TV is another example of not turning on when power is restored; I still need to find the remote to turn it on and choose what I want to watch.

Our favorite smart plugs

We’ve tested many smart plugs over the years. These are our favourites.

Honorable mentions

There are many smart plugs with similar features and designs, so choosing one may depend on price and brand preference. Here are some others we like.

Alexa Smart Plug for $25: Look, any Matter-compatible plug (like the one we recommend above) is as easy to add to your Alexa as Amazon’s own Smart Plug. But if you’re not interested in mixing ecosystems and want to ensure you’ll never need another app (which Matter Plugs also guarantee!), this smart plug is suitable.