Using a smart plug is the cheapest, easiest way to remotely control any electrical device in your home. Just plug one into an outlet, add a lamp, fan, or other on/off device, then set it up with an app, and—boom—you’re making magic. Automations and schedules make them convenient and fun to use. They can also be a crucial aid for those who have difficulty reaching light switches or other controls. We recommend the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim (EP25) 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 many other devices. Whether you’re home or away, you can turn outlets on and off, have them trigger at scheduled or random times, or set up your plug so that it turns on or off along with other linked smart devices. We also recommend the Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip (HS300) if you want to be able to plug in and independently control and automate multiple devices.
Our pick
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, Samsung SmartThings
The Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim (EP25) includes all of the features you’d want in a single-outlet smart plug. In addition to remote control access and a timer and schedule tool, it can be integrated with a large number of other smart-home devices, including third-party support for Alexa, HomeKit and Google Assistant. It also includes real-time energy monitoring so you can keep tabs on electricity uses in hours, minutes, watts, and kilowatt-hours. It’s a bit larger than several other single-outlet plugs we like, but it doesn’t obstruct the other socket in a duplex outlet.
Our pick
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Samsung SmartThings
The Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug (EP40) is built to weather the outdoors. (You should never attempt to use a typical smart plug outdoors.) The EP40 has an operating-temperature range of -4 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit, it includes two outlets that you can control independently using the app or voice control (via Alexa or Google Assistant but not Siri), and it’s easy to set up and use. And the EP40 is smaller than our previous outdoor pick, the Kasa KP400, so it’s simpler to install. (Just remember, it should still be installed with a covered outlet.)
Our pick
Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip (HS300)
This Kasa model turns one outlet into six independently controlled smart ones, with built-in energy monitoring and integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant (but not Apple HomeKit). It also has three USB ports.
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Samsung SmartThings
The Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip (HS300) transforms one wall plug into six independently controllable outlets, so you can turn different devices on and off as well as create separate schedules and triggers. Of the smart power strips we tested, it also has the most USB charging ports (three) for smartphones and tablets, as well as the longest power cord. And it supports energy monitoring (in watts and kWh) and voice control via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Runner-up
TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini (EP10)
This smart plug is easy to use, cheap, and small enough to fit behind furniture. It also performs basic smart-plug tasks reliably and can track the amount of time (in hours and minutes) you’re using electrical devices.
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Samsung SmartThings
The Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini (EP10) is the smallest, least expensive of our picks, but lacks energy monitoring or HomeKit support, which our top pick has. It performed consistently in all our tests, including when operated remotely, running automated schedules, or when triggered by other devices by using a third-party platform like Alexa and Google Assistant. Built-in usage monitoring lets you keep tabs on the precise amount of time you’re using whatever device is plugged into it (like a fan or AC), though not the actual energy consumption.