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Smart plugs aren't the most complicated smart home devices — they really just turn stuff off and on — but they do make life a little easier. That's what most people probably want from household automation anyway. In the past year or so of testing smart plugs, I've grown accustomed to having the living room lamps click on just before sunset and go off when I say goodnight to Alexa or the Google Assistant (Siri can turn off a few of my lights, but isn't compatible with all of them). Most smart home device makers have a plug or two in their lineups, but finding one that's compatible with your chosen ecosystem, easy to set up and reliably connects can involve a little trial and error. That's why we tried more than a dozen models to find the best smart plugs you can buy right now.
What to consider when buying a smart plug
Before you buy one, it helps to know how a smart plug works best. They are designed for things that have an on/off switch, making them great for turning lamps into smart lights. If you want a plug-in fan to move some air around before you get home, a smart plug can help. You can load a basic coffee maker with grounds and water the night before and wake up to a fresh pot in the morning. And instead of an air purifier running all day, you could set it to just run when you're away. But gadgets that needs to be programmed further, or requires a stand-by mode, isn't ideal. If you want to control built-in lights, you'll need smart switches, which are more involved than smart plugs as they can involve installation.
Some smart plugs can even monitor how much energy they use and display those figures within their companion app. That might not be much use on its own, as lamps with LED bulbs consume very little energy, but it could help you ke
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