The best smart plugs of 2026
Which smart plug to buy for Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home or all three, plus outdoor plugs and a power strip with energy monitoring.
The Kasa KP125M is the best smart plug for most homes: it supports Matter, works with Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa and SmartThings, and tracks energy use. The Tapo P125M is a cheaper Matter plug, the Eve Energy is the pick for Apple homes with a Thread hub, and the Tapo P400M handles outdoor lights.
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Picks are based on maker specs and published testing, noted where used.
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The picks
Kasa KP125M Matter Smart Plug
Engadget's best Matter plug. It pairs with Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa and SmartThings, and doesn't block the second outlet.
Energy data shows in the Kasa app, not in every platform.
TP-Link Tapo P125M
The cheapest Matter-certified plug from a major brand, with the same four-platform support.
No energy monitoring on this model.
Eve Energy (Matter)
Responds instantly and keeps working without internet. Eve reports energy data through Matter, so it shows up in any platform.
Needs a Thread border router, and costs more than Wi-Fi plugs.
TP-Link Tapo P400M
Each outlet is controlled separately, and the right-angle plug lets the outlet cover close.
Use a weatherproof outlet with a cover.
Amazon Smart Plug
Sets itself up through the Alexa app in under a minute, with routines and schedules.
No Apple Home, Google Home or Matter support.
Kasa HS300 Smart Power Strip
Tidies a TV stand or desk and shows the power draw of each device.
Not Matter-certified; works with Alexa and Google Home.
Matter, Wi-Fi or Thread?
Smart plugs connect in different ways, which affects which apps they work with and whether you need a hub.
- Matter plugs work with Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa and SmartThings, so you can switch ecosystems later.
- Wi-Fi plugs join your home Wi-Fi and need no hub. Each one adds a device to your router.
- Thread plugs need a border router but don't use your Wi-Fi, and they extend the Thread mesh for sensors and locks.
Not sure which controller you have? Our smart home hub and Matter guide lists them by ecosystem. Kasa and Tapo are TP-Link brands; our guide on whether TP-Link routers are safe covers the FCC action on TP-Link routers.
Lamps on a schedule while you are away, a coffee maker with a manual switch, holiday lights, and cutting standby power to a TV and game console overnight.
What to look for
Most smart plugs look the same. These details separate the good ones.
- Matter certification if you use more than one platform or might switch.
- Load rating: most handle 15 amps (1,800 watts). Check before plugging in heaters, AC units or appliances with motors.
- Energy monitoring if you want to find devices that waste power.
- Size: a compact plug leaves the second outlet free.
- Safety listing: buy plugs listed by UL or ETL.
- Local control: Matter and Thread plugs keep working on schedules if the internet drops.
Same apps, front door: see the best video doorbells.
Smart plug, smart switch or smart outlet?
Plugs are the easiest start: no wiring, and they move between rooms. Smart light switches control ceiling lights wired to a switch and keep working for anyone who uses the wall switch. Smart outlets replace the outlet itself for a cleaner look. Switches and outlets need a neutral wire in most cases and are best installed by an electrician if you are unsure.
How to set one up
Setup takes a few minutes with any of our picks.
- Plug it in near your router. Setup is easier with a strong signal.
- Scan the Matter code. Use the Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa or SmartThings app, or the maker's app.
- Name it for what it controls. "Living room lamp" works better with voice assistants than "Plug 1."
- Add a schedule. For example, lamps on at sunset while you are away.
Questions
Do smart plugs work when the internet is down?
Matter and Thread plugs keep running schedules and work in the app at home. Cloud-only plugs may stop responding until the internet returns.
Can I add one smart plug to Alexa and Apple Home at once?
Yes, if it is Matter-certified. Add it to one app, then share it to the other from that app's settings.
What is the best smart plug?
For most homes, the Kasa KP125M: it supports Matter, works with Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa and SmartThings, and tracks energy use. The Tapo P125M is the cheaper Matter pick.
Do smart plugs need a hub?
Wi-Fi plugs don't. Thread plugs, such as the Eve Energy, need a Thread border router, which an Apple TV, HomePod, recent Echo or Nest Hub provides.
Do smart plugs work on 5GHz Wi-Fi?
Almost all use 2.4GHz only. They connect fine to a router that broadcasts both bands under one name, though setup is sometimes easier with 5GHz turned off for a minute.
Can I use a smart plug with a space heater?
Check the plug's rating and the heater's manual. Most plugs handle 15 amps, but many heater makers say to plug heaters directly into the wall.
Do smart plugs save money?
They can, by turning off TVs, game consoles and chargers on a schedule. Plugs with energy monitoring show which devices use the most power.
- Engadget, "The best smart plugs in 2026"
- The Gadgeteer, "8 Smart Plugs That Solve Everyday Problems in 2026," Jul 2, 2026
- Smart Home Explorer, "Best Matter Smart Plugs and Outlets 2026" and "Best Smart Plugs and Outlets 2026"
- Maker spec pages for TP-Link Kasa and Tapo, Eve and Amazon
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