SMART plugs can help you control your household appliances by connecting to gadgets that aren't WiFi enabled. They can also help save you precious pennies, particularly important with the current cost of living crisis.
What are smart plugs?
Essentially, a smart plug turns things that are plugged into your wall sockets on or off.
Smart plugs are either operated through Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, and are controlled through an app on your phone.
Using the app you can not only turn things on and off, but also programme your smart plugs to do its job throughout the day without you having to lift a finger.
This means you wake up to an already boiled kettle or turn the lights on before you return home from work.
How to de-clutter if you have a beauty stash to last you a lifetime
As smart plugs ensure your appliances are turned off when you're not using them, they can help make your home more energy efficient.
As energy bills continue to rise, finding a product that can reduce your costs is an absolute must.
In fact, the Energy Saving Trust believes that the average UK home wastes £35 by keeping electronics in standby mode.
By using smart plugs, you'd be able to save that cost.
The versatility of smart plugs means they are great for everyone - families, for instance, can take advantage of them by programming kids’ screen time to end at a scheduled time.
They save you money, make life easier and give you peace of mind.
Here are the best smart plugs around to help you decide.
Best smart plugs at a glance
- Best smart plug overall: TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi power strip
- Best smart plug for appliances: Hive active plug
- Best for energy saving: Eve Energy plug
- Best smart plug for Google Home: TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi plug
- Best smart plug controller: Bosch Smart Home controller
- Best smart plug that works with Alexa: Amazon smart plug
- Best bundle deal: Echo Dot + Amazon Smart Plug
Best smart plug overall: TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi power strip
- TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi power strip, £114.74 from Argos - buy here
Have a few appliances that you want to link up but don’t have the plug space at home?
This smart power strip is the perfect solution.
It has three different plugs that you can control separately via WiFi, plus three USB ports.
I’m a savvy shopper – best time to shop for Xmas 2023 is sooner than you think
You can easily switch the power strip on and off at the source, or control it using Alexa or Google Home devices.
Best smart plug for appliances: Hive Active Plug
- Hive Active Plug, £39 from Hive – buy here
Switch on your lamps, turn on your stereo or TV, and put the kettle on for when you get home - the Hive active plug can do all of that for you.
It will also give you peace of mind when you go out. Did you leave the iron or the hair straighteners on? A swift check and they’re off.
You can even be far away on a beach holiday and set the lights to come on to make potential burglars think the house is lived in.
It works best with a Hive Hub. If you don’t already have a British Gas installed Hive Active Heating 2, it’s worth looking into getting one first, although you can use it without as well.
Best for energy saving: Eve Energy plug
- Eve Energy plug, £39.95 at Amazon – buy here
If you want to keep track of how much energy your appliances are using, Eve's smart plug gives you a real-time account of usage, making it easy for you switch devices on or off with a tap or a command to Siri.
It connects to your device using Bluetooth, with no bridge or gateway required.
Note: Eve accessories are designed for Apple devices only so it's not one for Android users.
Best smart plug for Google Home: TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi plug
- TP-Link Kasa smart Wi-Fi plug, £17.99 from Argos – buy here
The partner app for this plus allows you to group together security cameras and lights, with the ability to control them via Google Assistant and Alexa.
Remote access allows you to check and make schedule changes wherever you are in the world.
The company has rolled out a whole new array of devices, including the Kasa smart video doorbell (with infrared LEDs for night vision and integrated microphone for two-way conversations), and the Kasa smart wire-free outdoor security camera system for optimal security protection. For more details, log onto Kasa.
Best smart plug controller: Bosch Smart Home controller
- Bosch Smart Home controller, £81.81 at Amazon – buy here
Bosch offers up a whole selection of smart plugs - and they're all connected through this home controller system.
The Bosch Smart Home radiator thermostat lets you control your heating from the sofa or a faraway beach, while the Smart Home door/window contact alerts you instantly if a door or window has been unexpectedly opened, or left open by mistake.
The Smart Home smart plug gives you advanced control over an array of plug-ins, from operating entertainment systems to monitoring the light in the kids’ room.
You can buy these individually or as one big bundle.
Best smart plug that works with Alexa: Amazon smart plug
- Amazon smart plug, £24.99 from Amazon – buy here
Although many smart plugs communicate well with Alexa, it stands to reason the one by Amazon will work with it the best.
Set up, through Echo naturally. From hereon, simply ask Alexa about your devices and you’re good to set schedules, establish routines and operate appliances remotely.
For those who don’t want to toggle back and forth between apps and networks, this is a real time saver. Better still, no smart home hub required.
Best bundle deal: Echo Dot + Amazon Smart Plug
- Echo Dot + Amazon Smart Plug, £54.98 from Amazon - buy here
For under £55 you can pick up the latest Echo Dot and a compatible Amazon Smart Plug.
The Echo Dot allows you to effortlessly play music, audiobooks and podcasts as well as ask Alexa all your questions.
The smart plug is simple to set up, and you only need the Alexa app to get it up and running.
