Smart home tech doesn’t have to be complicated, and if you’ve been reluctant to dip a toe in the (smart) water, you might be surprised by just how cheap and simple it can be. You don’t have to fill your entire home with color-shifting lights, mount screens on the wall, or spend time tinkering with apps every day. The best smart home devices will make your life less complicated, not more, automating little tasks that are time-consuming or inconvenient.

Curious? Below, you'll find five examples where smart home tech can make your life easier, without adding any complications.

All the devices in this list can be controlled via a smart speaker, but if you don’t have one (and perhaps don’t quite trust them) then you can operate them all through your phone instead. Setup is a one-time affair, after which they’ll become a seamless part of your home, automating tasks so discreetly and effectively that you'll forget they’re even there.

No-touch lighting

Color-changing lights that bathe your home in shades of purple or green are fun, but smart lighting can be cheap, simple, and functional too. For example, swapping the bulbs in your hallway for simple smart bulbs and attaching a basic contact sensor to your front door means you’ll never need to worry about having to find a spare hand to hit the light switch when you’re coming home with multiple bags of groceries.

A stick-up motion sensor paired with a basic smart light bulb will work well for dark cupboards and closets, too, and if you use a sensor in your bedroom with a white LED light strip along the bottom edge of your bed, it will illuminate the floor so you can find your way to the bathroom at night without waking your partner.

For simple tasks such as these, look for smart bulbs and LED strips that only emit white light. The Philips Hue system is particularly well established (it currently holds the number one spot in our guide to the best smart lights), and its plain warm white bulbs are reasonably priced. There are versions for all the most common home light fittings, so there’s no DIY necessary. For more info, take a look at our guide to the different types of Philips Hue bulbs.

If you’re using sensors, you’ll also need a Philips Hue Bridge, which will connect them to your Wi-Fi network and each other. It’s very easy to use – just plug it into your router and follow the instructions in the Hue app. To learn more, see Philips Hue Bridge: what is it, and why is it important?

Easy gardening

Some seeds will grow happily outdoors, but others (particularly those native to tropical conditions) tend to benefit from a helping hand. There are a whole host of smart plant propagators such as the Aspara Smart Grower, for example, which use sensors to monitor variables including humidity, light intensity, water and nutrient levels, then sends notifications to your phone if you need to intervene. However, there are simpler ways to use smart home tech to help your garden grow.

For example, you can use a basic LED grow light with a smart plug, and set a schedule so that your seedlings get an appropriate amount of simulated sunshine. I use a cheap propagator (essentially a plastic tray with a lid) with a low-voltage heated mat underneath and an LED strip attached to a Philips Hue plug to help germinate chillis and peppers indoors.

Wildlife watching

Smart bird feeders (such as the Bird Buddy Smart Bird Feeder Pro) are a charming concept, alerting you when a finch or sparrow visits your garden for a snack, and allowing you to watch it enjoying a munch on a seed or two on your phone.

They can be pricey, though. So, if you don’t have the budget for a camera-equipped feeder, a simple stick-up security camera will do the job just as well. In a recent UK survey, Ring (maker of many of the best video doorbells) found that 60% of its customers were using its security cameras regularly to watch garden birds. Blue tits, great tits, magpies, pigeons, and owls are all popular among users' shared video clips.

Many of the best home security cameras use rechargeable batteries and are fully wireless, so can be placed just about anywhere without the need to drill any holes. Just check the specs first to see whether you’ll need a subscription to store video footage online, or receive alerts when the camera detects movement, and make sure the camera is rated for use outdoors.

Simple cleaning

Coming home to a clean house is a real-mood booster, and a robot vacuum can tackle one of the most common chores automatically while you’re out. If you think robovacs are too expensive, or just a gimmick, you might be pleasantly surprised by how effective and affordable they are now.

The SwitchBot K10+, for example, is small enough to slide under cabinets and weave around table legs, and can be yours for around $200 / £200 / AU$xx, thanks to regular discounts at Amazon and SwitchBot’s own website. While it isn't the most powerful robovac around, it’s a great option for keeping your house fresh between deeper weekly cleans.

If you have hard floors then a robovac with a mopping attachments can keep them free of dust and clean up splashes so they’re always presentable. The K10+ can drag a wet wipe around your floor, which is fine for a quick spruce up (I was surprised by how much grime it picked up from the corners of rooms after only a couple of days). For real cleaning power, however, you should take a look at the ***incomplete sentence***

Our guide to the best robot vacuums is packed with more suggestions.

Energy saving

The best smart thermostats let you optimize the way you heat and cool your home to save energy, but they’re pricey and usually need expert installation. They’re not the only way to help reduce your energy bills, however. A cheap smart plug can be just as effective, turning appliances on and off on a schedule, via a voice command, through an app, or when you’re in the room (as detected by a smart motion sensor).

Some of the best smart plugs can also monitor how much energy your appliance is using, and they’re often available in multi-packs so you can see which items in your home are the most power-hungry, and limit their use if possible. Do you really need that fan heater running for quite so long, and could you turn off your PC more regularly?

The Eve Energy Smart Plug and Energy Meter is a good option, and is available for both US and UK appliances.

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The best smart plugs are an easy and affordable way to automate pretty much anything. Want to make an old light remote controllable? A smart plug will do that. Need to kill the power to various devices when you go out? Yes, you can do that as well.

One of the big benefits of smart plugs is that they're increasingly affordable, which means you can use them to smarten up devices that would be too expensive to replace with smarter versions. And you can control them using an app, one of the best smart speakers, or via the best smart displays for effortless control of pretty much anything.

Smart plugs have an added benefit: they can reduce your energy usage, potentially saving you money. While you read up on how smart plugs can save energy for more information, the quick summary is that you can run them using routines in tandem with the best smart lights and one of the best smart thermostats to minimize your energy usage. And with platforms that support geofencing, you can even switch things off automatically when people are leaving your home.

We’ve taken a look at all the best smart plugs, testing the most popular models from all the key manufacturers. You’ll find options that work with Amazon, Apple HomeKit, and Hive, and you’ll see recognizable brands as well as lesser-known but still quality ones on this list. We'll also tell you whether a smart plug works with Matter, the new standard designed to make smart home tech easier to connect and more widely compatible.

The quick list

Below is our quick guide to the best smart plugs around. Use it to narrow down your options, then either hop down to the more in-depth entry, or head straight to a retailer to buy.

The best smart plugs 2025

The best smart plug overall

The Eve Energy smart plug is the best you can buy in our eyes. Simple to use, it keeps track of the energy consumption of the devices plugged into it - and if you provide specific details from the energy provider - the total cost, too.

This smart plug connects over Bluetooth, or Thread and Matter smart home technology. Thread is more stable than Wi-Fi and puts an end to smart home devices failing to respond. And Matter is now included in devices such as Amazon's Echo speakers, enabling you to connect this formerly HomeKit-only product to your Matter smart home.

Compared to the rest of the market it's expensive and its all-white design is simplistic, but don't let that fool you - it’s got plenty of handy features such as the ability to create schedules. And the Matter support is a big bonus that makes it more widely compatible.

Read our full Eve Energy smart plug review

The best cheap smart plug

For some, no-nonsense means straightforward while, for others, it means stripped down. Both descriptions apply here as the WiZ Smart Plug is simple and straightforward to use while being fairly light when it comes to features. It's incredibly easy to use and does exactly what it’s supposed to, thanks to its stable operation and connection.

You’re not going to find any energy consumption monitoring or Apple HomeKit support. And, you can only connect it to the standard 2.4GHz band of a Wi-Fi network, not to mention that setup requires a couple extra steps. That said, considering the cost of the WiZ Smart Plug, those are minor inconveniences (except for HomeKit users).

Thanks to its straightforward and simple operation along with a low price tag, the WiZ Smart Plug is an ideal option for anyone just starting to put together a smart home and just wants something easy.

Read our full WiZ smart plug review

The best smart power strip

For Alexa and Google Assistant-based smart homes, the TP-Link Kasa KP303 smart power strip is a worthy choice if you need several smart plugs in one location. It’s easy to use and even has a handy Away mode that will turn the plug on and off at random time. That's ideal if a radio or lamp is connected to one of the outlets, and you want to to help deter unwanted intruders.

It offers almost all of the functions we’d expect, such as being able to set schedules and even create automations where other TP-Link branded products work in tandem alongside the smart plug. There are also two USB ports on the power strip. Although these aren’t smart, these are still handy if you need an extra outlet to charge your devices, for example.

Like all of the smart plugs in this line-up, the plain all-white design won’t win any prizes for style. It also lacks energy monitoring and HomeKit support. However, it's still a solid contender if you want to smarten your other appliances.

Read our full TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip KP30e review

The best smart plug for Alexa

If your home is all-things Alexa, then opting for the Amazon-branded smart plug makes perfect sense. It may not be the cheapest smart plug on the market, but it integrates well with Alexa routines - making setting up automations for your home a simple task.

The relatively bulky smart plug connects to the internet over Wi-Fi, so it can still be controlled even when you’re not at home and was extremely simple to set-up thanks to a QR code that did the hard work for us.

On test, it proved to be responsive both when controlled by the app or Alexa. There’s no energy monitoring function, neither is there an Away mode to help deter intruders by randomly turning devices on or off. Unsurprisingly, you're out of luck with this smart plug if you want Google Assistant or HomeKit support too, but it’s still a solid smart home device.

Read our full Amazon smart plug review

The best smart plug for lights

After a smart plug purely to bring an internet connection so existing lamps that don’t support smart bulb? You’ll be hard pushed to find a better option than the Philips Hue smart plug. It integrates with any Hue smart lighting you already have in your home, and can be controlled through the Hue app. Even better, it's compact and can be used with Alexa, Google Assistant or HomeKit, and the Hue Bridge it connects to is also Matter compatible.

As smart plugs go, it’s one of the more expensive models we’ve tested. That's especially if you don’t already have a Hue bridge, which ensures the plug can be controlled away from home. It also doesn’t offer any energy monitoring feature either.

That said, it's a great buy for anyone looking to make existing lamps smarter.

Read our full Philips Hue smart plug review

The best smart plug for a single ecosystem

Hive began as a manufacturer of smart thermostats, but has grown into one of the biggest names in smart home devices of all kinds, including lights, cameras, locks and plugs. It's one of the most affordable ecosystems to get into - cheaper than Philips Hue, if you're interested in trying smart lighting.

The Hive Active plug requires either a Hive Active Heating thermostat or Hive Hub, but once you have that, it's simple to set up and use. You can create a schedule (with up to six time slots per day), trigger the plug using the Hive app on your phone, or link it to a Hive switch or sensor. It also works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and HomeKit.

The Hive Active Plug is also relatively small, making it one of the most discreet (if not stylish) options available. However, we did run into some initial hiccups during set up[, so you may need to persevere.

Read our full Hive Active smart plug review

How to choose the best smart plug for you

When choose the best smart plug for you, there are a number of aspects that should be considered before plumping for a particular model

Start by thinking about how the smart plug is installed. Most smart plugs simply connect to an existing outlet, but there are some available that replace your existing outlets. These smart plugs look stylish, but they require much more DIY expertise, so you may have to employ a professional.

With smart plugs, it's also important to consider the number of outlets a smart plug offers. The majority will have one, but if you have several devices close together than you want to control from your smartphone, a power strip, which can have up to four smart outlets in one device, will be a more cost effective solution.

Also consider if you need the ability to monitor how much energy a device connected to the smart plug is using, and if so, does the smart plug work out the subsequent cost if you enter your energy tariff details, too.

Some smart plugs connect to your smartphone using Bluetooth, but that means you’ll only be able to control them if you’re close by. However if you’re the forgetful type that struggles to remember to turn devices off, a model with Wi-Fi built-in or that uses a bridge to connect to the internet and relay instructions from the cloud, will ensure it can be switched on or off even if you’re no longer at the property.

Not all smart plugs integrate with all voice assistants, so check if a model is compatible if you already use a voice assistant in your home and whether it will integrate with other smart home devices you already own such as home security cameras, video doorbells and smart lights.

Frequently asked questions about smart plugs

How we tested these smart plugs

To identify the best smart plugs you can buy right now, we evaluate how easy they are to install and control. We assess how responsive they are to being controlled from a smartphone, both when we’re away from home and close by. We also check which voice assistants each model integrates with and whether they integrate with Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri, and how effectively Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri respond to commands related to the smart plug.

We also evaluate each design on how durable it is, and any extra features such as energy monitoring and Away modes that control the plug at random times in a bid to simulate occupancy. We also assess any extra kit such as hubs that’s also available for the smart plugs and consider whether it requires reading a thick instruction manual before use.

When regular devices just don’t cut it, smart fans and purifiers are an excellent way to beat the heat and keep the air quality in your home at a healthy level. 

Whether it’s managing the temperature or purifying the air, these smart devices mean you'll have far fewer hands-on interactions with your air quality devices. 

Some of the best fans and best air purifiers are smart devices that allow you to set timers or integrate with smart assistants like Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant to provide further smart features.

This includes controlling your fans and purifiers remotely so your home is nice and fresh when you arrive, or reacting to environmental conditions without you needing to step in.

However, they can be pretty pricey devices, and you may well have a perfectly good fan at home already you don't want to go to waste. That's where smart devices can help retrofit your home appliances.

 Smart vs. retrofit dumb

I’ve currently got a Dyson Hot+Cool Formaldehyde, but it’s fairly expensive. Plus, as my apartment has water ingress and has really struggled to handle the extreme temperatures (relative to the UK’s climate, at least) in recent months, I need multiple fans to keep the flat feeling as fresh as possible. 

Buying multiple smart fans isn’t exactly in my budget, and annoyingly the Hot+Cool Formaldehyde won’t actually turn on automatically when low air quality or high temperatures are detected. So, to help keep cool, I thought I’d try to smarten up my dumb fan.

First up, you’ll need an air quality monitor. There are quite a few of these available online, but the only one I can personally vouch for is the Amazon Smart Air Quality Monitor. It’s petite, and its simple design means it won’t stick out in your home – plus, it integrates seamlessly with Alexa, which is my current smart assistant of choice. Everything from setup to air quality tracking can be handled in the Alexa app, and you can set up routines based on the readings from this neat little device.

If you've got a smart fan or purifier that just isn't reactive to air quality changes in your home, that's all you'll need for this retrofit, but for those with fully dumb fans, this is where the second part of this hack comes in - the smart plug. 

It’s worth noting, you’ll need a fan or purifier that turns on as soon as it’s powered or has a toggle button you can leave pressed down – many radial fans still use these. This means when the automation triggers the smart plug to turn on, the device will start operating without needing any manual intervention.

All you need to do now is plug in your fan or air purifier to the smart plug and set it up in your smart home ecosystem, then set up an automation to turn on the device whenever the air quality monitor detects high temperatures or low air quality and you’re all set. 

Outsmarting your dumb fan

You can regularly get smart plugs on the cheap, especially during annual sales like Prime Day and Black Friday, but generally speaking, they’re no more than $25/£20/AU$30. It’s a good idea to look at multipacks, too, if you’re planning on setting up a full-blown smart home; there are lots of creative ways you can make use of them. Including an air quality monitor, this little hack should cost less than $100 / £100 / AU$100.

Since I started automating my air quality management, there’s been a marked improvement in my health. I’m sneezing far less often, and spending less time battling with various fans and apps just to manage my home.

Considering many smart fans and purifiers will set you back considerably, this solution could end up saving a whole lot of money - plus, it’s less wasteful than throwing out your dumb devices! 

Two-minute review

 The WiZ Wi-Fi-connected smart plug is a basic but reliable plug that will help automate your home. It’s not particularly feature-heavy — even some of the best smart plugs aren’t — but it does everything it says on the tin.

The 72.5 x 51.5 x 30.6 mm (H x W x D) plug is made of white plastic, and while it feels a little cheap, it’s robust and fits snugly into the socket. On the top, there’s a small LED light, which shows you when the device is switched on.

To pair it, you’ll need the WiZ app; both the original app and its newer version work just fine and are easy to navigate generally. The instructions for pairing the plug are a little vague (and confusingly refer to the plug as a light) and if you’ve never used a WiZ product, it’s easy to miss that you need to turn the plug on and off three times to enter pairing mode. 

The WiZ Wi-Fi smart plug pairs exclusively with 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, so some dual-band users may find pairing difficult. However, Wi-Fi connectivity provides the ability to remotely control your device.

Once that’s done, the plug works swimmingly. I used it mostly to control my WiZ Indoor Security Camera, as I dislike the feeling of being watched in my own home; you can’t always schedule internal cameras to turn off when you’re in the house during the day. I also tried it with higher-load devices and tested the remote control feature while out and about, all of which worked perfectly well.

Within the app, there are no advanced features other than scheduling, which is a shame; even some of the cheaper competition, like the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim KP105, can do a few cool things beyond the basics.

For just $15.99 / £17.99 / AU$27.00, the WiZ smart plug is available directly from the WiZ store and on Amazon.

WiZ Smart Plug review: specifications

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WiZ Smart Plug review: Also consider

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How I tested the WiZ Smart Plug smart lock

• I tested the WiZ smart plug for 48 hours
• I used it with 4 different devices and used it with Alexa
• I tested WiZ’s various in-app settings and features

I used the WiZ smart plug for 48 hours, testing it with my indoor security camera, kettle, PC and dumb lamp. After downloading the WiZ app on my iPhone, I tried remotely controlling the plug, as well as setting it off on a schedule and using voice assistants.

I’ve been testing smart devices regularly for a year now but have been using them for far longer. I benchmarked this plug against my TP-Link plug, as well as using previous reviews on TechRadar to sense-check my findings.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed June 2023

Smart plugs are the unsung heroes of the smart home world. These clever little devices enable you to remotely turn on or off appliances and electronics, giving you an easy way to turn a dumb home into a smart one. 

What's more, many of the best smart plugs are surprisingly affordable; you'll often find them for less than $20 / £15 / AU$30. That makes them far cheaper than many other smart home devices, so kitting out your home with several of them can be a cost-effective entry into the connected home world. They're also simple to use: simply plug one into your power outlet, download any necessary apps, connect it to your Wi-Fi, and you're all set.

So, what can you do with them? Well, anything with 'smart' already in the name probably won't benefit from a smart plug - so forget about using them with the best smart lights, best smart speakers or best smart displays. Instead, you'll want to think more creatively.

To help get your ideas flowing, here are 12 of my personal favorite uses for smart plugs.

The best ways to use a smart plug

1. Remotely control dumb lights

If you're not quite ready to refit your light fixtures or invest in pricey smart lamps, a more budget-friendly option is retrofitting your existing lights with a smart plug. It's one of the more simple uses, but it can really reshape your daily routine and energy usage.

I've been using a smart plug to transform my old table lamp into a wake-up light for the past few months, scheduling it to turn on as I wake up every day. It's also saved me from a few bumps and scrapes when I've needed to get up in the night, too!

2. Ensure your hair tools are turned off

If I had a dollar for every time I've panicked about leaving my hair straighteners or curlers on, I'd have enough cash to buy hair tools that have in-built timers. Sadly, that's not how the world works, so instead I've taken to plugging them into my smart plug.

Now, if I'm anxious when I'm out on the town that my apartment has burned down, I can remotely give myself some peace of mind.

3. Prepare your morning brew

Easily one of my favorite uses, plugging one of the best coffee makers or kettles into a smart plug enables you to schedule a hot drink for yourself every morning. 

It's not quite as simple as that; you'll need to flick down the switch on your kettle every night or make sure your coffee machine can retain pre-programming while turned off. And of course, you'll need to make sure you've got some water ready for boiling - but it still helps automate the process.

4. Start dinner from anywhere

It's not just coffee makers and kettles that benefit from the smart plug treatment in kitchens - cooking appliances like the best Instant Pots work wonderfully, too.

Now, personally, unless you're just running quickly to the grocery store, I'd advise against leaving food in any appliance while you're away from home, both from a hygiene and safety perspective. However, for pre-heating, it's ideal.

5. Monitor your energy usage

Some smart plugs allow you to monitor the energy usage from the connected device, which is a real boon if you're being energy conscious. 

You'd be surprised how much energy some things use, even on standby mode, so it's worth seeing if you could be saving a few cents here and there by keeping things switched off.

6. Get notifications when your appliance finishes a task

Again, you'll need a plug that can monitor energy usage for this one, but it's a really cool way of getting more bang for your buck via a smart plug. 

When monitoring the amount of energy currently being used by a device, some smart plugs can notify you when your device's energy levels change; for example, when a dishwasher or washing machine cycle ends. This can then trigger a notification, so you know it's time to get off the sofa and get on with your housework.

7. Set a timer on your fan, heater or dehumidifier

There's nothing worse than coming home to an uncomfortable environment, but unless you own a smart or premium device such as the Dyson Hot+Cool Formaldehyde, it can be really frustrating to manage the temperature and humidity of your home when you're not there. 

By using a smart plug with your fan, heater or dehumidifier you can remotely control when the device is on or off, and even set timers - meaning you can save energy while still maintaining comfortable air quality.

8. Control how long your device is charged for

Although many smartphones and tablets now offer smart charging, it's still not an exact science, so smart plugs mean you can be safer rather than sorry. Overcharging devices can damage your battery and reduce its lifespan, after all.

Alternatively, you can save wasted electricity on things that only need a quick charge but are easily forgotten, such as the best electric toothbrushes.

9. Make a tucked-away plug socket accessible

My flat is full of odd little nooks and crannies, none more irritating than the one right behind my sofa. But a smart plug enables me to use it without the need to move my furniture around or crawl on all fours. 

With a smart plug in the hard-to-reach socket, I can turn on my fairy lights and standing lamp with the tap of a button or a quick "Hey, Siri" - and without needing to contort myself into awkward positions.

10. Control your sprinkler system

Water bans and water taxes can make gardening a bit of a nightmare in the summer, but thankfully smart plugs can help to keep costs low.

With a smart plug attached, you can either set up timers or control your newly smart sprinkler system remotely, but bear in mind you'll need to make sure the model you're using is safe for outdoor use, if that's where your power outlet is.

11. Reboot your router without the hassle

There's nothing worse than that feeling of dread as you realize the only solution to your ongoing WiFi issues is to reboot the router; that is, if you're like me and have it shoved away in some hard-to-reach corner. 

Instead, you can stay at your desk - or on the sofa - and toggle the router on and off from there.

12. Maintain your security camera privacy

The best home security cameras are supposed to bring peace of mind, whether by alerting you to intruders or simply enabling you to check in on pets while you're away from the home.

However, privacy and online security issues aren't unheard of, so it's a good idea to have your cameras turned off when you're home. Instead of switching these off manually at the wall, smart plugs allow you to automate when they're on or off, meaning you can know whenever you arrive home that you're not under observation.

Those looking to build themselves the best smart home will probably have considered the benefits of smart plugs. Inexpensive and versatile, these humble devices can be enlisted to integrate any analog or "dumb" devices – such as lamps, speakers, kitchen appliances, and pretty much any items that's plugged in – into your existing routines and automation.

Smart plugs act as a bridge between your device and its power source, giving you greater control over when an item is powered on or off. This can be achieved remotely from your phone, tablet, or even via a smart speaker, or you can set useful timers to activate or deactivate a device at a scheduled time.

But, despite the many pros of bringing smart plugs into the home, you may have been hesitant up until now. Choosing the right smart plug for your needs can be tricky when there's so much choice; read our guide to the best smart plugs, if you're unsure of where to start.

Here we'll outline some of the reasons that now might be the ideal time to invest in some smart plugs and how they could make your life easier.

Smart plugs can help save money on energy bills

If there's one thing that unites almost all of us, it's wanting to save money on energy bills. One of the key ways to do this with regards to electrical items and appliances specifically, is to invest in smart plugs. It might seem counterintuitive to add even more devices to the mix, but smart plugs enable you to program items such as TVs and microwaves – that would often be left on standby mode – to switch off overnight, or while you're away. Every penny counts, after all!

Smart plugs are also often accompanied by apps that make it easy to check your energy usage in more granular detail. Rather than simply seeing the overall figure at the end of the month, you can open up the app on your phone and see exactly which appliances are consuming the most power.

For more information on this topic, you can take a look at our exploration on "Do smart plugs save energy?".

They can be programmed to work with your schedule

Even if you're someone who's schedule runs like a military operation, your routine has likely changed more than once over the past few years. The onset of hybrid working and changes in how we socialize, we've all had to adapt to a slightly more unpredictable way of life. Smart plugs are a brilliant way to automate things that we once had to remember to do manually.

It puts an end to the worry of accidentally leaving devices such as lamps or even – *gasp* – the hair curlers on after you've left the house. Many smart plugs have a geolocation feature that you can set to switch those sockets selected off and on, depending on whether you're home or out. If you want all of your lamps to turn off when you head out for dinner, or check that you did actually turn off your hair irons, you can.

Add security to your home

Smart plugs are an often overlooked element of the best home security systems, adding automation where there traditionally wouldn't be any. For example, if you have a security camera or smart doorbell, you can use its motion detection feature to trigger a nearby smart plug. This means you can get smart security lighting for a fraction of the cost, and it will be synced with your other devices for added safety.

Smart plugs can also be great for creating the illusion that someone is home when the house is actually vacant. So, when you're off on vacation, you no longer need to leave the hallway light on for the entire duration that you're away. You can schedule a smart plug to turn on at regular intervals instead, saving power and cash while ensuring burglars remain in the dark over your whereabouts.

Smart plugs are one of the most affordable smart home products

Unlike some smart home devices that can cost a packet to set up, you can buy smart plugs for as little as $20 / £17 / AUS$28. This makes them one of the most affordable, and incredibly versatile, devices available. They're great for transforming previously analog, or "dumb", appliances and gadgets into something more modern, integrating these items into existing schedules and automation that you may have set up.

The majority of smart plugs can be used via their app partner, but for best results, you'll want to consider purchasing a smart speaker. You need to ensure your chosen plugs are compatible with your smart assistant of choice – whether that's Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple's HomeKit.

Create routines to make your home life easier

We've already touched upon the ways smart plugs can integrated with other devices and be synced with a variable schedule, but they can also be programmed to perform more basic tasks. For example, you can set a rule that your living room lamp turns on when the sun sets, or once your wake-up alarm is turned off in the morning. No more sitting in the dark or struggling to wake up.

This extends to any task you don't want to do manually, such as turning on the coffee machine before you get out of bed, or having a fan switch on when the indoor temperature reaches a certain level.

With life starting to get back to normal following the pandemic, more and more of us are leaving our homes unattended for longer periods of time. I’ve fully embraced trying to get life back on track – I’m going back into the office a couple of times a week, and I’ve booked a holiday for later in the year.

But alongside the excitement of life returning back to normal, I’ve once again found myself worrying about whether my house will be secure while I’m away. I’m quite a security-conscious person, and have home security cameras installed on the exterior of my property, which will alert me if anyone is creeping around outside.

But I’m always looking for any other steps I can take to deter intruders – and many smart plugs, and some smart lights –  which are among the most affordable of all smart-home devices – have a little-known feature that can give the impression that you’re at home when your house or apartment is empty.

More sophisticated than a schedule

Long before smart-home gadgets started to become the norm, when I was leaving the house empty for long periods of time I relied on old-fashioned timer plugs to make lights in the house switch on and off at set times to simulate occupancy and hopefully deter burglars. It was something my dad did, and it seemed sensible for me to use the same method. 

Even though I eventually upgraded to smart light bulbs, which I used on a schedule, so there was no need for the timer plug, there was a little snag in this plan. Anyone watching the house would have figured out very quickly that the lights switched on and off at the exact same time every day, making it clear that the house is likely to be empty – a fact that’s even raised by Harry, one of the two ‘wet bandits’ in the Home Alone movies.  

Really what I needed was a way of getting the lights to turn on and off at random times throughout the day and at night, making it less obvious that the house was unoccupied. And such a feature does, in fact, exist: it’s called away mode, and it’s available on many smart plugs, and some smart light bulbs. 

Away mode randomizes the times the appliance connected to the smart plug switches on and off, making it ideal for connecting a lamp to the smart plug to simulate occupancy. It’s available on the majority of smart plugs on the market right now, although there are a couple of notable exceptions, including Eve Energy Smart Plug and the Amazon Smart Plug. 

Each smart plug differs slightly in how you enable the feature, and at how many points in the day away mode can be used. I’ve got the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip KP303, and to set up away mode I need to select the smart plug from the main screen in the companion app, and then choose ‘Away’ from the four options at the bottom of the screen. 

I was able to assign a start and end time for away mode to operate, as well as select on which days it was activated (on this particular device, away mode can’t be set to activate at multiple times during the day). Once away mode is activated, the appliance connected to the smart plug – in this case a lamp which I’d placed in a window at the front of the house, would be switched on and off at random times during the away period.

It’s not just smart plugs that offer away mode – some smart light bulbs, including those from Philips Hue and WiZ, offer the same function, so if you already have one of these there’s no need to invest into additional gadgets. You’ll find away mode in the settings menu.

I’m in the UK, and at the time I’m writing this it’s still getting dark fairly early, so I’m making use of away mode on the days when I’m in the office, as well as when I pop out for the evening or go away for longer periods. It’s a simple, affordable and effective way to upgrade your home security setup, and throw would-be intruders off the scent.

 Now want to get your hands on a smart plug or smart light to boost your home security? Then check out the best deals available right now.  

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One-minute review

Philips Hue may not be a name that you expect to hear in the smart plugs arena; the brand is better known for producing some of the best smart lights on the market right now. However, If you have a lamp you love, one that isn’t compatible with the existing smart light bulb variants on the market, then a smart plug is the simplest way to connect it to the internet and control it via your smartphone. 

The Philips Hue Smart Plug ensures you can do just that, but without having to use an additional app, so you can control all of the lighting in your home from one place. Like most smart plugs on the market, it’s a compact, unassuming white plastic unit, featuring very little branding. 

A discreet LED in the right-hand corner indicates when the smart plug is switched on, while a power button on the top lets you manually control the plug.

This single-socket smart plug uses Bluetooth to connect to your smartphone, which means it can be controlled using the Hue app when you’re close by. However, if you want to switch it on or off remotely, you’ll need to invest in a Hue Bridge. This connects the smart plug to the internet and relays commands over Wi-Fi. The Hue Bridge also delivers access to features such as geofencing through your smartphone, automatically switching the light on or off based on your location. This comes alongside integration with Alexa, Google Assistant, HomeKit and Samsung SmartThings.  

At $29.99 / £29.99 / AU$64.95, this is one of the more expensive smart plugs we’ve tested. It doesn’t offer any energy monitoring features, but it’s worth the investment if you already use Philips Hue smart lights in your home, ensuring all your lighting can easily be controlled from a single app. 

Philips Hue Smart Plug price and availability

• List price: $29.99 / £29.99 / AU$64.95

The Philips Hue Smart Plug is one of the more expensive such models we’ve tested. It’s available worldwide, from Philips Hue direct as well as from retailers such as Amazon, costing $29.99 / £29.99 / AU$64.95.

Rival smart home brand TP-Link offers the Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip, which features three sockets in one device, along with two USB ports – although these aren’t smart – for $29.99 / £29.99 / AU$66.95.

Design

• Single smart socket
• Manual power button
• Needs Hue Bridge for control when you’re not close by

As we’ve already mentioned, the Philips Hue smart plug is a discreet smart home device. The US version is rectangular to ensure it doesn’t block any electrical outlets below or above it, measuring 2 x 3 x 1 inches (h x w x d). 

Models in the UK and Australia are square in shape and measure 6.4 x 6 x 6cm, since vertically aligned outlets aren’t common in these areas; they sit horizontally instead. Both versions sport a matte white plastic finish, with a subtle Philips logo on the top edge of the plug alongside a manual power button. 

The front of the smart plug features a single socket and a tiny LED, which is the size of a pin-head. This illuminates green when the plug is switched on, red when it’s switched off, and it flashes when the plug is in set-up mode. 

The plug uses Bluetooth to connect to your smartphone, unless you have a Hue Bridge installed already. Then it connects to the internet and can be controlled even when you’re not close by. 

Performance

• Extremely simple to set up 
• Instant control using app or voice assistant
• Visual power-on indicator 

As is the case with the majority of smart plugs on the market, the Philips Hue Smart Plug is simple to set up. Once connected to an outlet, we opened the Philips Hue app and were able to add the smart home device in just a few taps. 

We were able to quickly assign the smart plug to a particular room or group of devices, and then control the plug in the app. During testing, we found the plug switched on and off instantly via the app, making a reassuring ‘click’ when doing so.

Since we have a Hue Bridge installed in our home, we were able to use Alexa to switch the Hue smart plug on or off using voice control. Such control is also on offer via Google Assistant or Apple’s Siri, via HomeKit. The Bridge also meant we could activate a geofence feature that would automatically switch the plug off when we left home, using our smartphone’s location to determine our location.

We were able to set a schedule for the smart plug to switch on and off at set times, and even randomize the times to help simulate occupancy if we were out.

App

• Easy to navigate
• Group lights and plugs
• Integrate with voice assistant

The Philips Hue is simple to use with each group of lights, with the plug instantly visible as soon as the app is launched. Just tap on a group to view and manually control the individual components. The Automations tab makes it easy to create schedules and activate the geofence.

Through the app it’s also possible to link the smart plug to Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri. However, it isn’t possible to create automations with other smart home devices here; you’ll need to use your voice assistant to do this. Also, as we’ve already mentioned, energy monitoring is lacking. 

Should I buy the Philips Hue Smart Plug?

Buy it if...

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First reviewed: January 2022

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One-minute review

The Hive Active Plug is a single-outlet smart plug designed to work with the Hive smart home ecosystem, including the Hive Active Heating 2 smart thermostat, and Hive smart light bulbs. As such, it requires a Hive Hub connected to your router to function, and so is best suited to those who already have a Hive system

The Hive smart plug works much like any other, letting you turn appliances on and off with the tap of a smartphone app, or by speaking to Alexa, Siri, or the Google Assistant. Deeper smart home integration is offered with support for Philips Hue and IFTTT too, and there is a physical button on the plug for controlling the outlet manually.

Daily and weekly schedules can be created within the Hive app, and a series of customisable actions help integrate the smart plug with other devices in your Hive system, such as window and door sensors, light bulbs, and the Hive View security camera.

One obvious omission is the lack of a function for turning the plug, and anything connected to it, on or off in a pattern to simulate the appearance of a home being occupied. However, a detailed schedule for this can be created manually in the Hive app.

The Hive Active Plug makes most sense for those who already have a Hive system or have decided that Hive is going to form the foundations for their new smart home installation. At £39, this smart plug is considerably more expensive than most others; deals from Hive on packs of three and five plugs help bring the price down, but not by much.

Hive Active Smart Plug price and availability

•  RRP:  £39

The Hive Active Plug is priced at £39 for one, £109 for three, and £159 for five. It is available from Hive and Amazon in the UK. As of 31 December 2019, Hive products and services are no longer officially available in the US, although some retailers still have stock but this won’t last forever.

Design

• Single smart socket
• Manual power button
• 2.4GHz Wi-Fi only

As with most smart plugs, the Hive Active Plug sports a simple and inoffensive design. It is white plastic with a textured and transparent panel on the front to add a bit of visual flair. Rectangular and fairly compact, although not the smallest smart plug on the market, the Hive measures 10cm tall and 5.4cm wide. It is 3.55cm deep, excluding the pins.

We’re pleased to see how narrow the plug is, meaning it shouldn’t block access to the neighbouring socket, although the extra height means it’ll occupy two spaces when plugged into an extension cable with two rows of sockets facing each other.

The manual power button is surrounded by a simple light ring to show when the plug is switched on. The light changes colour to show when the plug is ready for its initial setup, successfully connected, and when there are connection issues. Interestingly, Hive has opted not to include any branding on the device.

The Active Smart Plug only works on the 2.4GHz band, which may mean you suffer connectivity issues if you’re installing it in a different room to your router. 

Performance

• Some hiccups during setup
• Instant control via Hive app or voice assistants
• Useful status light

Smart plugs are usually very simple devices to set up and use. And, while the Hive plug should be in practice, we found it initially failed to connect to the Hive Hub attached to our router. 

The Hub would search endlessly for the plug, but after a couple of resets of both products, they found each other and all was well. This is likely a common story for many smart home builders, when new products sometimes take some persuading to play nice with each other and with a router.

Once set up, however, everything worked as promised. The plug responds instantly to the Hive app, setting up voice control with Alexa took just a couple of minutes, and its response to our spoken commands was equally speedy. 

As with other plugs, a physical click can be heard when the plug switches on or off, helping to confirm the instruction was understood and acted upon, while the LED also offers a visual update on the status of the plug too.

App

• Easy to use
• Good integration with voice assistants
• Simple to create automations

The Hive app is smartly laid out and setting up schedules and actions is straightforward enough, with a welcome amount of plain language and no confusing tech jargon. This makes the Hive system perfect for those who are new to smart home systems. 

The app also does a good job of explaining how Hive devices work with Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, Siri, Philips Hue and IFTTT, acting as a welcoming and simple launchpad for getting everything set up just how you want. The only obvious omission here is Samsung SmartThings, but all bases are otherwise covered.

Creating schedules is also nice and easy, giving you full control over when the plug switches on and off each day of the week. You can’t pick a precise minute, but splitting each day into 15-minute chunks is granular enough for us. All that’s missing here is an away mode designed to turn a lamp on and off to simulate someone being home while your house is empty.

But, as we alluded to earlier, Hive products require the £80 hub to function, which seriously increases an already loft price tag if you are starting to build a system from scratch. It’s a shame that, unlike many other smart plugs from the likes of TP Link, Hive plugs can’t connect directly to the cloud.

Should I buy the Hive Active Smart Plug?

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Don't buy it if...

First reviewed: January 2022

• Check out these great smart home gadget deals

The best smart plugs are a great way to automate appliances in your home. They are a cleverer version of the timer switches homeowners used to use to turn lamps or radios on and off in a bid to convince would-be burglars there was someone at home. 

Thanks to rising household bills and the focus on climate issues with the recent Cop26 summit in Glasgow, Scotland, energy consumption is at the front of our minds, right now. And this is where smart plugs can help. 

There’s much more to them than disguising the fact your home is temporarily unoccupied. Many smart plugs also offer a way to keep tabs on how long electricity-hungry appliances are switched on for and just how much they’re costing you. 

If you’re certain you want to get your hands on the best smart plugs now, rather than read on to find out if they can save energy, then check out these great deals for some of the best on the market. 

 So, can smart plugs save energy? 

The simple answer is yes – indirectly, many models can make you more aware of the energy you’re using, how much it’s costing you and where you could be saving money. Smart plugs from brands such as Eve Energy and TP-Link will monitor how much energy the appliance connected to them is using. 

Some even let you input your electricity supplier’s prices, so when you open the app you can see in black-and-white just how much running that appliance is costing. For some of us, this may be enough to make us more conscious of switching these devices off when you’re not using them. 

Keeping track of how much energy we use isn’t the only way they can help. You are probably aware that keeping devices on standby accounts for a chunk of totally unnecessary energy use. By having items such as your TV, set-top box, and games console on standby, or charging your laptop and tablet all the time they’re not in use, you’re continuously using electricity. In fact, the Energy Saving Trust believes the average UK home wastes £35 ( around $50 / AU$65) per year through appliances left on standby. 

However, for many of us these appliances, home entertainment equipment in particular, may not be easy to switch on and off at the wall socket regularly. However, a smart plug ensures you can use your smartphone, rather than fiddling about behind furniture trying to find the switch. 

If you’re forgetful and prone to leaving the house with appliances still switched on, whether that’s a steam iron, hair straighteners, or even the coffee maker, plugging it in via a smart plug will ensure that it doesn’t need to be left on all day, wasting energy. Nor does it require you to make yourself late by returning home simply to switch it off. Instead, you’ll be able to use your smartphone to turn the appliance off, even if you’re not at home. It’s safer too.

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 Setting schedules can help too

Many of the smart plugs on the market have the ability to create schedules when they should be switched on or off, while others feature a sleep timer that can automatically turn off after a set duration has passed.  If you know you tend to nod off when watching late-night TV, activating the sleep timer can ensure it’s not blasting away while you're enjoying 40 winks. 

If you have an energy tariff that offers cheaper electricity at night rather than during the day, you can also use a smart plug to set the tumble dryer to turn on and off between these times, rather than having to wake up and set it going. This ensures you’re keeping costs as low as they can be, while still doing your bit for the environment.

• Check out the best smart home device deals

The best home security cameras ensure you can keep an eye of you property even when you’re not around, and they’re often heavily discounted on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, so you may be considering buying one very soon.

But owning a home security camera is just half the battle, knowing exactly where to install itis crucial. Naturally, you will want to choose a location that gives every camera the best possible view. But it isn’t always as simple as that, and sometimes compromises will need to be made.

For example, wireless cameras may seem to have more flexibility, but you’ll need to make sure they’re easily accessible when their batteries need charging, while some wired cameras need to be connected to existing wiring rather than plugged into a socket. 

Want to get your hands on one of the best home security cameras now, rather than reading on to discover the best place to install one is? Then check out these great deals for some of the best on the market right now.  

So, where should I install an outdoor home security camera?  

First of all, do you own the property or are you renting? We ask this first because renters will likely be unable to install outdoor security cameras without their landlord’s permission, so make sure you check your tenancy agreement first. If your front door has a peephole, consider the Ring Door View - this video doorbell attaches to the peephole of your front door without the need for any screws. Take a look at our guide to the best video doorbells for more options that work in a similar way. You could also look at installing indoor cameras with a view out of a window.

For property owners, things are simpler. You should begin by installing a camera with a good view of the front door. According to security camera company Reolink, 34% of burglars enter properties through the front door, with 23% opting for a first-floor window, 22% go for the back door, and 9% break-in through the garage, so covering off these areas is crucial.

You also need to consider external factors like lighting. Locate your camera in a position that avoids backlighting and lens flare caused by the sun, reflections, and other nearby light sources. These can cause recordings to be washed out and over-exposed, making them too bright to be of any use. Also make sure the camera is protected from direct sunlight, as this can also overexpose and potentially ruin your security footage.

The camera should be high enough to be out of reach, but still in a position where it can be installed and accessed with a ladder, or via an upstairs window. Position the camera too high, however, and key details like faces and vehicle registration plates might not be clearly visible. On a similar note, check the field of view of the camera you intend to buy. Some are narrower than others, and while a wider view is often preferable, this can distort the image by making objects and the distances between them seem larger than they really are.

Next, check for the strength of your Wi-Fi network. Most of today’s smart security cameras connect to the internet using Wi-Fi, and because they transmit large Full HD (sometimes even 4K) video files, a fast and stable connection is crucial. This will be a case of trial-and-error, experimenting with the camera in the desired position, then checking footage is recorded correctly. Ideally, you should try this while using your Wi-Fi for high-bandwidth tasks like 4K video streaming and online gaming at the same time, to make sure the camera remains connected and stable no matter what else is going on.

If Wi-Fi connectivity is a concern, consider home security cameras that work over Ethernet instead. However, this comes with the added complexity of routing cables to your cameras and potentially drilling holes through walls or window frames to get them connected.

Speaking of cables, some cameras are somewhat lacking out of the box. The Nest Cam (battery), which is designed for outdoor and indoor use, comes with a cable that is just 3.3 feet / 1m long and can only be used indoors. If you want to use it outside without removing it from the wall every time it needs charging, you’ll need to invest in an additional weatherproof cable - Nest offers 16.4 feet / 5m or 33  feet / 10m options.  

With these technical issues taken care of, you should now look at the privacy concerns a security camera could raise. Your camera should not have a view of property that does not belong to you.

To further help, smart security cameras can be set to not record certain portions of their view, helping you block out property that doesn’t belong to you. It might be worth explaining this to your neighbors and showing them the view your camera records. Lastly on privacy, if you live in an apartment block you should make sure that a doorbell camera doesn’t have a direct view into someone else’s property; this can be a particular concern in narrow hallways.

• How to use home security camera and will it replace a video doorbell?
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• We ask a former burglar: do smart security cameras really deter crime?

What about indoor security cameras? 

Given most burglars enter through the front door, it’s worthwhile installing an indoor camera with a good view of it. And, unlike exterior cameras that you might want to hide, it could be a good idea to make the indoor camera visible. That way, a burglar breaking in will be greeted with the sight of a camera that has already recorded their crime, potentially causing them to flee before stealing anything.

Indoor cameras are usually powered from a wall outlet instead of a battery, so you will need to route cables up walls to get the best views of doors and windows. Placing a camera on a high shelf and tilting the lens down can help improve the view, but not all indoor cameras can adjust their viewing angle.

Burglars are likely to seek out high-value items. This will vary for each household, but if you keep jewelry in the bedroom, or own a particularly expensive ornament or piece of art, a camera pointed there is a good idea. And remember, with their two-way audio connections these cameras can also be used as a handy way to check in on pets and children while you’re away.

• Check out the best cheap home security camera deals

When it comes to protecting your property with cameras, there are two distinct routes to take. The first and more conventional of the two is the traditional CCTV system, where a set of cameras record footage to a central storage unit, ready to be viewed on a dedicated monitor.

The second is one of the best home security cameras, which stores its footage either in the cloud or locally or a micro SD card or built-in memory, so it can be viewed remotely via a web interface or smartphone app.

There is a degree of overlap between these two approaches, with CCTV systems from companies like Swann and Reolink gaining some of the smart features offered by home security cameras from tech firms like Ring and Nest.

So which one should you choose? It really depends on what you’re looking for in home security as to which one of these styles of security camera you choose.  Do you want a system that once installed can be left to its own devices, safe in the knowledge that should anything happen there will be a record you can instantly access.

However, do you want a more affordable system that only records when motion is detected and swaps cables for a wireless internet connection?

Read on to discover how CCTV and home security camera systems differ, or check out the best prices right now for home security cameras:  

How does CCTV differ from a smart home security camera? 

First, the traditional CCTV system. The clue here is in the name – closed circuit television – as footage is captured by cameras that are usually connected by long cables to a central recorder. Footage can then be viewed on a monitor, or your television, that is also connected to the recorder. It’s a closed-loop system that, traditionally at least, doesn’t have a connection to the internet.

With the arrival of smart home security camera systems from companies like Google-owned Nest and Amazon-owned Ring, CCTV manufacturers have begun adding extra features, including smartphone app support, motion notifications and more. These features are usually included with the initial cost of the system, not offered as part of a monthly subscription service, as is often the case with smart security cameras.

The benefits of a CCTV system lie in its simplicity and reliability. Wired connections between the cameras and recorder ensure footage is captured without interference or the risk of a wireless connection failing, or a camera battery running out. These cameras tend to be used outside, so are water resistant and designed to survive being exposed to the elements.

CCTV systems tend to record everything, or at least they include the option to do so. This means the amount of footage recorded is limited only by the size of the hard drive the cameras record to, and a complete timeline of footage can be viewed, instead of just motion-triggered snippets, as is the case with most smart home security cameras. Some systems from firms like Sansco, Annke and Swann have motion detection, which then alerts you via email or app notification. 

Almost all CCTV systems come with infrared-powered night vision. Some smart home cameras miss out on this, or lack the range of a CCTV system (that is, how far into the distance the night vision can see), but it’s a feature that is becoming increasingly common across the board.

By recording to a central unit with an integrated hard drive, a CCTV system is a way to record footage locally. Instead of being uploaded to the cloud or streamed to a smartphone, footage is stored on a drive that is located on-site. This removes the middleman and issues that could arise from the cloud storage provider going out of business, suffering an outage, or being the target of a cyberattack.

On the other hand, recording footage locally also means an online backup is not available should the original be lost or damaged. If the recorder is lost to a fire or flood, then so too is the footage held on it's hard drive. Another downside for CCTV systems is how they are limited to the size of their own hard drive, whereas many smart home security camera companies offer unlimited online storage as part of a monthly subscription.

A pro and con of CCTV systems is how the cameras are installed. Usually intended to be fitted outside, the cameras can get a great view, mounted high up on an external wall. But fitting them and their wired connections requires far more effort than many smart, wireless and web-connected cameras. Some wireless CCTV cameras are available, but are still in the minority for now.

PS: Checkout our list of the best DVR for CCTV

• How to use home security camera and will it replace a video doorbell?
• Do home security cameras record all time
• We ask a former burglar: do smart security cameras really deter crime?

What sets home security cameras apart from CCTV? 

Now for smart home security cameras. Instead of operating on a closed circuit, these upload footage to the cloud storage services of their manufacturer. From there, the footage can be streamed or downloaded via a smartphone app or web interface. This means there is no need to manage the recording of footage yourself, as is the case with CCTV, and lets customers view recordings whenever they like, from wherever they are. It also means the camera’s feed can be viewed live, via the app from anywhere.

These cameras are offered as both wired and wireless devices, with the latter using rechargeable batteries. This can be really useful for installation, as no cables are needed at all, but means the owner needs to keep an eye on battery life, and potentially leave the camera switched off while the battery is charged. Some home security cameras can also record footage to a microSD card, instead of uploading video to the cloud.

Artificial intelligence is something many home security cameras come with. This enables them to identify people, pets, cars, and packages, helping to notify you only when something unusual is happening, rather than when next door’s cat has strolled across the lawn again. Some models can even recognize your friends and family, with Apple’s HomeKit system using the tagged faces in your iPhone Photos library to inform Siri, who then tells you who has been spotted at the door, and Google’s Nest range of camera employing facial recognition and alerting you through the app if a stranger or a friend or family has been spotted in the camera’s field of view. .

Another key feature that sets most home security cameras apart from CCTV systems is two-way audio, where the camera has a microphone and a speaker to allow a conversation between someone recorded by the camera, and the other viewing live through a smartphone app. This can be useful for telling a delivery driver where to leave a package, or for scaring off a potential intruder by telling them they are being recorded.

Unlike CCTV, smart security cameras are also designed to work inside the home. Brands like Nest,  Ring, and Arlo all offer cameras suited for indoor use; they lack weatherproofing and are powered by USB, but are small, more affordable, simple to use, and often pack a range of AI-powered smart features. They can be used as a regular security camera, trained on the front door and ready to record a burglar, or can sit on a table, ready to stream live footage of your dog while you’re at work or act as a baby monitor.

This flexibility sets home security cameras apart from a traditional CCTV system. While the former can be used a lot like CCTV, and the latter now features app integration and even Alexa support in some cases, smart security cameras have more use cases – like dog or baby monitors, and video doorbells – than CCTV.

Verdict

Both CCTV and home security cameras can keep an eye on your home when you’re not around and offer a record of what’s happened, so if you do need to review an incident, the footage will be easily available. If you’re looking for a simple system that records all the time and offers local footage that doesn’t rely on the internet, a CCTV system is the best option. 

Meanwhile, home security cameras are the more affordable option and while most don’t record all the time, they can be used inside or outdoors are simple to fit, without requiring a professional.

• Check out the best cheap home security camera deals

One-minute review

Meross may not be a name you’re familiar with for smart home gadgets, but it’s making headway in the market with its range of affordable, simple-to-use gadgets that work with Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple’s HomeKit.

The Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini MSS110 is the company’s latest smart home device. This single socket can be plugged into a power outlet and controlled using Meross’s own app, through Apple’s Home app if you own an iPhone, and various voice assistants. If you often worry once you’ve left the house that you may have left your coffee maker or hair straighteners switched on, this smart plug aims to provide peace of mind, giving you a way to turn them off if they have in fact been left on.

Super-compact, the Meross Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini MSS110 connects to your home Wi-Fi network, and lets you set schedules and timers for the smart plug to switch on and off. As well as using set times, you can even use sunrise and sunset times to activate the schedule. 

At $14.99 / £19.99 / AU$25.99, it’s the most affordable smart plug we’ve tested that supports the three major voice assistant based smart home systems. It’s best suited to those looking for a compact, simple device. However, it’s worth noting that it lacks features such as energy monitoring and an Away mode that randomizes when the smart plug turns on and off to imitate occupancy.
 

Meross Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini MSS110 price and availability

•   List price: $24.99 / £19.99 / AU$39.95

The Meross Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini MSS110 is priced at $14.99 / £19.99 / AU$25.99 and is available worldwide through Amazon. You can pick it up as a single device or in packs of two, three and four smart plugs.

In the UK, Meross also offers a version that’s compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant – but not HomeKit. Known as the Meross Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini MSS210, it comes in a twin-pack that costs £30.99 (around $40 / AU$60). 

Design

• Single smart socket
• Compact design
• Manual power button for each socket

Like most smart plugs on the market, the Meross Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini MSS110 sports an inoffensive white design. In the US, the compact smart plug measures 2.7 x 1.5 x 1.5 inches / 6.8 x 3.8 x 3.8cm ( w x h x d), while in the UK and Australia, the plug sits vertically in the wall socket and measures 2.0 x 2.4 x 1.3 inches / 5.1 x 6.1 x 3.3cm.

The front of the smart plug features a single socket, with a manual power button on the left-hand side. There’s a pin-head-sized LED in the top right-hand corner that illuminates white when the plug is switched on, and alternates between green and orange when in set-up mode. 

The smart plug only works on the 2.4GHz band, which may mean you suffer connectivity issues if it’s installed in a different room to your router. 

Performance

• Simple to set up 
• Instant control using app
• Visual indicator

The MSS110 is extremely simple to set up if you’re using an iPhone, either using Apple HomeKit or Meross’s own app. The former is slightly quicker since it just involves scanning the QR code on the right-hand side of the plug. If you’re using an Android device, then your only option is the Meross app, but the process still took only a couple of minutes. 

During testing, the plug responded instantly using either the Meross app or Alexa to switch it on and off. It made a reassuring click each time, with the LED in the right-hand corner of the plug illuminating green when it’s on. It was just as responsive using the manual power button, too. 

Sadly, and unlike some other smart plugs, it doesn’t offer any energy monitoring features. Nor is there an Away mode that simulates occupancy by turning the plug on or off at random times. 

App

• Easy to navigate
• Ability to create schedules
• Integration with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and HomeKit

The Meross app is very easy to navigate. A list of Meross devices installed in your home is displayed upon launch and, in the case of the smart plug, tapping the icon turns the device on or off. It’s also possible to edit the image assigned to the smart plug, as well as its name. You can even access a user manual by selecting the pencil symbol to the right of the smart plug icon. 

Using the Routine tab in the app, we were able to set a schedule for when the plug should switch on or off automatically, both using a set time or sunrise or sunset. We were also offered the ability to create automations, where several Meross devices can be controlled at once, or choose to have a smart device turn off or on after a set duration has passed. 

As mentioned, the Meross Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini MSS110 offers integration with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit.

Should I buy the Meross Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini MSS110

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

First reviewed: September 2021

• Check out these great smart home gadget deals

Installing CCTV cameras at home used to be a rarity reserved for the wealthy. But now, a booming smart home industry has commoditized security and surveillance technology, putting cameras into the hands of almost everyone.

Whether it’s a set of home security cameras on the exterior of your property, one of the best video doorbells on the front door, or a simple indoor camera for keeping an eye on the dog while you’re out, smart security cameras are affordable and plentiful. In fact, one in five US homes has a home security camera installed, according to security site Safety.com’s recent home protection survey. 

However, not all home security cameras work in the same way. Some record constantly while others only store footage when motion is detected. Cameras that record constantly are ideal if you want peace of mind that ensures you can check what’s happened in your home at any point.  

Know that you want a home security camera regardless of whether it continuously records or not, then check out these great deals for some of the best on the market. 

 So, do security cameras record all the time? 

Some security cameras do have the ability to continuously record, but it comes at a price - in most cases this requires forking out for an extra subscription service while in others it means the camera will need to be mains-powered rather than used with a rechargeable battery, which may affect where you can install it. 

Arlo is one of the biggest names in home security cameras and offers continuous recording on some of its models; including its top-of-the-range Arlo Ultra 2 and Arlo Ultra, the Arlo Pro 4, Arlo Pro 3, and Arlo Pro 2 as well as its entry-level Arlo Essential Indoor Camera, Spotlight Cam, but it comes at a cost. 

You’ll need a Continuous Video Recording (CVR) subscription, which is priced at $9.99 / £6.99 / AU$12.99 per month for one camera for 14 days of recording, then $4.99/ £3.49 / AU$6.49 per month for each additional camera. This is a separate plan to Arlo Secure, which ensures footage captured when motion is detected is stored online so it can be reviewed at a later date, and costs from $2.99/ £2.79 / AU$4.49 a month for one camera or $9.99 / £8.99 / AU$14.99 for unlimited cameras. 

While Arlo offers local storage through its base station, this is only for motion-triggered recordings and does not support CVR. Arlo’s home security cameras must be mains-powered for CVR to work too. 

Google’s Nest range of home security cameras, such as the Google Nest Cam (battery) also benefits from continuous recording for those who want it. Nest cameras and the Nest Doorbell will alert users when they detect motion, and the footage can be viewed for up to three hours after it was detected at no extra cost.

However, you’ll need a $12 /  £10 / AU$18 Nest Aware Plus subscription to enable continuous, 24/7 video recording, which is saved in the cloud for 10 days. In other words, you can view continuous footage that was recorded by your Nest cameras up to 10 days ago.

Eufy is another smart camera company that offers continuous recording. It isn’t a feature the company shouts about, and it’s one that is limited to wired cameras, like the Solo IndoorCam C24, but 24/7 video capture is possible when recording to an SD card. This means it’s one of the few home security camera brands that doesn’t require a subscription to enable continuous recording.

Finally, some security cameras from Reolink can also record continuously. This includes the Reolink C series and Reolink E series cameras, but does not include battery-powered cameras, as 24/7 recording would drain the battery far too quickly. Compatible Reolink cameras can be set to record continuously to an SD card.

PS: Checkout our list of the best DVR for CCTV

• How to use home security camera and will it replace a video doorbell?
• Find out which is the right home security camera for you in Ring vs Arlo
• We ask a former burglar: do smart security cameras really deter crime?

 What about Ring?

Amazon-owned Ring is another big player in the home security camera market, but their products do not offer continuous recording. Instead, only a short video is recorded when motion is detected. The length of each recording can be set between 15 and 120 seconds, but longer recordings will reduce the battery life of Ring’s wireless products, like some of its video doorbells.

Ring, however, does offer a feature called Snapshot, which takes still images frequently throughout the day and adds them to motion-triggered video recordings to create a daily timeline. These can be snapped as often as every 10 seconds for wired cameras, or every 14 minutes for those that are battery-powered. The resolution is only 640 x 360, but this is a compromise as a higher resolution would use more battery life and quickly fill up a huge amount of storage.

Snapshot does requires a Ring Protect plan, which starts at £2.50 / $3 / AU$4 per camera per month. This also provides online storage for video recordings made by your Ring cameras and Video Doorbell range.ork.

Do I really need a camera that records all the time?

To conclude, while it isn’t a feature many companies make a big deal of, continuous recording is possible with a range of smart home security cameras, but is it one you need?

For most homeowners, continuous video recording isn’t necessary, and a home security camera that records when it detects motion (and, ideally, when it detects relevant motion, like an unknown person, not a cat or a bag blowing in the wind) will suffice. This makes iyt much easier to find what you are looking for in the camera’s timeline. 

However, if you want a home security camera that acts in the same way as CCTV, or you want true peace of mind, then continuous video recording could be a wise investment. 

• Check out the best cheap home security camera deals

A smart home that automates systems such as your lights, heating and electrical sockets so as you step through the door, your abode is just how you like it, can certainly make life easier. However, you can be forgiven for worrying about the effect all these extra internet-connected devices will have on your Wi-Fi? 

The best smart plugs are one of the easiest and most affordable smart home devices on the market. They connect to your existing electrical outlets, and ensure any device connected to it, whether that’s a coffee maker, lamp, radio, or even a set of hair straighteners, can be controlled from an app on your smartphone, or by Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri.  However, chances are you’ll need to install several in your home, as you’ve probably got an array of devices you want to control remotely. 

If you’re thinking of investing in a set of smart plugs for your home, you might be wondering if they will have an effect on your Wi-Fi network. More specifically, will installing a lot of smart plugs slow down your internet connection?

If you’re certain you want to get your hands on the best smart plugs now, rather than read on to find out if they affect your Wi-Fi, then check out these great deals for some of the best on the market. 

So, do smart plugs slow down your Wi-Fi? 

The short answer is no, unless you have somehow built a smart home with dozens or even hundreds of smart plugs, all working at exactly the same time. In that case, yes, your Wi-Fi network might momentarily slow down while all of the plugs are being controlled.

But that is a highly unusual situation and not one your average smart home user is likely to come across. That said, it is worth understanding why even a large amount of smart plugs is unlikely to slow down your Wi-Fi, at least to a noticeable degree.

This is a topic of bandwidth; how much demand each device in your home places on the Wi-Fi network. Because an internet connection isn’t an unlimited supply of data, some devices will exert a greater demand on Wi-Fi than others. For example, a television streaming 4K, HDR video is going to consume far more data, and put greater strain on your Wi-Fi network, than an Amazon Echo speaker streaming music, or indeed a smart plug following a command to switch on or off.

In fact, most smart home devices consume very little data. Media streaming products like an Apple TV or Google Chromecast are an exception, along with security cameras with their HD or 4K video streams. But devices like smart plugs, smart lights, and smart locks use very little data, to the point where it isn’t even worth measuring.

However, according to Christopher Sterle, founder, and CEO of US home automation company Acoustic Design Systems, if an internet-connected device in your home has an ethernet port then consider using it.

“All wireless devices slow down a home Wi-Fi network in varying levels. It is always best to hardwire a product when a hardwired connection is available,” he said. 

• What is a smart plug, and how it can stop your fear of leaving the coffee maker on?
• Discover how hackers can use smart plugs to break into your home
• Find out if Matter will put an end to laggy smart home devices

 How many devices  is too many?

When it comes to internet-connected devices in your home, just how many is too many? Generally speaking many of today’s routers can provide a Wi-Fi connection to around 250 devices at once. This is likely a huge number for most households, but if you have a large home with Wi-Fi smart lights in every room, complete with switches, sensors, cameras and speakers, you might get close to that total.

That said, the majority of those devices consume a tiny amount of data over Wi-Fi, so we’re back to a case of the 4K televisions and games consoles demanding the most data, not devices like smart plugs.

It is also worth remembering that, while TV-streaming sticks and smart speakers are constantly using the Wi-Fi network as they deliver content, smart plugs only send and receive data when they are in use, such as when a command to switch on or off is sent to a plug.

Wi-Fi is just one type of wireless technology used in smart home devices. Bluetooth is another, but unlike those that connect using Wi-Fi, you’re limited on the number of smart plugs you can install and control at any one time - it varies from manufacturer but it’s usually around 10-15 devices. It’s also worth noting that Bluetooth smart plugs can’t be easily controlled when you’re away from home.

Alternatively some smart plugs use the Zigbee and Z-Wave standards. These are built primarily for smart home devices and work in a similar way to Wi-Fi, in that they transmit data from one device wirelessly to many others, but they use tiny amounts of power.

In the case of Zigbee, a single network driven by a hub, like an Amazon Echo smart speaker, can support over 60,000 nodes, or devices like smart lights, switches and plugs. Z-Wave has a limit of 232 devices, which should still be plenty for most smart home systems.

That said, for the vast majority of smart home builders, smart plugs will not have a noticeable impact on the speed and reliability of your Wi-Fi network.

• Check out the best smart home device deals

The best smart plugs ensure you can control any appliance connected to it from your smartphone, even when you’re not at home - making it one of the easiest ways to start your smart home journey. However, as you’re likely to need several plugs per room, they can be a costly purchase, so a good smart plug deal is always welcome.

In the UK, Amazon has slashed 43% off the price of the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip KP303, reducing it to £19.99 from £34.99. This is the lowest price we've seen for the smart power strip – beating even the prices we saw on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. (Not in the UK? Scroll down for the best smart plug deals in your region.)  

 Today's best TP-Link smart plug deal in the UK 

As well as being controlled by your smartphone, the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip KP303 is also compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can use your voice to switch any device connected to the power strip on or off. On test, the Power Strip proved to be responsive when we turned it on or off from our smartphone or by asking Alexa.

We also found it simple to create schedules for each individual socket on the power strip, as well as activate Away mode, which turns the sockets on or off at random intervals. This can be useful if you’re trying to simulate occupancy. If you’d prefer to control the smart plugs manually, there’s a button next to each socket, too. 

Smart plugs can be extremely useful if you’re forgetful and often leave the house without turning the coffee machine, your hair straighteners or another appliance off. Rather than needing to return home, you can use your smartphone to switch it off, no matter where you are.  

More smart plug deals

• Browse all the smart home device deals

One-minute review

Like many of the best smart plug manufacturers, D-Link’s origins are in the home-networking market. The brand has produced some of the best routers and powerline adapters for more than 30 years. In 2014, D-Link dipped its toe into the smart home device waters, now offering a range of products, including some of the best smart home security cameras.

The D-Link Mini Wi-Fi Smart Plug DSP-W118 is a compact unit that plugs into a power outlet, allowing you to control any appliance connected to it from your smartphone – even when you’re not at home. If you often worry that you’ve left your coffee maker or hair straighteners switched on once you’ve left the house, this device provides peace of mind, giving you a way to switch them off if they have in fact been left on. 

Connecting to your home Wi-Fi network, you can turn the D-Link Mini Wi-Fi DSP-W118 on and off using the mydlink app, or set timers and schedules, too. If you own other D-Link smart home devices, these can be grouped together with the smart plug in the app, so several gadgets can be controlled at once.

Integration with Alexa and Google Assistant means you can control the smart plug using voice commands as well as your smartphone. 

The D-Link Mini Wi-Fi Smart Plug DSP-W118 is best suited to those looking for an affordable, compact smart plug that will work with Alexa and Google Assistant. It’s simple to use but lacks features such as energy monitoring. It isn’t compatible with HomeKit, either. 

D-Link Mini Wi-Fi Smart Plug DSP-W118 price and availability

•   List price: $24.99 / £19.99 / AU$39.95

The D-Link Mini Wi-Fi Smart Plug DSP W118 costs $24.99 / £19.99.99 / AU$39.95 and is available worldwide through Amazon and a selection of electrical retailers.

In the UK and Australia, this is D-Link’s only smart plug. In the US, however, D-Link offers the D-Link Outdoor Wi-Fi Smart Plug DSP-W320, which has two outlets and is available for $34.99.

Design

• One smart socket
• Compact design
• Manual power button

Like most smart plugs, the D-Link Mini Wi-Fi Smart Plug DSP-W118 is a compact white unit. Made from plastic, in the US it’s a rectangular device that measures 2.6 x 2.4 x 2.4 inches /  6.5 x 6 x 6cm (w x h x d), while in the UK and Australia it’s a square-shape, which measures 2.3 x 2.3 x 1.7 inches / 5.8 x 5.8 x 4.4cm. In all territories, the plug’s dimensions ensure it doesn’t block access to other sockets when connected to a power outlet. 

On the top of the smart plug you’ll find a manual power button, while in the top right-hand corner on the front of the plug is an LED that illuminates green to indicate the plug is switched on, and pulse orange during set-up. On the right is a QR code, too, which is used to set up the smart plug. 

The DSP-W118 only works on the 2.4GHz band, which may mean you suffer connectivity issues if you’re installing it in a different room to your router. 

Performance

• Instant control using app
• Simple to set up
• Lacks visual power-on indicator

On test, we found the DSP-W118 extremely simple to set up. Once we’d connected the smart plug to a power outlet, we installed the mydlink app on our smartphone and scanned in the QR code found on the right side of the plug. The app then paired the plug with our Wi-Fi network and updated the firmware, before we were able to start using it.

Using the app or Alexa to switch the plug on or off, it responded instantly, making a reassuring click each time and displaying a green LED in the right corner of the plug to indicate it was turned on. 

However, unlike rival smart plugs from TP-Link, there’s no energy monitoring feature included, nor an Away mode that can turn the smart plug on and off at random intervals. Such a feature can be particularly useful for those wanting to use the smart plug to simulate occupancy to deter intruders.

App

• Easy to navigate
• Ability to create schedules
• Integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant

The mydlink app is clear and easy to use. All of the D-Link devices installed in your home are displayed on launching it. In the case of the smart plugs, one tap on the right-hand side of the icon will switch the plug on or off, while pressing the icon itself will allow you to access a countdown timer and basic settings such as changing the name of the smart plug or updating the firmware. 

From the app we were also able to set a schedule for when the plug should switch on or off automatically, as well as create automations where several devices are controlled at once based on our location (provided by a smartphone), or triggered by a set word or phrase given to a voice assistant. However, the only way to create groups of devices that can be switched on or off at the same time is by creating an automation.

When it comes to voice control, the D-Link Mini Wi-Fi Smart Plug DSP-W118 offers integration with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and IFTTT. However, there’s no support for Apple HomeKit.

Should I buy the D-Link Mini Wi-Fi Smart Plug DSP-W118

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

First reviewed: July 2021

• Check out these great smart home gadget deals

One-minute review

As well as producing an affordable range of routers and powerline adapters for more than two decades, TP-Link has become a trustworthy name for the best smart home devices, too. Since 2015, the brand has offered a range of such items, including some of the best home security cameras, best smart light bulbs, and the best smart plugs.

The TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip KP303 takes some of the positives of the company’s smart plugs – such as the KP105 and the HS110 – and builds them into a powerstrip that allows you to control up to three electrical devices plugged into the sockets, even when you’re not at home.

Smart plugs can be great for offering peace of mind to forgetful types, who often can’t remember if they’ve turned off the coffee maker or hair straighteners before leaving the house. Plus, integration with Alexa and Google Assistant enables the use of voice commands to control the smart plug as well. The power strip also features two USB sockets, although these aren’t of the smart variety. 

Simple to set up, the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip KP303 connects to your home Wi-Fi network and allows you to use the Kasa app to turn it on and off, or to set timers and schedules for when it should be switched on or off. If you own other TP-Link smart home devices, these can be grouped together with the smart plug, in the app, so several gadgets can be controlled at once.

The TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip KP303 is best suited to those who have a number of electrical appliances in one area that they wish to control remotely. Or for those that are buried behind furniture but often need to be switched on and off – for example, when rebooting a wireless router in your home. 

TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip KP303 price and availability

•  List price: $ $29.99 / £34.99 / AU$66.95

The TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip KP303 is priced at $29.99 / £34.99 / AU$66.95 and is available worldwide through Amazon and a selection of electrical retailers.

TP-Link also offers individual smart plugs, the most affordable being the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim KP105, which is priced at £14 / AU$24 and available in the UK and Australia through Amazon. In the US, the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini is the brand’s most affordable smart plug at $22.99. 

Design

• Three smart sockets 
• Two USB ports
• Manual power button for each socket

TP-Link’s smart plugs sport an inoffensive white plastic design, and the Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip is no exception. Measuring 10.2 x 2.5 x 1.5 inches / 26 x 6.34 x 3.8cm (w x h x d), it’s a compact device; it isn’t as bulky as some of TP-Link’s individual smart plugs. It has a 3.3ft / 1m cable and plug that connects to a power outlet in your home. 

On the left of each socket on the power strip is a manual power button and an LED that glows white when the socket is switched on. Two USB sockets can be found to the left-hand side of the power strip, while on the right sit two LEDs that flash to indicate when the power strip is in pairing mode. There are two mounting points on the back which ensure it can be screwed to a wall if you’d prefer.

The smart plug only works on the 2.4GHz band, which may mean you suffer connectivity issues if you’re installing it in a different room to your router. 

Performance

• Simple to set up 
• Customizable icons
• Away mode 

The KP303 is extremely simple to set up: just plug the power strip into an electrical outlet, download the Kasa app onto your smartphone, and follow the steps on-screen. The whole process took only a couple of minutes, which included connecting our phone to the plug’s own Wi-Fi network, so the app could discover and connect to it. If the plug doesn’t connect as expected, there’s a help option that’s clearly visible in the app. 

There are plenty of customization options on offer. This includes the ability to assign an icon or a photo from your smartphone to each smart plug to make it easier to identify individual plugs, if you have several installed in your home. 

During testing, the plug instantly responded when we used the app or Alexa to switch it on and off, and it made a reassuring click each time. 

We were impressed with the Away mode, which can turn the smart plug on and off at random intervals. This can be particularly handy if you’ve connected a lamp or radio to the power strip because you’re trying to simulate occupancy to deter intruders. 

Unlike other TP-Link smart plugs, while the app will display how many hours any device connected to the plug has been on for, it can’t monitor the level of energy consumed. We’re not quite sure how useful the run-time figure is without energy consumption, however. 

App

• Easy to navigate
• Ability to create schedules
• Integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant

We’re big fans of the Kasa app and the ease of navigation it offers. The different options are clearly laid out, and since a list of all TP-Link smart home devices is displayed on launch, it takes just one tap to switch any of your Kasa smart home devices on or off using the power icon to the right of the screen.

From the app, we could create a group of devices that can be controlled at once, as well as set timers and schedules for when the plug should switch on or off, and even activate Away mode. 

The Scenes tab lets you create automations, where several compatible smart home devices are controlled at once. Plus, thanks to integration with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT and SmartThings, you can also assign a word or phrase that can be used to instruct the voice assistant to activate the automation. Note, though, that this power strip doesn’t support Apple’s HomeKit. 

Automations that can be activated at a certain point in time, or based on any motion detected by TP-Link cameras you may have in your home, can also be created in the Smart Actions section.

Should I buy the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip KP303?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

First reviewed: July 2021

• Check out these great smart home gadget deals

One-minute review

Belkin is a name more familiar with smartphone and computing peripherals, even though it’s been manufacturing some of the best smart home devices under the Wemo brand since 2012. The Wemo WiFi smart plug is the brand’s latest launch in the smart home space, and has recently been extended to the UK and Europe, after initially only being available in the US.

The Wemo WiFi smart plug is a single socket that can be plugged into a power outlet and controlled using Wemo’s own app, Apple’s Home app or Siri – although those in the US also benefit from Alexa and Google Assistant support. 

As well as switching the socket on and off from the app, you can set schedules so it turns on or off automatically, or engage the Away mode – which randomizes the times at which the smart plug switches on and off – to simulate occupancy.

It can also be used in home automations that see several smart home devices controlled at once, although in the UK – or in the US, if you’re using HomeKit – to control the smart plug when you’re not at home, you’ll need a HomePod Mini or Apple TV 4K to act as a smart home hub.

For those deeply tied into Apple’s ecosystem, or starting to use HomeKit to power their smart home, the Wemo WiFi is the most affordable smart plug on the market right now.

Wemo WiFi smart plug price and availability

•  List price: $24.99 / £24.99 / AU$20

The Wemo WiFi smart plug is priced at $24.99 / £24.99 and is available in the US and UK from Belkin. In the UK, you can also pick it up from the Apple Store. In the US, it’s available from Amazon. 

Design

• Single smart socket
• LED on/off indicator
• Manual control button

The Wemo WiFi smart plug is similar to the majority of smart plugs on the market looks-wise: it sports a simple, inoffensive all-white design. In the US, the smart plug has a horizontal design that measures 1.81 x 2.05 x 1.34 inches / 3 x 5.2 x 3.4cm, while the UK variant is a compact square shape, measuring 2.4 x 2.4 x 2.8 inches / 6 x 6 x 7cm.

The front of the smart plug has a single socket, with a manual power button and an LED that illuminates white when the plug is switched on, or alternates between white and orange when the plug is in set-up mode.

Performance

• Extremely simple to set up
• Instant control using the app
• Requires Apple TV or HomePod to be controlled from outside of the home

The Wemo WiFi smart plug is easy to set up, whether through HomeKit or Wemo’s own app – although scanning the QR code to set up the device using the former is slightly quicker than using Wemo’s own app. 

Once the smart plug is connected to a Wi-Fi network, it can be assigned to a particular room or group of devices. On test, we found the plug switched on and off instantly through the app or Siri, sounding a reassuring click in the process. 

However, if you’re using the smart plug with HomeKit, as mentioned already, you’ll need an Apple TV 4K or HomePod Mini in order to instruct the smart plug while you’re out.

App

• HomeKit integration, plus Alexa and Google Assistant in the US 
• Set schedules from the Wemo app
• Away mode

Both Apple’s Home app and Wemo’s app are easy to use, which makes controlling the smart home plug a doddle, no matter the app you choose. 

As soon as you launch the Wemo app, you’ll be presented with a list of Wemo devices installed in your home. These devices can instantly be switched on or off using the Power button icon on the right. However, in Apple’s Home app, if you assign the smart plug to a particular room, it will be displayed on this tab. Otherwise, you’ll find it on the main home screen – again, you simply tap to turn it on or off. 

The Wemo app has a Rules tab where you can set a schedule or activate Away mode, while the Apple Home app has an Automations tab where you can set schedules – but, unfortunately, you can’t activate the Away mode. 

In the US, the smart plug also integrates with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.  

Should I buy the Wemo WiFi smart plug?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

First reviewed: June 2021

• Check out these great smart home gadget deals

Ever left the house in a hurry, only to get a sinking feeling a little while later - you've left the coffee maker, radio, hair straighteners, or even your favorite lamp switched on? Chances are heading back to switch off the offending item isn’t viable - so what can you do? 

This is where the best smart plugs come in as they allow you to power an outlet on or off from your smartphone, even when you’re not at home. So rather than wasting hours returning home, just take your smartphone and in a few taps you’ll be able to turn off a device you’ve left switched on. 

However, if you’re not entirely sure how these smart home devices work, what you can actually do with them and how you can use them to automate your home, we’re here to demystify things.

Want to get your hands on the best smart plugs  now? Check out these great deals for some of the best on the market.  

How do smart plugs work?

Smart plugs have grown in popularity over the past few years - according to market research firm Statistica, a fifth of US households own smart home automation devices including smart plugs. It’s not hard to see why as these are some of the most affordable and easiest ways to start your smart home journey, and subsequently make your life easier.

There are two types of smart plug available; the simplest and most common versions plug into an existing power outlet, with everyone from Amazon and Philips Hue to We-Mo and even IKEA producing this kind of smart plug. 

Alternatively, you can get smart outlets that can be installed in place of your existing power outlet, from brands such as TP-Link. However, you’ll need to access your home’s wiring to replace these, which will mean calling in a professional and is likely to result in the wall around the socket needing a paint touch-up. The upheaval, and expense this will cause, could mean this isn’t the option for you.

Just like the best smart lights and other smart home devices, whichever type of smart plug you plump for, they’ll use Wi-Fi or  Bluetooth to connect to your smartphone and allow you to control the plug from an app.  

Bluetooth smart plugs

Bluetooth smart plugs are the simplest to connect, but unlike those that connect using Wi-Fi,  they can’t be easily controlled when you’re away from home.

This is because they require a hub, sometimes also called a bridge, which relays commands from your smartphone to the cloud and back to the smart plug. 

These hubs are usually manufactured by the band itself, for example, the Philips Hue Bridge which can be used with Philips smart plugs and its Hue smart lights. However, if you use Apple devices such as an iPhone or iPad and have chosen to use Apple’s HomeKit smart home ecosystem, then Apple’s HomePod Mini or an Apple TV 4K can be used as hubs to allow compatible smart plugs such as Eve Energy, to be controlled when you’re not at home.

As well as allowing you to switch the socket, and whatever is connected to it, on and off from your smartphone, smart plugs also let you set schedules for when the outlet will power on or off automatically. Some even keep track of how much energy the appliance connected to the plug is using. 

How do Wi-Fi smart plugs differ? 

Smart plugs that use Wi-Fi don’t need  a hub or bridge as they have a direct connection to the internet so the commands can be relayed straight to the plug, even if you’re not at home. Wi-Fi also means the smart plug can be controlled by a voice assistant too - so you can ask Alexa, Google Assistant and/or Siri to switch it on or off, once you’ve used the relevant app to identify the plug. The voice assistants can also ensure the smart plug work with other smart home devices; for example switching on a radio connected to the plug when the smart lights are diamond to create the perfect wind-down atmosphere in the evenings. 

Not all smart lights work with all voice assistants, however, so make sure you check it will work with your current kit before you buy.

Which are the best smart plugs?

With so much choice in the smart plug market, including big names such as Amazon, Philips Hue and TP-Link rubbing shoulders with the likes of Eve and WeMo, it can be hard to know which is the best smart plug for you. We’ve rounded up the best from each of the big hitters to help you choose.   

One-minute review

IKEA isn’t a name that springs to mind when you think of smart home devices, but the Swedish furniture giant has offered a range of gadgets to automate your home since 2017. Starting with smart lighting, it has since expanded to include smart plugs, blinds that can be controlled wirelessly, and even a range of multi-room speakers that it developed in conjunction with Sonos. 

The IKEA Tradfri wireless control outlet is a single socket that can be plugged into a power source and controlled via the IKEA Home Smart app. However, unlike other smart plugs we’ve reviewed – such as the Amazon Smart Plug and the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim KP105 – the IKEA Tradfri wireless control outlet doesn’t pair directly with your Wi-Fi network. Instead, it requires the Tradfri gateway that connects to your router, and a ‘steering device’, which essentially groups smart home devices together. As such, it could prove an expensive purchase if you only want to make one outlet smart. 

Using the IKEA Home Smart app, you can switch the outlet on or off manually, or set schedules for the smart plug to be activated automatically. The Tradfri wireless control outlet also offers interaction with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and HomeKit, so you control it using your voice, and even ensure it switches on or off at the same time as other smart devices in your home. 

If you’ve already invested in Tradfri smart lights or other IKEA smart home products, or plan to, then this is the smartest option when it comes to choosing a smart plug. 

IKEA Tradfri wireless control outlet price and availability

•  List price: $9.99 / £10 / AU$20 

The IKEA Tradfri wireless control outlet is priced at $9.99 / £9.99 / AU$20, which makes it one of the most affordable smart plugs around. However, you do need to purchase the IKEA Tradfri gateway, at a cost of $35 / £22 / AU$49, along with a ‘steering device’, before you can use and control the smart plug.

This is IKEA’s term for the remote control, wireless dimmer or wireless motion sensor. Prices start from $6.99 / £6 / AU$14.99 for the wireless dimmer and rise to $15.99 / £15 / AU$24.99 for the remote control. 

Design

• Single smart socket
• LED on/off indicator
• No manual control button

As with most of the best smart plugs, the IKEA Tradfri wireless control outlet has a simple, white design. It measures 3.9 x 2.1 x 2.5 inches / 10 x 5.3 x 6.2cm (w x h x d), but unlike other smart plugs we’ve tested, the outlet is offered in the same size across the US, UK, and Australia. However, in the US it has a horizontal orientation when inserted into a power outlet, while in the UK and Australia, it sits in a power outlet vertically.  

The front of the smart plug features a single socket and a white LED that illuminates when the plug is switched on. It flashes when the plug is in set-up mode. Unfortunately, there’s no Wi-Fi indicator that alerts you to any connectivity issues, and there isn’t a manual power button, either – something many other smart plugs such as Eve Energy offer. 

Performance

• Instant control using app
• Fiddly setup
• Visual power-on indicator 

The IKEA Tradfri wireless control outlet proved fiddly to set up. In fact, it’s the most complicated smart plug with which to get started we’ve tested to date. As we’ve already mentioned, the outlet requires a gateway to work, which must first be connected to your router and then detected by the app. Next, a steering device must be paired with the gateway – and that’s all before you can start to set up the smart plug itself – this involves unscrewing the back of the steering device and pressing the button inside to pair the outlet to the gateway. 

Once that’s all been completed, you can rename it and manually control it. During testing, we found the plug switched on and off instantly when controlled via the app. The ‘click’ coupled with the LED illuminating when switching on and off was reassuring.

We were able to group devices together, although the maximum number that can be connected to a steering device is 10. If you want to add more smart home devices to the gateway, you’ll need to invest in another steering device. 

While we were able to set schedules for the smart plug to switch on and off at set times, we were disappointed to find there’s no Away mode that switches the plug on or off at random times. Nor are there any energy monitoring features. 

App

• Easy to navigate
• Integration with Alexa, Google Assistant and HomeKit
• Quickly create schedules for the smart plug

The IKEA Home Smart app is extremely easy to navigate, with the different devices grouped in ‘rooms’ visible on opening the app. The clock icon in the top left-hand corner lets you easily set schedules, with as many or as few devices as you choose controlled at once. In the opposite corner, a cog provides quick access to settings for adding new devices and enabling integration with Alexa, Google Assistant, or HomeKit.

However, as already mentioned, features such as Away mode and energy monitoring features are lacking. 

Should I buy the IKEA Tradfri wireless control outlet?

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First reviewed: June 2021

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The best smart plugs are an easy way to kick-start your smart home, allowing you to control whatever device is plugged into it; whether that’s a lamp, radio, or even an air purifier from your smartphone, even when you’re not at home. You’ll probably need more than just one if you plan on automating your entire home, so a good smart plug deal is always welcome.

In the UK, Amazon has slashed 45% off the price of the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim KP105 reducing it to £10.99 from £19.99. This isn’t the lowest price we’ve ever seen for this smart plug – it has dropped as low as £9.00 although this wasn't on Black Friday and Cyber Monday – but it’s still a hefty saving.  If you can wait a little longer, there's still the chance that it might be discounted this low again on Amazon Prime Day 2021, which is happening on June 21 and 22. (Not in the UK? Scroll down for the smart plug deals in your region.) 

Today's best TP-Link Kasa smart plug deal in the UK 

The TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim KP105 is a compact, simple to use smart plug. In tests, we found it was easy to set-up and was responsive when we used both the app and Alexa to turn it on or off. The plug even made a reassuring sound when it switched on.

As well as setting a schedule from the app, as you’d expect, it also has a handy Away mode, which can turn the smart plug on and off at random intervals. This is useful if you’re trying to simulate occupancy in your home, and a lamp or radio is connected to the plug.

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One-minute review

Amazon has been one of the biggest names in smart home devices since the launch of its first Echo smart speaker in 2017. As well as its range of speakers with voice assistant Alexa built in, the brand also offers a range of home security cameras that integrate with its smart speakers, and a smart plug. 

The Amazon Smart Plug is a single socket that connects to a power outlet and uses your home Wi-Fi network so Alexa can control any electrical device connected to it, such as a lamp, air purifier or even a pair of hair straighteners. It can also be controlled using the Alexa app on your smartphone – but, chances are, if you’re considering this smart plug then you already have, or are planning to purchase, an Echo smart speaker with Alexa support in your home ready to spring into action.

Through the Alexa app you can create ‘Routines’ for the smart plug, to switch on or off automatically, which either happen every day at a set time, or on speaking a certain command. These Routines can include other Alexa-compatible devices in your smart home, too. So, for example, you could ensure a radio switches on and your smart lights illuminate when you say “Good Morning”.

For those who are deeply tied into the Alexa ecosystem, or who want to dip their toe into the water of an Alexa-enabled smart home, the Amazon Smart Plug is a sensible purchase.

Amazon smart plug price and availability

• List price: $24.99 / £24.99

The Amazon Smart Plug is priced at $24.99 / £24.99 and is available in the US and UK from Amazon.

Design

• Single smart socket
• Manual power button
• 2.4GHz Wi-Fi-only

Like most of the best smart plugs, the Amazon Smart Plug sports a fairly inoffensive look. It’s rectangular in shape, with an all-white finish complete with a subtle Amazon logo. However, the US and UK versions of the plug look slightly different.  

In the US, the plug measures 3.2 x 1.5 x 2.2 inches /8 x 3.8 x 5.7cm ( w x h x d) to ensure it fits into vertical outlets without blocking access to the lower outlet. The UK version measures 3.7 x 2.2 x 2.5 inches /  5.6 x 9.62 x 6.3cm, since vertically aligned outlets aren’t common – they sit horizontally instead. 

The front of the smart plug features a single socket and a tiny blue LED, which illuminates when the plug is switched on and flashes when the plug is in set-up mode. On the left-hand side you’ll find a manual power button. The smart plug only works on the 2.4GHz band, so if you’re installing it in a different room to your router, you may suffer connection problems. Unfortunately, there’s no Wi-Fi indicator that alerts you to any connectivity issues.   

Performance

• Extremely simple set-up 
• Instant control using app or Alexa
• Visual power-on indicator 

The Amazon Smart Plug is an extremely simple smart home device to set up. Once connected to an outlet, we opened the Alexa app, which took on all the hard work – identifying the plug and, once we scanned a QR code on the quick-start guide, connecting it to our home Wi-Fi. The QR code can be found on the back of the plug, too, if you can’t locate the quick start guide. 

Following this, you can assign the smart plug to a particular room or group of devices, if you want, leaving you free to use your voice or your smartphone to control the plug. During testing, we found the plug switched on and off instantly when controlled by the app or Alexa, and the ‘click’ it made when switching on and off was reassuring.

While we were able to set schedules for the smart plug to switch on and off at set times, we were disappointed to find there’s no Away mode that switches the plug on or off at random times. This is a better way to help simulate occupancy when you’re not at home, rather than relying on a schedule. Such features can be found on TP-Link plugs such as the KP105. There’s no tracking of energy consumption on offer, either.

App

• Easy to navigate
• Deep Alexa integration
• Quickly create Routines with all smart home devices

The Alexa app is easy to use, with a clearly marked Devices tab that allows you to control all of your compatible smart home gadgets from one platform. We found all devices were split into categories, and tapping them provided quick access to control them or create a Routine for them.  

Through the app it’s also possible to add the smart plug to a group of devices and, not surprisingly, set up integration with Alexa. However, as already mentioned, features such as Away mode and energy monitoring features are lacking. 

Should I buy the Amazon smart plug?

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First reviewed: June 2021

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One-minute review

Eve is a brand that’s been around since 2014, growing a reputation for making premium-quality smart home devices that exclusively offer HomeKit support. From the best home security cameras and other security devices, such as motion sensors to the best smart lights, Eve offers a range of gadgets to automate your home. 

Eve Energy is a new version of the brand’s single-socket smart plug, which connects to the internet to ensure you can control the device connected to the plug via the app or using Siri. It also monitors the power consumption of the device connected to it. 

 However, this new version uses Thread smart home technology to link the plug to the internet, rather than Wi-Fi, which improves the stability of the connection, putting an end to smart home devices failing to respond.  Thread-enabled devices create a mesh network that all such devices can use, rather than an individual Wi-Fi connection between the devices and the internet. This means that if a particular device loses its connection, other Thread-enabled devices can share their connection so that it doesn’t become unresponsive.

Using the Eve app you can switch the smart plug on or off, as well as set schedules for when it should be switched on or off automatically. It’s possible to view energy consumption, and the total cost, too, if you provide specific details from the energy provider, of course. You can even control the smart plug from the Home app on iPhones and iPads. Note, however, that if you want to control the smart plug when you’re not at home, you’ll need a HomePod Mini or Apple TV 4K in your home to act as a smart home hub.

For those deeply tied into Apple’s ecosystem, or starting to use HomeKit to power their smart home, the Eve Energy is the best smart plug you can buy right now.

Eve Energy price and availability

•  List price:  $39.95 / £39.95 / AU$85

 The Eve Energy Smart Plug will set you back $39.95 / £39.95 / AU$85 and is available worldwide from the Apple Store and Amazon. It’s one of the most expensive smart plugs on the market, but on Amazon Prime Day 2021, there’s a chance it will be discounted so you could make a substantial saving.  

Design

• Single smart socket
• Manual power button
• Bulky design

The Eve Energy smart plug is, like the best smart plugs, a plain, white device that connects to a mains outlet. It may be one of the bulkiest smart plugs we’ve tested, at 2.8 inches / 7.1cm deep, but the square-shaped design – if you’re in the UK or Australia (the US version has a rectangular shape) – ensures it doesn’t block access to other outlets.

A single socket can be found on the front of the plug, while a power button and LED, which glows green when the plug is switched on, reside on the top of the smart plug. On the left-hand side is a QR code, allowing the smart plug to be easily set-up in both the Eve and Apple Home apps. 

As we’ve already mentioned, the smart plug uses Thread technology rather than Wi-Fi to connect to the internet. If you don’t have a Thread border router (a HomePod Mini or Apple TV 4K 2021), the plug will use Bluetooth to connect to the Eve or Apple Home app, but this means the Eve Energy smart plug can't be controlled when you're not at home. 

Performance

• Extremely simple to set up
• Thread technology built in
• Requires Apple TV or HomePod to be controlled from outside of the home

Like all devices offering HomeKit support, the Eve Energy smart plug is extremely easy to set up, using either the Eve app or the Apple Home app. Selecting Add Accessory will prompt you to scan the QR code, which can also be found in the quick start guide as well as on the side of the smart plug itself. The app will then do all the hard work, connecting the device to your Wi-Fi network. 

Now you’re free to assign the smart plug to a particular room or group of devices and to use your voice or your smartphone to control the plug. During testing, we found the plug switched on and off instantly through the app or Siri, and made a reassuring click in the process. 

We were disappointed to learn that you’ll need an Apple TV 4K or HomePod Mini in order to control the smart plug when you’re not at home. In addition, there’s no Away mode that switches the plug on or off at random times to help simulate occupancy whilst you’re out, as some TP-Link plugs such as the KP-105 offer. 

App

• Energy consumption
• HomeKit integration
• Set schedules from the Eve app

Both the Eve app and Apple’s Home app, which can be used thanks to HomeKit integration, are simple to use, so you’ll find controlling the smart home plug a breeze, no matter the app you choose. If you assign the smart plug to a set room, it will be displayed on this tab; otherwise, you’ll find it on the main home screen of both apps – just tap it to turn it on or off. Both apps also have an automation tab from where you can create scenes that see several smart home devices controlled at once. 

If you want to set schedules for when the smart plug will turn on and off, or you want to view how much energy the plug is using, and the monetary cost of this, you can do so via the Eve app. However, as we’ve already mentioned, there’s no Away mode to simulate occupancy by switching the plug on and off at random times. 

Should I buy the Eve Energy smart plug?

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First reviewed: May 2021

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One-minute review

TP-Link has been associated with networking products such as routers and powerline adapters for more than 20 years. However, in 2015, the brand also turned its attention to the best smart home devices, now offering a range of affordable gadgets to automate your home – from the best smart light bulbs and home security cameras to smart plugs.

The Smart Wi-Fi Plug with Energy Monitoring HS110 is TP Link’s top-of-the-range single-socket smart plug, which not only allows you to control any device plugged into the socket from your smartphone, but you can do so even when you’re not at home. This is great news if you’ve realised after leaving the house that you may have left your radio or your straighteners on. The Smart Wi-Fi Plug with Energy Monitoring HS110 is also compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can use your voice to control it. In addition, it will even keep track of the energy consumption of any devices plugged into it. 

Like all smart plugs, the TP-Link HS110 connects to your home Wi-Fi network and allows you to turn it on and off through the Kasa app. You can also set timers and schedules for when the plug should be switched on or off. If you have other TP-Link smart home devices, it can be grouped together with said devices through the app, so several devices can be controlled at once.

TP-Link Smart Wi-Fi Plug with Energy Monitoring HS110 price and availability

•  List price: $24.99 / £15 / AU$27

The TP-Link Smart Wi-Fi Plug with Energy Monitoring HS110 is priced at $24.99 / £15 / AU$27, and is available worldwide through Amazon and a selection of electrical retailers. 

TP-Link also offers a version of this smart plug without energy monitoring, which comes in at  $16.99 / £10 / AU$19.99

Design

• Single smart socket
• Manual power button
• Bulky design

The TP-Link Smart Wi-Fi Plug with Energy Monitoring HS110 is one of the bulkier smart plugs we’ve reviewed, measuring 3.9 x 2.6 x 2.5 inches / 10.03 x 6.63 x 6.4 mm (h x w x d). Made from white plastic and oval in shape, it’s a plain device, but its chunky design means it’s fairly noticeable when plugged into an electrical outlet – particularly if the outlet is finished in chrome. Note, too, that if it’s plugged into a vertically aligned dual-power outlet, the top outlet will be unusable if the smart plug is placed in the bottom position; however, plugged in horizontally aligned outlets, it won’t obstruct the use of other sockets. 

On the front of the plug you’ll find a single socket and a power button that glows green when the plug is switched on. A tiny Wi-Fi icon above this also glows green when connected to your network, or orange if it has encountered any issues. On the top of the plug is a tiny Settings button that’s used to initiate set-up mode or a factory reset. The plug only supports 2.4GHz, so those installing it in a different room to their router may find they suffer connection issues. 

Performance

• Simple to set up 
• Energy monitoring function
• Away mode 

Setting up the TP-Link Smart Wi-Fi Plug with Energy Monitoring proved relatively easy, simply plugging the device into an electrical outlet that’s switched on, then downloading the Kasa app. Adding the device to the app took a couple of minutes; we had to connect our phone to the plug’s own Wi-Fi network before it was detected by the app. We welcomed the fact that for each step of the installation, a help option in the app was visible; if tapped, it would provide information in those instances set-up wasn’t going to plan.

Once set-up was complete, interaction with the device itself was minimal, with everything done through the Kasa app. Throughout testing, the plug responded instantly when we used the app to control it, making a reassuring click every time it was switched on or off. 

The Energy Monitoring function details the consumption in kilowatt-hours (kWh) and hours for the day in question, as well as the past seven and 30 days, with a running total from the point it was set up. However, we were disappointed that there’s no way to add the price per kWh to provide a monetary value of your energy usage – something that is possible with rival smart plug, Eve Energy.

However, the Away mode was useful, allowing you to turn the smart plug on and off at random intervals. This is great if you have a lamp connected to the smart plug and want to have it come on and off to give the appearance you're at home, even though you may not be.  

App

• Easy to navigate
• Ability to create schedules
• Integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant

The Kasa app is simple to navigate. Launch the app and you’ll be presented with a screen that displays all of your TP-Link smart home devices. For the smart plugs, you can tap the power icon to the right to switch the smart plug on or off, or create a group of devices that can be controlled at one time.

Selecting the device itself will bring up a number of options, including the ability to set a timer, schedule, activate ‘Away’ mode, or check the energy consumption. The Scenes tab lets you create automations that can be actioned by uttering a specific word or phrase, while Smart Actions ensures you can create automations based on motion-sensing from TP-Link cameras, or schedule when a certain scene should be activated. 

The app also allows you to integrate the smart plug with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT and SmartThings. The only service missing here is Apple HomeKit.

Should I buy the TP-Link Smart Wi-Fi Plug with Energy Monitoring HS110?

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First reviewed: May 2021

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One-minute review

A name more familiar with routers and powerline adapters, TP-Link has been at the forefront of networking products for more than two decades. However, the brand has also been making smart home devices since 2015, offering a wide range of affordable gadgets to automate your home, including the best smart light bulbs, home security cameras and smart plugs.

Its entry-level device is the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim KP105 –  a single smart socket that ensures you can control any device plugged into it from your smartphone, even when you’re not at home. If you’re the forgetful type who can’t recall whether you’ve turned off the radio or your straighteners before you left the house, this smart plug can certainly help. Compatibility with Alexa and Google Assistant means you can use your voice to control the smart plug, too. 

Connect the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim to your home Wi-Fi network and then use the Kasa app to turn it on and off, or set timers and schedules for when it should be switched on or off. If you own other TP-Link smart home devices, these can be grouped together with the smart plug in the app, so several gadgets can be controlled at once.

TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim KP105 price and availability

• List price: $17.99 / £14 / AU$24

The TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim KP105 is priced at £14 / AU$24. It’s available in the UK and Australia through Amazon and a selection of electrical retailers. 

TP-Link also offers a version of this smart plug with an energy monitoring feature, known as the TP-Link KP115. This model is available in the US, as well as in the UK and Australia, and will set you back $19 / £17.99 / AU$29.99.

Design

• Single smart socket
• Manual power button
• Compact design

One of the most compact smart plugs we’ve tested, the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim KP105 is an unobtrusive white plastic device measuring 2.85 x 2.0 x 1.5 inches / 7.25 x 5.15 x 3.75 cm (h x w x d). It isn’t as bulky as other TP-Link smart plugs, and it sports a plain rectangle design rather than the oval-shaped look of the TP-Link Smart Wi-Fi Plug with Energy Monitoring HS110. That said, if your power sockets are chrome, it’s white finish will certainly stand out.

On the front of the plug is a single socket with a tiny LED above that glows green when the plug is switched on; a manual power button can be found on the left-hand side of the unit. There’s no Wi-Fi indicator that alerts you to any connectivity issues, and the smart plug only works on the 2.4GHz band. As such, you may find you suffer connectivity issues if you’re installing it in a different room to your router. 

Performance

• Simple to set up 
• Customizable icons
• Away mode 

Like other TP-Link smart plugs, the KP105 is extremely simple to set up. Once the device has been plugged into an electrical outlet, download the Kasa app onto your smartphone and follow the steps on-screen. A few extra taps will be required to connect your phone to the plug’s own Wi-Fi network, before the app can discover and connect to it. Nevertheless, the whole process took us less than two minutes. If you run into problems during set-up, there’s a visible help option in the app that offers information on what you should do next.

When assigning a name to the plug, you can also select for a range of icons or add your own picture to make it easier to identify individual plugs, if you have several installed in your home. 

Once the device has been set up, it’s unlikely that you’ll need to interact with the unit itself, since all control is via the Kasa app. On test, the plug responded instantly when we used the app to switch it on or off, denoting each with a reassuring click. 

A handy Away mode can turn the smart plug on and off at random intervals. If connected to a lamp or radio, it can be activated to simulate occupancy in your home, even if you’re not around, which may help boost your home’s security. 

Unlike other TP-Link smart plugs, there’s no energy monitoring feature here, although the app will show you how many hours any device connected to the plug has been on for – although we remain unclear about what use this will have for most people. 

App

• Easy to navigate
• Ability to create schedules
• Integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant

We found the Kasa app super-easy to navigate. On launch, a list of all TP-Link smart home devices is displayed, making it easy to control all of your smart home devices. In the case of the smart plug, tapping the power icon to the right of the screen switches the smart plug on or off.

The app also allowed us to create a group of devices that can be controlled at once, alongside setting timers and schedules for when the plug should switch on or off, and even activate Away mode. 

Automations can be created directly from the app using the Scenes tab, and you can select the word or phrase you wish to use to activate the automation. In addition, the Smart Actions section lets you create automations that can be activated at a certain point in time, or based on any motion detected by TP-Link cameras you may have in your home. 

The app also allows you to integrate the smart plug with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT and SmartThings. The only service missing here is Apple HomeKit.

Should I buy the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim KP105

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First reviewed: May 2021

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Smart home brand Eve has unveiled a new smart plug and connected weather station that supports Thread smart home technology. Eve Energy is a new iteration of Eve’s smart plug, which can also keep track of how much energy the device plugged into it is using, and is priced at $39.95 / £34.95 (about AU$50). It will be available in the US on April 6, and in the UK in early May. 

Eve Weather is a replacement for the Eve Degree connected weather station, following a filling for the device with the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) in January. It monitors the temperature, humidity, and air pressure in and around your home, which can be seen on the device itself or in the app on a smartphone or tablet. 

Eve has given the weather station Thread as well as Bluetooth connectivity and it’s IPX3 rated so can be used outside. Eve Weather will cost $69.95 in the US and £64.95 in the UK and go on sale on March 25. 

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Eve Aqua

Eve is also bringing Thread support to its Eve Aqua smart water controller through a firmware update in April 2021. The smart home device allows you to control outdoor faucets from your smartphone or tablet, and is available in the US and the UK now for $99.99 / £89.95. All of Eve’s products work with HomeKit, Apple’s smart home platform, although they are not compatible with Alexa or Google Assistant.  

What is Thread?

Similar to Zigbee and Z-wave, Thread lets smart home devices from different manufacturers connect to each other, but it’s faster, offers a more reliable connection and uses less power.

To use Thread in your smart home set up, you’ll need a device that doubles as a Thread Border router so the different devices can talk to each other. The HomePod Mini is the first smart home device that offers this functionality. However, more are expected to become available throughout 2021. 

Is Thread the future?

Thread technology aims to make smart homes more reliable and ensure you don’t have to purchase devices from the same manufacturer, and we can’t fault that sentiment. However, Eve products currently only work with HomeKit, which will be a blow to many consumers that are using Alexa and Google Assistant to control their smart homes. 

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The home is getting smarter, and while appliances, TVs, and more are all getting internet connectivity built right in, some things that are built into your home require adapters to gain a bit more intelligence. Like, for example, power outlets.

There are a ton of smart power outlets out there, but to date Belkin’s WeMo range has often been considered among the best. Now, the company is back with a new addition to the Belkin WeMo lineup - the revamped Belkin WeMo Insight. 

But what makes the $45 (£49, AU$69) Insight different from Belkin’s other switches? Well, for starters, it’s aimed at offering much better power consumption tracking. But does that make it worth the cash? We put it to the test.

Design and setup

The first thing you’ll notice about the device is its design. For starters, it’s a little bigger than it looks in the pictures - and that may be an issue for some. We found that in a vertically-aligned dual power outlet it covered the top outlet if placed on the bottom, though it doesn’t cover the bottom if placed on the top. That could be issue, especially for those that want to add smarts to all the outlets in their home.

That doesn’t mean it’s a badly designed device - it looks quite good for what it is. 

On the top, you’ll find a touch-sensitive power button, along with a small reset button, and a MicroUSB port. We have absolutely no idea what the MicroUSB port is for. The instructions don’t reference it, and searching online seems to suggest that Belkin put it there in hopes of finding a use for it later. Hopefully they’ll find a use for it before MicroUSB as a standard gets completely replaced with USB-C. 

Apart from that and the WeMo logo on the front, it’s a pretty plain, and subtle device. We like that. While you might want to draw attention to devices like your smart TV, we doubt there are many people out there that plan on showing off their smart power outlet.

Setting up the switch is pretty easy, though the app itself isn’t great at helping you figure out how to do it. Using the instruction card in the box, you’ll figure out that you need to plug the switch in and connect to its own Wi-Fi network before even opening the app - after which the app will ask for your home network and password. We wish the app in general were a little better designed - but we’ll get into that later.

In general, the Belkin WeMo Insight switch is decently designed. We’re looking forward to the day that smart switches are smaller, and when it’s easier to wire them in to an outlet but, until then, the Insight isn’t a bad option.

App and everyday use

After setting up the device, you probably won’t need to use the device itself all that much. It’s from the app that you’ll do the majority of the work here. Unfortunately, the app needs a lot of work.

Sure, it’s good enough at allowing you to turn on or off devices from the home screen, and if that’s all you want to do then the badly designed app may not matter to you. It’s the deeper features that are lacking here. 

For starters, it’s near impossible to remove a device from the app. We’ve reviewed a few WeMo switches in our time, and one of them we're not currently using - but there’s simply no option to remove it from the app. Searching online, we found that it was apparently possible to have a device removed if you disable then re-enable remote access, but that didn’t work for us. That would be bad enough, but it’s impossible to set up automation, or rules, without the latest firmware updates on all devices. In other words, to set up rules with the Insight, we needed to find that old WeMo Mini, plug it in and update its firmware - when you don’t even want to use it.

Still, there are some redeeming features. For example, being able to track your energy usage through the app is a pretty cool feature, and the fact that it estimates how much you’ve spend in energy on that device is cool too.

Automation in the Belkin WeMo app isn’t bad, but it’s a little basic. You’ll be able to do things like schedule your switches to turn on or off, and that can work based on your Nest thermostats home or away modes, the time of day, and so on.

Perhaps the best thing about the app, is that it allows you to integrate with other services. Out of the box, you’ll be able to connect your WeMo Insight to IFTTT, Alexa, and Google Assistant. While the Insight doesn’t officially work with Samsung SmartThings, it still connected just fine. The only service missing here is Apple HomeKit, though it’ll connect to HomeKit if you buy the WeMo Bridge.

Safe to say, the WeMo app isn’t a total pleasure to use. If you’re planning on connecting your WeMo devices to other services, then you may never have to use the app except to set up the device ... though, it doesn’t seem possible to see energy usage information without the app.

Verdict

The Belkin WeMo Insight is a neat little device. We like that it shows energy use, and the design isn’t all that bad either. On top of that, the device connects with a pretty substantial range of smart home services, which is crucial. Unfortunately, though, the app is the real missing link in the whole setup. We hope to see Belkin put some serious work into revamping its app. 

Belkin does have some competition in the space. Namely, the Elgato Eve Energy switch, though it’s a little more expensive. We think the Belkin WeMo Insight is perhaps the best energy-monitoring switch out there for the price - especially considering the fact that it connects with so many smart home systems.

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