With so many things going on in our day-to-day lives, good energy habits aren’t always on our minds. But even if you don’t make a habit of leaving a lamp, TV, or speaker system powered up when you’re not using them, those appliances could still be draining your bank account ever so slowly. The best smart plugs on the market can help you save money.
You see, most electrical appliances and gadgets continue to draw power even when they’re not on. It’s called vampire power, and it can account for as much as 10% of your household energy bill. Smart plugs are an easy fix, and I’ve used several from a variety of companies over the years.
You can easily set up schedules for when the plugs turn off, preventing that trickle of energy usage. They can run anywhere from $10 to $25 and let you control outlets with an app on your smartphone, or monitor the energy use of any device you plug in — in real-time.
Here are my favorites.
Amazon Smart Plug ($24.99)
Features & Notes (via Amazon):
- Amazon Smart Plug works with Alexa to add voice control to any outlet.
- Certified for Humans – Struggle-free, tinker-free, stress-free. No patience needed—it’s actually simple.
- Schedule lights, fans, and appliances to turn on and off automatically, or control them remotely when you’re away.
- Simple to set up and use—plug in, open the Alexa app, and get started in minutes.
- Compact design keeps your second outlet free.
- No smart home hub required—set up routines and schedules through the Alexa app.
- See tips on saving energy and estimate your light’s consumption with the Alexa energy dashboard.
Wemo Smart Plug with Thread ($24.99)
Features & Notes (via Amazon):
- Control your devices from anywhere through the Home app, HomeKit-enabled sensors, Wemo Stage, or by asking Siri
- Supports Thread and Bluetooth
- Simple setup—unlock your iPhone, tap it on the smart plug, and follow the prompts to start controlling in seconds
- Space-saving design allows two plugs to stack in one electrical outlet
Works with all HomeKit-enabled devices
TP-Link Tapo Smart Plug Mini ($29.99 for 4-pack)
Features & Notes (via Amazon):
- Voice Control: Pair your plug with Alexa or Google Assistant to easily control your smart plug with just your voice.
- Scheduling: Set schedules for each of your appliances to automate your day. Let Tapo turn on the coffee pot to wake you up or turn off the lights let you sleep.
- Multi-User Access: Allows family members to control the smart plug using their own device.
- Easy Setup: Setup is quick and simple using Bluetooth and the friendly Tapo app.
GE CYNC Indoor Smart Plug ($14.99)
Features & Notes (via Amazon):
- Upgrade your smart home: Compatible with Google Home and Alexa (sold separately), smart plugs from Cync make your traditional devices smart by providing voice and app control at all times, even when you are out of home.
- Smart outlets make any electronic device smart: The Cync smart plug makes any lamp or electric device smart, so smart plugs and devices respond to voice commands as an entire smart home system.
- Control smart plugs while away from home: Get added home security and convenience with the ability to control your electric devices away from home with these Wi-Fi outlets, so you never worry about leaving your iron on or coming home to a dark house.
- Build your smart home with no hub required: The Cync smart plugs that work with Google Home and Alexa include a hub that connects directly to voice assistant devices, so you don’t need to purchase a standalone bridge or hub.
Kasa Smart Plug Power Strip HS300 ($54.99)
Features & Notes (via Amazon):
- 6 smart outlets: Independently control 6 smart outlets, and charge 3 devices with built in USB ports; Ideal for controlling electronics in your home, home office, or small business
- Surge protection: ETL certified surge protection shields sensitive electronics and appliances from sudden power surges that can occur during weather storms and cause irreparable damage
- Energy monitoring: Monitor how much energy devices connected to the power strip consume; Check on each one from your Kasa smart app and turn off ones that are using too much power
- Control from anywhere: Control connected devices from anywhere with the Kasa Smart app. Power up your office remotely and even your holiday lights from the app
- Voice control: Remotely control your smart plug and use voice commands with Alexa, Google Assistant, or MicroSoft Cortana. Plug type: 3-prong plug