Maybe you’ve been hearing about the latest and greatest smart home tech, but don’t know where to start to make your dumb house smart. In addition to smart light switches, smart outlets are one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to get into smart home gear. A smart outlet can make anything that plugs into the wall smart.

What does that mean? Do I really need my fan to be smart? Plugging an appliance into a smart plug means you can control it from anywhere in the house – or depending on the plug – anywhere in the world. Imagine turning off a lamp across the room without getting off the couch. Wouldn’t it be nice to turn on your electric tea kettle before you get out of bed in the morning? The possibilities with smart outlets are endless.

If you have a smart home hub or a smart assistant you can talk to, you can even control smart outlets with your voice! Nothing makes you feel like you’re in the future like controlling your home appliances with your voice. This might sound like a silly gimmick, but after you start living with the best smart plugs, you won’t know how you lived without them.

Here is a list of the top rated and reviewed smart outlets to help you choose the best products for making your home smart.

Best Smart Outlets | Top 7

Our RankSmart OutletTypeConnectivityPrice
1TP-Link Smart PlugPlugWi-Fi$$
2WeMo Switch Smart Wi-Fi OutletPlugWi-Fi$$
3Orvibo S25 Smart SocketPlugWi-Fi$$$
4Nyrius Bluetooth OutletPlugBluetooth$
5Samsung SmartThings OutletPlugZ-Wave$$$$
6GE Z-Wave Smart OutletIn-WallZ-Wave$$$
7GoControl Z-Wave Smart Wall OutletIn-WallZ-Wave$$$

Who is this review for?

This review is for anyone looking for an introduction to smart home stuff. It’s especially for anyone on a budget who wants to add some tech to the house. If you want smart lights, but don’t want to invest in fancy, expensive smart bulbs, a smart outlet is a great, low-cost alternative. Maybe you’ve shopped for smart home hubs, but don’t know which one to commit to. With many smart outlets, they don’t require a smart home hub at all.

Smart outlets are great for anyone who isn’t tech savvy. Think of a smart outlet like a modern-day clapper. Instead of clapping to turn on the lamp, you can control it from your smartphone or other device. Installation and operation are simple with smart plugs.

Best Smart Outlet Reviews List

#1. TP-Link Smart Plug

TP-Link Smart Plug Best Smart Outlet

Editor’s Rating:

4.8 Stars
  • Connects with Wi-Fi via the Kasa mobile app
  • Monitor energy usage with Kasa
  • Native compatibility with Amazon Alexa
  • Easy scheduling makes home automation a breeze
  • 24/7 lifetime technical support
  • 2-year warranty
  • No hub required
  • Turn lights on and off randomly with Away Mode for added home security
  • Mini version available
  • Works with any smartphone or tablet Android 4.1 and higher or iOS 8 and higher

$24.99

TP-Link Smart Plug Quick Review

The TP-Link smart plug is one of the best-selling smart plugs on the market. It’s popular because of its relatively low cost, easy installation, and host of features. It’s a Wi-Fi plug that’s controlled with the Kasa mobile app. The Kasa app works with all TP-Link smart devices including switches and light bulbs. If you already have any of these from TP-Link, this would be a great plug to get. Since it’s Wi-Fi, it doesn’t require a hub. All it needs is a Wi-Fi network to talk to. It has native compatibility with Amazon’s Alexa. If you have an Amazon Echo or other product with Alexa, you can control this outlet with your voice. You can set up schedules and turn on Away Mode. Away Mode is intended to be used on lights making them turn on and off to make it look like your home when you’re away. The only downside of the TP-Link Smart Plug is the size. It’s a bit bulky and you can’t have two plugged into one duplex-style outlet. However, TP-Link also makes a mini version of the same plug which only occupies one socket. You could use two of these on one traditional power outlet with two plugs.

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#2. WeMo Switch Smart WiFi Outlet

WeMo Switch Smart Plug Best Wi-Fi Outlet

Editor’s Rating:

4.8 Stars
  • Connects with Wi-Fi via the WeMo mobile app
  • Native compatibility with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, IFTTT, and Nest
  • Control Nest thermostat with WeMo app
  • Easy scheduling makes home automation a breeze
  • A timer knows when the sun sets and rises and can schedule accordingly
  • No hub required
  • Turn lights on and off randomly with Away Mode for added home security
  • Mini version available
  • Works with any smartphone or tablet Android 4.1 and higher or iOS 8 and higher

$29.99

WeMo Switch Smart Wifi Outlet Quick Review

The WeMo Switch is the chief competitor of the TP-Link Smart Plug. This is another Wi-Fi outlet that works with Alexa. It’s even the same price as the TP-Link outlet. What it comes down to is a matter of preference. They run on different apps, the WeMo using a dedicated WeMo app. There are a couple native compatibilities that WeMo has that TP-Link doesn’t. It’s compatible with the Nest smart thermostat. This is one of the most popular smart thermostats and if you already have one I recommend a WeMo plug. Since Nest knows when you’re home and away, it can talk to your WeMo plug accordingly. When you come home, it can turn on a lamp. When Nest knows you’re not home, it can make sure your fan is off. You can even control your Nest through the WeMo app. WeMo is also compatible with IFTTT. If you’re an IFTTT nut, this is a crucial feature for making applets and recipes to make your outlet talk to the rest of your smart home. WeMo devices also recently became compatible with Google Home. So if you have Amazon Alexa, Google Home, a Nest thermostat, use IFTTT, or all of the above, the WeMo is the best Wi-Fi outlet on the market.

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#3. Orvibo S25 Smart Socket

Orvibo S25 Smart Wi-Fi Socket

Editor’s Rating:

4.7 Stars
  • Supports a maximum of 20 devices and 10 timing tasks
  • No hub required
  • Easy scheduling makes home automation a breeze
  • Connects via Wi-Fi and the WiWo mobile app
  • Works with any smartphone or tablet Android 3.0 and higher or iOS 6 and higher

$39.99

Orvibo S25 Smart Socket Quick Review

The Orvibo S25 is a popular Wi-Fi smart outlet because of its simplicity and budget friendly price. It’s priced below the competing WeMo and TP-Link; arguably the best Wi-Fi outlets. But, it also lacks some of their features. It isn’t compatible with any popular smart home hubs or assistants. As of right now, there’s no way to control this outlet with your voice or have it communicate with other non-Orvibo products. You can only control it with Orvibo’s WiWo app. A nice thing about the WiWo app is it works well with older versions of Android and iOS. This is good if you’re hanging on to an old smartphone. What it does really well is remotely control and schedule whatever is plugged into it. This is like a modern version of an old outlet with a timer on it that you might have used for a Christmas tree. If that’s all you’re looking for, this is the best Wi-Fi outlet you can buy because of its price and ease of use. If you just want to be able to control your outlet with your phone and don’t need a lot of other features, Orvibo has just what you’re looking for.

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#4. Nyrius Bluetooth Outlet

Nyrius Bluetooth Smart Outlet Plug

Editor’s Rating:

4.6 Stars
  • Connects directly to your smartphone via Bluetooth with the Nyrius app
  • No hub or Wi-Fi connection required
  • Set schedules that work even if your phone is out of range
  • Proximity control turns your appliances on and off as you enter and exit the room with no need for extra sensors
  • Works with Android 3.2 and higher or iOS 6.4 and higher

Nyrius Bluetooth Outlet Quick Review

Nyrius is one of the leading brands when trying to add more Bluetooth to home automation rather than Wi-Fi. In addition to a Bluetooth light bulb, they also offer the SS20 Bluetooth smart outlet. You don’t get the advantage that Wi-Fi gives you of being able to control your outlets from anywhere in the world. However, if you have no desire for that feature, Bluetooth could be a better route for you. No hub or gateway is required for the Nyrius smart outlet. To simplify use and installation, all you have to do is download the app and wirelessly connect the outlet to your phone via Bluetooth. No passwords or personal information required. One of the coolest features of the Nyrius smart plug is proximity control. The plug knows how close you are so it can activate when you enter the room and deactivate when you leave. If you don’t like this idea, don’t worry. It’s a feature you can turn on and off. Finally, this smart outlet comes at a very attractive price. It lacks a few features like any smart hub or assistant compatibility, but it’s one of the best Bluetooth outlets out there.

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#5. Samsung SmartThings Outlet

Samsung SmartThings Outlet Best Smart Plug

Editor’s Rating:

4.6 Stars
  • Connects to the Samsung SmartThings hub
  • Control with the SmartThings app
  • Set schedules and routines to turn appliances on and off automatically
  • Ready for voice control with Google Home or Amazon Alexa
  • Compatible with any SmartThings compatible product. Check their website for a list of compatible things.

$52.99

Samsung SmartThings Outlet Quick Review

The Samsung SmartThings Outlet is fantastic, but only if you already have a SmartThings hub. If you do not have a SmartThings hub, this smart Z-Wave outlet can’t be used on its own. Although it isn’t for everyone, the SmartThings outlet integrates seamlessly with your SmartThings ecosystem. It’s not technically a Wi-Fi outlet, but you do have the advantage of being able to control it from anywhere with the SmartThings app. This smart outlet can communicate with anything else you have linked up to your SmartThings hub. That includes – but far from limited to – select Bose speakers, Schlage locks, Honeywell thermostats, Philips Hue light bulbs, and of course, Samsung electronics and appliances. It also has native compatibility with Google Home and Amazon Alexa – but again – only if you have the SmartThings hub. For the smart home geek who already has SmartThings, this outlet is perfect. If you don’t have SmartThings and don’t intend to buy it, it’s not the best smart plug for you.

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#6. GE Z-Wave Smart Wall Outlet

GE Z-Wave Wall Outlet Best Smart Outlet

Editor’s Rating:

4.5 Stars
  • Connects to your smart home hub via Z-Wave
  • One always-on AC outlet, one Z-Wave outlet
  • Integrated blue LED indicator
  • Can be controlled in groups
  • Makes for a clean look without added bulk

Click For Price

GE Z-Wave Smart Wall Outlet Quick Review

Here’s an outlet for the hardcore smart home enthusiast. If you’re looking to completely replace existing power outlets in your home with smart ones, this GE Z-Wave wall outlet is a great way to do it. It does require a smart home hub like SmartThings or Wink. Once it’s connected to your hub, you get all the advantages of your smart home hub. Suddenly, you have an in-wall outlet that communicates with everything else in your smart home ecosystem. If you’re using SmartThings, you now have voice control of your outlet via Amazon Alexa or Google Home. What’s really nice about a wall outlet is you don’t have a bulky thing plugged into an existing outlet. As nice as those are and as easy as they are to use, they’re pretty ugly. You can’t beat the nice, clean look of a real wall outlet with Z-Wave capability. The top plug is a regular, always-on power outlet and just the bottom plug uses Z-Wave. Depending on what you want, that could be a good thing or a bad thing. It does require a neutral wire, so make sure the outlet you want to replace has a neutral wire behind it before buying this. With in-wall Z-Wave from a trusted name, this could be the best Z-Wave outlet on the market.

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#6. GoControl Z-Wave Smart Wall Outlet

Editor’s Rating:

4.5 Stars
  • Connects to your smart home hub via Z-Wave
  • One always-on AC outlet, one Z-Wave outlet
  • Integrated green LED indicator
  • Child protection mode
  • Z-Wave repeater
  • Makes for a clean look without added bulk

$40.87

GoControl Z-Wave Smart Wall Outlet Quick Review

GoControl makes a Z-Wave wall outlet pretty similar to the GE smart outlet. The bottom uses Z-Wave while the top is always on, it has an LED indicator (but this one is green) and it connects to your smart home hub via Z-Wave. What’s nice about this one is it acts as a repeater for your Z-Wave network. That means it extends your Z-Wave network an additional 130 feet. It also includes a child protection mode. When child protection mode is on, you need to push the button on the outlet three times to give it power. Like the GE smart outlet, it does require a neutral wire. One nice aesthetic feature the GoControl has over the GE is that it comes with a new white switch plate.

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Best Smart Outlets | What to look for

It sounds like a pretty straightforward idea, but there are multiple different breeds of smart outlets. They operate on different interfaces which changes how you install them and use them every day. Keep reading to find out what kind of smart plug best suits your needs.

  • Wi-Fi – Some of the most popular smart plugs work via Wi-Fi. Chances are, you already have a Wi-Fi network in your home. If you do, congratulations! Your home has everything it needs for a Wi-Fi smart plug. These are popular because of the ease of installation. Just wirelessly link up your plug to your Wi-Fi network, usually via a mobile app. Once your Wi-Fi network knows the plug is there and the app is on your phone, you’re ready to go. Since it’s connected to Wi-Fi, it’s connected to the whole internet. You can control the best Wi-Fi outlets from anywhere in the world that has an internet connection.
  • Bluetooth – There’s one popular smart plug that talks directly to your phone via Bluetooth. We’ll talk about it in detail later. The advantage of Bluetooth is that setup is even easier than Wi-Fi. You don’t need to enter any passwords or worry about the outlet being in range of your router. Just plug it in, download the app, find the outlet with your phone, and you’re done. The market is currently a bit limited when it comes to Bluetooth outlets. However, if they get more popular because of their convenience, they could become the industry standard in smart plugs. They’re budget friendly, too. The best Bluetooth outlets are cheaper than you might think.
  • Z-Wave – Z-Wave outlets are for the seasoned smart home expert. Z-Wave is a radio protocol that communicates with smart home hubs like Wink and Samsung SmartThings. These will only work for you if you already have a hub that communicates with Z-Wave. That does not include Amazon Echo (Alexa) or Google Home unless the plug specifies otherwise. They also can’t communicate directly with your smartphone without a hub. So why would anybody want these? Z-Wave plugs can completely replace your existing outlet making for a seamless aesthetic. If you aren’t confident replacing a whole outlet or if you want to be able to move your smart outlet around, you can also get Z-Wave smart plugs that plug into regular outlets. These outlets are great if you’re serious about making your whole house smart.
  • IFTTT – If you’re familiar with IFTTT, you know what a valuable asset it is to any smart home. If you’ve never heard of it, it probably looks like I spelled something wrong. IFTTT stands for “if this, then that.” It’s a free service that allows you to create applets or use existing ones that make your smart devices work together. An applet is a recipe that does exactly what the name IFTTT implies. For example, if you want your smart outlet to turn on when you come through the door, you can make that happen with IFTTT and a smart door sensor or lock. Maybe you want your smart thermostat to turn the temperature down when you turn off the lamp plugged into your smart outlet. The possibilities are endless. Not every smart plug or smart device is compatible with IFTTT. However, all of the major smart home hubs and assistants have native compatibility with IFTTT making it a very useful service. If you have Amazon’s Alexa or Google Home, consider picking out a smart plug with IFTTT.
  • Compatibility – We’ve already talked a bit about compatibility, but I want to stress that point a little more. This is so important because if you buy a smart outlet that isn’t compatible with your existing smart home setup or the one you intend to make, it’s kind of useless. If you have Alexa, make sure the one you pick out works with Alexa. If you see a Z-Wave plug you like, you should only buy it if you have or intend to buy a Z-Wave hub. It’s also important to consider which format works best for you. Think about how you’ll actually use your smart outlet. Would it make more sense to use Bluetooth or wi-fi? In the end it’s up to you, but we’re here to make it clear what the best smart outlet is for you.