Using a smart plug is the cheapest, easiest way to remotely control any electrical device in your home. Just plug one into an electrical outlet, and add a lamp, fan, or other on/off device. Then set it up with an app, and—boom—you’re making magic.
We recommend the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim (EP25) for inside the home and the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug (EP40) for outdoor use, since they both work really well on their own and when paired with many other devices.
We also recommend the Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip (HS300) if you want to be able to plug in and independently control and automate multiple devices.
Our pick
This smart plug worked reliably in tests, and it includes real-time energy monitoring and an Away Mode. Also, it’s widely compatible with all the major smart-home platforms.
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings
The Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim (EP25) includes all of the features you’d want in a single-outlet smart plug. In addition to remote-control access, a timer, and the ability to be scheduled, it can be integrated with a large number of other smart-home devices, including Alexa, HomeKit, and Google Home. It also supports real-time energy monitoring, so you can keep tabs on electricity use in hours and minutes, or in watts and kilowatt-hours. It’s available only in a four-pack, but the price is similar to or less per unit than that of other plugs we like.
Our pick
This weatherproof smart plug withstands snow, rain, heat, and dust, and it has two outlets that you can control independently.
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings
The Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug (EP40) is built to weather the outdoors. (You should never attempt to use an indoor smart plug outdoors.) The EP40 has an operating-temperature range of -4 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit, so it can handle a wide range of weather. It includes two outlets that you can control independently using the app or voice (via Alexa or Google Home, but not Siri), and it’s easy to set up and use. This smart plug can also track the running time of devices plugged into it, in hours and minutes.
Our pick
This model turns one outlet into six independently controlled smart ones, with built-in energy monitoring and integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Home (but not Apple HomeKit). It also has three USB ports.
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings
The Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip (HS300) transforms one wall plug into six independently controllable outlets, so you can turn different devices on and off, and you can also create separate schedules and triggers. Of the smart power strips we tested, this one is the most well built. It also has the most USB charging ports (three) for smartphones and tablets, as well as the longest power cord. And it supports energy monitoring (in watts and kWh) and voice control via Amazon Alexa and Google Home.
Runner-up
This smart plug is easy to use, affordable, and small enough to fit behind furniture. It can also track the amount of time (in hours and minutes) you’re using electrical devices.
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings
The Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini (EP10) is the smallest and least expensive of our picks, but it lacks energy monitoring or HomeKit support, which our top pick has. Sold in packs of two or four, this smart plug has built-in usage monitoring. So it can keep tabs on the precise amount of time you’re using a device (like a fan or AC) that’s plugged into it (though it doesn’t provide info on the actual energy consumption).
https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-smart-switch/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=RSS%20Feed
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