THE best smart plugs can help you control your household appliances from afar, connecting to gadgets that aren't WiFi enabled.
We explain what they are and round up the most popular options.
What are smart plugs?
Essentially, their job is to turn things that are plugged into your wall sockets on or off. In a nutshell: if it can be plugged in, you can control it.
Smart plugs are generally operated through Wi-Fi (although Bluetooth is sometimes an option). Controlled by an app on your phone, you can programme your smart plugs to do their job throughout the day without you having to lift a finger.
This means you wake up to find the kettle already boiled or even the lamp turning on as you return from work.
They’re also great for making your home more energy efficient, ensuring all your gadgets are switched off when not in use.
There are many other ways a smart home platform can work for you.
Families, for instance, often take advantage by programming kids’ screen time to end at a scheduled time. No point throwing a tantrum – blame the plug.
They save you money, make life easier and give you peace of mind. Here are the best smart plugs around to help you decide.
Best smart plugs at a glance
- Best smart plug overall: TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi power strip
- Best smart plug for appliances: Hive active plug
- Best for energy saving: Eve Energy plug
- Best smart plug for Google Home: TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi plug
- Best smart plug controller: Bosch Smart Home controller
- Best smart plug that works with Alexa: Amazon smart plug
Best smart plug overall: TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi power strip
- TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi power strip, £114.74 from Amazon – buy here
Have a few appliances that you want to link up but don’t have the plug space at home?
This smart power strip is the perfect solution.
It has six different plugs that you can control separately via WiFi, plus three USB ports.
You can easily switch the power strip on and off at the source, or control it using Alexa or Google Home devices.
Best smart plug for appliances: Hive Active Plug
- Hive Active Plug, £39 from Hive – buy here
Switch on your lamps, turn on your stereo or TV, and put the kettle on for when you get home – the Hive active plug can do all of that for you.
It will also give you peace of mind when you go out. Did you leave the iron or the hair straighteners on? A swift check and they’re off.
You can even be far away on a beach holiday and set the lights to come on to make potential burglars think the house is lived in.
It works best with a Hive Hub. If you don’t already have a British Gas installed Hive Active Heating 2, it’s worth looking into getting one first, although you can use it without as well.
Best for energy saving: Eve Energy plug
- Eve Energy plug, £39.95 at Amazon – buy here
If you want to keep track of how much energy your appliances are using, Eve's smart plug gives you a real-time account of usage, making it easy for you switch devices on or off with a tap or a command to Siri.
It connects to your device using Bluetooth, with no bridge or gateway required.
Note: Eve accessories are designed for Apple devices only so it's not one for Android users.
Best smart plug for Google Home: TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi plug
- TP-Link Kasa smart Wi-Fi plug, £8.99 from Argos – buy here
The partner app for this plus allows you to group together security cameras and lights, with the ability to control them via Google Assistant and Alexa.
Remote access allows you to check and make schedule changes wherever you are in the world.
The company has rolled out a whole new array of devices, including the Kasa smart video doorbell (with infrared LEDs for night vision and integrated microphone for two-way conversations), and the Kasa smart wire-free outdoor security camera system for optimal security protection. For more details, log onto Kasa.
Best smart plug controller: Bosch Smart Home controller
- Bosch Smart Home controller, £81.81 at Amazon – buy here
Bosch offers up a whole selection of smart plugs – and they're all connected through this home controller system.
The Bosch Smart Home radiator thermostat lets you control your heating from the sofa or a faraway beach, while the Smart Home door/window contact alerts you instantly if a door or window has been unexpectedly opened, or left open by mistake.
The Smart Home smart plug gives you advanced control over an array of plug-ins, from operating entertainment systems to monitoring the light in the kids’ room.
You can buy these individually or as one big bundle.
Best smart plug that works with Alexa: Amazon smart plug
- Amazon smart plug, £24.99 from Amazon – buy here
Although many smart plugs communicate well with Alexa, it stands to reason the one by Amazon will work with it the best.
Set up, through Echo naturally. From hereon, simply ask Alexa about your devices and you’re good to set schedules, establish routines and operate appliances remotely.
For those who don’t want to toggle back and forth between apps and networks, this is a real time saver. Better still, no smart home hub required.
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