Why You Can Trust Our Recommendations
At Engadget, our commitment to thorough, unbiased consumer tech reviews spans back to 2004. We understand that navigating the myriad of smart home devices can be daunting, which is why we undertake rigorous testing. For this guide, our experts meticulously evaluated over a dozen smart plug models, pushing them through real-world scenarios to assess compatibility, ease of setup, reliability, and overall user experience. Our aim is to cut through the noise and present you with only the best, ensuring your investment enhances your smart home journey.
In the rapidly evolving landscape of smart home technology, even the simplest devices can make a profound difference. Smart plugs, while seemingly straightforward in their function—simply turning devices on and off—are foundational to creating a more automated, convenient, and energy-efficient living space. Imagine lamps illuminating your living room just as the sun sets, or appliances powering down with a simple voice command. This level of effortless control is precisely what smart plugs deliver.
The Top Smart Plugs of 2026: Our Expert Picks
Best Smart Plug Overall: Kasa Smart Plug Mini EP25 (4-pack)
Assistant support:
Alexa, Gemini, Siri, Samsung SmartThings | Energy monitoring: Yes | Matter support: No | Hub required: No
Among a crowded field of contenders, the TP-Link Kasa Smart Plug Mini EP25 consistently stood out as the most reliable and user-friendly option. While many plugs delivered on their core promise, the EP25 distinguished itself with a truly fuss-free experience from the moment of installation to its day-to-day operation. Priced affordably (often found in a convenient four-pack, making each plug around $13), it represents exceptional value without compromising on performance.
The EP25 boasts broad compatibility, seamlessly integrating with both iOS and Android devices, and supporting all four major smart home platforms: Alexa, Google Assistant/Gemini, Siri (via HomeKit), and Samsung SmartThings. Its dedicated Kasa app is intuitively designed, offering essential features such as timers, schedules, a vacation mode, and customizable smart actions (scenes). For users seeking even more advanced controls, TP-Link’s Tapo app—which now supports Kasa devices—provides an enhanced feature set, making it the recommended control hub post-setup.
A significant upgrade from its predecessor (the HS103), the EP25 now includes Apple HomeKit compatibility, a boon for households with mixed operating systems. Setting it up with an iPhone first, using the QR code provided on the packaging or the plug itself, streamlines the process for HomeKit integration. Once established, adding the plug to other smart home ecosystems like Google Home (via TP-Link login) or Alexa (using the Kasa “skill”) becomes remarkably straightforward. Future TP-Link devices often auto-populate across your connected apps, simplifying expansion.
During weeks of extensive testing, the EP25 demonstrated unwavering connectivity, even when relocated to the furthest reaches of a home from the router. Its robust performance and ease of use make it an ideal choice for almost any smart home setup. While earlier versions lacked user sharing within the Kasa app, this feature is now available through the Tapo app, and for families, Google Home remains an excellent platform for shared device control across different OS devices.
- Pros: Works with all four major smart home platforms, solid and stable connection, affordable, easy setup.
- Cons: The core model design is four years old (though updated for HomeKit), lacks Matter support.
Best Smart Plug for Alexa-Enabled Homes: Amazon Smart Plug
Assistant support: Alexa | Energy monitoring: No | Matter support: No | Hub required: No
For individuals deeply integrated into the Amazon ecosystem, the Amazon Smart Plug is an undeniable choice. If your home is already brimming with Echo devices, and Alexa serves as your primary voice assistant for everything from music to timers, this plug offers unparalleled simplicity. Its greatest advantage lies in its seamless setup: no new accounts to create, no Wi-Fi passwords to manually enter, and no additional apps to download. Your existing Alexa app and Echo devices handle all the heavy lifting, making the setup process virtually effortless.
Beyond its plug-and-play nature, the Amazon Smart Plug integrates perfectly with Alexa routines. By designating the plug’s function (e.g., as a “light” in the settings menu), you ensure it responds intelligently to broader commands like, “Alexa, turn all the lights off.” This level of integration streamlines your smart home experience, making automation feel less like a chore and more like an intuitive extension of your daily life.
For more details, visit our website.
Source: Link
Leave a comment