Nothing beats the simplicity of a smart plug: Plug it into a standard wall outlet and it can make any device smart, allowing you to set on/off schedules (think coffeemakers or floor lamps) and monitor energy use, among other handy tricks for appliances you already have around your home.
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We've tested dozens of models from top brands like GE, TP-Link, Leviton and more across all major platforms, including Alexa, Google and HomeKit. Here are the ones that impressed us most.
What is the best smart plug overall?
CNET has tested countless smart plugs over the years, and we brought in more than 10 new models to determine the best smart plugs currently on the market. The result is this guide to our top five smart plugs -- starting with the Emporia 15W smart plug, which topped our list thanks to its easy setup and excellent electricity management options.
Read on to see why we picked it, and the other plugs that made our list.
Read more: These Smart Plugs Are the Secret to a Seamless Smart Home
Best smart plugs of 2025
Pros
- Excellent energy management
- Affordable at less than $15
- Very easy account setup
- Compact enough for most outlets
Cons
- No Apple support
- Not everyone wants so many energy management options
The Emporia smart plug combines affordability with excellent app operation and energy management, making it one of the best smart plugs I've come across with easy, highly customizable control. The rounded design and on/off side switch always proved top-notch.
From the home screen display, you can see connected devices and their on/off status along with how much energy they are currently using. Tapping the plug or power icons will take you to the on/off settings or you can tap on the device name to see a graph of your plug's (that is, whatever's plugged into it) energy use over time. In addition to the charts, you can also set the plug for automatic scheduling to save energy or create your own schedules on the fly. It's intuitive and easy to master.
The only disappointment I had with Emporia's plug is that it's not currently compatible with Apple Home (hopefully HomeKit support is on the way) and works best if you use Emporia's own app for detailed management, although Google Home/Gemini and Alexa compatibility are included.
Pros
- Affordable at less than $15
- Customized scheduling options
- Very compact size
Cons
- Lacking energy management options
I've tested the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini before and it remains one of my favorite plugs, especially for those who want an affordable option.
This smart device works with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa via your Wi-Fi network and the Kasa app (Android and iOS) offers plenty of detailed options for customizing scheduling, away modes and timers.
Alas, this Wi-Fi smart plug doesn't offer energy-consumption data, a USB port or HomeKit compatibility, which keeps it from the very top of my list even if other features are excellent.
Pros
- Apple compatibility
- Inituive app
- Handy indicator light/button
Cons
- Expensive compared to alternatives at more than $20
I liked the Leviton D215P-2RW smart plug right out of the box. For a smart plug, it has a sleek design. I'm particularly fond of the little corner window that acts as a button to manually turn the device on and off and as an indicator light -- features that most smart plugs keep separated. It's also slimmer than most smart plugs I've seen, which is nice if you're working with a limited space.
Design aside, I found the Leviton smart plug easy to set up and the app is pleasantly simple. The home screen displays all connected plugs (or other Leviton smart devices) and their status, along with the ability to switch them on or off with a tap. Setting a schedule for the plug was also easy and intuitive.
Another standout feature of the Leviton smart plug: It plays nicely with all three of the major smart home ecosystems. I had no problem connecting the smart plug to my Google Home Mini but I did have to download the Leviton "skill" to connect to Alexa. It's an extra step but one that only took about 30 seconds. Leviton is also compatible with Apple HomeKit and Siri, which is somewhat rarer for a smart plug.
Pros
- Excellent app controls for swift management
- Quick voice assistant connections
- A variety of Cync routines with other devices
Cons
- Needs compatible smart home devices to really shine
Speaking of apps, GE's Cync app is nothing short of delightful. The initial smart plug setup took me through a series of simple, step-by-step instructions complemented by soft, home-inspired imagery in the background. The setup also prompted me to connect to Alexa and Google devices, something I had to navigate to within the app or go to a hub to do with other smart plugs.
Once your smart plug is set up, you can control on/off settings from the home screen or tap "Routines" to set a schedule. There are a number of other functions and settings you can play with, such as grouping devices together for simultaneous control or creating "scenes" with custom settings, like turning off a set of lights before starting a movie or changing the smart light bulbs to your team's color on game day.
If it sounds complicated, you can get a user-friendly, eye-pleasing breakdown of how to use all the various Cync features under Settings > App Tutorials.
I'm getting away from the smart plug a bit but that's because the GE Cync app is clearly intended to incorporate multiple devices and support total home automation. You can use the smart plug on its own but the app invites you to do much more.
Pros
- Two outlets with separate control functions
- Convenient app design
- Very affordable at less than $10
Cons
- No Apple support for this model, either
You get two for the price of one here. The HBN smart plug is one of the few I've seen with two independently controlled outlets. Even with the extra outlet, the smart plug isn't that much wider than other single plugs and it's still compact enough to plug something else in above or below it.
I'm sure there are quite a few uses for a dual smart plug but plugging my Christmas tree lights into one and a corner lamp into the other immediately comes to mind. Currently, I have a light fixture and a fan plugged in and the ability to independently control one or the other is pretty nifty.
I also found the HBN to be user-friendly, and for alternatives it's voice assistant compatible with Alexa and Google. Each outlet is nameable, so you can turn off a single outlet by saying "Alexa, turn off Switch 2," or control both outlets at once by referring to the device name.
You can also create separate schedules for each outlet. Here at home, I've set my fan to come on during these sweltering Southern summer days while the lamp is programmed to come on at night. Again, pretty nifty.
Other smart plug models we tested
There are dozens of smart plugs out there from companies large and small and, while we haven't tested every single one, we've tried out many of the ones you'd come across online or at your local big box store. Here's a quick look at other notable options. All are compatible with Alexa and Google (excluding the Amazon Smart Plug), but not HomeKit unless specifically noted. Again, Matter could change that compatibility in the future.
- Amazon Smart Plug: A flagship for the brand, the Amazon smart plug costs $25 and only works with Amazon Alexa. While the set-up is easy, it isn't as feature-rich as other models, which may be a deal-breaker when you're looking for a smart outlet.
- ConnectSense Smart Outlet 2: This smart plug does it all -- energy monitoring, individually controlled outlets, a USB port and LED status lighting. The unattractive, oversized design is enough to keep us from recommending it. Everyone loves a smart outlet but no one likes an ugly one.
- Govee Smart Wi-Fi Plug: The round design is nice and blends in with my wall plate perfectly while leaving plenty of room for another plug. Nothing else really stands out about the plug, unfortunately, but if you want a simple, cheap (currently $10) plug that doesn't scream "I'm a smart plug," this is a good choice.
- Philips Hue Smart Plug: The Philips Hue app reminded me of GE's Cync app in that the setup was simple and there's the potential to connect multiple devices under whole-home automation. For a single smart plug, this one is fairly expensive at $35 (currently $28) and it doesn't sport any unique features to justify the cost.
- Wyze: We like the Wyze Smart Plug primarily for its low pricing. The Wyze does all the basic functions of a smart plug and will only set you back $20 for a two-pack. The bargain price is nice but if you only need one plug, there are cheaper options.
- Enbrighten Dual Smart Plug: As with the HBN smart plug, I appreciated the extra outlet. The Enbrighten version is significantly wider and doesn't allow for individual control of each outlet, at least not in any way that I could easily figure out. It's also priced a bit higher than the HBN dual outlet at $22.
- Vont Smart Plug (out of stock): Your standard smart plug. Nothing special but nothing that would turn me away from using it, either. If you can catch it on sale, or perhaps in a value-priced two-pack, this smart plug can be a decent, budget-friendly addition to your smart home.
- WeMo (out of stock): We previously featured this smart plug as "Best for HomeKit" in spite of other shortcomings like a less-than-impressive app. Yes, the smart plug works well with a HomeKit setup along with Alexa and Google, but so does the more user-friendly Leviton plug.
What does a smart plug work with?
Smart plugs generally work with any device that can fit into a standard American outlet socket (or the standard socket in your region of choice). They work best with devices that have simple on/off states and can start running immediately when turned on. The classic example is a coffeemaker set to start brewing the moment its smart plug is activated but there are a lot of other possibilities -- grow lights, fountain pumps, energy-hogging displays, bedside lamps that can join your alarm in waking you up, and a whole lot more.
Read more: Want to Buy a Smart Plug? Read This First
Factors to consider when choosing a smart plug
Price
The good news is that smart plugs are super affordable and their apps are free to use. However, if you’re on a strict budget it may be worthwhile to look for options that are less than $20. Most of our plug choices are about $15. We even have one or two less than $10, although you may lose some features at prices that low.
Size
Size is especially important for smart plugs because we only have so much room around our outlets. You may be plugging in other appliances to the spare socket or the outlet may not have much room for a plug to protrude. Compact is usually better as a result. You don’t want an outlet that goes out much beyond the edges of the outlet, for example.
Smart home support
Smart home support can be very convenient for voice assistants and routines, but compatibility can vary. Apple compatibility is still relatively rare so if you prefer Apple make sure your plug works with HomeKit. Google and Alexa compatibility are more common but ultimately you’ll want home compatibility that your smart devices already have, or what you’re comfortable using.
Energy management
Many smart plugs offer energy management and electricity tracking, which is excellent if you want to see what devices are power hungry and arrange schedules to save money. We prefer these energy management options but not everyone is interested in them and they can make apps a bit more confusing to use.
App controls
App UI is important even for simple devices like smart plugs. We chose options that are easy to manage and quick to set up, especially with processes like scheduling on/off times. Apps shouldn’t be cluttered with unnecessary content or take a long time to find what you’re looking for.
Wattage
Most smart plugs are rated for 15W, suitable for most basic devices. But if your device uses more wattage than that (like a small heater, for example) you need to find a smart plug that has a higher wattage rating to avoid problems.
