Get switched on with the best smart plugs

Turn your appliances on and off even when you're not at home.

best smart plug

by Tiffany Wallis |
Updated on

Smart plugs are an easy way to make your home ‘smart’. You’ll be able to control whatever device is plugged into the smart plug, from your phone.

Simply pop one into a wall socket, pair it with your home Wifi using a smartphone app and then control it with your phone, voice, or even set a timer so it turns on and off itself.

Gone are the days where you’re left worrying about whether you left the straighteners on while rushing about on your morning commute.

The best smart plug means you basically have a virtual switch and your fingertips which is very useful when you forgot to turn the TV off or want the lamp on for when you arrive home.

To make the choice as simple as possible, we've selected 8 of the best smart plugs to control from your mobile...

amazon smart plug
Price: £24.99

Smart plugs give you the convenience of being able to control their operation from your phone, wherever you are. This Amazon smart plug works exclusively with Alexa-enabled devices or the Alexa app. You can add voice control to any electrical socket and therefore, schedule lights and appliances to turn on and off remotely. The voice controlled smart plug is one of the best as you simply plug it in, open the app and start using your voice. Itu2019s completely struggle free and Amazon insists that u2018no patience is needed!u2019 Review: u201cThis was super simple to set up and does exactly what you'd expect. I use it with a table lamp whose switch is hard to reach. u201cSaying u2018Alexa, TV lamp offu2019 is so much easier than crawling behind the furniture! u201cYou can call the plug whatever you want in the Alexa app and add it to 'groups' for actions like switching all your stuff off with one command.u201d

The Philips Hue Smart Plug with Bluetooth means you can start controlling your lights with the Bluetooth app or your voice. This product works completely out of the box with the free Philips Hue Bluetooth app and you'll get started in no time as thereu2019s no confusing installation. Simply plug in any non-connected light into the smart plug and connect to the Bluetooth app for control. You can turn non-connected plug-in lights smart and start controlling any non-connected products with your voice or smart device. It works with Alexa and Google Assistant for hands-free voice control, plus it can be connected to devices such as Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Gen), Echo Plus and Echo Show (2nd Gen) and more. Review: u201cI love these smart plugs. I already had one but wanted a couple more. They work great with the Philips hue app and no need for fiddly manual timers. u201cThe range is excellent and the response time is quick. I would definitely recommend these plugs; they are brilliant!u201d

With the Eve Energy Smart Plug you can effortlessly set automatic schedules to turn on or off appliances such as lamps and heaters at specific times and days of the week. The Apple HomeKit-enabled smart plug has clever built-in schedules so you can control your lights and appliances with a simple tap or by asking Siri. Track each applianceu2019s power consumption and see the projected cost based on your electricity rate or put them on autopilot so they can be turned on or off independently. Appliances can be controlled on the go or via a home hub such as a HomePod, HomePod mini, or Apple TV.

Turn your home u2018smartu2019 with this Power Start Kit from LightwaveRF, itu2019s the ultimate collection to get you started on your home automation journey. Lightwaveu2019s remote socket integrates with Apple HomeKit, so you can control your home and use of smart devices from your smartphone or tablet. With a Link Plus and a dual gang smart socket, you'll have everything you need to start controlling your appliances. Power on your coffee maker in the morning before you wake up, or automatically turn on your living room lamp. Thereu2019s also two-way communication, built-in energy monitoring, and more! The smart socket enables real-time status updates of any connected appliances and built-in energy monitoring. Plus the smart WiFi socket is easy to install and a 10mm spacer is included for shallower back boxes. u2022 Link Plus supports both Gen1 and Gen2 devices. Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and IFTTT compatible

The WiZ connected smart plug from Currys allows you to control your plug socket remotely. It works with Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa - all you need to do is download the WiZ app to pair your phone with the socket. As long as your router is one, you can control your plug socket and schedule appliances to switch on/off automatically and give demands from your smartphone or tablet. It turns any plug socket into a smart power outlet and thereu2019s loads of scenarios when this will come in super handy - for example, you can turn the coffee machine on while still in bed! It also comes with a voice control feature.

Fully compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, this wifi enabled smart plug will bring your home into the 21st century. Itu2019s one of the best smart plug adapters as itu2019s easy to set up and can be grouped with other wifi enabled devices. This means you can control multiple lights or devices at once, as well as set schedules and timers. Turn on and off appliances such as table lamps, a kettle, TV, phone chargers, radio, outdoor lights, coffee machine, slow cookers, washing machines, dishwashers and more. Review: u201cSuper smart inexpensive gadget. Great little Alexa enabled plug, easy set up within minutes enabled skill in Alexa and you're off, even got my husband using it.... u201cI got this to be able to turn a lamp on in the living room if Iu2019m not home so the dogs are not in darkness; my husband thinks Iu2019m mad.u201d

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