Best of
The Best Smart Plugs (2026)
The best smart plugs of 2026: the Kasa KP125M and EP25, the Amazon Smart Plug, Eve Energy, and the Leviton Decora Smart range, compared on ecosystem, energy monitoring, and size.
Our top picks at a glance
Best Matter plug
Kasa Smart Smart Plug Mini KP125M (2-Pack)Most buyers, especially mixed-ecosystem homes that want one plug to work with Alexa, Google, Apple Home, and SmartThings.
Best budget
Kasa Smart Smart Plug Mini HS103P2Buyers who want to smarten up two lamps or fans for the least money, in an Alexa or Google household.
Best for Alexa-only homes
Amazon Smart PlugAlexa households who want the easiest setup of any plug here, with no second app to learn.
For most buyers, the Kasa KP125M is the pick: Matter support lets it join Alexa, Google, Apple Home, and SmartThings, and energy monitoring is included. Buyers on a tight budget should choose the Kasa HS103P2, Alexa-only households should choose the Amazon Smart Plug, and Apple Home users who want HomeKit without Matter should choose the Kasa EP25.
The picks, ranked
| Pick | Rating | Energy monitoring | Protocol | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Matter plugKasa Smart Smart Plug Mini KP125M (2-Pack) | 15A / 1800W | Yes, in the Kasa app | Matter over Wi-Fi | Check price |
| Best budgetKasa Smart Smart Plug Mini HS103P2 | 15A | - | - | Check price |
| Best for Alexa-only homesAmazon Smart Plug | 15A | - | - | Check price |
 Best for Apple HomeKasa Smart Smart Plug Mini EP25 (4-Pack) | 15A / 1800W | Yes, in the Kasa app | - | Check price |
 Best budget Matter plugTapo Smart Plug Mini P110M (2-Pack) | 15A / 1800W | Yes, in the Tapo app | Matter | Check price |
 Best premium plugLeviton Decora Smart Plug D215P | 15A general use | - | Matter via firmware update | Check price |
 Best Thread plugEve Energy (Matter) | 15A / 1800W | Yes, in the Eve app | Matter over Thread | Check price |
 Best outdoor plugKasa Smart Outdoor Smart Plug EP40 | 15A / 1875W per socket | - | - | Check price |
 Best privacy-first plugmeross Matter Smart Plug Mini MSS115 (2-Pack) | 10A | - | Matter | Check price |
 Best dimmer plugLeviton Decora Smart Dimmer Plug D23LP | - | - | Matter | Check price |
Best Matter plug
Kasa Smart Smart Plug Mini KP125M (2-Pack)
The pick for most people: Matter support, energy monitoring, and a slim body that leaves the second socket free.
Strengths
- Matter certification lets one plug join Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home, and SmartThings, so it keeps working if the household switches assistants later.
- Energy monitoring tracks what a connected appliance uses over time in the Kasa app, which suits heaters, dehumidifiers, and gaming setups.
- The slim body is the smallest Kasa plug yet, so two plugs can share one duplex outlet without blocking each other.
Limitations
- Energy data shows in the Kasa app, not in Apple Home, so Apple users still open a second app to see usage.
- It works on 2.4GHz Wi-Fi only, and Matter setup needs a compatible hub or controller for some platforms.
- It costs more per plug than the HS103P2, so buyers who only need basic switching pay for features they will not use.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Matter setup lets the plug join several platforms from one purchase.
- Energy readings in the app make heater use easy to track.
- The slim body fits two plugs on one outlet without a struggle.
Common complaints
- Energy data never appears in Apple Home, which forces a second app open.
- Setup can stall on the first try and needs a repeat attempt.
- The plug feels dear for buyers who only need basic switching.
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Rating | 15A / 1800W |
|---|---|
| Energy monitoring | Yes, in the Kasa app |
| Protocol | Matter over Wi-Fi |
| Wi-Fi | 2.4GHz |
| Pack | 2 plugs |
Best for: Most buyers, especially mixed-ecosystem homes that want one plug to work with Alexa, Google, Apple Home, and SmartThings.
Skip if: You only use Alexa and never want energy data, in which case the cheaper HS103P2 does the same job.
Best budget
Kasa Smart Smart Plug Mini HS103P2
The cheapest honest way in: two compact plugs that cover Alexa and Google homes with no hub and no fuss.
Strengths
- The compact body leaves the second socket on a duplex outlet free, so one outlet can hold two of these plugs stacked.
- Setup is quick through the Kasa app, with schedules, timers, and away mode that switches lights on and off while you are out.
- It answers to Alexa and Google Assistant with no hub, so there is nothing extra to buy or plug in.
Limitations
- There is no energy monitoring, so it cannot report what a connected appliance uses or costs to run.
- It works on 2.4GHz Wi-Fi only, so a router that only broadcasts 5GHz needs its 2.4GHz band switched on.
- Apple Home is not supported, so iPhone-first households should look at the EP25 or the KP125M instead.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- The compact shape leaves the neighbouring socket free for a second plug.
- Setup takes only a few minutes and the app feels straightforward.
- Schedules switch the lamps on and off reliably every day.
Common complaints
- The plug sometimes drops off Wi-Fi and needs a restart to come back.
- There is no energy readout, so running costs stay a guess.
- Apple Home users find no way to add it to the Home app.
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Rating | 15A |
|---|---|
| Wi-Fi | 2.4GHz |
| Control | Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT |
| Hub | None required |
| Pack | 2 plugs |
Best for: Buyers who want to smarten up two lamps or fans for the least money, in an Alexa or Google household.
Skip if: You want energy monitoring, Apple Home support, or Matter, since this plug offers none of those.
Best for Alexa-only homes
Amazon Smart Plug
The simplest plug for Alexa homes: plug it in, open the Alexa app, and it is ready in minutes.
Strengths
- Setup is the simplest here: the Alexa app finds the plug on its own, with no separate account or second app needed.
- Routines in the Alexa app can switch the plug with other Echo devices, so a single voice command can run a whole room.
- The slim body sits low on the outlet and suits lamps, fans, and coffee makers with a physical on and off switch.
Limitations
- It works with Alexa only, so it is a dead end if the household later moves to Google or Apple.
- There is no energy monitoring, so it cannot track what a connected appliance uses.
- It works on 2.4GHz Wi-Fi only and is for indoor use only, so it cannot cover the garden or a 5GHz-only network.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Setup happens inside the Alexa app with no second account to create.
- Voice commands answer quickly and the plug rarely misses one.
- Routines tie the plug neatly to the rest of the Echo household.
Common complaints
- The plug works with Alexa only, which locks out Google and Apple homes.
- Its wide body can crowd the socket next to it on a duplex outlet.
- There is no energy monitoring, so usage stays invisible.
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Rating | 15A |
|---|---|
| Wi-Fi | 2.4GHz only |
| Control | Alexa only |
| Hub | None required |
| Size | 3.2 x 1.5 x 2.2 in |
Best for: Alexa households who want the easiest setup of any plug here, with no second app to learn.
Skip if: You use Google Assistant, Apple Home, or SmartThings, since this plug works with Alexa only.
Best for Apple Home
Kasa Smart Smart Plug Mini EP25 (4-Pack)
The Apple Home pick: HomeKit support and energy monitoring in a four-pack that covers a whole room at once.
Strengths
- Apple HomeKit support means Siri can switch connected devices, and the plug appears in the Home app alongside other Apple gear.
- Energy monitoring reports real-time use and history in the Kasa app, which helps track heaters and other heavy loads.
- The four-pack covers a living room or a set of lamps in one purchase, and each plug still leaves the second socket free.
Limitations
- Remote control through Apple Home needs an Apple hub at home, such as a HomePod or Apple TV.
- It works on 2.4GHz Wi-Fi only, so the 2.4GHz band must be switched on if the router hides it.
- It is not Matter certified, so it cannot join a Matter-only setup the way the KP125M can.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Siri control works smoothly once the plug joins the Home app.
- The four-pack covers a whole room in a single order.
- Energy monitoring gives a clear view of what each appliance draws.
Common complaints
- Remote control needs an Apple hub at home, which adds cost.
- The plug can lose its Wi-Fi link after a router restart.
- There is no Matter support, so mixed-platform homes hit a wall.
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Rating | 15A / 1800W |
|---|---|
| Energy monitoring | Yes, in the Kasa app |
| Control | Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant |
| Wi-Fi | 2.4GHz |
| Pack | 4 plugs |
Best for: Apple households who want Siri control and energy monitoring without buying into Matter or Thread.
Skip if: You want Matter, or you only need one or two plugs, since this listing is a four-pack.
Best budget Matter plug
Tapo Smart Plug Mini P110M (2-Pack)
The budget Matter plug: energy monitoring and multi-platform support for less than the Kasa equivalent.
Strengths
- Matter support covers Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home, and SmartThings, so the plug is not tied to one assistant.
- Energy monitoring is included at a budget position, which is rare, and it suits tracking a heater or a window air conditioner.
- The compact body fits a duplex outlet without blocking the second socket, and schedules and timers run in the Tapo app.
Limitations
- Tapo devices need the Tapo app, which is separate from the Kasa app, so TP-Link households end up running two apps.
- It works on 2.4GHz Wi-Fi only, and the energy data lives in the Tapo app rather than in Apple Home.
- The plug is a newer Matter model, so older Tapo accessories and routines may not carry over cleanly.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Matter support at this cost feels generous for a budget plug.
- The energy screen shows live draw without any extra hardware.
- Schedules and timers run steadily once they are set.
Common complaints
- The Tapo app feels separate from Kasa, so TP-Link homes run two apps.
- Energy figures stay inside the Tapo app and never reach Apple Home.
- The plug can be slow to answer the first command of the day.
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Rating | 15A / 1800W |
|---|---|
| Energy monitoring | Yes, in the Tapo app |
| Protocol | Matter |
| Control | Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings |
| Pack | 2 plugs |
Best for: Budget buyers who want Matter and energy monitoring, and who are happy using the Tapo app instead of the Kasa app.
Skip if: You want Apple HomeKit without Matter, or you already run everything in the Kasa app and want one app for all of it.
Best premium plug
Leviton Decora Smart Plug D215P
The premium plug: a solid build, broad platform support, and a companion switch for lamps on a switched outlet.
Strengths
- It works with Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Home and Siri, SmartThings, and Sonos, with Matter available through a firmware update in the My Leviton app.
- It pairs with the wire-free Anywhere Switch Companion, so a lamp on a switched outlet can be controlled from the wall as well as the app.
- The build feels solid and purposeful, with a clear manual button on the plug for switching without a phone or voice command.
Limitations
- There is no energy monitoring, which is a notable gap at this position when cheaper plugs include it.
- It costs more per plug than the Kasa and Tapo options, so whole-house use adds up quickly.
- Matter support needs a firmware update through the My Leviton app, so setup takes an extra step before Matter works.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- The build feels solid and the manual button clicks with confidence.
- Platform support covers nearly every voice assistant in the house.
- The companion switch gives wall control without any rewiring.
Common complaints
- The absence of energy monitoring stings at this cost.
- Matter needs a firmware update before it works at all.
- The plug sits high in cost when several rooms need covering.
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Rating | 15A general use |
|---|---|
| LED/CFL load | 5A |
| Incandescent load | 1500W |
| Protocol | Matter via firmware update |
| Control | Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Home/Siri |
Best for: Buyers who want a premium build and the widest platform support, including a wireless companion for switched outlets.
Skip if: You want energy monitoring, or you want the lowest cost per plug, since this plug offers neither.
Best Thread plug
Eve Energy (Matter)
The Thread plug: Matter over Thread with energy monitoring and no cloud, no account, and no tracking.
Strengths
- Matter over Thread gives fast, local control that keeps working when the internet drops, with no Eve cloud involved.
- Energy monitoring tracks consumption in the Eve app, and the plug reports live power draw for whatever is connected.
- It works with Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home, and SmartThings, so it is not locked to one platform.
Limitations
- It needs a Thread border router, such as a HomePod mini or a recent Apple TV, so the total cost is higher than the plug alone.
- It is the most expensive single plug here, which makes whole-house use costly.
- Setup runs through the Eve app and a Matter controller, which is more involved than a plain Wi-Fi plug.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Thread control answers fast and keeps working when the internet drops.
- Energy readings feel precise and update without delay.
- The privacy stance appeals to buyers who dislike cloud accounts.
Common complaints
- The plug needs a Thread border router, which adds real extra cost.
- Setup takes longer than a plain Wi-Fi plug and can confuse first-timers.
- The single-plug cost makes whole-house use hard to justify.
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Rating | 15A / 1800W |
|---|---|
| Protocol | Matter over Thread |
| Energy monitoring | Yes, in the Eve app |
| Control | Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings |
| Hub | Thread border router required |
Best for: Apple homes with a Thread border router who want local, private control and energy data.
Skip if: You have no Thread border router, or you want a Wi-Fi plug that works without extra hub hardware.
Best outdoor plug
Kasa Smart Outdoor Smart Plug EP40
The garden plug: two independently controlled sockets in a weather-resistant body with long Wi-Fi reach.
Strengths
- Two sockets are controlled independently, so one plug can run garden lights on one side and a pump on the other.
- IP64 weather resistance and a long Wi-Fi range of up to 300 feet in open space suit outlets far from the router.
- Sunrise and sunset scheduling in the Kasa app switches lights with the daylight, which is ideal for holiday and garden lighting.
Limitations
- There is no energy monitoring, so it cannot report what garden equipment uses.
- It is a single bulky unit with a short cord, so it suits one outdoor outlet rather than a whole garden of sockets.
- It works on 2.4GHz Wi-Fi only, and the sockets should sit at least 8 inches off the ground to avoid splash-back.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Two sockets switch independently, so garden lights and a pump run apart.
- Sunrise and sunset timing handles the garden lights without thinking.
- The weatherproof body holds up through rain without complaint.
Common complaints
- The short cord limits where the unit can sit near the outlet.
- There is no energy readout for garden equipment.
- The bulky shape suits only one outdoor outlet at a time.
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Sockets | 2, independently controlled |
|---|---|
| Rating | 15A / 1875W per socket |
| Weather resistance | IP64 |
| Wi-Fi range | Up to 300 ft in open space |
| Wi-Fi | 2.4GHz |
Best for: Anyone who wants to control garden lights, holiday lights, or a pond pump from the phone without going outside.
Skip if: You only need indoor plugs, or you need energy monitoring, which this outdoor plug does not offer.
Best privacy-first plug
meross Matter Smart Plug Mini MSS115 (2-Pack)
The privacy-first budget plug: Matter support with no account tracking, in a compact two-pack.
Strengths
- Matter support lets it join Apple Home, Alexa, and Google Home from one setup, with schedules and timers in the meross app.
- The maker positions it as a privacy-first device with no registration or cloud account required for local control.
- The compact body fits a duplex outlet without blocking the second socket, and the two-pack keeps the cost per plug low.
Limitations
- There is no energy monitoring, so it cannot report what a connected appliance uses.
- The listing rates it at 10A, which is lower than the 15A rating of most plugs here, so heavy appliances are out.
- The meross app is plainer than the Kasa and Tapo apps, and support and documentation feel thinner.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Matter setup is quick and the plug joins Apple Home without fuss.
- The small body leaves the second socket open on a duplex outlet.
- The two-pack keeps the cost per plug pleasantly low.
Common complaints
- There is no energy monitoring to show what an appliance uses.
- The lower load rating rules out heavier appliances altogether.
- The meross app feels plain next to the Kasa and Tapo apps.
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Rating | 10A |
|---|---|
| Protocol | Matter |
| Control | Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home |
| Wi-Fi | 2.4GHz |
| Pack | 2 plugs |
Best for: Buyers who want a cheap Matter plug and prefer a maker that promises no cloud account or tracking.
Skip if: You need energy monitoring, or you run heavy loads that need a higher rated plug.
Best dimmer plug
Leviton Decora Smart Dimmer Plug D23LP
The dimmer plug: full-range dimming for plug-in lamps, with the same broad platform support as the D215P.
Strengths
- It dims plug-in lamps from the app, by voice, or from a schedule, which no other plug in this list can do.
- It works with Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Home and Siri, with Matter support in the second-generation Decora Smart range.
- It pairs with the wire-free Anywhere Dimmer Companion, so a lamp can be dimmed from the wall as well as the phone.
Limitations
- It only suits dimmable plug-in lamps, so it cannot dim fans, heaters, or appliances that must run at full power.
- There is no energy monitoring, which is a gap at this position.
- It costs more than a plain plug, so it only earns its place where dimming is actually wanted.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Dimming from the phone turns a plain lamp into a mood light.
- Voice dimming answers smoothly and holds the level it is given.
- The companion dimmer gives wall control without rewiring.
Common complaints
- Only dimmable lamps work, so fans and heaters are out of bounds.
- There is no energy monitoring at this premium position.
- The plug costs more than a plain switch, which limits where it earns its place.
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Type | Plug-in dimmer |
|---|---|
| Use | Dimmable plug-in lamps |
| Control | Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Home/Siri |
| Protocol | Matter |
| Wi-Fi | 2.4GHz |
Best for: Anyone who wants to dim a plug-in lamp from the app or by voice, rather than just switching it on and off.
Skip if: You only need on and off switching, or you want energy monitoring, since a plain plug costs less and reports use.
How we chose
Ecosystem first, features second
We sorted plugs by which voice assistant and platform they join before comparing features, because a plug that cannot join your household is useless no matter how cheap it is. Matter plugs score well here because one plug can join several platforms, while single-platform plugs only suit the household they were made for.
Energy monitoring is a real dividing line
Plugs with energy monitoring can report what a heater or a gaming setup actually uses, while plugs without it can only switch things on and off. We recorded which plugs monitor energy and where the data shows, since some plugs only show it in their own app.
Size decides whether the second socket survives
A plug that blocks the socket above or below it costs a household an outlet. We favoured compact bodies that leave the second socket free, and we noted the bulky outdoor plug as the exception that earns its size.
Honest limits on wireless and load
Every plug here works on 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, and several have lower load ratings or need extra hardware, such as a Thread border router or an Apple hub. We stated those limits for each plug rather than hiding them in the small print.
Questions, answered
Do smart plugs need a hub?
Most plugs here do not. Wi-Fi plugs like the Kasa HS103P2, the Amazon Smart Plug, and the Tapo P110M connect straight to your router and need no hub. The exceptions are Thread plugs like Eve Energy, which need a Thread border router such as a HomePod mini or a recent Apple TV, and some Matter setups that need a compatible controller for setup.
Will a smart plug work with 5GHz Wi-Fi?
No, not the plugs in this list. Every one of them works on 2.4GHz Wi-Fi only, which reaches further through walls but needs the 2.4GHz band switched on if your router hides it. Most modern routers broadcast both bands, so check the router settings if a plug cannot see the network.
Can a smart plug dim a lamp?
Only a dimmer plug can. The Leviton D23LP is the only plug in this list that dims, and it only suits dimmable plug-in lamps. Ordinary smart plugs can only switch a lamp fully on or fully off, so a lamp that needs dimming needs the D23LP or a smart bulb instead.
What should I not plug into a smart plug?
Do not plug in anything that draws more than the plug rating, and never plug in a heater, air conditioner, or other heavy appliance without checking the rating first. Most plugs here are rated at 15A, while the meross MSS115 is rated at 10A. Also avoid appliances with electronic controls that do not restart when power returns, since the plug can only cut and restore power.