Best Smart Plugs for 2023: Wi-Fi, Zigbee, and Outdoor Picks

What to Look for in a Smart Plug

Smart plugs are the most underrated devices in a smart home. They don't get the flashy demos that smart lights and video doorbells get, but they quietly solve more problems than almost anything else. Turn a dumb floor lamp into a smart one. Monitor energy usage on that old chest freezer. Automatically power-cycle your router at 3 AM every Sunday. Schedule your coffee maker. The list keeps growing the longer you own them.

After testing more than a dozen smart plugs across Wi-Fi, Zigbee, and Thread, I've narrowed it down to the best options for different use cases. Here's what actually matters when choosing one.

Protocol: Wi-Fi vs. Zigbee vs. Thread

Most people should start with Wi-Fi smart plugs. They connect directly to your router with no extra hub needed, and they're the cheapest option. The downside is that every Wi-Fi plug adds another device to your network — once you have 15-20 of them plus all your other smart home gear, cheaper routers start to choke.

Zigbee plugs require a hub (SmartThings, Hubitat, or a Zigbee coordinator with Home Assistant), but they use almost no bandwidth, respond faster, and — this is the big one — they act as Zigbee signal repeaters. Every Zigbee plug you add strengthens your mesh network, improving reliability for your battery-powered Zigbee sensors. If you're already running a Zigbee-based smart home, Zigbee plugs are a no-brainer.

Thread plugs are the newest option, and they're currently mostly limited to Apple HomeKit/Matter setups. Thread is similar to Zigbee in that it creates a mesh network, but it's IP-based and doesn't require a proprietary hub — just a Thread border router (built into Apple TV 4K, HomePod Mini, and some Google Nest devices). If you're invested in Apple's ecosystem, Thread plugs are the way to go.

Size Matters More Than You Think

The first thing that annoys people about smart plugs is when they block the adjacent outlet on a duplex receptacle. Some plugs are so bulky they effectively turn a two-outlet plate into a one-outlet plate. I've noted which plugs have this problem below, because it's a dealbreaker for outlets where you need both sockets.

Energy Monitoring

Some smart plugs include built-in energy monitoring that tracks how much power a connected device draws. This is genuinely useful — I discovered my 10-year-old dehumidifier was pulling 600 watts continuously (the newer one I replaced it with uses 300 watts, so the plug paid for itself in two months). Not every plug has this feature, and the ones that do cost a few dollars more, but it's worth it for high-draw appliances.

Best Overall: TP-Link Kasa EP25

The Kasa EP25 is the plug I recommend to anyone who just wants something that works. It's compact enough that it won't block the adjacent outlet on most wall plates, it has energy monitoring built in, and the Kasa app is genuinely good — responsive, reliable, and not cluttered with ads or subscription upsells.

• Protocol: Wi-Fi (2.4GHz)
• Energy monitoring: Yes — real-time wattage, daily/weekly/monthly usage
• Blocks adjacent outlet: No (compact form factor)
• Voice assistants: Alexa, Google Assistant
• Matter support: Not yet (TP-Link has promised firmware updates)
• Price: ~$13-15 each, often available in multi-packs

The Kasa app lets you set schedules, timers, and create simple automations (turn on at sunset, off at 11 PM) without needing any other platform. The energy monitoring data is clear and actually useful — you can see daily power consumption graphs that help identify wasteful appliances.

My one complaint: no HomeKit support natively. If you're an Apple household, look at the Eve Energy instead.

Best Budget: Meross MSS110

The Meross MSS110 regularly drops to around $8-10 per plug, and at that price, it's hard to argue with. It's reliable, compact, and works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and — unlike the Kasa — SmartThings natively. The Meross app is fine; not as polished as Kasa but perfectly functional.

• Protocol: Wi-Fi (2.4GHz)
• Energy monitoring: No (the MSS310 model has it for a few dollars more)
• Blocks adjacent outlet: No
• Voice assistants: Alexa, Google Assistant, SmartThings
• Matter support: No
• Price: ~$8-10 each

Where the Meross falls short compared to the Kasa EP25 is the lack of energy monitoring on the base model and slightly slower cloud response times. Commands take maybe half a second longer to execute — not a big deal for lamps and coffee makers, but you'll notice it if you're doing anything time-sensitive.

If you want energy monitoring on a budget, the Meross MSS310 adds it for around $12-14 per plug. It's a bit larger than the MSS110 but still reasonable.

Best for Apple HomeKit: Eve Energy

The Eve Energy is the gold standard for HomeKit users, and it earned that reputation by doing something most smart home companies refuse to do: working entirely locally. Eve devices don't require a cloud account, don't phone home to remote servers, and don't even need an internet connection to function. Everything runs through HomeKit on your local network.

• Protocol: Thread (with Bluetooth fallback)
• Energy monitoring: Yes — detailed power consumption tracking in the Eve app
• Blocks adjacent outlet: No
• Voice assistants: Siri (HomeKit native), Alexa and Google via Matter
• Matter support: Yes
• Price: ~$35-40

Yes, it's expensive. But you're paying for privacy, Thread mesh networking, and rock-solid reliability. Because it uses Thread instead of Wi-Fi, it doesn't consume Wi-Fi bandwidth and it extends your Thread mesh for other Thread devices. The energy monitoring in the Eve app is more detailed than what you get from Kasa, with voltage, amperage, and estimated cost calculations.

The Thread radio also means it responds almost instantly. I've timed it against Wi-Fi plugs, and Thread wins every time — there's no perceptible delay between saying "Hey Siri, turn on the fan" and the fan actually starting.

With Matter support, Eve Energy now also works with Alexa and Google Assistant, making it a viable choice even for non-Apple households, though you'll still need a Thread border router.

Best Matter Support: SwitchBot Plug Mini

SwitchBot was one of the first companies to ship Matter-over-Wi-Fi in a smart plug, and their Plug Mini is an affordable way to jump into the Matter ecosystem without needing a Thread border router.

• Protocol: Wi-Fi with Matter
• Energy monitoring: Yes
• Blocks adjacent outlet: No (very compact)
• Voice assistants: Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri (via Matter), SmartThings
• Matter support: Yes (over Wi-Fi)
• Price: ~$15

The SwitchBot Plug Mini checks almost every box: energy monitoring, Matter support, compact design, and a reasonable price. With Matter enabled, it works natively with Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and SmartThings simultaneously — no SwitchBot hub needed.

The catch is that the SwitchBot app needs to provision the Matter connection initially, and some users have reported that the pairing process can be finicky. Once it's set up, though, it's stable. If you want a single plug that works across every major platform, this is the one.

Best Compact Design: Wemo Smart Plug

The Wemo Smart Plug (the newer V2 model with the rounded design) is impressively small. It barely extends past the outlet cover, making it the least obtrusive plug on this list. If you have outlets in visible locations — like behind a side table in your living room — the Wemo disappears in a way that other plugs don't.

• Protocol: Wi-Fi (2.4GHz)
• Energy monitoring: No
• Blocks adjacent outlet: Absolutely not — this is its main selling point
• Voice assistants: Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit
• Matter support: Yes (via firmware update)
• Price: ~$20-25

The Wemo's advantage is its form factor and native HomeKit support without needing Thread. It works directly over Wi-Fi with Apple Home, which means you don't need an Apple TV 4K or HomePod Mini acting as a Thread border router.

The downsides: no energy monitoring, and Wemo has a mixed reputation for long-term reliability. Some users report them dropping offline every few months and needing a manual power cycle. I've had one running for over a year without issues, but your mileage may vary. Wemo also charges more for a plug with fewer features than the Kasa EP25 — you're paying a premium for the compact size and HomeKit support.

Best Zigbee: Sonoff S31 Lite ZB

If you run Home Assistant, Hubitat, or SmartThings with a Zigbee coordinator, the Sonoff S31 Lite ZB is the smart plug to get. It's dirt cheap (around $9-11), it acts as a Zigbee router to strengthen your mesh, and it's been rock-solid reliable in the Zigbee community for years.

• Protocol: Zigbee 3.0
• Energy monitoring: No (the regular S31 Wi-Fi version has it, but not the Zigbee Lite)
• Blocks adjacent outlet: Yes — it's a rectangular brick that covers the second outlet
• Voice assistants: Through your hub (Home Assistant, Hubitat, SmartThings)
• Matter support: Through your hub if supported
• Price: ~$9-11

The Sonoff is not pretty and it does block the adjacent outlet. But it's cheap enough to scatter around your house as Zigbee repeaters that also happen to control lamps and fans. I have six of them — three are actually controlling devices, and three are just in outlets around the house acting as mesh repeaters for my Zigbee sensors. At $10 each, that's a bargain for a reliable mesh network.

Zigbee plugs make the most sense when you already have a Zigbee hub and want to strengthen your mesh. Every mains-powered Zigbee device acts as a router, relaying messages for battery-powered sensors like the Aqara door sensors and motion detectors that can't route on their own. The more Zigbee plugs you have, the more reliable your entire Zigbee network becomes.

Best Outdoor Picks

TP-Link Kasa EP40

The Kasa EP40 is a dual-outlet outdoor smart plug with independent control — each outlet operates separately. It's IP64 weather-rated, which means it handles rain and dust but shouldn't be submerged. I've had one controlling my patio string lights and a fountain pump through two New England winters with no issues.

• Protocol: Wi-Fi (2.4GHz)
• Outlets: 2, independently controlled
• Weather rating: IP64
• Energy monitoring: No
• Price: ~$18-22

Meross Outdoor Smart Plug

Meross makes a comparable outdoor plug at a lower price point, usually around $14-16. It also has two independently controlled outlets and an IP44 rating. The lower IP rating means it's splash-resistant but less protected against heavy rain than the Kasa — mount it under an eave or porch overhang if possible.

For holiday lights, either option works great. Set a schedule (sunset to 11 PM, for example) and forget about it. No more trudging outside in the cold to unplug the extension cord.

Quick Comparison Table

• TP-Link Kasa EP25: Wi-Fi, energy monitoring, compact, $13-15 — best all-around
• Meross MSS110: Wi-Fi, no energy monitoring, compact, $8-10 — best budget
• Eve Energy: Thread, energy monitoring, compact, $35-40 — best for privacy and HomeKit
• SwitchBot Plug Mini: Wi-Fi + Matter, energy monitoring, compact, $15 — best multi-platform
• Wemo Smart Plug: Wi-Fi, no energy monitoring, ultra-compact, $20-25 — best form factor
• Sonoff S31 Lite ZB: Zigbee, no energy monitoring, bulky, $9-11 — best for Zigbee mesh
• Kasa EP40: Wi-Fi, outdoor, 2 outlets, $18-22 — best outdoor

Wi-Fi vs. Zigbee: When to Use Each

If you don't have a smart home hub and just want to control a few lamps with Alexa or Google, go Wi-Fi. The Kasa EP25 or Meross MSS110 will do everything you need with zero additional hardware.

If you're running Home Assistant, Hubitat, or SmartThings and already have Zigbee devices — especially battery-powered sensors — start buying Zigbee plugs instead. They strengthen your mesh, respond faster than Wi-Fi (local processing, no cloud round-trip), and don't add to your Wi-Fi congestion. The Sonoff S31 Lite ZB is cheap enough to justify placing them in outlets you don't even need to control, purely as mesh repeaters.

And if you're in the Apple ecosystem with an Apple TV 4K or HomePod Mini, Thread plugs like the Eve Energy are the premium choice. They're expensive, but the local-only operation, instant response times, and privacy-first design make them worth it for HomeKit-committed households.

No matter which protocol you choose, a few smart plugs are some of the most practical smart home purchases you'll make. Start with two or three for lamps and appliances you already control manually, and you'll quickly find more uses for them.