Best Smart Plugs for 2025: Energy Monitoring, Matter, and More

Best Smart Plugs for 2025: Energy Monitoring, Matter, and More

Smart plugs are the most underappreciated devices in any smart home setup. They're not flashy. Nobody posts about them on social media. But a well-chosen smart plug does more real-world work than most gadgets — turning dumb appliances into smart ones, monitoring energy consumption, and forming the backbone of automations that actually save time and money.

I've tested smart plugs from every major brand over the past few years, and the market in 2025 has matured significantly. Matter support is now widespread, energy monitoring has become common even on budget models, and size has shrunk to the point where most plugs no longer block adjacent outlets. Here are my picks for the best smart plugs available right now, with specific advice on which one fits your setup.

Best Overall: TP-Link Kasa EP25

The Kasa EP25 is the smart plug I recommend to everyone who asks. It does everything right and nothing wrong. The compact form factor doesn't block the adjacent outlet on a standard duplex receptacle, the energy monitoring shows real-time wattage and cumulative usage data, and the Kasa app is the most polished smart plug app I've used.

Setup takes about 60 seconds — scan the QR code, connect to your 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, and you're done. No hub required. The app gives you scheduling, countdown timers, an away mode that randomly toggles the plug to simulate occupancy, and runtime reports that show daily, weekly, and monthly energy consumption. The energy data is surprisingly actionable — I discovered my old dehumidifier was costing $18/month to run, which justified replacing it with an Energy Star model.

Integration is broad: Alexa, Google Home, and Home Assistant (via the TP-Link Kasa integration, which is fully local). No native HomeKit support, which is the EP25's only real miss. Matter support has been announced for the Kasa line but hasn't arrived on the EP25 specifically as of early 2025.

Why it wins: Reliable, affordable ($12-15), energy monitoring included, compact size, excellent app. If you only buy one brand of smart plug, make it this one.

Best for Apple/HomeKit: Eve Energy

The Eve Energy is the smart plug I use in my own home for anything in the Apple ecosystem. It connects via Thread (not Wi-Fi), which means it doesn't add to your router's device count and responds almost instantly. Thread devices also mesh with each other, so adding more Eve products extends your Thread network's range and reliability.

The energy monitoring is detailed — the Eve app shows real-time power draw, voltage, amperage, projected monthly cost, and historical consumption data. This information is also available in Apple Home if you're running iOS 17 or later, which added native energy monitoring display. No other smart plug provides this level of power data natively in Apple Home.

Eve is also one of the most privacy-respecting smart home brands. There's no Eve cloud account, no data collection, no mandatory app registration. The device communicates directly with your Apple Home hub (HomePod Mini, HomePod, or Apple TV 4K) through Thread. Everything is local and encrypted.

The downside is price. At $40 per plug, the Eve Energy costs three to four times as much as a Kasa or Meross plug. You also need an Apple Home hub that supports Thread — if you don't have a HomePod Mini or newer Apple TV, the Eve Energy won't work at all. And there's no Alexa or Google Home support; this is Apple-only.

Why it wins: Best Thread/HomeKit integration, detailed energy monitoring in Apple Home, no cloud dependency, privacy-first design. Worth the premium for committed Apple households.

Best Budget with Energy Monitoring: Meross Smart Plug

Meross consistently delivers smart plugs that cost less than $15 and include features you'd expect from devices twice the price. The energy monitoring models track real-time wattage, cumulative kilowatt-hours, and estimated costs — not estimates or approximations, but actual measurements from a built-in power sensor.

What sets Meross apart is HomeKit support on many of their models (check the specific model number — look for those labeled "Works with Apple HomeKit"). This makes Meross the most affordable way to get HomeKit-compatible smart plugs with energy monitoring. The HomeKit integration works locally through your home hub, so it functions without internet access once paired.

Several Meross plug models now support Matter, making them platform-agnostic. A single Matter-enabled Meross plug can be added to Apple Home, Alexa, and Google Home simultaneously through multi-admin. At $10-15 per plug, this is the cheapest way to get Matter-compatible smart plugs.

The Meross app is functional but not as polished as Kasa's. Scheduling works fine, and the energy data is presented clearly, but the UI feels a generation behind TP-Link's. Integration with Home Assistant is available through the Meross LAN integration, which works locally without cloud access.

Why it wins: Cheapest energy monitoring plug, HomeKit support on select models, Matter available, solid build quality for the price. The best value proposition in smart plugs.

Best Matter Smart Plug: SwitchBot Plug Mini (Matter)

SwitchBot's Plug Mini with Matter enabled is a solid choice if you specifically want a plug that works with every major platform through a single standard. The Matter version pairs with Apple Home, Alexa, and Google Home using the same device, and multi-admin support means it can be controlled by all three simultaneously.

The plug itself is compact — small enough to fit two on a standard duplex outlet without blocking either socket. It includes energy monitoring with real-time power tracking and historical data in the SwitchBot app. Build quality is good, and the physical toggle button on the plug itself is a nice touch for manual control.

The caveat is that Matter support requires a firmware update and the pairing process can be finicky (see our Matter troubleshooting guide if you run into issues). Once paired, it works reliably across platforms. The SwitchBot Hub 2 is not required for the Matter version — it connects directly over Wi-Fi.

Why it wins: Clean Matter implementation, works across all major platforms, energy monitoring included, compact form factor. A good pick if cross-platform compatibility is your priority.

Best Compact and Reliable: Wemo Smart Plug

The Wemo Smart Plug (the newer V2 model) is one of the smallest smart plugs on the market. It barely protrudes from the outlet, and it absolutely will not block the adjacent socket. If outlet space is tight — behind furniture, in a power strip, or in a kitchen where counter plugs are at eye level — the Wemo's low profile is a real advantage.

Wemo has been in the smart plug game longer than almost anyone, and it shows in the reliability. Mine have been running for years without dropping offline or needing resets. The app supports scheduling, away mode, and basic automations, and HomeKit support is built in. Alexa and Google Home integration work well too.

The trade-off for the compact size is no energy monitoring. If tracking power consumption matters to you, look elsewhere. The Wemo plug is for people who want a small, reliable on/off switch for a lamp, fan, or appliance without any extra complexity.

Wemo has also rolled out Matter support on newer models. The Thread-enabled version connects through Thread border routers and responds quickly. Check the model number before purchasing — only the newer models include Matter/Thread.

Why it wins: Smallest form factor, proven long-term reliability, HomeKit native, Matter available on newer models. The plug you forget is even there.

Best for Home Assistant: Shelly Plug S

If you run Home Assistant, the Shelly Plug S is the smart plug that was made for you. It has a local HTTP API, native MQTT support, and can be flashed with ESPHome firmware for direct Home Assistant integration without any cloud involvement. The device works entirely on your local network — Shelly's cloud is optional and can be completely disabled.

The Plug S is remarkably small — one of the most compact smart plugs available in the European form factor, and the US version is similarly petite. It includes energy monitoring with real-time power, voltage, and current measurements, and the data is accessible through the local API, MQTT, or the Shelly app.

For technical users, the Shelly ecosystem is a dream. You can write custom scripts that run on the device itself (Shelly devices run a lightweight JavaScript engine), create complex automations that don't depend on any hub or cloud, and integrate the device into virtually any home automation platform. The firmware update process is reliable, and Shelly has a strong track record of supporting their devices long-term.

The Shelly Plug S doesn't support HomeKit natively (though it works through Home Assistant's HomeKit bridge) and doesn't have Alexa or Google Home integration that's as seamless as dedicated ecosystem plugs. It's a power-user product, and that's perfectly fine.

Why it wins: Full local control, HTTP API and MQTT, energy monitoring, tiny size, ESPHome compatible. The smart plug for people who want total control over their devices.

Best Outdoor: TP-Link Kasa KP400

Outdoor smart plugs are a different category entirely. They need weather resistance, a form factor that accommodates outdoor outlets (which are often different from indoor ones), and enough power handling for outdoor equipment. The Kasa KP400 checks all these boxes.

It's a dual-outlet design with independent control — each outlet can be scheduled and automated separately. This means you can run your landscape lights on one outlet with a sunset-to-11pm schedule and your holiday decorations on the other outlet with a different schedule. The IP64 weather resistance rating handles rain, snow, and temperature extremes without issue.

The KP400 has the same excellent Kasa app experience as the EP25, with the same Alexa, Google Home, and Home Assistant integration. No energy monitoring on this model, but for outdoor use, scheduling and remote on/off control are the features that matter most.

I've had a KP400 running on my front porch for two years through Chicago winters and humid summers without a single failure. The range to my Wi-Fi router is about 30 feet through an exterior wall, and connection has been rock-solid.

Why it wins: Dual independently controlled outlets, weather resistant, proven outdoor reliability, excellent app and integration support. The only outdoor smart plug I recommend.

Feature Comparison

Here's a quick summary of what matters most across these picks:

Energy Monitoring

• Full energy monitoring: Kasa EP25, Eve Energy, Meross, SwitchBot Plug Mini, Shelly Plug S
• No energy monitoring: Wemo Smart Plug, Kasa KP400

If you're buying smart plugs partly to track energy consumption and find power-hungry devices, make sure you get one with real energy monitoring. "Real" means it measures actual wattage with an internal sensor — not estimates based on device type or runtime.

Matter Support (as of 2025)

• Matter supported: SwitchBot Plug Mini (Matter), Eve Energy (via Thread), Meross (select models), Wemo (newer models)
• Matter not yet available: Kasa EP25 (announced but not shipped), Shelly Plug S, Kasa KP400

Matter support matters most if you want to use a single plug across multiple platforms (Apple Home + Alexa, for example) or if you're planning for long-term platform flexibility. If you're committed to one platform, native integration is often more reliable than Matter in its current state.

Size and Outlet Blocking

• Won't block adjacent outlet: Wemo (smallest), Kasa EP25, Shelly Plug S, SwitchBot Plug Mini
• May block adjacent outlet: Eve Energy (Thread antenna adds bulk), Meross (varies by model)

Always check the dimensions before buying, especially if you plan to use two smart plugs on the same duplex outlet. Nothing is more annoying than a plug that's technically compact but has a weird shape that blocks the other socket.

Local Control (No Cloud Required)

• Fully local capable: Shelly Plug S (HTTP/MQTT), Eve Energy (Thread/HomeKit), Kasa EP25 (via Home Assistant integration)
• Cloud-dependent for some features: Meross, SwitchBot Plug Mini, Wemo

If local control and privacy are important to you, the Shelly Plug S and Eve Energy are the best options. Both function completely without internet access once set up. The Kasa EP25 can also work locally through Home Assistant's integration, though the Kasa app itself requires cloud access.

How Many Smart Plugs Do You Actually Need?

I see people go one of two ways: either they buy a single smart plug and never get another one, or they put one on every outlet in the house. Neither is ideal.

Start with the appliances where smart control provides the most value:

• Lamps without smart bulbs: A smart plug is cheaper than replacing multiple bulbs in a multi-bulb lamp, and it lets you keep the bulbs you like.
• Space heaters and fans: Schedule them to turn on before you arrive and off when you leave. But check the wattage — most smart plugs handle 15A (1,800W), which covers most portable heaters, but verify before plugging in high-draw devices.
• Coffee makers with mechanical switches: Set your coffee to brew at 6:30 AM without touching a button. This is the automation that converts smart home skeptics.
• Holiday and landscape lighting: Automate exterior lights to turn on at sunset and off at a set time. The outdoor Kasa KP400 is perfect for this.
• Energy monitoring for suspect appliances: Put an energy monitoring plug on your old fridge, dehumidifier, or chest freezer to see what they're actually costing you. The data often justifies replacing inefficient appliances.

Final Recommendations

• Best for most people: TP-Link Kasa EP25 — reliable, affordable, energy monitoring, great app
• Best for Apple households: Eve Energy — Thread, privacy-first, detailed energy data in Apple Home
• Best on a budget: Meross — energy monitoring and HomeKit at the lowest price
• Best for Matter: SwitchBot Plug Mini (Matter) — clean cross-platform implementation
• Best for tight spaces: Wemo Smart Plug — smallest profile, proven reliability
• Best for Home Assistant: Shelly Plug S — local API, MQTT, ESPHome compatible
• Best for outdoor: TP-Link Kasa KP400 — dual outlet, weather resistant, reliable

Smart plugs are a solved problem in 2025. Every option on this list works well. The right choice depends on your platform, whether you need energy monitoring, and how much you value local control versus plug-and-play simplicity. Buy one, automate the appliance that annoys you most, and then decide if you want more. That's how every smart home expansion should work.