The 5 Best Smart Plugs in 2021

Home automation is a growing market, with more smart consumer electronics hitting the market every year. Some exciting innovations are emerging, such as smart kitchen appliances, smart mattresses and smart wearable devices.

It’s also becoming more common for homeowners to install smart plugs to add regular devices and appliances to their smart home network. Smart plugs essentially take homes to the next level and make it easier to control devices, which typically work in tandem with voice assistants, such as Amazon Alexa or Google Nest.

Below, we’ve compiled a list of the best smart plugs this year, as well as some more interesting information about smart plugs.

What are Smart Plugs?

A smart plug is a power receptacle that you plug into a traditional power outlet. It integrates with your smart home network — whatever you plug into it can then be connected to an app on your smartphone, giving you greater control over its functionality. Depending on the smart plug and the device plugged into it, you may control it using a voice assistant. 

Some examples of smart devices compatible with smart plugs are coffee makers, table lamps and a clothes iron. There are smart plugs that directly connect to your home Wi-Fi for ease of use and reliability. Some also come with a dongle that you plug into your home’s router to connect. 

Because they’re so simple to use, smart plugs are becoming more prevalent in the smart home market. Transforming basic appliances into smart appliances using a smart plug will likely become more commonplace in the average household.

5 Best Smart Plugs in 2021

There are many types of smart plugs available on the market. It’s challenging to know which plugs are best suited for your household and the devices you use daily. Here is a list of seven of the best plugs you can purchase to make your appliances smarter and some of their features.

1. Wyze Plug

This compact smart plug is affordable, voice-activated and high output to power your smart devices. Wyze Plug works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for ease of use. 

It’s possible to remotely turn the Qyze plug on and off to help keep your energy bill low and prevent any fire hazards. The Wyze Plug comes accompanied by the Wyze app so that you can control the plug right from your smartphone, and you can create a customized schedule using the app. 

Additionally, the Wyze app supports grouping, allowing you to turn all Wyze Plugs off simultaneously. If you ever leave your home, you can turn on Vacation Mode to turn the lights on, so it looks like someone is home.

2. WeMo Wi-Fi Smart Plug by Belkin

The WeMo Wi-Fi Smart Plug allows you to control lamps, fans and more — all with the tap of a finger. There’s no monthly subscription or required hub to connect to the WeMo smart plug. It pairs with:

• Amazon Alexa
• Apple HomeKit
• Google Assistant

Like many smart plugs, the WeMo smart plug allows you to build a custom schedule of when you want your lights to turn on and off. You can synchronize a lamp with the sunset or turn your fan on at any time during the day. It’s sleek, compact and fits any electrical outlet without blocking other sockets. 

3. TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug, 2-Outlets

Voice control, grouping and double the outlets are only a few notable features of the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug. The plug pairs together with the Kasa Smart app to easily control all of your devices. 

The one plug has two outlets, meaning that you can connect two devices and control both of them or each device. TP-Link’s 2-outlet plug comes with a quick start guide to give you all the information you need to install it. 

4. Ring Outdoor Smart Plug

If you’re looking for a smart plug to connect your outdoor lights, the Ring Outdoor Smart Plug is a suitable option. The Dual Outdoor Smart Plug enables you to use customizable smart controls in the Ring app and sync with other Ring devices, such as Ring doorbells, smart lights, cameras and other smart devices. 

It works with Alexa and is also weather-resistant. You can control devices together or individually through the Ring app, so it’s super simple to use. Keep in mind that a Ring Bridge is required to use the Ring Outdoor Smart Plug.

5. CYNC Indoor Smart Plug by GE

The CYNC Indoor Smart Plug by GE is just one of the many smart devices in the GE CYNC line that can make your home more advanced. The indoor smart plug provides:

• Remote control
• Scheduling
• Whole-room control
• Voice control
• Hub-free setup

A voice assistant is required to use the CYNC smart plug. It allows for hands-free control of devices like lamps, fans and other electronic devices. Using the CYNC app, powered by Savant, gives you more control over the devices that power your home.

Any of these smart plugs would be suitable for the average homeowner. It’s always wise to look into a product’s features and capabilities before purchasing. 

Experience the Benefits of Smart Plugs

Because customers are more inclined to invest in smart home automation, the smart plug market size will grow in the future. They are beneficial due to their convenience and potential energy savings. Consider implementing smart plugs in your home if you want to transform regular devices into smart devices.