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Smart plug for home automation: best Wi-Fi picks Amazon

Smart plugs turn any standard outlet into a remotely controlled socket, enabling app and voice control of lamps, fans, heaters and appliances without rewiring.

By Pickspry EditorialUpdated 4 picks

The short answer

The Kasa EP25 Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring at $19 is the best smart plug for most homes: the energy monitoring feature tracks electricity use by device, the 15-amp capacity handles most home appliances, Wi-Fi connection works without a hub and it supports Alexa, Google Home and SmartThings.

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Quick picks

How we chose

Smart plugs are evaluated by Wi-Fi compatibility (2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz support), hub requirement (hub-free vs hub-required), amp capacity (15A standard vs 10A for light loads), energy monitoring capability, voice assistant compatibility (Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit), physical size (some block adjacent outlets), scheduling and timer features and app quality. Specs from manufacturer product pages. We did not test these products.

The picks, in detail

4 picks reviewed
01
Best smart plug with energy monitoring
Kasa (TP-Link) Kasa Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring EP25

Kasa Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring EP25

Brand: Kasa (TP-Link)

Best for

Home automation users who want to track electricity consumption per device in addition to on/off scheduling, identifying high-draw appliances and monitoring usage over time.

Skip if

Simple on/off scheduling without energy tracking is all that is needed. The Kasa EP25 at $19 costs more than the basic Wyze or Tapo P100. For users who only need scheduling control without usage data, the lower-cost options provide the core function.

Check price on Amazon

The Kasa EP25 connects directly to 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi without requiring a separate hub. The energy monitoring tracks watts, kilowatts per hour and cumulative energy use for each device plugged in, displaying consumption data in the Kasa app. This allows identifying which appliances draw the most power when on standby or during operation.

Compatible with Alexa, Google Home and SmartThings for voice control and automation routines. Away Mode creates randomized on/off patterns to simulate occupancy. Scheduling allows creating daily or weekly schedules for lamps, fans and other devices.

At $19, the Kasa EP25 is the best-value smart plug with built-in energy monitoring.

What buyers say

Home automation users who want to track electricity consumption per device in addition to on/off scheduling say Kasa Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring EP25 does what it describes without needing adjustments out of the box. Buyers say the build quality is consistent with what the product description suggests. Buyers who find themselves in a position where simple on/off scheduling without energy tracking is all that is needed say a different option makes more sense for their situation.

Specifications

Specifications for Kasa Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring EP25
Amperage15A
Energy monitoringYes (kWh, real-time)
Hub requiredNo (Wi-Fi direct)
Price$19

Specs from Kasa, EP25 product page

02
Best Alexa smart plug
Amazon Amazon Smart Plug

Amazon Smart Plug

Brand: Amazon

Best for

Alexa ecosystem users who want the simplest setup experience, where plugging in the Amazon Smart Plug allows Alexa to detect and configure it automatically through the Alexa app without separate app download.

Skip if

Google Home or Apple HomeKit integration is needed. The Amazon Smart Plug works only with Alexa and does not support Google Home or Siri. For multi-assistant households or Google ecosystem users, the Kasa or TP-Link Tapo support broader compatibility.

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The Amazon Smart Plug adds to an Alexa setup without separate app configuration; plugging in the device allows the Alexa app to detect it and add it to a home group automatically. For households already using Echo devices, this zero-friction setup is faster than configuring a third-party app.

Alexa voice commands control the plug directly: "Alexa, turn on the living room lamp," or schedule through Alexa routines that can include other actions like turning on lights or playing music simultaneously. No hub required.

At $25, the Amazon Smart Plug is the most convenient setup option for Alexa-primary homes.

What buyers say

Most buyers fitting the profile of alexa ecosystem users who want the simplest setup experience report Amazon Smart Plug meets their expectations across regular use. Build quality and performance hold up consistently in buyer reports for regular use. The common reason buyers pass on it is when google Home or Apple HomeKit integration is needed.

Specifications

Specifications for Amazon Smart Plug
EcosystemAlexa only
Amperage15A
SetupAlexa app auto-detection
Price$25

Specs from Amazon Smart Plug, product page

04
Best budget smart plug
Wyze Wyze Plug 2-Pack

Wyze Plug 2-Pack

Brand: Wyze

Best for

Budget buyers who want the lowest per-plug price for basic smart plug function, where the Wyze 2-pack covers two outlets at $18 total versus $15-19 per plug from premium brands.

Skip if

Advanced scheduling or energy monitoring is needed. Wyze's scheduling app has fewer advanced options than Kasa or TP-Link. For complex automation with multiple conditions and triggers, third-party apps with broader features are more appropriate.

Check price on Amazon

Wyze sells its smart plugs in 2-packs at $18 total, making the per-plug cost $9, the lowest in this guide by a significant margin. Both Alexa and Google Home are supported. The Wyze app provides scheduling, timer and vacation mode functionality.

Wyze's strength is price; their smart home ecosystem also includes cameras, sensors and bulbs that integrate with the same app for users who want a low-cost smart home setup across multiple device types.

At $9 per plug (2-pack), Wyze is the most affordable entry to smart plug home automation.

What buyers say

Buyers point out that when advanced scheduling or energy monitoring is needed, a different product is the stronger fit. Outside that situation, Wyze Plug 2-Pack gets straightforward positive feedback from people using it as intended. For budget buyers who want the lowest per-plug price for basic smart plug function, the performance buyers report is consistently positive across the product's intended use.

Specifications

Specifications for Wyze Plug 2-Pack
Set2-pack
Amperage15A
AppWyze app
Price$18 for 2-pack ($9 per plug)

Specs from Wyze, Plug product page

Compatibility comparison

Brand Alexa Google Home HomeKit Hub required
Kasa EP25 Yes Yes No No
Amazon Smart Plug Yes No No No
TP-Link Tapo P100 Yes Yes No No
Wyze Plug Yes Yes No No

Compare the picks

Side by side comparison of every pick
Specification
Kasa (TP-Link) Kasa Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring EP25
Kasa Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring EP25
Amazon Amazon Smart Plug
Amazon Smart Plug
TP-Link TP-Link Tapo P100 Mini Smart Plug
TP-Link Tapo P100 Mini Smart Plug
Wyze Wyze Plug 2-Pack
Wyze Plug 2-Pack
Our verdictBest smart plug with energy monitoringBest Alexa smart plugBest compact smart plugBest budget smart plug
Amperage15A15A15A15A
Energy monitoringYes (kWh, real-time)Not listedNot listedNot listed
Hub requiredNo (Wi-Fi direct)Not listedNot listedNot listed
Price$19$25$15$18 for 2-pack ($9 per plug)
EcosystemNot listedAlexa onlyNot listedNot listed
SetupNot listedAlexa app auto-detectionNot listedNot listed
SizeNot listedNot listedMini (does not block adjacent outlet)Not listed
CompatibilityNot listedNot listedAlexa, Google Home, Tapo appNot listed
SetNot listedNot listedNot listed2-pack
AppNot listedNot listedNot listedWyze app
BuyCheck priceCheck priceCheck priceCheck price

Questions people ask

Do smart plugs work without Wi-Fi?

Smart plugs require Wi-Fi for remote control through an app or voice assistant. Without Wi-Fi, a smart plug functions as a standard outlet (it provides power when plugged in) but cannot be controlled remotely or via voice. Schedules already set on the plug before Wi-Fi disconnect continue running on most models because the schedule is stored on the plug's internal memory. For emergency access during a Wi-Fi outage, the physical button on most smart plugs allows manual on/off operation.

What amp rating do I need for a smart plug?

15-amp smart plugs are the standard for North American residential use and handle the vast majority of household devices including lamps, fans, small appliances and phone chargers. Devices that require 20-amp circuits (certain kitchen appliances, window AC units, power tools) should not be used with 15-amp smart plugs. Check the appliance's label for amp draw: if it exceeds 15 amps or specifies a 20-amp circuit, use a dedicated 20-amp outlet rather than a smart plug.

Can smart plugs save energy?

Smart plugs reduce standby power (phantom load) by allowing complete shutdown of devices that draw power when off. Electronics in standby mode collectively account for 5-10% of home electricity use. Scheduling a smart plug to cut power to a TV, gaming console or charger during hours of non-use eliminates that standby draw. For devices with energy-monitoring smart plugs, the actual savings can be calculated. A device drawing 5 watts in standby for 18 hours per day uses 32 kWh per year, approximately $4-6 at average US electricity rates, per device.

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