Best Smart Plugs for Home Automation
The smart plugs we would actually put on a lamp, a coffee maker, or a space heater, ranked for reliability and ecosystem support.
2 picks · Updated
Top picks at a glance
Compare specs
| Product | #1TP-Link Tapo P125M Mini Smart Wi-Fi Plug (Matter)Best overall | #2Philips Hue Smart PlugBest for Hue lighting |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | ||
| Price | $ | $$ |
| Protocol | Matter over Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz) | Bluetooth, or Zigbee via Hue Bridge |
| Works with | Apple Home (Siri), Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings | Hue app, Alexa, Google Assistant (Apple Home via Hue Bridge) |
| Energy monitoring | No | — |
| Max load | 15 A / 1800 W | Check listing |
| Setup | Bluetooth onboarding, no hub needed | Bluetooth instantly; add a Hue Bridge for more features |
| Buy | Check pricefor TP-Link Tapo P125M Mini Smart Wi-Fi Plug (Matter) (opens in a new tab) | Check pricefor Philips Hue Smart Plug (opens in a new tab) |
The picks, reviewed
#1
TP-Link TapoTP-Link Tapo P125M Mini Smart Wi-Fi Plug (Matter)
A compact Matter-certified plug that works with Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home, and SmartThings, with schedules, timers, and Away Mode built in.
Pros
- Matter certified, so it works with nearly every smart home platform
- Compact enough to leave the second outlet free
- Schedules, auto-off timers, and Away Mode
- Quick setup over Bluetooth, with no hub required
Cons
- No energy monitoring on this model
- 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi only
- Protocol
- Matter over Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz)
- Works with
- Apple Home (Siri), Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings
- Energy monitoring
- No
- Max load
- 15 A / 1800 W
#2
Philips HuePhilips Hue Smart Plug
Turns any lamp, even one that can’t take a Hue bulb, into part of your Hue system. Use Bluetooth for instant control, or add a Hue Bridge to unlock automations and more.
Pros
- Controls regular lamps alongside Hue lights, scenes, and routines
- Works over Bluetooth with no hub, or with a Hue Bridge for more features
- Compact design
Cons
- Built around lighting; best features need a Hue Bridge
- Pricier than Wi-Fi plugs
- Protocol
- Bluetooth, or Zigbee via Hue Bridge
- Works with
- Hue app, Alexa, Google Assistant (Apple Home via Hue Bridge)
- Max load
- Check listing
- Setup
- Bluetooth instantly; add a Hue Bridge for more features
How we chose
We weighed reliability (does it stay connected?), ecosystem support, and local control, meaning whether it keeps working when the internet goes down.
What to look for
- Protocol: Matter is the most future-proof. Zigbee is best if you already have a hub.
- Load rating: check it before plugging in heaters or other high-draw appliances.
- Form factor: a slim plug won’t block the neighbouring outlet.