Everyone wants to cut energy costs. One of the easiest ways to do that is through energy monitoring tools, but another simple solution is to eliminate phantom power draw. “Phantom power” is energy drawn by devices even when not in direct use, such as to power LED displays.
The only way to stop phantom power is to shut off the flow of electricity to that device—and the easiest way to do that without unplugging an appliance when you’re done is through a smart plug.
Smart plugs can confuse even the most
tech-savvy person, however. To help you decide which one of these plugs is
right for you, we have narrowed down the top five best smart plugs you can buy
right now, in February of 2019.
1. Belkin WeMo Insight (Amazon)
Belkin is no stranger to smart home technology, but the WeMo Insight smart plug is one of their most popular devices. The WeMo Insight supports Amazon Alexa and IFTTT, and also has apps on both Android and iOS.
Belkin went above and beyond with this model by providing something few other smart plugs do: energy monitoring software. While not as robust as a whole-home monitoring system, you can monitor how much power the device plugged into your WeMo Insight draws on a daily and hourly basis.
For a single plug, the price point is a bit
high at $38.39. There is no web support, so you can’t access and control the
plug via the web, and the phone app can be a bit tough to use at times. Despite
this, the energy monitoring makes it one of the foremost choices on the market,
especially for people that are serious about reducing their utility costs.
2. iDevices Switch (Amazon)
The iDevices Switch has one major strength
that puts it near the top of our list: it works with Amazon Alexa, Apple
HomeKit, and Google Home. It also supports energy monitoring and allows you to
schedule specific periods of operation for a device plugged into the outlet.
The downside is that it isn’t the most
compact design for a plug. The outlet redirects the plug to the side, which can
be a bit inconvenient (or not) depending on the device. While it isn’t likely
to block the second slot on a wall outlet, the iDevices Switch might not fit
well on a power strip. It is lower-priced than the Belkin WeMo Insight at
$29.95.
3. TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Mini Plug (Amazon)
TP-Link is another well-name name in the technology world. Aside from a long history of making routers, the company also produces some of the most popular smart plugs available today.
The Kasa line has a lot going for it, especially with this mini plug. Not only is it compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, IFTTT, and even Microsoft Cortana, but also it provides energy monitoring and reporting for anything plugged into it.
The Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Mini Plug has a slim,
narrow design that lets it fit into spaces other smart plugs might not—and
because it doesn’t redirect the plug, you can stick it into a power strip
without worry. It does not support Apple HomeKit, however. At $21.99, the Kasa
is one of the least expensive options on this list.
4. iClever Smart Plug (Amazon)
The iClever Smart Plug is not a
revolutionary addition to the market, but it does everything a smart plug
should—and for a lower price than anything else. The device works with Amazon
Alexa, Google Home, and IFTTT, and gives you the ability to set the plug to
turn on and off based on different conditions.
The downside is that it does not work with
Apple HomeKit and does not have energy monitoring, but when you get two plugs
for just $27.99, it’s hard to nitpick.
5. iSmart iSP100 Outdoor SmartPlug (Amazon)
The iSmart iSP100 is the only plug to earn
a spot on this list that isn’t indoor-only, but if you need an easy way to
control your holiday lights, an outdoor smart plug is an easy option. The
iSmart works with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Home. It also has a
long enough plug that it can connect to a covered outlet with ease.
The downside is that it doesn’t have energy
monitoring or IFTT compatibility. While it would be nice to keep an eye on how
much energy your award-winning Christmas light display uses, it’s not a
necessity.
The Benefits of a Smart Plug
Smart plugs do more than let you control them via your voice; they can turn even a “dumb” device into a connected, Wi-Fi controlled appliance. They also provide peace of mind.
If you have a small, sometimes chilly office (like the writer of this article), then space heaters become a necessity in winter. And if you ever forget whether you turned it off or not, a smart plug makes it easy to press a button on your phone and guarantee the heater has no power.
The ability to connect traditionally non-connected devices to your home makes smart plugs a welcome addition to any home.
Although some plugs take up more space than seems strictly necessary, the ones with a slimmer profile make it easy to control your house by saying, “Hey Google, turn on the living room lamp.” A smart plug lets you bring your antique, heirloom 1950’s lamp into 2019.