CBS News
The best smart plugs in 2024
Getty Images
If you don’t have a smart home, now’s a great time to set one up. One way to start is by buying the best smart plugs, which make it super-easy to automate your lights and other small appliances.
If you’re not sure how automation can benefit your home, the experts at CBS Essentials are here to guide you. Smart devices can help you pre-program your thermostat to save on energy bills or simplify your bedtime routine. They can ensure you never come home to a dark house and that you can have peace of mind on vacation with a security system that turns on and off automatically.
Building a network of smart devices might sound complex and expensive but smart plugs can help make it simple and more affordable. These small yet powerful devices plug directly into your outlets and take commands via an app or smart assistant, allowing you to control your lights and other tech with just a tap or your voice using a smart home hub like Amazon Echo or Google Nest.
Which smart plug is right for your home? Check out our picks for the best smart plugs in 2024.
The best smart plugs in 2024
The best smart plugs are easy to install, affordable and can be controlled via app or voice command. We found top-rated options to fit just about any budget.
Wemo smart plug
Amazon
This smart plug is one of, if not the best, you can buy. Its compact footprint and budget pricing make it an excellent pick for any household. Plus, it works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit, unlike some of its other brethren. Plus, it also has a special “Away” mode that you can program to turn your lights off and on automatically for while you’re away.
An Amazon customer called it a great compact controller: “For what it is and does, the Wemo Smart Plug is a great device. I have no complaints and recommend it for smart home use or even something as simple as a timer or standalone appliance or light controller.”
GE Cync indoor smart plugs
Amazon
This midrange plug boasts a versatile app and reliable control via app or voice. It doesn’t require an additional hub for other features, and everything can be set up from your phone or smart device. It’s compatible with both Google Assistant and Alexa devices, and it allows for hassle-free scheduling with multiple pre-programmed light scenes to choose from.
An Amazon buyer was pleased to find there were no issues after setup: “These work well, and I feel safer using the GE brand as opposed to brands I’ve never heard of. Even if you just use them to trigger lamps, they’re very practical and save you effort over time.”
TP-Link Kasa Ultra mini smart plug
Amazon
This budget-priced smart plug is the cheapest on the market. It’s well worth its lower price, coming with a wealth of automation features. It supports both Google Assistant and Alexa, while offering the ability to schedule lights and control them via your favorite automation platform. It also has a great app for simple, breezy setup.
One Amazon buyer praised it for its simplicity: “I have my whole house set up with smart lights. This plug let me light up my tree. Let the laziness ensue! Very easy to set up and connects to Alexa in a snap.”
Regularly $10, you can get the TP-Link Kasa Ultra mini smart plug for $8 at Amazon now.
Wyze Plug outdoor smart plug
Amazon
If you’re using a variety of outdoor smart devices like lighting or security cameras, an outdoor smart plug is a must. This Wyze plug is an unassuming black box with a small footprint and two outlets, each with independent LED lights to highlight what’s currently active. It’s rated to withstand the elements, and each outlet has a useful cover to protect it when not in use. It supports Alexa and Google Assistant and can set up schedules based on the time of day as well as motion trigger zones.
An Amazon buyer called it “so practical”: “This plug is perfect to use outside, I use it to control my pool pump and have the option to turn it on or off with the app on the phone.”
HBN Wi-Fi dual outlet smart plug
Amazon
The HBN smart plug comes with two outlets, each controlled independently of the another. Even with an additional outlet, it’s still compact enough to save room for your second outlet either above or below. You can activate one or both plugs at your convenience, with either controlled via app or voice command through Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also name the outlets to help better identify them should you have multiple smart plugs enabled simultaneously.
An Amazon buyer praised this dual smart plug’s simple setup: “Make sure you use the Smart Life app. These are so easy to set up. Like having the advantage of two sockets from one outlet. Bought two and both work well with Alexa.
TP-Link Kasa smart Wi-Fi power strip
Amazon
This smart power strip offers six smart plugs in one for homes with the need for multiple outlets. It brings the reliability and simplicity of the Kasa line to the world of power strips, which is a great solution for anyone with large homes or families who need an abundance of devices. It has a built-in surge protector and includes three USB ports for additional connections. Setup is a breeze with the Kasa app, and it works with both Alexa and Google Assistant. It includes physical buttons for further customization as well.
An Amazon buyer proclaimed “Kasa is king”: “I’ve been buying Kasa smart plugs and switches for over 5 years now and they know how to make a good product. They are easy to program and always reconnect to Wi-Fi whenever they lose power or if the network goes down. This strip delivered and the outlet plug is flat enough that the table doesn’t have to stick out all funny.”
Emporia smart plugs with energy monitoring
Amazon
For energy-conscious buyers, the Emporia smart plug has it all. It monitors how much power your connected devices are drawing in real-time, so you can see it all in the Emporia app. That way you can see what kind of electrical load you’re dealing with at any given point. They also connect with both Alexa and Google Assistant. It’s a standard smart plug otherwise, though it’s important to keep in mind that it’s only compatible with 120-volt outlets. It can be controlled via voice, though, and it also includes the ability to set timers.
An Amazon buyer stated that it “works perfectly”: “Very easy to set up, and makes it super easy to monitor the power consumption of a device with their app. I use it together with the energy monitor in my panel. You can group this one under a circuit so that there is no double-counting. Exactly what I was hoping for.”
How to choose the best smart plug
With so many different smart plugs available, it can be difficult to determine which one works best for you and your home.
Not all smart plugs are created equal. Make sure the plug you choose works with your preferred smart home ecosystem, such as Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple HomeKit. That way, you’ll get seamless integration with your existing devices and smoother voice control setup.
Another crucial factor is the plug’s size and design. Some models can be bulky, and they can block adjacent outlets when plugged in. Look for a compact design that won’t hog all the outlet space, especially if you plan on using multiple smart plugs. There are smart strips available for those use cases, so you don’t have to stack plugs on top of each other in a single outlet.
You may also want to do some research on the smart plug’s app and if it’s compatible with voice controls. A user-friendly app will make setup and control a breeze, so look for one with positive reviews and an intuitive interface. Clarify whether you need a hub for additional features or if the app is all that’s required. This may save you some frustration later on.
Energy monitoring features can also be a plus for those who want to keep an eye on their power consumption, too. Some smart plugs provide real-time usage data and even suggest ways to save energy, making your home greener and reducing your electric bill.
Watch CBS News
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.
CBS News
Wisconsin school shooter was in contact with California man plotting his own attack, court documents say
The shooter who killed a student and teacher at a religious school in Wisconsin brought two guns to the school and was in contact with a man in California whom authorities say was planning to attack a government building, according to authorities and court documents that became public Wednesday.
Police were still investigating why the 15-year-old student at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison shot and killed a fellow student and teacher on Monday before shooting herself, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes told the Associated Press Wednesday. Two other students who were shot remained in critical condition on Wednesday.
A Southern California judge issued a restraining order Tuesday under California’s gun red flag law against a 20-year-old Carlsbad man. The order requires the man to turn his guns and ammunition into police within 48 hours unless an officer asks for them sooner because he poses an immediate danger to himself and others.
Carlsbad is located just north of San Diego.
According to the order, the man told FBI agents that he had been messaging Natalie Rupnow, the Wisconsin shooter, about attacking a government building with a gun and explosives. The order doesn’t say what building he had targeted or when he planned to launch his attack. It also doesn’t detail his interactions with Rupnow except to state that the man was plotting a mass shooting with her.
CBS’ San Diego affiliate KFMB-TV reported that law enforcement searched the man’s home Tuesday night after the order was signed by the judge.
Police, with the assistance of the FBI, were scouring online records and other resources and speaking with the shooter’s parents and classmates in an attempt to determine a motive for the shooting, Barnes told the AP.
Police don’t know if anyone was targeted in the attack or if the attack had been planned in advance, the chief said. Police said the shooting occurred in a classroom where a study hall was taking place involving students from several grades.
“I do not know if if she planned it that day or if she planned it a week prior,” Barnes said. “To me, bringing a gun to school to hurt people is planning. And so we don’t know what the premeditation is.”
On a Madison city website providing details about the shooting, police disclosed Wednesday that two guns were found at the school, but only one was used in the shooting. A law enforcement source previously told CBS News the weapon used appears to have been a 9 mm pistol.
Barnes told the AP that he did not know how the suspected shooter obtained the guns and he declined to say who purchased them, citing the ongoing investigation.
No decisions have been made about whether Rupnow’s parents might be charged in relation to the shooting, but they have been cooperating, Barnes told the AP.
Abundant Life is a nondenominational Christian school that offers prekindergarten classes through high school. About 420 students attend the institution.
The Dan County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the two people killed Wednesday as 42-year-old Erin West and 14-year-old Rubi Vergara.
An online obituary on a local funeral site stated Vergara was a freshman who leaves behind her parents, one brother, and a large extended family. It described her as “an avid reader” who “loved art, singing and playing keyboard in the family worship band.”
West’s exact position with the school was unclear.
Watch CBS News
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.
