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The best smart plugs in 2024
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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.
Some residents east of Atlanta were evacuated while others were told to shelter in place to avoid contact with a chemical plume after a fire at a chemical plant.
Rockdale County Fire Chief Marian McDaniel told reporters that a sprinkler head malfunctioned around 5 a.m. Sunday at the BioLab plant in Conyers. That caused water to mix with a water-reactive chemical, which produced a plume of chemicals. The chief said she wasn’t sure what chemicals were included.
A small roof fire was initially contained, but reignited Sunday afternoon, Sheriff Eric Levett said in a video posted on Facebook as gray smoke billowed into the sky behind him. He said authorities were trying to get the fire under control and urged people to stay away from the area.
People in the northern part of Rockdale County were ordered to evacuate and others were told to shelter in place with windows and doors closed. Sheriff’s office spokesperson Christine Nesbitt did not know the number of people evacuated.
The federal Environmental Protection Agency and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division were both on site, county Emergency Management Director Sharon Webb said. The agencies are monitoring the air “to give us more of an idea of what the plume consists of.”
McDaniel said crews were working on removing the chemical from the building, away from the water source. Once the product is contained, the situation will be assessed and officials will let residents know whether it is safe to return to their homes, she said.
An evacuation center was opened at Wolverine Gym in Covington.
Washington — Sen. JD Vance and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz will face off on Tuesday in the first and only vice presidential debate of the cycle, as the two candidates look to prop up the Republican and Democratic tickets with fewer than 40 days until Election Day.
The debate, hosted by CBS News at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City, will be moderated by “CBS Evening News” anchor and managing editor Norah O’Donnell and “Face the Nation” moderator and CBS News chief foreign affairs correspondent Margaret Brennan.
Here’s what to know about how the candidates are preparing for the debate:
How JD Vance is preparing for the VP debate
The Ohio Republican has been preparing for the debate for more than a month, a source directly involved told CBS News, including with “murder board” sessions with a small team that includes Vance’s wife and his advisers, along with senior Trump adviser Jason Miller.
Among Vance’s main focuses during the preparation has been studying Walz’ debate style and policy record, the source said, noting that Vance will attempt to highlight what he sees as the Minnesota governor’s left-wing views during the debate.
Vance told reporters last week that his plan is to break down what the Trump-Vance administration would do to make “life better” and connect that to policy.
“So, we’re studying up as much as we can on the issues that matter to the American people, and I’m looking forward to it,” Vance said.
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, a Minnesota Republican, is standing in for Walz during Vance’s debate prep, four sources familiar with the preparations told CBS News. Emmer and Walz have deep roots in Minnesota and are close in age.
Emmer told ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday that he’s known Walz for decades and has spent the last month working to “get his phrases down, his mannerisms.”
“My job was to be able to play Tim Walz so JD Vance knows what he’s going to see,” Emmer said.
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How Tim Walz is preparing for the VP debate
Walz has been preparing for the debate with a close team of advisers, a source familiar with the preparations told CBS News. Some of the people involved also helped Vice President Kamala Harris take on former President Donald Trump, among others, like a long-time aid to Walz who worked with him during his bids for governor.
For Walz, whose name recognition was until recently limited outside of Minnesota, the focus is on continuing to introduce himself to the American people, according to the source. He’ll also work to highlight Harris’ vision for the nation’s path forward.
“You’ll hear me talk like I have about things that impact Americans, making sure they have the opportunity to thrive, making sure that we’re being factual in how we talk about that,” Walz told MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow of the debate earlier this month. “And so I’m looking forward to it. I’ll work hard, that’s what I do.”
During debate prep, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is standing in for Vance, a campaign official familiar with the preparation told CBS News. The former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, also assisted Harris during her debate prep in 2020, and is close in age to Vance.
When and how to watch the presidential debate
Debate coverage on CBS News 24/7 begins at 4 p.m. ET, with the debate getting underway at 9 p.m. ET on Oct. 1.
The 90-minute debate will be streamed on CBS News 24/7 and Paramount+ across all available platforms and CBSNews.com. The debate will also be simulcast across other broadcast and cable networks.
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Actor John Ashton, best known for his role as the by-the-book detective in the “Beverly Hills Cop” franchise, has died, his publicist Alan Somers confirmed to CBS News on Sunday. He was 79.
Ashton died Thursday in Ft. Collins, Colorado, after a battle with cancer.
“John was a loving husband, brother, father, and grandfather who will be deeply missed by all who knew him,” a statement said.
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Ashton was born in Springfield, Massachusetts on Feb. 22, 1948, and raised in Enfield, Connecticut. He received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Southern California.
Throughout his 50-year career in show business, Ashton appeared in nearly 100 movies after making his debut in 1973’s “The Psychopath.”
He was probably best known for his role as Det. Sgt. John Taggart in the first two installments of the “Beverly Hills Cop” series alongside Eddie Murphy and Judge Reinhold. He reprised his role in 2024’s “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.”
Paramount Pictures via Getty
Other film credits include “Some Kind of Wonderful,” “She’s Having a Baby,” “Midnight Run,” “Little Big League” and “Gone Baby Gone.”
On television, he played Willie Joe Garr on several episodes of “Dallas” and made an appearance on such shows like “Columbo,” “Police Squad!” “Hardball” and others.
“John devoted his career to honing his craft and bringing characters to life on the screen. His presence will be greatly missed,” Somers said.
Ashton is survived by his wife Robin Hoye, three children, three step-children and a grandson. He also leaves behind two sisters and a brother.
“John leaves behind a legacy of love, dedication, and service. His memory will forever be treasured by his wife, children, grandchildren, as well as his brother, sisters, his extended family and all who loved him,” Somers said. “John’s impact on the world will be remembered and celebrated for generations to come.”
The family requests any donations in Ashton’s memory be made to Pathways Hospice Care
Residents in Georgia ordered to evacuate or shelter in place after fire at chemical plant
Israeli airstrikes kill dozens across Lebanon as Hezbollah confirms a 7th top commander was killed
Residents told to evacuate or take shelter after Georgia chemical plant fire