Best Smart Plug 2026
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Last updated: May 17, 2026 • 12 smart plugs tested
- TP-Link Tapo P115 — Best overall — energy monitoring (4.7/5)
- Eve Energy (Matter) — Best for HomeKit users (4.6/5)
- Meross MSS305 — Best multi-platform (4.3/5)
Smart plugs are the easiest smart home upgrade — plug in, connect to your app, and any lamp, fan or heater becomes voice-controllable and schedulable. The best models also monitor energy consumption, so you can see exactly what your appliances are costing you.
Quick Overview
| Model | Best for | Score |
|---|---|---|
| TP-Link Tapo P115 | Best overall — energy monitoring Best Pick | ★★★★½ 4.7 |
| Eve Energy (Matter) | Best for HomeKit users Premium | ★★★★½ 4.6 |
| Meross MSS305 | Best multi-platform Runner-up | ★★★★½ 4.3 |
| Amazon Smart Plug Mini | Best for Alexa-only homes | ★★★★☆ 4.2 |
| IKEA TRETAKT | Best ultra-budget Best Budget | ★★★★☆ 4.0 |
1. TP-Link Tapo P115 — Best Overall
Energy monitoring accurate to 0.1W — fine enough to spot a TV on standby or a fridge compressor cycling. The compact body leaves the adjacent socket completely free, which most plugs in this class block. Tapo app shows hourly, daily and monthly use with built-in cost calculations per appliance. Best choice if tracking energy costs is your primary reason for buying a smart plug.
- Energy monitoring — 0.1W precision
- Compact — doesn't block adjacent socket
- Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings
- Schedules, countdowns, away mode
- No Apple HomeKit (use Eve instead)
- Requires 2.4GHz WiFi only
2. Eve Energy (Matter) — Best for HomeKit
Matter over Thread — works natively with Apple HomeKit, Alexa and Google Home without a bridge. The built-in Thread radio also extends your Thread mesh network for other devices. All processing is local — no cloud dependency for automations.
- Matter over Thread — all platforms natively
- Extends Thread mesh network
- Energy monitoring built-in
- Fully local — no cloud required
- Costs more than WiFi plugs
- Requires a Thread border router for Thread mode
3. Meross MSS305 — Best Multi-Platform
Rare at this price: works with Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings and Apple HomeKit natively — no hub needed for any of them. Energy monitoring, scheduling and away mode are all included. It costs about half the price of Eve Energy and covers more platforms than the Tapo P115. The right pick if you run a mixed smart home and can't commit to one ecosystem.
- All platforms including HomeKit — no hub
- Energy monitoring included
- Compact, doesn't block second socket
- Strong value
- Tapo app is more polished
- No Thread/Matter
4. Amazon Smart Plug Mini — Best for Alexa
The smallest plug in its class — takes up less than half a socket. Works exclusively with Alexa, which means instant voice control, routines and schedules with zero setup friction. No energy monitoring, but at this price that's expected.
- Ultra-compact — half the socket footprint
- Instant Alexa pairing — under 60 seconds
- Alexa routines, schedules, groups
- Very affordable
- Alexa only — no Google/HomeKit
- No energy monitoring
5. IKEA TRETAKT — Best Ultra-Budget
Zigbee-based, works with the IKEA DIRIGERA hub and connects to Alexa, Google Home and Apple HomeKit via the hub. At under £10, it's the cheapest reliable smart plug available — ideal for adding several plugs to an existing IKEA smart home setup.
- Very affordable — often under £10
- Alexa, Google, HomeKit via DIRIGERA hub
- Solid IKEA build quality
- Zigbee — low power, good range
- Requires IKEA DIRIGERA hub
- No energy monitoring
What to Look For in a Smart Plug
Energy monitoring
Energy monitoring plugs show real-time wattage and calculate your cost per hour. You'll quickly discover that a TV on standby costs £30/year or that an old fridge uses 3× more than a modern one. The Tapo P115 is the best value for this feature.
Size matters
Many smart plugs block the adjacent socket on a double outlet. The Tapo P115, Meross MSS305 and Amazon Smart Plug Mini are all designed to leave the second socket free.
Matter vs WiFi
WiFi plugs (Tapo, Meross) are cheaper, easier to set up and work with Alexa and Google Home. Matter plugs (Eve Energy) add HomeKit and local processing — worth it if you're in the Apple ecosystem or want zero cloud dependency.
Verdict
The TP-Link Tapo P115 is the best smart plug for most people — accurate energy monitoring, compact size and all major platforms except HomeKit. Apple users should get the Eve Energy. For a first Alexa-only setup, the Amazon Smart Plug Mini can't be beaten for simplicity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What appliances can I use with a smart plug?
Anything that you can turn on by switching power on. Best uses: lamps, fans, Christmas lights, slow cookers, heaters (most), coffee makers, phone chargers. Don't use: electric blankets (continuous high heat unsafe), washing machines (motor surges), medical devices, or appliances needing precise temperature control. The TP-Link Tapo P115 handles 13A — sufficient for most household appliances.
How accurate are smart plug energy meters?
Premium plugs (TP-Link Tapo P115, Eve Energy) have built-in current measurement accurate to ±2%. This lets you identify energy-hogging appliances and verify suspected vampire loads. Cheap smart plugs (£10) often lack metering or have ±10-20% accuracy. For serious energy auditing, choose plugs with metering.
Will smart plugs work if my WiFi is slow?
Yes for basic on/off control — they use minimal bandwidth (~1KB per command). They struggle if WiFi has high latency or frequent disconnects — automation routines may fail. Thread-based plugs (Eve Energy) use local mesh networks and work better with marginal WiFi than pure WiFi plugs (Meross MSS305). For homes with poor WiFi, Thread-based products are more reliable.
Are smart plugs a fire hazard?
No more than regular plugs when used within ratings. Stay within stated capacity (13A typically), don't daisy-chain into extension cords, and choose certified products (CE/UKCA marks). The TP-Link Tapo P115 and Eve Energy are properly certified. Cheap unbranded smart plugs from non-reputable sources may lack proper certification — avoid them.