Plug Into The Future: The Best Smart Plugs For Effortless Home Automation

Control any plug in your home remotely with our handpicked selection of smart plugs.

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Written & Tested By: Richard Morgan | Updated:
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Best Smart Plug
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Installing a smart plug is straightforward and it comes with so many benefits. From switching your bedside lamp on or off to setting a schedule for your outdoor wall lights, they can bring your home to life with remote control via your smartphone and voice commands.

However, before you purchase the first set of smart plugs you come across, it’s worth pointing out that if you already have an existing smart system setup, this may sway your buying decision. This is because some plugs require a hub, which you may already have (i.e. with your smart thermostat) but if not, most options don’t require the hub to operate.

To assist you in selecting a smart plug, our handpicked selection lists top-performing models, chosen based on our first-hand experience using multiple different plugs. Our testing and up-to-date research further ensure the quality of our recommendations.

Our Top Picks At A Glance:

Meross Smart Mini Plug
Best Overall: Meross Smart Mini Plug
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Amazon Smart Plug
Best Alexa: Amazon Smart Plug
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TP-Link Tapo Smart Plug
Best Value: TP-Link Tapo Smart Plug
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TP-Link Kasa WiFi Power Strip
Best Smart Extension: TP-Link Kasa WiFi Power Strip
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Eve Energy UK Smart Plug
Best Energy Monitoring: Eve Energy UK Smart Plug
Read More
Nooie Smart WiFi Plug
Best Value Runner-Up: Nooie Smart WiFi Plug
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Hive Active Smart Plug
Most Aesthetically Pleasing: Hive Active Smart Plug
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How The DIY Works Team Tests & Rates Smart Plugs

After plenty of research and testing of a range of smart plugs, we’ve gained a lot of experience using these devices.

From using them in our personal homes to our Airbnb’s, we use them frequently to remotely control a range of electrical appliances. They offer a variety of benefits and they can be installed in a matter of minutes.

Best Smart Plugs

Richard Morgan/DIY Works

As you can see in the photo, there is no limit (in most cases) to how many you can use in a network. In this particular example, we have three smart plugs plugged into our Airbnb garage and the smart plugs allow us to control the outdoor lighting when the building is occupied.

During our testing of the smart plugs, we analysed their build quality, functionality (plug and smartphone application), WiFi connectivity and ease of setting them up. To keep up our commitment to reviewing and testing the latest smart plugs (for this article), we are continually testing the latest offering from top brands in the UK.

best wifi smart plug uk

Richard Morgan/DIY Works
best smart plug for alexa

Richard Morgan/DIY Works

If you are wondering how you can remotely control the smart plugs, below is a video we took during testing that shows just how simple they are to use from the application.

As well as testing and our experience of using multiple smart plugs, we also rated the smart plugs based on the latest research and several factors. Some of the factors that we considered included their connectivity, design, requirement of a hub, smartphone functionality, build quality, additional features, warranty and value for money.

The Best Smart Plugs

At DIY Works, our content is 100% independent and we would never recommend a product that we wouldn't use ourselves (read our editorial standards and how we test products).

1. Best Overall: Meross Smart Mini Plug

(How We Review →)

Meross is a brand that’s gaining a lot of traction in the UK for its impressive smart home gadgets and their Mini Plugs are a great example of what they have to offer. A standout feature that you’ll notice straightaway is the compact construction (6.1 x 5.1 x 3.3 cm), which according to the brand makes it one of the thinnest on the market.

In terms of its functionality, it allows you to control it via voice control (compatible with Alexa, Google Home and Apple HomeKit) as well as remotely via the application. Upon the brand’s application, you can also set up schedules as well as many other intuitive features. You can even control the plugs via the app when the internet is down too.

Pros
  • Compact design that doesn't interfere with other plugs
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  • Works with Alexa, Google Home and Apple HomeKit
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  • Capable of longer WiFi connections
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  • Very easy to setup via the brand's application
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  • During testing, we loved the ability to setup routines and scenes via the brand's application
    •
  • Clever offline mode in case your internet goes down
Cons
  • One of the most expensive smart plugs within our roundup

Although expensive, the Meross Mini Plug ticks all the boxes and it’s the best smart plug on the market. It’s also compatible with all the main smart home providers (Alexa, Google Home and Apple HomeKit) and it certainly won’t disappoint. Apart from the premium price, there isn’t much to dislike and we personally have multiple in our house.

2. Best Alexa: Amazon Smart Plug

(How We Review →)

If you want to be able to use a smart plug with your Alexa, Amazon themselves offer their very own plug. It’s designed to be plugged into any UK plug socket and is very simple to set up via the Alexa application.

Pros
  • LED indicator upon the plug
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  • Features a manual on and off button
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  • Very easy to setup on the Alexa
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  • Offers the ability to setup schedules
Cons
  • Design is quite bulky
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  • Not as aesthetically pleasing as the Hive alternative

To conclude, if you already have the Alexa setup, the Amazon smart plug is a great way to add additional functionality to your home. It’s relatively affordable, easy to set up and backed by a reputable brand for complete peace of mind.

3. Best Value: TP-Link Tapo Smart Plug

(How We Review →)

TP-Link has a great reputation in the UK for their WiFi devices and these smart plugs are a great example. They require no hub and can be remotely controlled using the “Tapo” application on your smartphone or tablet.

A unique function of this smart plug is the “away mode”, which gives the appearance that someone is at the house.

Pros
  • Compatible with Alexa and Google Home Assistant
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  • Doesn't require a hub to connect to the internet
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  • Easy scheduling via the app
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  • Desirable away mode
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  • Compact size for UK wall sockets
Cons
  • Not as high quality when compared to the premium alternatives

Overall, the TP-Link smart plug is a cheap option that’s actually your time buying and setting up. Compared to similarly priced plugs, they offer far more functionality and they also have the backing of a reputable brand.

4. Best Smart Extension: TP-Link Kasa WiFi Power Strip

(How We Review →)

If you want to be able to remotely control several electrical appliances in a single location, a smart extension lead such as the TP-Link Kasa may be the better option. It allows you to control up to three sockets that can be separately managed and it also includes two USB ports as an added bonus.

To further improve safety, the TP-Link Kasa is a surge-protected extension lead that’s ideal for use with sensitive electronics and appliances. This makes it ideal for fridges, gaming computers and so much more.

Pros
  • Requires no hub to setup
    •
  • Easy to control via the Kasa application
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  • Works with Alexa and Google Assistant
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  • Scheduling and timer functionality
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  • Surge protected to protect against power surges and spikes
Cons
  • Relatively expensive when compared to the alternatives

To conclude, the TP-Link Kasa is by far the best smart extension lead on the market and although it isn’t the cheapest, it’s easier to use and more cost-effective when compared to using multiple separate smart plugs.

5. Best Energy Monitoring: Eve Energy UK Smart Plug

(How We Review →)

Smart plugs that offer energy monitoring have become increasingly more popular and by far the best smart plug that offers this functionality is by the Eve Energy UK brand. As well as being able to monitor energy, it offers all of the standard functionality you would expect from a smart plug such as scheduling, remote control and so much more.

Pros
  • Doesn't require a hub or even any of your personal details (no registration required)
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  • User friendly application that's easy to use
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  • Works with Siri
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  • Tracks power consumption and provides projected costs
    •
  • Comprehensive scheduling with multiple modes
Cons
  • Most expensive plug within our roundup

If you want a better understanding of your energy consumption as well as be able to use the standard smart plug features, you can’t go wrong with this plug. Although expensive, it’s a money-saving gadget that won’t disappoint.

6. Best Value Runner-Up: Nooie Smart WiFi Plug

(How We Review →)

Another set of budget-friendly smart plugs that are actually worth buying is by the Nooie brand. They come in a pack of four and can be remotely controlled using the brand’s free smartphone application.

Pros
  • ETL certification
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  • Easy to use and setup with the application
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  • Works with the Alexa and Google Assistant
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  • Scheduling and timer functionality
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  • Doesn't require a hub to connect to the internet
Cons
  • Can't be bought separately (only available in a pack of four)

Overall, the Nooie smart plugs are a great budget option to consider and their popularity is a good sign of their quality. The only main drawback is that they can only be purchased in a pack of four but if you require multiple plugs, this isn’t an issue.

7. Most Aesthetically Pleasing: Hive Active Smart Plug

(How We Review →)

Hive is leading the way in smart home technology with their thermostat being one of the best smart thermostats on the market. However, their smart plug is just as popular and it can be plugged straight into a wall socket and controlled via the app. From the application, you can set up to 6-time slots a day as well as manually override the settings. It offers maximum flexibility and you can even turn off the plug from the button on the front of the device too.

It’s important to note that when using any of the Hive products, you’ll need to have the “Hub” installed and it’s the same with their smart plugs. The hub itself is easy to set up and it simply plugs into the back of your router.

Pros
  • Plugs into standard UK wall sockets
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  • Schedule up to 6 time slots a day
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  • Award winning application
    •
  • Can switch the plug on or off manually
    •
  • Available as a 1, 4 or 5 pack
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  • Works with the Amazon Alexa
    •
  • Aesthetically pleasing design
Cons
  • The main drawback of this smart plug is that it requires a hub to work, which is of course an additional expense if you don't already have the Hive system installed in your home

Although the Hive smart plugs come with an expensive price tag, they are totally worth paying the extra. They look and feel high quality and the smartphone application is very easy to use. Therefore, if you already have the Hive system installed, they are the best smart plugs to integrate into the existing system.

Conclusion

Smart plugs are a great addition to any home and they allow you to control virtually any household appliance. If you already have a smart hub system installed, we highly recommend staying with the brand for simplicity. This is because you can avoid switching between multiple apps and many brands also offer additional functionality between devices.

If you require additional information with regards to smart plugs, feel free to get in touch and we will try to provide our assistance where possible.

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