We’ve tested many different smart plug models since this guide began in 2016, and we can’t list every competitor to date. Here are some of the most notable smart plugs that we’ve chosen to dismiss.
Indoor
Array by Hampton Single Outlet Smart Plug: Unfortunately, the Array plug failed to function properly more than once during previous rounds of testing.
ConnectSense Smart Outlet2: This ConnectSense model has two outlets in one plug, but as a result the unit takes up the entire receptacle. Also, we didn’t find the user interface of the ConnectSense app to be as intuitive as that of our top picks’ apps.
Ezlo PlugHub: This model’s built-in internal Z-Wave hub makes it chunky and may explain why it’s currently $60. That would be fine, if it weren’t so difficult to use.
GE Cync Indoor Smart Plug: Our biggest problem with the GE Cync plug lies in its companion app. We ran into several problems when setting up an account and found its user interface difficult to navigate.
Geeni Smart Dot: We had connectivity issues with this Geeni model and ended up having to switch to manual pairing during testing. Overall, this tiny plug performed fine with the basics, but our runner-up pick offers better features and functionality.
Leviton Decora Smart Wi-Fi Mini Plug-In Dimmer D23LP-2RW and Leviton Decora Smart Wi-Fi Mini Plug-In Switch D215P-2RW: We were disappointed by the D23LP-2RW’s reaction times, which were quite slow. The timer for both units remains a permanent setting unless you manually change it, and the D215P-2RW lacks features that our top pick has but is almost triple the price.
Lutron Caséta Smart Lamp Dimmer: This Lutron dimmer is a good option for a whole-home lighting system, but its outlets aren’t independently controllable, and it works only with lamps.
Meross Matter Smart Wi-Fi Plug MSS315: Matter continues to present issues with setup at times, and the MSS315 was an unpleasant reminder of that. Although Meross provides detailed setup instructions by way of tutorial videos (hosted by an AI avatar straight from the uncanny valley), they still weren’t enough to guide us through the frustrating process of integrating the plug with Alexa or Apple Home. Eventually it was able to connect to Google and then to the other platforms—before un-adding itself the next day.
Satechi Dual Smart Outlet: This model packs two outlets into one plug and is small enough not to block the second outlet. However, it’s too expensive for the features it offers, and it’s compatible only with Apple Home.
Shelly Plus Plug US: Though this model was easy to control in our tests, the app is overly complex, and the plug itself is slightly bigger than we’d prefer.
Shelly Qubino Wave Plug US: This model requires a separate Z-Wave hub to function, which is fine if you already have your home outfitted with Z-Wave. However, its price is high, and factoring in an extra hub makes this choice uneconomical.
UltraPro 1-Outlet Wi-Fi Smart Plug: Instead of covering one outlet evenly, this UltraPro model juts out to one side, limiting its placement options. UltraPro also sells a two-outlet option, but we haven’t tested it.
U-tec Smart Plug: The U-tec Smart Plug is the first and only plug we’ve tested to include a child-lock feature that allows you to disable its physical button either manually or via the app. Although that feature is certainly unique, we didn’t think it was enough to outweigh the plug’s omission of functions such as an Away Mode, sunrise/sunset scheduling, and energy monitoring.
Wemo Smart Plug: This tiny plug offers the option to work over Thread, but it’s missing key features and is compatible only with Apple Home.
WiZ Smart Plug: This model performed well enough during testing, but we concluded that the Kasa Smart EP25 had better features and a more user-friendly app.
Outdoor
GE Cync Outdoor Smart Plug: We didn’t find the Cync app to be user friendly or intuitive, and it had issues with basic functions such as setting a Schedule.
GE Enbrighten Dual Outdoor Wi-Fi Smart Plug: We had setup and performance problems with this model, and the two outlets can’t be controlled individually.
Geeni Outdoor Duo and Geeni Outdoor Smart Plug: Curiously, Geeni’s indoor plugs have a better operating temperature range than their outdoor counterparts. Both the two-outlet Duo and the single-outlet outdoor models can withstand a range of 14 °F to 122 °F.
Leviton Decora Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug: Setting up the Leviton Decora plug with Matter was shaky in our tests, though the plug worked well without Matter. It’s compatible with the Leviton Decora Smart Switch Anywhere Companion, a wire-free wall-mounted controller, but otherwise it has only a single outlet and not enough features for the price.
Lutron Caséta Outdoor Smart Plug: This model requires the Lutron Smart Bridge for remote operation and has only one outlet. While it is sturdy and operates as it should, it doesn’t have all of the same features as our outdoor pick and costs quite a bit more.
Meross Smart Wi-Fi Indoor/Outdoor Plug MSS630: This model’s IP44 rating is the lowest necessary to qualify for outdoor use, and its operating temperature range makes it unsuitable for cold winters.
Monoprice Stitch Outdoor 2-Outlet Smart Plug 44475: This outdoor smart plug’s features are highly limited, and we encountered bizarre app issues during testing, such as the plug showing as “on” or “off” in the Stitch and Alexa apps when the opposite was true.
RCA Smart Outdoor Plug: In our tests, we found that this RCA model had a strange pairing process with Alexa and Google Home. You have better options if you’re looking for an uncomplicated model.
Power strips
Eve Energy Strip: With this model offering only three outlets and Apple Home compatibility, we had a hard time swallowing its price tag. Also, its energy-monitoring feature applies to the entire unit, rather than to each individual outlet.
Geeni Surge: Unlike our current power strip pick, the Geeni Surge doesn’t have physical buttons for its six outlets. It doesn’t include energy monitoring or USB ports, either.
