Upgrade Your "Dumb" Home: Top 5 Smart Plugs in 2026 - Ranked & Reviewed

#5 – Emporia Smart Plug

If you’re the type of person who loves spreadsheets and knowing exactly where every dollar on your utility bill goes, the Emporia Smart Plug is built for you. While most smart plugs give you a rough estimate of energy usage, Emporia provides incredibly detailed, second-by-second data on exactly how much power a device is pulling. It’s honestly a bit overkill just for turning a bedside lamp on and off, but if you’re trying to figure out if that old AC unit in the window is costing you a fortune, this is the specific tool that will give you the answers.

Pros

• Extremely detailed, granular energy monitoring data.

• High load capacity makes it safer for heavier appliances like heaters.

Cons

• The app interface can feel overwhelming if you just want simple controls.

• The physical design is a bit bulkier than newer "slim" models.

You can check out the Emporia Smart Plug on Amazon here:

https://amzn.to/3OuOApK. Retail MSRP: $10.99.

#4 – Wyze Plug

The Wyze Plug is the definition of "bang for your buck," making it perfect if you just moved into a new place and want to smarten up five different lamps without spending a fortune. It’s reliably boring, pairs quickly, and covers all the basics like intuitive voice control with Alexa and Google Assistant. It also has a surprisingly great "Vacation Mode" that randomly toggles your lights when you're away so your house doesn't look empty—a genuinely useful security feature that some way more expensive plugs weirdly skip.

Pros

• Incredibly affordable, especially if you buy multipacks to outfit a room.

• Excellent built-in "Vacation Mode" for peace of mind when traveling.

Cons

• It does not work with Apple HomeKit.

• The plastic build quality feels a bit cheaper than premium options.

You can check out the Wyze Plug on Amazon here:

https://amzn.to/4a6ERys. Retail MSRP: $9.99.

#3 – Eve Energy Smart Plug

The Eve Energy is basically the luxury sedan of smart plugs, specifically aimed at people deep in the Apple ecosystem who care about privacy. It uses "Thread" networking technology instead of standard Wi-Fi, which is just nerdy talk for "it responds super fast and won't clog up your home router." It’s also unique because it doesn't rely on a cloud server; all your data about when you turn things on or off stays locally on your device, which is a huge plus if you're skeptical about big tech companies tracking your daily habits.

Pros

• Top-tier privacy features with no dependence on a cloud server.

• Incredibly fast and reliable connectivity thanks to Thread technology.

Cons

• It is significantly more expensive than almost all competitors.

• The advanced features are mostly geared toward dedicated Apple users.

You can check out the Eve Energy Smart Plug on Amazon here:

https://amzn.to/4r7Ej1s. Retail MSRP: $39.95.

#2 – Amazon Smart Plug

If your house is already filled with Echo dots and you exclusively use Alexa to run your life, the Amazon Smart Plug is the path of least resistance. It’s designed by Amazon for Amazon, meaning the setup is ridiculously easy—if you have an Echo nearby, you basically just plug it in and it often figures the rest out itself without you typing in Wi-Fi passwords. It’s not trying to be fancy with tons of extra features; it just wants to ensure that when you shout at Alexa to turn on the coffee maker, it happens instantly, every single time.

Pros

• Unbelievably easy, "frustration-free" setup for existing Echo users.

• Rock-solid connection and instant response times with Alexa voice commands.

Cons

• It is completely useless if you ever switch to Google Home or Apple HomeKit.

• It’s pretty pricey considering it lacks features like energy monitoring.

You can check out the Amazon Smart Plug on Amazon here:

https://amzn.to/4ktzugu. Retail MSRP: $24.99.

#1 – TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim (KP125M)

The TP-Link Kasa KP125M takes our top spot because it’s the most versatile, "set it and forget it" smart plug on the market right now. While the Amazon plug above is locked to Alexa, and the Eve plug leans heavily on Apple, this new Kasa model uses the universal "Matter" standard, meaning it plays nicely with absolutely every major platform right out of the box. It manages to include helpful bonuses like reliable energy monitoring without being as confusing as the Emporia app, and its slim design makes it easier to fit behind furniture than older, bulkier models.

It essentially takes the reliability you get from premium plugs and combines it with the affordability of budget options like Wyze. It doesn't force you into one specific ecosystem, and it doesn't skimp on build quality just to hit a low price point. For 95% of people just looking for a smart plug that works without a headache—regardless of what phone or smart speaker you own today or buy tomorrow—this is the safest and smartest buy.

Pros

• Matter support makes it future-proof and compatible with all major smart home platforms.

• The slim design allows you to easily stack two plugs in a single wall outlet.

Cons

• Like most smart home gear, it requires a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network connection.

• The Kasa app is highly functional but ugly and feels a bit dated.

You can check out the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim on Amazon here:

https://amzn.to/4cd0oH5 Retail MSRP: $19.99.