What is a smart plug?
A smart plug is a device that plugs into any of your wall sockets that will give you more control over your electrical appliances. Usually controlled by an app from your Smart phone it will allow you to have remote access to ANY electrical appliance you plug into it! Want your kettle to start boiling some water before you get home from work? Want to have your toaster start toasting 5 minutes before you wake up? All this is can be controlled remotely but also scheduled so you don’t have to do anything!
What is the best smart plug in 2018?
This technology is fairly new but is becoming more main stream with lots of different companies releasing their own version of the smart plug. The best smart plug in 2018 can be determined by a lot factors, what kind of app comes with the smart plug? What kind of features are desirable to you? Do you want a smart plug for outdoors? Do you need certain voice control functions? What is your budget? These are all things to consider when shopping for which smart plug is going to best for you.
Let’s have a look at some of the best smart plugs available in 2018
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Best Performance smart plug 2018
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Wemo Insight Smart Plug
The Wemo Insight Smart Plug is a great smart plug that has been out for awhile and has had plenty of time to troubleshoot any faults they might have come across. This is one of the few reasons why it is the best performance smart plug in 2018. No hub or subscription is required and this smart plug will allow you to monitor energy usage from your smart phone or tablet using the Wemo app.
| Weight | 2.84 ounces |
| Size | 2.9”L x 2.9”H x 2.3”D inches |
| Connectivity | WiFi |
| Schedule feature | Yes |
| Timer function | Yes |
| Energy monitoring | Yes |
| Work with Alexa | Yes |
| Work with Google Assistant | Yes |
| Work with Apple Homekit | Yes, but only by purchasing and using the Wemo Bridge |
| Work with SmartThings | No |
| IOS/Android App | Wemo App |
| Warranty | One-year limited warranty |
Pros and cons
Pros – Very reliable smart plug that works with Alexa and Google Assistant, can monitory energy consumption, can work with Apple Homekit
Cons – Does not work with SmartThings, must buy a Wemo Bridge for it to work with Apple Homekit, this smart plug is more on the expensive side
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Best Value Smart Plug 2018
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TP-Link Kasa HS105Â
 The Kasa Smart Wi-fi Plug Mini HS105 is a great sized smart plug that will leave your other available power sockets free for another electrical appliance or even another smart plug! TP-Link have a great reputation when it comes to anything related to Wi-Fi so anything you have plugged in will be sure to stay connected to your Wi-Fi. No hub is required for this smart plug, just plug it in and start right away. Using the Kasa app you will be able to control all your smart plug appliances from you smart phone or tablet as well as any smart lights you may have already purchased!
| Weight | 3.52 ounces |
| Size | 1.5â?L x 1.6â?H x 2.6â?D inches |
| Connectivity | WiFi |
| Schedule feature | Yes |
| Timer function | Yes |
| Energy monitoring | Yes |
| Work with Alexa | Yes |
| Work with Google Assistant | Yes |
| Work with Apple Homekit | No |
| Work with SmartThings | No |
| IOS/Android App | Kasa App |
| Warranty | 2 years limited warranty |
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Pros and Cons
Pros – Much smaller smart plug, very affordable and good value, works with Alexa and Google assistant, no hub or additional hardware is required
Cons – Doesn’t work with Apple Homekit or SmartThings
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TP-Link  Kasa HS107 (2-Outlets)
The Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug HS107 is almost the exact same as the HS105. This time you get 2 outlets instead of 1 and is also little longer in size. It has all the same features as the HS105 with the addition of an extra outlet. Â
| Weight | 12.8 ounces |
| Size | 4.3â?L x 2.9â?H x 2â?D inches |
| Connectivity | WiFi |
| Schedule feature | Yes |
| Timer function | Yes |
| Energy monitoring | Yes |
| Work with Alexa | Yes |
| Work with Google Assistant | Yes |
| Work with Apple Homekit | No |
| Work with SmartThings | No |
| IOS/Android App | Kasa App |
| Warranty | 2 years limited warranty |
Pros and Cons
Pros – Great connectivity by TP-Link, works with Alexa and Google Assistant, cheaper to get this 2 outlet model rather than 2 separate 1 outlet models, no hub required.
Cons – Doesn’t work with Apple Homekit or SmartThings, because of the size you might not be able to comfortably add an additional smart plug or electrical appliance to the other wall socket
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Best Budget Smart Plug 2018
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Mini Smart Plug Outlet by Gosund
Gosund mini Smart plug is the cheapest and best smart plug on a budget that will be talked about in this list. It is controlled by the app, ‘Smart Life’ and is fully capable of timers and monitoring energy consumption. Its small size can be appealing aesthetically and it will never block the adjacent power socket from plugging in an additional smart plug or electrical appliance.
| Weight | 2.4 ounces |
| Size | 2.1â?L x 1.9â?H x 1.1â?D inches |
| Connectivity | WiFi |
| Schedule feature | Yes |
| Timer function | Yes |
| Energy monitoring | Yes |
| Work with Alexa | Yes |
| Work with Google Assistant | Yes |
| Work with Apple Homekit | No |
| Work with SmartThings | No |
| IOS/Android App | Smart Life App |
| Warranty | 90 days unconditional full refund and 1 year limit warranty |
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Pros and Cons
Pros – This a very economical smart plug for someone looking to try out smart plug technology, the small size is desirable, works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
Cons – Cannot use this plug with a lot of 1100 watt and above devices such as many air conditioners, microwave ovens and induction cookers, must check all electrical devices for how many watts they use before using this smart plug
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Best Smart Plug for Outdoors 2018
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Maxcio Outdoor Smart Plug
 The Maxcio Outdoor Smart Plug has been built with the intention for outdoor use. However this plug is also fully capable and fine to use for indoor usage as well. Fully capable with some voice controlling apps, comes with 2 sockets and can handle electrical appliances up to 1875 watts per socket. This smart plug is meant to last even while leaving it outside, even in the rain. It’s IP44 Weatherproof and made of ABS fireproof material. No hub is required with this smart plug.
| Weight | 10.2 ounces |
| Size | 4.1â?L x 3.1â?H x 1.5â?D inches |
| Connectivity | WiFi |
| Schedule feature | Yes |
| Timer function | Yes |
| Energy monitoring | Yes |
| Work with Alexa | Yes |
| Work with Google Assistant | Yes |
| Work with Apple Homekit | No |
| Work with SmartThings | No |
| IOS/Android App | Smart Life App |
| Warranty | N/A |
 Pros and Cons
Pros – Perfect smart plug for outdoor appliances, has all the features an indoor smart plug has such as voice control, scheduled timers and energy consumption stats, has an IP44 weatherproof rating and made of an ABSÂ fireproof material, comes with 2 outlets
Cons – The design of this smart plug is kind of bulky and hangs off the outlet instead of plugging in snugly like the other traditional smart plugs, does not work with Apple Home Kit and SmartThings
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Best Smart Plug for Alexa 2018
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Amazon Smart Plug
Amazon is catching up to the Smart Plug game and will have their own Smart Plug released on October 11th and is available now for pre-order. This is going to be the best Smart Plug to be used with Alexa. Everything is going to be optimized both in setup and performance all from using the Alexa App. No hub is required or even supported for this smart plug.
| Weight | 3.5 ounces |
| Size | 3.2â?L x 2.2â?H x 1.5â?D inches |
| Connectivity | WiFi |
| Schedule feature | Yes |
| Timer function | Yes |
| Energy monitoring | No |
| Work with Alexa | Yes |
| Work with Google Assistant | No |
| Work with Apple Homekit | No |
| Work with SmartThings | No |
| IOS/Android App | Alexa |
| Warranty | N/A |
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Pros and Cons
Pros – This is going to be the best and most optimized smart plug to use with Alexa, the small size leaves your other wall socket free, no smart hub required, most simple set up and user friendly, affordable price
Cons – This smart plug will not have any capabilities to work with any other voice controlled apps, only suitable for indoor use, cannot use with any 3rd party hubs
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Best Smart Plug for HomeKit 2018
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SYLVANIA SMART+ Apple HomeKit Smart Plug
The SYLVANIA SMART+ Apple HomeKit Smart Plug is the perfect Smart Plug for those who wish to use the Apple HomeKit. The previous Smart Plugs on this list do not have any official support for Apple HomeKit or Siri. This smart plug was designed for Apple HomeKit and you will not be required to need a hub or even be connected to Wi-Fi! This smart plug is fully capable of working on blue tooth alone. However, for control of smart plugs outside of your home a hub is required.
| Weight | 5.1 ounces |
| Size | 2.5â?L x 3.8â?H x 4.9â?D inches |
| Connectivity | WiFi |
| Schedule feature | Yes |
| Timer function | Yes |
| Energy monitoring | No |
| Work with Alexa | No |
| Work with Google Assistant | No |
| Work with Apple Homekit | Yes |
| Work with SmartThings | No |
| IOS/Android App | Apple Home |
| Warranty | 2 year limited warranty |
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Pros and Con
Pros – Works without needing a Wi-Fi connection or hub, works with Apple HomeKit and Siri voice command, easy to install and use
Cons – Only works with Apple Homekit and no other apps or voice control apps, must buy a Home Hub if you wish to control your smart plugs away from your home
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Best Smart Plug for Google Home 2018
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Etekcity WiFi Smart Plug
The Etekcity WiFi Smart Plug is best for Google Home but also works with Alexa. This smart plug comes in a very affordable and high functioning 2-pack should you wish to give more of your electrical appliances smart plug features. This smart plug has no need for a hub. Their app, ‘VeSynch’ gives the whole family access to the shared app and they too can control the appliances through their smart phone or tablet!
| Weight | 3.2 ounces |
| Size | 2.4â?L x 2.2â?H x 2.2â?D inches |
| Connectivity | WiFi |
| Schedule feature | Yes |
| Timer function | Yes |
| Energy monitoring | Yes |
| Work with Alexa | Yes |
| Work with Google Assistant | Yes |
| Work with Apple Homekit | No |
| Work with SmartThings | No |
| IOS/Android App | VeSynch |
| Warranty | 30-Day money back guaranteed, 2 year limited warranty |
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Pros and Cons
Pros – Very affordable Smart plug that works with Alexa and Google Assistant, No hub required, very easy to use app, can easily track power usage and energy savings, can share app and settings with whole family
Cons – Does not work with Apple Homekit and SmartThings, Indoor use only
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Conclusion
When looking for the best smart plug in 2018 it’s a good idea to remember which features and qualities matter most to you. For some it will always be about the price, for others it could be the ease of set up and a user friendly app. All of these smart plugs are optimal for some features and you will need to decide which feature is the right one for you.
Whichever feature you desire the best tip I can give is to read any fine print of certain smart plugs that MIGHT need a hub for additional features or to carefully read the dimensions of the smart plug. Some are going to be too big to fit comfortably on your wall socket or might not even support the wattage of your appliance!
Smart plugs are a great addition to any home and can give your home that special something that you’ve been thinking about. If you are looking for some added luxury any of these smart plugs are going to give you just that and more!
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