Smart Plugs: The Cheapest Way Into a Smart Home
For under $15, a smart plug turns any lamp, fan, or appliance into something you can schedule and control from your phone — no rewiring required.
Buy on Amazon
Overview
Smart plugs are the easiest, cheapest entry point into home automation. Plug one into any outlet, plug your lamp or appliance into it, and you instantly get app control, scheduling, and voice commands — no electrician, no hub required for most models.
Key Features
- App-based on/off control from anywhere
- Scheduling and countdown timers
- Works with Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control
- Energy usage monitoring on select models
- Compact design that doesn't block the second outlet
- No hub needed — connects directly to home Wi-Fi
Why We Recommend It
It's the highest value-per-dollar smart home product we've tested. Setting a lamp to turn on at sunset or making sure a space heater shuts off automatically took under five minutes to configure, and reliability has been rock solid over months of daily use.
Who It's For
Anyone dipping a toe into smart home tech for the first time, renters who can't install hardwired switches, and people who just want their porch light to turn on automatically.
Where to Buy
Available on Amazon — check current pricing and deals through our affiliate link on this page.