Smart plugs: price comparison

A smart plug is a plug-in adapter with a built-in relay and wireless module. You plug it into the wall socket, plug your appliance into the adapter – done. From then on you can switch the power on and off via app, voice assistant, schedule or automation. That works well for floor lamps, fans, coffee machines with a mechanical switch, Christmas lights or home entertainment gear that you want fully disconnected at night.

Important: the plug only switches the power supply. Appliances that need an extra button press after power-on (many TVs, washing machines, bean-to-cup coffee machines with soft-touch controls) won't start automatically. For fridges, freezers, aquariums or medical devices, accidental switch-off is risky – there you should measure at most, not switch via automation.

Wi-Fi plugs connect directly to your router and don't need a hub. That's the easiest way to get started, but with many devices it puts load on your home network; almost all models only use the 2.4 GHz band. Zigbee plugs need a gateway (such as a bridge or smart home hub), but in return they form a stable mesh network and are energy-efficient. DECT plugs are mainly interesting for households with a FRITZ!Box, which acts as the hub.

Matter is a cross-brand standard: a Matter device can be paired with Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa or SmartThings, provided you have a suitable Matter controller at home. If you don't want to commit to one system yet, Matter is the most future-proof choice.

Check the load rating first. Many models are designed for up to 16 A or 3,680 W, while compact mini plugs are sometimes rated for only 10 A. For fan heaters, kettles or washing machines you need the higher continuous rating. Also check the form factor: slim models don't block the neighbouring socket on a power strip.

Simple Wi-Fi plugs without monitoring are among the cheapest smart home devices of all; models with energy monitoring, Matter or a local interface cost a bit more. With multipacks, always work out the price per unit and check that the pack really contains identical models. Our price comparison shows offers from several shops, so you can compare single units and packs side by side.