Best Smart Plugs UK (2026)
A smart plug is one of the cheapest ways into home automation, letting you schedule or remotely control anything plugged into it without replacing the appliance itself. This guide is based on Expert Reviews' tested roundup (updated 30 November 2023), where testers connected each plug to a home Wi-Fi network, used it to power table lamps, standard lamps and electric radiators, set up scheduling, and left it running for several days to check connection reliability and how well scheduling performed in real-world use.
We have not hands-on tested these products. Our picks are based on published independent tests and reviews, listed at the bottom of this page. How we pick.
Our top pick
TP-Link Tapo Mini P100
Best overall
Expert Reviews' top pick, compact and reliable with a polished companion app. An Away mode simulates activity while you're out, and IFTTT support lets it work with other smart home routines, all at a genuinely low price.
- Compact size
- Reliable connection
- Polished, easy-to-use app
Quick comparison
| Product | Best for | Key spec | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| TP-Link Tapo Mini P100 | Best overall | 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, Alexa/Google compatible, scheduling, no power monitoring, 60 x 72 x 51.5mm | Check price |
| Amazon Smart Plug | Best for Alexa | 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, Alexa-only, scheduling via app, no power monitoring | Check price |
| Meross MSS310 | Best with energy monitoring | 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, Alexa/Google/SmartThings, power monitoring, scheduling | Check price |
| Meross MSS110 Smart Plug Mini | Best budget | 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, HomeKit/Alexa/Google, scheduling, no power monitoring | Check price |
| Humax Wi-Fi Smart Plug | Best budget with features | 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, Alexa/Google, power monitoring, weather-based automation | Check price |
| Trust Wi-Fi Smart Plug | Best value twin pack | 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, Alexa/Google, scheduling, twin pack | Check price |
Our picks in detail
Best overall
TP-Link Tapo Mini P100
Expert Reviews' top pick, compact and reliable with a polished companion app. An Away mode simulates activity while you're out, and IFTTT support lets it work with other smart home routines, all at a genuinely low price.
- Connectivity
- 2.4GHz Wi-Fi
- Compatibility
- Alexa, Google Assistant
- Power monitoring
- No
- Price guide
- £8.99 (at time of writing)
Pros
- Compact size
- Reliable connection
- Polished, easy-to-use app
- Away mode and IFTTT support
Cons
- No power/energy monitoring
Best for Alexa
Amazon Smart Plug
Expert Reviews found this integrates perfectly with Alexa, unsurprisingly given the brand, making it the simplest choice for households built around Echo devices. The trade-off is it's limited to Amazon's ecosystem, so it's not the pick if you use Google Home or Apple Home.
- Connectivity
- 2.4GHz Wi-Fi
- Compatibility
- Alexa only
- Power monitoring
- No
- Price guide
- £25 (at time of writing)
Pros
- Perfect Alexa integration
- Simple setup within the Amazon ecosystem
Cons
- Limited to Alexa only, no Google or HomeKit support
Best with energy monitoring
Meross MSS310
Expert Reviews found this gives detailed consumption reports, letting you see exactly how much energy a connected device is using over time. It supports a wide range of ecosystems including SmartThings, though separate on/off routines are needed rather than one unified schedule.
- Connectivity
- 2.4GHz Wi-Fi
- Compatibility
- Alexa, Google Assistant, SmartThings
- Power monitoring
- Yes
- Price guide
- From £30 (at time of writing)
Pros
- Detailed energy consumption reports
- Wide smart home ecosystem support
- Reliable scheduling
Cons
- Requires separate routines for on and off
Best budget
Meross MSS110 Smart Plug Mini
Expert Reviews found this affordable and compact, with support for Apple HomeKit as well as Alexa and Google, unusual at this price point. The main compromise for the low cost is the lack of energy monitoring found on the pricier Meross model.
- Connectivity
- 2.4GHz Wi-Fi
- Compatibility
- Apple HomeKit, Alexa, Google Assistant
- Power monitoring
- No
- Price guide
- From £19 (at time of writing)
Pros
- Affordable
- Compact size
- Supports HomeKit as well as Alexa and Google
Cons
- No energy monitoring
Best budget with features
Humax Wi-Fi Smart Plug
Expert Reviews called this exceptional value, packing in energy tracking and even weather-based automation at a genuinely budget price. It's a strong pick if power monitoring matters to you but the Meross MSS310 feels like overkill on price.
- Connectivity
- 2.4GHz Wi-Fi
- Compatibility
- Alexa, Google Assistant
- Power monitoring
- Yes
- Price guide
- From £15 (at time of writing)
Pros
- Energy monitoring at a budget price
- Weather-based automation
- Exceptional value
Cons
- Fewer ecosystem integrations than pricier rivals
Best value twin pack
Trust Wi-Fi Smart Plug
Expert Reviews found this a great-value way to get two smart plugs at once, suiting beginners who just want basic on/off scheduling without a learning curve. Testers noted some setup quirks, and features are kept deliberately basic, but it covers the essentials for two rooms at a low combined price.
- Connectivity
- 2.4GHz Wi-Fi
- Compatibility
- Alexa, Google Assistant
- Power monitoring
- No
- Price guide
- £25 for a twin pack (at time of writing)
Pros
- Two plugs for one price
- Simple for beginners
- Good value
Cons
- Some setup quirks noted in testing
- Basic feature set
Buying guide
Do I need energy monitoring?
If you want to see exactly how much a device costs to run, like an old fridge or a space heater, pick a plug with energy monitoring such as the Meross MSS310 or the budget-friendly Humax. If you just want basic remote on/off and scheduling, a non-monitoring plug like the TP-Link Tapo Mini P100 is cheaper and simpler.
Which smart home ecosystem should I check compatibility with?
Most plugs here support Alexa and Google Assistant, but Apple HomeKit support is rarer; Expert Reviews notes the Meross MSS110 Mini is one of the few budget options with HomeKit built in. Check your existing smart speakers or hubs before buying if ecosystem compatibility matters to you.
Is a smart plug safe to use with a heater?
Expert Reviews specifically tested these plugs powering electric radiators as part of their process, so all the plugs listed here have been run with heating appliances. Always check a plug's maximum wattage rating against your specific heater before use, regardless of brand.
How reliable is scheduling in real-world use?
Expert Reviews left each plug running for several days specifically to test this, since a schedule that works once in a demo can still drop connection over time. All the plugs recommended here performed reliably over that extended test period.
Sources
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