If you haven't noticed, the world seems to be getting smarter – well, at least our household appliances are. There are smart TVs, smartwatches, smart refrigerators, and even smart lightbulbs. And now, we're happy to introduce smart plugs. Arguably the most practical smart tech of all, these little devices plug right into household outlets and can connect to a smartphone via Bluetooth. That way, you get to be the master of your home's electric grid and control all sorts of appliances from anywhere. Many options can even connect to your favorite virtual assistants, like Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can fire off voice commands throughout the day. Here, we've compiled a list of the best of the best in smart plugs. Read on to discover the perfect pick for you and your budget. Gosund Mini Smart Plug Simple Design, Endless PossibilitiesWith a competitive price, a compact design, and unmatched responsiveness, this 4-pack of compact smart plugs from Gosund proves that great things come in small sizes.Best OverallFind on Amazon Easy to install, easy on the wallet, and easy to fit on any outlet in your house, this option from Gosund is a titan in the world of smart plugs. Setting it up takes about three steps, so it couldn’t be easier. And once you’ve connected the plug to the WiFi and then to your phone, you can start customizing settings right away. Set timers, schedules, lighting, and more. Better yet, this option comes with four different plugs, so you can configure multiple rooms throughout the house. These plugs can also be shared across multiple devices, so everyone from your grandma to your grandchildren can enjoy smart controls. Pros Works with Alexa and Google Home Assistant, which means you can control it with voice commands No hub required Robust set of customizable features, so you can set timers and schedules across all four plugs Easy setup using the Gosund App The compact size is less likely to block adjacent outlets Cons They are on by default, so if you have a power outage and then the electricity kicks back on again, all four plugs will automatically switch on. Kasa Smart Plug by TP-Link Plug In and CommandAnother fantastic overall option, this pick from Kasa has everything we look for in a smart plug and more. Runner UpFind on Amazon The Kasa Smart Plug is another excellent option. Modestly-priced, perfectly-sized, and wildly versatile, this smart plug opens up a world of possibilities for upgrading your home. And although it works seamlessly with Alexa and Google Assistant, the Kasa Smart Plug App is actually quite useful on its own and offers a wide range of features. Just to name a few, Kasa sports advanced scheduling, countdown timers, and an “Away Mode” that flicks on lights throughout the house when you’re away as a home security feature. We also love using the Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands – no hub required. Alexa, turn on the party lights. Pros Compact design Comes in a 3-pack The Kasa app is intuitive and expansive Kasa is a trusted company that offers a limited warranty and responsive customer service Cons Rated for a maximum of 10 Amps, so large appliances like air conditioners won’t work Esicoo Smart Plug Affordable And EffectiveAs this 4-pack from Esicoo proves, you don't need to sell the family farm for a quality set of smart plugs. Best ValueFind on Amazon You don’t need to be flush with cash to enjoy the convenience of 21st-century appliances. This 4-pack of smart plugs from Esicoo is shockingly inexpensive, especially considering the effectiveness of the design and the simplicity of the setup. In fact, this option is can connect to a 2.4Ghz WiFi connection within mere seconds. Just plug it in, press the button, and you’re in. The Esicoo smart plug even works with Google Assistant and Alexa. Really, the only trade-off is the shape, which, although compact, can cover up adjacent outlets when plugged in. But for those shopping on a budget that don’t mind a bit of bulk, this bargain 4-pack from Esicoo is a steal of a deal. Pros Amazing bang for your buck Aesthetically pleasing and modern design Simple to set up using the app The Smart Life App has a great user interface An excellent choice for those that want to integrate their plugs with IFTTT Cons It’s compact, but the circular shape makes it unlikely that you’ll be able to fit two plugs into the same outlet The written instructions are in hard-to-read small print, though the online tutorials and App provide plenty of clear guidance Amazon Smart Plug Versatility And ConvenienceAlthough the price is a bit higher than most other options, when you integrate this premium plug with Alexa, it becomes a powerful tool that can really transform your home into a smart home.Best Premium PickFind on Amazon Amazon is one of the leading pioneers in the world of smart home tech, so it should come as no surprise that they’re responsible for the best of the best in smart plugs. This premium pick isn’t cheap, but it’s about as versatile and robust as it gets. For starters, the setup is carefully designed to be as hassle-free as possible, giving it the “Certified for Humans” honor. It also doesn’t require any extra apps to use the voice commands since everything is controlled through the Alexa app. Furthermore, it overcomes a common pitfall of most smart plugs by achieving a slim design that won’t block adjacent plugs in the outlet. Pairing up the Amazon Smart Plug with your Echo hub or simply controlling it with your phone has never been easier. Pros Integration with Alexa is smooth as butter The premium design is reliable and easy to use Two Amazon Smart Plugs can fit into the same outlet Maximum output is 15A, so it works with a wide variety of devices and appliances Cons Only works with Alexa TP-Link Kasa Outdoor Smart Plug Control The Great OutdoorsFor those that need a smart plug for controlling outdoor lights and appliances, we recommend this water-resistant option from Kasa. Best Outdoor PlugFind on Amazon Those with outdoor appliances already know how annoying it can be to have to trek outside every time you want to flip a light on or off. That’s why we recommend this outdoor smart plug from Kasa. It has all the best features of a smart plug, such as scheduling, timers, and compatibility with Google Assistant and Alexa, while boasting a weather-resistant construction. Better yet, it has two separate plugs that can be controlled individually from anywhere you roam. Even if you don’t plan to use it outside, this durable smart plug is a smart buy. Pros Sports a weather-resistance rating of IP64 Responds to app and voice assistant command almost instantly Wide 300-ft WiFi range Cons The WiFi range can be shorter if the signal has to be transmitted through barriers such as walls Frequently Asked Questions Will my plug of choice work without WiFi? All of the smart plugs on our list require a WiFi connection to function – and not just any WiFi connection, either. These smart plugs can only connect to 2.4Ghz networks. Fortunately, this is the frequency at which the vast majority of WiFi signals operate. Thus, most people shouldn’t have a problem just plugging in the smart plug, connecting it to their local WiFi, and proceeding with the setup on their phone. However, some WiFi routers are set up to also emit a 5Ghz WiFi signal, which can “confuse” the smart plug during setup. In that case, you’ll have to disable your 5Ghz WiFi signal before connecting the smart plug to the 2.4Ghz signal. With what appliances can I use my smart plug? Different smart plugs have different electrical ratings. Many have a max output rating of 10A, while other ones can output as much as 15A. This information can be found on the product listing or the user manual of the specific product. 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