These smart plugs are the best
Belkin WeMo Mini
Cnet rating: 4.0 stars out of 5
The good: The WeMo is competitively priced, and the smaller design won’t block adjacent outlets. Native compatibility with IFTTT, Google Home, Apple HomeKit and Amazon’s Alexa make it one of the most wellconnected smart plugs you can buy.
The bad: It won’t track energy usage like other smart plugs will. The app is sluggish and glitchy at times.
The cost: $25 to $30
The bottom line: There’s plenty of new competition out there, but the WeMo Mini is still one of the easiest smart home gadgets for us to recommend.
iDevices Outdoor Switch
Cnet rating: 4.0 stars out of 5
The good: It is convenient, filling a niche not many smart plugs have attempted to fill, and the power tracking will help savvy holiday decorators save money.
The bad: You can’t control the dual outlets individually, the price is kind of steep, and HomeKit user sharing can be a pain. The cost: $45 to $80
The bottom line: The Outdoor Switch lets you flip on your holiday lights from the comfort of your couch and schedule them to turn off after you’re asleep. With the added bonus of energy monitoring and the new remote access, it’s a solid product.
TP-Link Kasa Mini
Cnet rating: 3.5 stars out of 5 (very good)
The good: This smart plug keeps other outlets free, works with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, and offers plenty of scheduling and timing options. The bad: It isn’t HomeKitcompatible. The cost: $18 to $32
The bottom line: This smart plug is a great option for anyone interested in scheduling, voice commands and remote access to everyday devices up to 1,500 watts.
Eufy Smart Plug Mini
Cnet rating: 3.5 stars out of 5
The good: The Eufy is a smart, affordable spacesaver with a solid mix of inapp features. It works with both Alexa and Google Assistant.
The bad: It doesn’t work with HomeKit and it doesn’t include a side USB charging port. The cost: $43
The bottom line: With plenty of options for scheduling and energy monitoring, it’s a great addition to any Google or Alexa smart home.
These Cnet staff contributed to this story: Ry Crist, Molly Price and Laura K. Cucullu. For more reviews of personal technology products, visit www.cnet.com.