Best Smart Plug

TP Link Mini, Eve Energy

TP LINK FROM £12.99 | BUY FROM TP-LINK.COM | WORKS WITH AMAZON ALEXA, GOOGLE ASSISTANT

EVE FROM £49.99 | BUY FROM EVEHOME.COM | WORKS WITH APPLE HOMEKIT

There are still plenty of gadgets you can’t automate, or whose smart version is crazy expensive (we’re looking at you, smart kettles). For these, a smart plug is a simple solution. Basically a socket with a chip in it, a smart plug adds voice and/or app control to anything plugged into it, plus lets you turn it on or off on a schedule for generally less than £20.

We love the TP Link Kasa line of smart plugs, as they’re easy to use, work with Google and Alexa and have a really nice app if you don’t want to use a separate smart home system to control them. Plug your kettle into one, and have it turn on just before you get out of bed each morning. Or stick one on your space heater (check the voltage requirements) and have a toasty living room ready for you when you get home.

If you’re looking for a good HomeKit smart plug, the Eve Energy one is an excellent – if slightly pricey – choice that also monitors energy use, providing you with a detailed breakdown of consumption over time. It offers the option of inputting your rate, for real-time visuals of how much that kettle is costing you.