Last Updated On December 27th, 2021

Top 10 Reviews

Best Smart Plug in the UK 2022

Best Control System

Hive Active

4.5/5
Hive Active

Editor's choice

Amazon Certified for Humans

4.5/5
Amazon Certified for Humans

Best Value

TP-Link Tapo

4.5/5
TP-Link Tapo

Houses are becoming increasingly advanced with the boom of smart-home technology. We can now control our whole house and utility systems from our smartphone using systems like Hive.

But what about those older electrical devices that don’t have smart-home capabilities? Enter the smart plug. Smart plugs are devices that allow you to turn electrical devices on and off remotely – from an app on your smartphone or tablet.

This gives you greater control and also means you can integrate these electrical products into your smart-home transformation. Many of the coolest smart plugs also let you set timers and program on/off schedules. In this collection of smart plug reviews, we look at 8 of the top contenders for the best smart plug the UK stores have to offer – enjoy!

Best Smart Plug List

Best Smart Plug Reviews – Top 10 Picks

Our top choice for the best WiFi plug is the Amazon Smart Plug. This simple but effective device can be controlled via the Alexa app and gives you extensive control over your electrical appliances.

Amazon Certified for Humans

Features

These smart devices are excellent for those who use Amazon Alexa and smart home controllers like the Amazon Echo. You connect directly to your WiFi and there is no hub required.

Also, using the Amazon Alexa, you can create schedules for turning your appliances on and off at set times. It is perfect for lights, coffee machines, and other items you use regularly. These easy to use smart plugs are also Certified for Humans which means you can expect a stress-free installation process.

Although this is the best smart plug for Alexa in the UK, it does have a slight issue. You can only use it with Alexa or the Alexa App – it is not compatible with any other smart plug applications. Nonetheless, if you’re looking for one of the best smart plugs Amazon has to offer, this home kit won’t disappoint.

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CONS

Amazon Certified for Humans
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If you have a Hive smart home system, the Hive Active Plug is a perfect choice for UK consumers. It works with the Hive app and has a simple design and additional security features. It also allows for advanced scheduling and greater control of your appliances.

Hive Active

Features

This Hive product is available in various configurations. You can buy one, two, four, or five plugs. Also, you can buy the plug together with Hive Active Bulbs, and fairy lights.

The plug works with the advanced Hive app and using this program you can set a plethora of different settings including schedules for up to 6 time-slots per day.

If you wish, you can also turn the plug on and off using the switch on the front. You can control your smart plugs using the Hive App when you are not in the house – this gives great control when on holidays or at work.

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The TP-Link Tapo is the best app controlled plug. The Tapo app is relatively easy to use and gives you a great array of features like schedules, timers, and monitoring. This smart plug also has a stylish design and can be controlled by various users through its device sharing.

TP-Link Tapo

Features

TP-Link has created an excellent product and this device can be connected directly to your WiFi network with no need for a separate hub. To control the plugs, you can use Google Home and Alexa, or the highly functional Tapo app.

When using the Tapo app, we like that you can enable device management sharing. This means that multiple people within the same household can control the smart plugs. Moreover, you can purchase these plugs as a single pack, two-pack, or a pack of four.

The main downside with the TP-Link Tapo smart plug is its size. It is larger than most other smart plug designs and we advise measuring before purchasing one of these items.

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TP-Link Tapo
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If you want an energy monitoring device, the TP-Link Kasa smart plug has an optional version that has a power usage tracking available. You can also purchase a two-pack bundle. This smart plug is easy to use and uses the Kasa smart plug app.

TP-Link Kasa

Features

This energy-saving smart plug uses a different TP-Link software – the Kasa app. It has exactly the same functionality and you can still create detailed schedules and timer programs for your sockets. Also, this smart plug connects directly to your WiFi network without the need for a hub. You can also control the plugs using Google Home and Alexa.

If you wish, you can purchase a Kasa model that has energy monitoring. This allows you to check and compare energy usage for each plug and potentially save on your energy bills.

Like the Tapo smart plug, the Kasa also has a larger design. It is not the most ergonomic of designs and you should review your available space beforehand to ensure it will fit.

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TP-Link Kasa
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The Avatar Controls Smart Plug is a simple and effective device that has a small space-saving design. It gives great functionality to your appliances, and you can also create schedules and set timers using the Smart Life App.

Avatar Controls Mini 4-Pack

Features

The Avatar Controls smart plugs have a good design and do not take up much space on your sockets. Also, you can monitor the energy usage of the plugs using the Smart Life App.

This means that the Avatar smart plugs could help reduce your energy consumption. These WiFi plugs also work with Google Home and Alexa. What’s more, Avatar offers a 12-month service plan for free.

This is a good product, but the compatible Smart Life App is not the best. Some customers prefer to use other brand apps for additional functionality and ease of use.

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Avatar Controls Mini 4-Pack
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The Meross Smart Plug uses the same chipset as the Amazon Echo. As a result, it is compatible with Amazon Alexa and also Google Home Assistant. It has a compact design and offers a good WiFi connection.

Meross WiFi Outlet

Features

The Meross Smart Plug uses advanced technology and is a great device to control your appliances and lights remotely. It has an ergonomic design and can be used even with limited space.

Also, the Meross app allows you to monitor power usage and see which devices are using the most energy. It also has a strong WiFi connection and uses a 2.4GHz WiFi band.

This is an effective smart plug, but the pairing process can be difficult. Make sure to read the instructions carefully and only try to pair a single plug at a time.

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Meross WiFi Outlet
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The Philips Hue Smart Plug is a durable and robust plug that works fantastically with different Philips smart lights. It can also be used for many other electrical devices and offers versatile controls via the Philips Hue App.

Philips Hue with Bluetooth

Features

The Philips Hue Smart Plus is a great option for those who use Philips smart lights. You can control the functionality of the plug using the Philips Hue app which is available on Android and iOS devices.

This plug also works with other systems like Google Nest, Amazon Echo, and Siri. In addition, the installation process is relatively simple and there are detailed instructions provided. Instead of WiFi, these plugs connect using Bluetooth. The connection, however, is still strong and you shouldn’t experience any issues.

A minor annoyance with the Philips Hue Smart Plug is how the plugs are listed in the app. They appear as lights and this cannot be changed. It doesn’t alter the functionality, but some people may find this irritating.

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Philips Hue with Bluetooth
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If your home has limited sockets, then the best smart plugs for you should be small and ergonomic. With this in mind, the Aoycocr Mini WiFi Socket will make a fantastic choice. It is one of the best smart plug the UK stores have to offer, considering its compact design and compatibility with Google Assistant and Alexa.

Aoycocr Mini Outlet

Features

This set of 4 smart plugs have an external power switch if you ever need to control your appliance via the socket. The design is also safe and is suitable for families with small children, thanks to its sliding safety cover. Additionally, you can control the devices via Google Assistant and Alexa, or the Smart Life App.

These plugs also have built-in energy monitoring which allows you to check on energy consumption for potential savings. The only downside of this smart plug is its lack of instructions. You have to install the plugs and pair them to your WiFi using your own knowledge and understanding.

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Aoycocr Mini Outlet
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The Meross power strip makes a great choice if you are hoping to use several smart plugs in one area of your home. This smart plug power strip contains four sockets, all of which can be controlled individually.

Meross Power Strip

Features

The Meross power strip enables voice control and remote control over the sockets by way of the Meross app. The app features both schedule and timer settings so you can create a power schedule that works for your home’s specific needs. It is compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple Siri, and Samsung SmartThings assistants.

Meross built their smart plug power strip with a 3-way safety system for added peace of mind. It features a fire retardant housing, a sliding safety cover, and an overload protection circuit to ensure it functions properly and safely at all times. It also has a 2-metre power cord giving you a considerable amount of freedom and mobility when it comes to choosing the best location for the layout of the room.

We have reason to believe this smart plug may drop its connection from time to time but overall, it performs fairly well. It is also not ideal if you are looking for a single, compact smart plug with one socket.

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Meross Power Strip
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When designed in a specific way, like with the Meross Dual Outdoor, smart plugs can also make a welcome addition to outdoor settings. This smart plug could be a strong contender if you are looking for a heavy-duty outdoor smart plug with a dual outlet design style.

Meross Dual Outlet

Features

The Meross Dual Outdoor smart plug facilitates individual control over each of its two sockets. Conveniently, it is compatible with a variety of voice-controlled smart home assistants. It can also be controlled directly on the unit or remote-controlled using the Meross app.

To help make this smart plug suitable for outdoor use, it was designed with enhanced safety features and an Ip44 waterproof rating. This waterproof rating recommends outdoor use but it should not be submerged. It also has two individual safety covers that can be lowered over the sockets.

Be aware, this smart plug is not compatible with Apple HomeKit and the cable could be a bit short for some purposes. Additionally, it is not expressly weatherproof so you will want to make sure the sockets are covered when not in use and you may want to bring the entire smart plug inside during heavier rain and snowstorms.

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Meross Dual Outlet
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How to Choose the Right Smart Plug?

There is a great selection of the best smart plugs in the UK market, but how do you choose the one suitable for your home? There are several factors that you must consider and we have created a short buying guide below:

Size

Firstly, how big is the device? What are its overall dimensions? This is important as you may only have limited space at your plug sockets. For example, you may have a socket located behind a sofa.

Look at the size of the smart plug, and see if it will fit where you want to use it.

Connectivity

wifi outlet

Next, how do you connect to the smart plug? The best smart plugs connect directly to your WiFi network. This is the quickest method and requires no additional equipment.

Some plugs, however, require an additional hub. You connect the device to the hub, and the hub connects to your WiFi/broadband. This is more complicated and not as an effective setup.

Compatible Apps

Usually, smart plugs are controlled via a dedicated app created by the device manufacturer. We advise looking at the app to see how it functions. Is the app free to use? Does it have intuitive controls? Can you use the app to control your smart wifi outlet when not at home?

Voice Control

Also, many smart plugs work with voice control systems like Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant. This is a cool feature and not essential, but it is something you may want to use.

Therefore, it is important to check which systems the plug is compatible with.

voice control feature

Additional Features

Lastly, does the smart plug have any additional features? Most smart plugs, for example, have the ability to set timers and schedules for the on/off function. Also, some plugs provide usage data so that you can see how much energy each appliance uses, and which devices use the most power.

Conclusion

If you want to transform your home into a smart hub, any one of these 10 amazing smart plugs listed makes a great choice. However, what we have found to be the best smart plug in the UK is the Amazon Smart Plug.

This simple and effective device requires no hub to set up and is Certified for Humans. Also, you can create advanced function schedules and bring a great level of automation to your home and appliances. Connecting to the Amazon Alexa, this plug will give you a range of functionalities you didn’t even think were possible.

So, which of these best smart plugs in the UK has caught your fancy? Please share your comments below.

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