Best Smart Plugs – CNET [CNET]

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David Anders Senior Writer

David Anders is a senior writer for CNET covering broadband providers, smart home devices and security products. Prior to joining CNET, David built his industry expertise writing for the broadband marketplace Allconnect. In his 5 plus years covering broadband, David’s work has been referenced by a variety of sources including ArcGIS, DIRECTV and more. David is from and currently resides in the Charlotte area with his wife, son and two cats.

Expertise Broadband providers | Home internet | Security Cameras

CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.

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There are dozens of smart plugs out there from companies large and small, and while we haven’t tested every single one, we’ve tried out many of the ones you’d come across online or at your local big box store. Here’s a quick look at other notable options. All are compatible with Alexa and Google (excluding the Amazon Smart Plug), but not HomeKit unless specifically noted. Again, Matter could change that in the near future.

• Amazon Smart Plug: A flagship for the brand, the Amazon smart plug costs $25 and only works with Amazon Alexa. While set-up is easy, it isn’t as feature-rich as other models, which may be a deal-breaker when you’re looking for a smart outlet.
• ConnectSense Smart Outlet 2: This smart plug does it all — energy monitoring, individually controlled outlets, a USB port and LED status lighting. However, the unattractive, oversized design is enough to keep us from recommending it. Everyone loves a smart outlet, but no one likes an ugly one.
• Enbrighten Dual Smart Plug: Like with the HBN smart plug, I appreciated the extra outlet. The Enbrighten version is significantly wider, however, and doesn’t allow for individual control of each outlet, at least not in any way that I could easily figure out. It’s also priced a bit higher than the HBN dual outlet at $22.
• Govee Smart Wi-Fi Plug: The round design is nice and blends in with my wall plate perfectly while leaving plenty of room for another plug. Nothing else really stands out about the plug, unfortunately, but if you want a simple, cheap (currently $13) plug that doesn’t scream “I’m a smart plug,” this is a good choice.
• Philips Hue Smart Plug: The Philips Hue app reminded me of GE’s Cync app in that the setup was simple and there’s the potential to connect multiple devices under whole-home automation. But for a single smart plug this one is fairly expensive at $33, and it doesn’t sport any unique features to justify the cost. 
• WeMo: We previously featured this smart plug as “Best for HomeKit” in spite of other shortcomings like a less-than-impressive app. Yes, the smart plug works well with a HomeKit setup along with Alexa and Google, but so does the more user-friendly Leviton plug.
• Wyze: We like the Wyze Smart Plug primarily for its low pricing. The Wyze does all the basic functions of a smart plug and will only set you back $20 for a two-pack. The bargain price is nice, but if you only need one plug, there are cheaper options.
• Vont Smart Plug [Out of Stock]: Your standard smart plug. Nothing special, but nothing that would turn me away from using it, either. If you can catch it on sale, or perhaps in a value-priced two-pack, this smart plug can be a decent, budget-friendly addition to your smart home.

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