Get your smart home started with a smart plug — here are our favorites

Smart plugs may seem like a cheap party trick, like your attention-seeking friend who shushes the group to yell at Alexa to turn on the lamp. But they're great devices for everyday use, not purely because of convenience but because they also save energy. (And no, you don’t have to yell at Alexa, or Google Home, etc., all the time.)

If this is your first smart home product, a smart plug is a great gateway device. It connects pieces you already own and love to the internet. But there are a few things to learn.

One question separates most smart plugs: to hub or not to hub? Many manufacturers now make plugs that connect directly to WiFi, but others require a hub to connect your smart devices to the network. A hub can be pricey and often not truly necessary for a smart plug. Read more...

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IMAGE: Amazon

BEST FOR AMAZON ECHO

Amazon Smart Plug

Amazon’s smart plug pairs with Alexa to automate your home.

• Hub required?: No
• Works with: Amazon Echo
• Energy monitoring?: No

$24.99 from Amazon

IMAGE: Amazon

BEST FOR GOOGLE ASSISTANT

Currant Wifi Smart Outlet

The Currant Wifi Smart Outlet should integrate well with a Google Home device, with lots to love.

• Hub required?: No
• Works with: Amazon Echo, Google Home
• Energy monitoring?: Yes

$59.99 from Amazon

IMAGE: Amazon

BEST PRODUCT LINE

TP-Link Kasa

From outdoor plugs to indoor power strips, TP-Link gives quality and options.

• Hub required?: No
• Works with: Amazon Echo, Google Home, Microsoft Cortana, IFTTT
• Energy monitoring?: Sometimes

$17.99 from Amazon

IMAGE: Amazon

BEST EXTREME BUDGET OPTION

Gosund Wifi Outlet

This low-end smart plug is still pretty good.

• Hub required?: No
• Works with: Amazon Echo, Google Home, IFTTT
• Energy monitoring?: No

$8.99 from Amazon

IMAGE: Walmart

BEST APP

Belkin WeMo Insight Wifi Smart Plug

Wemo Insight monitors energy with a detail-oriented app.

• Hub required?: No
• Works with: Amazon Echo, Apple HomeKit, Google Home, IFTTT
• Energy monitoring?: Yes

$29.99 from Walmart

IMAGE: Ikea

BEST FOR COMPATIBILITY

IKEA Trådfri Wireless Control Outlet

IKEA produces a smart plug compatible with most devices.

• Hub required?: Yes
• Works with: Amazon Echo, Apple HomeKit, Google Home, Microsoft Cortana, IFTTT
• Energy monitoring?: No

$9.99 from Ikea

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