Smart plugs: Kasa Smart Plug Slim with Energy Monitoring is our No-Brainer pick

Start with your smart home app

Pick a plug that works with the voice assistant or app you already use. If you have Apple Home or a Thread border router, Matter plugs open more options. Check that the plug fits beside other plugs on the outlet.

Kasa Smart Plug Slim with Energy Monitoring

The Kasa EP25 is the smart plug most homes should start with. It is small enough to share an outlet, connects over ordinary Wi-Fi with no hub, and Kasa lists energy monitoring, schedules and an away mode that turns lights on and off while you travel. It works with Alexa, Google Home and Apple Home.

Eve Energy (Matter)

Eve Energy is the pick for Apple Home fans and anyone building around Matter and Thread. It runs locally without a cloud account and tracks energy use. It needs a Thread border router, such as a recent Apple TV, HomePod or Nest hub, so check your setup first.

Tapo Mini Smart Wi-Fi Plug (Matter)

The Tapo P125M is the low-cost way into Matter. It connects over Wi-Fi with no hub and works with Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home and SmartThings. It skips energy monitoring, but for simple schedules and voice control it is all most people need.

Choose by app and features

Pick the Kasa EP25 for easy setup and energy tracking on Wi-Fi. Pick Eve Energy for local control in Apple Home over Thread. Pick the Tapo P125M for cheap Matter plugs across any major platform.

What stands out

• All three list a 15 A, 1,800 W rating
• Kasa and Eve both track energy use
• The Tapo P125M is Matter certified over Wi-Fi

Watch out for

• Do not use smart plugs with space heaters
• Eve Energy needs a Thread border router
• Most plugs connect on 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi only

Before you buy

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Choose the plug that works with the app you already use, and keep high-draw appliances off it.

Think about the fit: Choose the plug that works with your app.

Check before buying: Connection type, app support, outlet size and load rating

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