Have you been wondering what all the hullabaloo is about with smart plugs? Well, you’ve come to the right place! Today I’m going to go over everything that you need to know about these incredible gadgets. They can smarten up your house, and you don’t have to spend a pretty penny to get them either.
What are the best smart plugs under $20? The best smart plugs for under $20 this year include:
9. Middle Brand Mini Smart Plug
I’ll go over each of them in more detail in just a minute. But before we get there, let’s discuss what exactly these gadgets are and what they can do.
What Is a Smart Plug?
Smart plugs allow you to turn any electronic device or appliance into a smart device that you can control with an app on your phone. They are very easy to set up and use. You just plug them into an outlet and then plug your device into the smart plug. From there, you can turn your devices on and off or schedule power with your phone.
Have you ever left home and then realized that you forgot to turn off the iron? Well, with a smart plug, you could shut it off from anywhere, even if you’re across town. You could also use it to turn on the lights in your home before you get home from work. And if you want to limit video games and TV time for the kids, a smart plug will let you do that.
Most smart plugs also allow you to control your devices through voice command. These plugs work with systems like Alexa or Google Assistant. However, they don’t work with every voice assistant, so check for compatibility before you buy one.
Monitor Your Energy Usage
On top of letting you control the device through your phone, scheduling, and voice command, you can also monitor your energy usage with a smart plug. Just check the app on your phone and see how many kilowatts your smart plug is using by year, month, day, and hour.
Some smart plugs are rather large and can block your second electrical outlet. But mini smart plugs are compact and allow you to use two of them in one outlet. Most of the plugs on the list this year are minis.
You can spend well over $75 for a single smart plug. The Amazon smart plug is a little cheaper, but it’s still too expensive if you ask me. You don’t have to spend that much. In fact, all the plugs on the list this year are available for less than $20. You could purchase three of them for the cost of one Amazon plug.
The only benefit of using the Amazon plug is that it works directly with Alexa’s app, so you don’t have to download a separate app. But that doesn’t seem worth the extra cost. All the smart plugs on this list work just as well, and it’s no big deal to download a separate app. You can learn more about using smart plugs by watching this short video below.
How to Set Up a Smart Plug
Smart plugs are super easy to set up and use. Don’t worry if you’re not too tech-savvy. Here are the simple steps:
- Plug the smart plug into an electrical socket.
- Plug your device or appliance into the smart plug.
- Download the free app.
- Follow the on-screen instructions on the app.
- Connect your smart plug to your voice assistant using their app.
- Use your phone or voice command to control your device or make a schedule for it to work automatically.
This short video below will go into more detail about the setup and usage.
How Safe Are Smart Plugs?
Smart plugs are just as safe as any other electrical outlet. If there is a power surge, many smart plugs have an automatic shut-off feature. The same safety procedures that you would typically use with a regular socket should be used with smart plugs, including not overloading them.
Do All Appliances Work with Smart Plugs?
No, not all appliances and devices will work with a smart plug. First, you need to check the power limits for each smart plug to see if it will work with your device.
The other thing to check is how your device turns on and off. One simple test you can do is to turn your appliance on and then unplug it. If it doesn’t automatically turn back on as soon as you plug it back in, then it will not be compatible with a smart plug. You can learn more about what devices work with smart plugs by reading here.
Cool Things You Can Do with a Smart Plug
There are many cool things that you can do with a smart plug. Here are just a few of them:
- Monitor energy usage to lower your electric bills.
- Turn devices on and off.
- Turn your lights on before you get home from work, so you’re not walking into a dark house at night.
- Schedule your lights to come on every night while you’re away on vacation.
- Turn the lights out in the kids’ rooms at bedtime. You can schedule different times for weekdays and weekends.
- Remotely limit the amount of time that your kids spend playing video games and watching TV.
- Schedule your coffee maker to start before you wake up.
- Set your USB phone charger to shut off once your phone battery is fully charged.
Learn more about the things you can do with smart plugs by reading here.
The Top 10 Best Smart Plugs for Under $20
Here are the top 10 best smart plugs for under $20 this year. I’ve listed them in no particular order.
1. Wemo Mini Smart Plug
One of my favorite smart plugs for under $20 is the Wemo Mini Smart Plug. This smart plug is easy to use and set up. You just plug it in, then download the free app, and control any device that you plug into it.
The Wemo plug works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Home Kit. You can pair this plug with built-in voice devices like Google Home and Apple Home Pod and then control your appliances and lights with your voice. Just download the latest version of the Wemo app and follow the steps to connect.
All you need is a WiFi router and a cell phone with at least Android 4.1 or iOS 9. There is no subscription or hub required.
Another thing that I like about this smart plug is its compact size. You can plug two Wemo smart plugs into one outlet.
2. KMC Smart Plug
The KMC Smart Plug is another great plug available for less than $20. It works with Amazon’s Alexa, Echo Dot, Google Home Assistant, and IFTTT so that you can control your devices with your voice.
This smart plug works with your phone or tablet using the Smart Life app. And it’s easy to set up. All you need is a WiFi connection. There is no subscription or hub required. But your phone must work on at least Android 4.4 or iOS 8.
With this smart plug, you can pre-set times to turn your devices on or off automatically. It also offers a real-time monitoring function so you can check the status of any device that is connected.
This plug is safe and will reduce your energy use. Another great thing about it is that it comes with a six-month warranty.
3. Aoycocr Smart Plug
The Aoycocr Smart Plug is also available for less than $20. When you plug your home equipment into this smart plug and download the free Smart Life app, you can control your appliances from your phone.
The Aoycocr plug works with WiFi. You don’t need a subscription or hub. You can also use voice command with this smart plug. It works with Alexa or Google Assistant.
This smart plug allows you to schedule and customize timers to turn your devices on or off automatically. It helps you to save power, and it makes your home smarter. You can also share the control of this plug with every member of your family.
The other thing that I love about this plug is that Aoycocr gives quality assurance on all of its products. The company will take care of any problems that you have with the plug, and they provide excellent after-sales support online.
4. Samsung Smart Plug
Next on the list is the Samsung Smart Plug. The Samsung plug is more expensive than the others on this list, but it still costs less than $20, and it works with WiFi. You can control it from your TV, tablet, or phone with the SmartThings app.
The Samsung Smart Plug also works with a voice command. It’s compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Bixby. With this plug, you can set schedules and monitor energy usage. It has a programmable timer.
And like the others, the Samsung plug doesn’t require a hub. You will need a 2.4 GHertz WiFi connection.
Another thing that I like about this one is that it is compact. That means that you can plug more than one of them into the electric socket. Samsung stands by this smart plug too. They offer a one-year limited warranty.
5. Gosund Mini Smart Plug
The Gosund Mini Smart Plug is another inexpensive plug that you should consider. As long as you have a 2.4g network, you can control your devices using a free app on your phone.
This plug works with appliances and devices that are 1200 watts and lower. It won’t work for appliances that use more than 1200 watts like an air conditioner or microwave. This smart plug will eliminate wasteful standby power, and it will help you to save money on your electric bill.
You can use this plug with Amazon Alexa or Google Home for voice command. It is compatible with anything above Android 4.4 and iOS 8. However, it does not work with SmartThing, Homekit, or Bluetooth. You must check to be sure that your network is 2.4 GHz because this plug does not support 5 GHz.
Like other smart plugs on the list, this one is easy to install and safe to use. And Gosund stands by their product with a lifetime of unconditional service.
6. TanTan Smart Plug
The TanTan Smart Plug is another one that you should consider. This one comes with two smart plugs, and it still costs less than $20. This one is like buying one and getting one free!
The TanTan plugs are compatible with Alexa and Google Home. They work with phone systems that are above Android 4.4 and iOS 8. However, this plug only supports WiFi networks that are 2.4 GHz.
Like the others on my list, this plug works with a free app on your phone. And it allows you to control electronics like coffee makers, electric fans, lamps, and more. You can also create groups and share control of the plug with your whole family.
You don’t need a hub for this smart plug. TanTan offers excellent customer service should you have any problems with it.
7. Leviton Decora Smart Plug
Another exceptional plug is the Leviton Decora Smart Plug. This smart plug requires no hub. You can control the appliances in your home from anywhere using the free My Leviton app.
This is another smart plug that works with voice command using Alexa, SmartThings, IFTTT, August, or Google Assistant.
The Leviton smart plug works with motor loads up to 3/4 HP, 15A for general use, 5A LED/CFL, and 1500 watts for incandescent. You can control it using voice command, the app, or by schedule.
The thing that we like most about this smart plug is that it comes from a reputable company that has been making home safety devices since 1906. Leviton’s smart plugs are made in the U.S., and they are backed with a five-year warranty.
8. MoKo Smart Plug
We also really like the MoKo Smart Plug. This plug works just as well as the others on this list, but it will cost you a lot less. The price on this one is fantastic.
The MoKo plug is compatible with Alexa, Echo, Google Home, and IFTTT. It works with the free Smart Life app on your phone or tablet. With the touch of a button on your phone, you can turn the power on and off, prevent overcharging, and provide charging protection for your appliances.
With this plug, you can use many types of schedules, including a random circulating schedule. If you have a power outage, the smart plug will automatically reconnect to the app as soon as the power returns.
There is no hub required. However, it is worth noting that this plug only supports 2.4 GHz. It will not work with 5.0 GHz networks. This plug is FCC certified, and it has an over-voltage protection function.
9. Middle Brand Mini Smart Plug
If you’re looking to save money, then look no further than the Middle Brand Mimi Smart Plug. You could buy two of these and still not spend $15. One unique thing about this plug is that it has a sliding safety cover, so you don’t have to fret about your little ones putting their fingers in the socket.
This smart plug works with the free Smart Life app on your phone. You will need a secured 2.4 GHz WiFi network.
No hub is required for this plug. It works well with Echo, IFTTT, and Google Home Assistant for voice control. And like others on the list this year, the Middle Brand plug lets you create a customized schedule for your devices.
Another thing that we like about this one is the exceptional customer service. The company offers free replacements should your plug be defective for any reason.
10. TP-Link Smart Plug
The last spot on my list of the best smart plugs under $20 is the TP-Link Smart Plug. This plug allows you to control your electronics from anywhere using your phone and the Kasa app. It works with both Android and iOS.
You can use voice command with this plug through Alexa, Google Assistant, and Microsoft Cortana. This plug has a nice compact design too. So you won’t block the second outlet. You can easily fit two of these smart plugs into one outlet.
Like others on the list, this one allows you to schedule your devices to turn on or off automatically.
This smart plug requires a secure 2.4 GHz WiFi network connection. And it comes with a two-year warranty.
It All Comes down to This
I recommend all of the smart plugs on the above list this year. But if I had to pick just one winner, it would be the Middle Brand Mini Smart Plug. It’s the least expensive one on the list, and it works just as well as all of the others. For around $20, you can buy three of them. You can’t beat that!
At that price, you can make your entire house smart. Just make sure that you check the specifications for each plug to be sure that it is compatible with your WiFi network and your voice assistant.