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The Best Smart Plugs in 2024
Fortunately, there’s an easier and cheaper solution than replacing all your appliances if you want to look into home automation – you can just plug your appliances into a Wi-Fi plug or a smart plug instead of directly into an outlet. There are several that work with Google Assistant, Alexa or HomeKit to help you schedule or control your appliance use from anywhere (via voice control or your smartphone). There’s a wide variety of smart plug uses, anything from helping individuals with reduced mobility manage their electronics and appliances to helping you dim your lights.
These days, a lot of the appliances we’re using at home are ‘smart’ – smart fridges that can keep track of what’s stocked in them, smart thermostats that you can control from anywhere and even smart coffee makers that can get started on your coffee before you even get out of bed. Smart electronics are convenient and energy-saving, but they can be pricey – replacing all of your current devices with smart ones might not work with your budget. And that’s when smart plugs come in hand.
If you’re ready to start converting your electrical outlets into smart outlets or Wi-Fi controlled power outlets, we can help. With so many options out there, choosing the right smart plugs for your Wi-Fi power sockets can be overwhelming. Plus, not many people would want to spend their free time digging through hundreds of smart plugs reviews to find out which one would be the best for their Wi-Fi electrical outlet.
That’s why we’ve sought out the best-reviewed smart plugs in Canada and compiled all the top-rated smart plugs right in this complete guide. By the end of this article, you’ll be able to find the best smart plug for your household whether you’re looking for cheap smart plugs or a Wi-Fi smart plug that can help you turn off the lights without getting up.
Our Top Picks
How to Choose a Smart Plug
Here are a few things to consider when you’re deciding which smart plug is the best one for your home.
Design – This is about more than just aesthetics. Sure, you want a smart plug that’ll match the outlet or room its in, but you’ll also want to take into account how bulky it is. If it’s super bulky, it may block other outlets.
Compatibility – Not all smart plugs will be compatible with HomeKit, Alexa or Google Home. Make sure to check if your smart plug will be compatible with whichever one of the above home automation assistants is applicable to you. Otherwise, you can download your smart plug’s app on your smartphone and control it from there.
Other extra features – Smart plugs can do more than just control the power supply to your electronics. Several of them are also able to track how much power is being used by your devices while others can monitor the temperature of your outlet to prevent it from getting too hot. Keep in mind that smart plugs with such extra features will probably cost you more than basic smart plugs.
Check the app before you buy – You’ll want to make sure that the app is functional and easy to use – nothing would be more frustrating than buying a smart plug and finding out that its app is barely functional or glitchy.
Why Trust Us
There are hundreds of different smart plugs available on the market – trying to compare them all on your own would be a pretty hard task. Our team spent over 15 hours reviewing and selecting the best smart plugs available in Canada as well as comparing their features. We made our top choices by taking into account dozens of verified user reviews, as well as tester analysis from trusted websites.
The Best Smart Plugs in Canada
Best smart plug overall
Features
Kasa Smart WiFi Plug Mini by TP-Link
This TP-Link smart Wi–Fi plug is a solid choice for appliances and electronics like your lamps, chargers, and fans. It’s small and compact (4 x 3.8 x 6.7 cm), meaning it likely won’t block your other electrical outlet when you plug it in. It’s also voice control compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant and Microsoft Cortana. Overall, reviewers on Amazon found that this smart plug and its app are easy to set up and use. You can schedule your appliances to turn on and off whenever you want via the app for this smart plug.
Another feature worth noting is the away mode that this smart plug comes with. If you’re ever away on vacation or for extended periods of time, away mode can turn on lamps and other lighting sources in your house at random intervals to make it look like you’re at home and to deter robbers.
One drawback with this smart plug is that its max load is 10A – it’ll be fine for lamps, toasters, and the like, but it might not be sufficient for larger appliances like food processors.
Overall, compatible with various voice control assistants, this smart plug is reasonably affordable and will get the job done in many cases.
Pros
- Compact.
- Compatible with several voice control assistants (Cortana, Google Assistant and Alexa).
- It features an away mode for when you have to leave your house for an extended period of time.
Cons
- Its max load is only 10A, so it may not work for larger appliances or electronics.
Kasa Smart WiFi Plug Mini by TP-Link
VIEW ON AMAZONSpecifications
Best smart plug for Google Home
Features
Gosund WP3 Wi-Fi Smart Plug
If you’re looking for a Google Home smart plug, this Gosund smart plug may be worth considering. Note: This smart plug is also compatible with Alexa. Priced around $39.99 on Amazon for a 4-pack, this is one of the lowest-priced smart plugs (per unit) on this list.
Like many other smart plugs, the app comes with scheduling and timer features, which makes turning off/on appliances you use frequently less of a hassle. You can also group however many of these smart plugs as you’d like and control them all via one command. Plus, you can turn to control your electronics remotely from anywhere via the app so you’ll never have to worry if you left your curling iron again.
If you’re looking for a smart plug with various extra features like energy monitoring and an away mode, this probably isn’t the smart plug for you. But for people who just want reasonably priced smart plugs that are compatible with Google Home, this Gosund smart plug will probably be just fine.
Pros
- Low price per smart plug.
- Easy set-up.
- You can group several of these smart plugs together to be controlled via one command.
Cons
- Only rated for a maximum load current of 10A.
Gosund WP3 Wi-Fi Smart Plug
VIEW ON WAYFAIRSpecifications
Best smart plug for Alexa
Features
Amazon Smart Plug
Who better to make an Alexa compatible smart plug than Amazon themselves, right? With the Alexa app, you can create a routine involving the switching on or off of many electronics via a single request. Most reviewers on Amazon found that the setup process was simple – all you have to do is plug in your Amazon smart plug and your device of choice, scan for it via the Alexa app and you should be able to start using voice commands.
Other than that, this smart plug doesn’t really come with many other features. Priced around $30 on Amazon, this smart plug is on the higher end of pricing. But it may be worth it just to have the reassurance of Amazon customer service in case something goes wrong with your smart plug.
Pros
- Compact design that won’t block other electrical outlets.
- Simple setup.
- 1-year warranty.
Cons
- It is pricier than other smart plugs.
- Not compatible with other voice assistants.
Best outdoor smart plug
Features
Globe Electric Wi-Fi Smart 2-Outlet Outdoor Plug
If you’ve ever dreaded having to go outside in -30 degree weather to plug in your block heater, an outdoor Wi-Fi plug could be the answer to your problems. This Globe smart plug comes with two outlets in one and is compatible with Google Assistant, Alexa or Siri.
What’s different about outdoor smart plugs is that they’re weather resistant and can handle colder temperatures better than indoor smart plugs can.
Like with many indoor smart plugs, you can schedule when and how long your electronics turn and stay on. Each outlet on this smart plug is controlled separately but you can group the outlets together so that the devices attached to each outlet come on together.
This smart plug also comes with automatic scene function in its app that will turn on your devices only when your specified conditions have been met. For example, you can use this function to tell your smart plug to turn on your holiday lights only when its sunset out.
Overall, this smart plug is priced on the lower side relative to other smart plugs in this list.
Pros
- Easy setup.
- It can handle cold weather.
- Priced lower than many other smart plugs.
Cons
- The outlets are controlled separately, but they aren’t labelled, which can make things a bit of a hassle for scheduling.
Specifications
Best smart plug for air conditioner
Features
TECKIN Smart Plug
If you need a smart plug with a higher max load, this TECKIN smart plug may be worth considering – it has a max load of 15A. With a max load of 15A, this smart plug should be able safely to handle air conditioners meant for use in small rooms (5000-6000 BTU), which typically draw between 5 and 7 amps of power.
This smart plug may also work with air conditioners with more cooling power (8000-12000 BTU) which typically draw 10A or more but you should always check how much power your air conditioning unit draws before getting a smart plug for it. This smart plug is made of flame–retardant material, meaning you won’t have to worry about fires, even if overheating occurs or if you accidentally plug in an appliance that draws too much power.
The TECKIN smart plug is on the lower end of pricing for smart plugs. Like several other smart plugs, this smart plug will allow you to schedule times when you’d like your electronics to turn on and times where you’d like them to be off. Plus, this smart plug is compatible with Alexa and Google Home, meaning you can turn on any appliance with a simple voice command.
If you’d prefer to control your smart plug via the app instead, many reviewers found that the app was easy to use and that setting up the smart plug and app overall was simple and quick.
However, some reviewers found that the app was a little difficult to find on the app store. In addition to this, one user noted that deleting schedules didn’t seem to be possible in the app (but you can get around this by turning off the schedule or editing the schedule.)
Another user found that there was a delay for the smart plug carrying out a scheduled action (for example, if you set a schedule to turn on your coffee maker at 7 AM every day, it would turn on at 7:03 AM instead.) However, there aren’t many reviews noting this, so it could be attributed to poor Wi-Fi connectivity.
Something else worth noting about this TECKIN smart plug is that you can monitor energy usage through the app – great for helping you be more conscious of how you’re consuming energy.
Overall, this smart plug is reasonably priced and is a great option for appliances and electronics that draw larger amounts of power such as air conditioners.
Pros
- Relatively high max load of 15A.
- It can monitor the energy usage of any electronics plugged into it.
- It is small enough that it won’t block other electrical outlets when plugged in.
Cons
- Potential delays between scheduling and the actual turning on/off of a device.
Best smart plug with energy monitoring
Features
Avatar Controls 2-in-1 Smart Plug
If you want a smart plug that will also act as a power consumption monitor, this Avatar smart plug might be worth considering. You’ll be able to track the total kWh used daily and monthly via the app this smart plug is paired with. It’s unique in that it has a double smart plug design that only requires one outlet. This dual smart plug is pretty bulky with dimensions of 10.6 x 4.7 x 5.3 cm so you probably wouldn’t be able to plug anything into the outlet above or beneath the one this smart plug is plugged into.
As with many other smart plugs, this one will work with Alexa, Google Assistant or via its smartphone app (Smart Life). You can even schedule each outlet differently via the smartphone app (but you won’t be able to do so via Alexa or Google Assistant. With these two assistants, the smart outlets can’t be scheduled differently.)
Something else worth noting is that this dual smart plug has a 16A capacity, which means it can handle devices that draw more power than your typical lamp or charging cable.
Overall, this is worth considering if you’d like a smart plug capable of energy monitoring that can also handle higher power usage – especially if you can get it on sale (this smart plug is usually priced around $25.99 on Amazon.)
Pros
- You get two smart plugs in one.
- A relatively high max load of 16A.
- Ability to monitor energy usage via the app.
Cons
- According to some reviews on Amazon, it might be best to get this smart plug if you’re planning to use one outlet, or if you want the two electronics you plug in to be scheduled together.
Avatar Controls 2-in-1 Smart Plug
VIEW ON AMAZONSpecifications
Best smart plug with timer
Features
meross Mini Smart Plug WiFi Outlet
If you’re looking for a smart plug that can set automatic daily timers or make schedules for your appliances and electronics, these meross smart plugs may be worth considering.
These gadgets are compact (6.9 x 3.8 x 3.8 cm), meaning they will allow you to use the other socket in your electrical outlet. In addition to being able to schedule turning on and off your devices, these smart plugs also come with a sunrise and sunset setting which can automatically identify the sunrise and sunset time according to your time zone and turn your lights on and off accordingly.
Something else that’s unique about this smart plug is that it features a MediaTek chipset for increased Wi-Fi stability in comparison to the chipsets that smart plugs usually use. These smart plugs are also ETL certified, meaning they comply with North American safety standards.
As with many other comparable devices, this meross smart plug is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant. Overall, reviewers are happy with how easy this smart plug is to set up.
Pros
- Low price per smart plug.
- Increased Wi-Fi stability.
- Compact in size.
Cons
- The 4 pack may be too much for those who only need 1 or 2 smart plugs.
meross Mini Smart Plug WiFi Outlet
VIEW ON AMAZONSpecifications
Best 5ghz smart plug
Features
Leviton Smart Wifi Mini Plug-In Outlet
5 GHz smart plugs aren’t very common, but here’s a decent smart plug from Leviton that’s compatible with 5 GHz networks. It’s compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant.
Like most other smart plugs, you can schedule your appliances to turn on and off whenever you’d like. You can also set your appliances to turn on and off as well when its sunrise and sunset each day. Plus, you can control the fade rate of your lights from the My Leviton app.
Overall, it’s one of the priciest smart plugs on this list (usually more than $40.00 online) – if you aren’t specifically looking for 5Ghz network compatibility, there are probably smart plugs that cost less that will have the same features.
If you do specifically need 5Ghz network compatibility, note that some reviewers found that while this smart plug functions well, setting up this smart plug was somewhat difficult.
Pros
- Compatible with 5 GHz networks.
Cons
- Difficult setup.
- Pricier than most smart plugs.
Belkin Wemo Mini Smart Plug (F7C063fc)
Features
Belkin Wemo Mini Smart Plug (F7C063fc)
This Wemo mini smart plug is another option worth considering for anyone looking for an Alexa or Google Assistant compatible smart plug. This is also compatible with Nest thermostats, which can detect when you’re at home and sync with your Wemo mini smart plug to turn off appliances like fans when you’re not home. You can find the Wemo app for Android and iPhones via the Google Play Store or App Store.
In addition to being Alexa and Google Assistant compatible, this Belkin smart plug is also compatible with If This, Then That (IFTTT), which can automatically turn electronics on once you’re nearing home or automatically turn devices off when you’re on your way out the door.
Like other smart plugs, this one will let you schedule when your appliances turn on and off via the app. It also has an away mode, which will randomly turn on your plugged-in lights while you’re away to help create the illusion you’re home when you’re not.
It also features a power button on the smart plug itself in case the Wi-Fi in your home goes down for whatever reason.
Overall, this smart plug runs quite a bit pricier than the other smart plugs on this list. If you have a Nest thermostat and you’re interested in the IFTTT web service, the higher than average cost of this smart plug may be worth it for you.
Pros
- IFTTT and Nest compatible.
- Easily accessible power button for when your Wi-Fi goes out.
- Away mode for increasing the security of your home when you’re away.
Cons
- Setting up the app can be difficult.
- The app can be slow at times.
iHome Control Smart Plug
Features
iHome Control Smart Plug
This iHome smart plug is compatible with HomeKit, Alexa and Google Assistant. This is a pretty no-frills smart plug – it’s compact (7.1 x 5.4 x 3.7 cm) and allows you remote access to your appliances from anywhere.
What’s unique about this smart plug is that its app features encrypted data and privacy protection – several other smart plug apps don’t mention specifically have such security features.
Overall, this smart plug is on the pricier end. If you specifically need a smart plug that’s compatible with HomeKit, this is one of the few options that we found that performed reasonably well.
Pros
- It comes with a 1-year warranty.
- It won’t block other electrical outlets.
- It has an app featuring data encryption for increased security.
Cons
- Pricier than other smart plugs.
- Some reviewers noted having to manually reset this smart plug every once in a while to get it to keep working.
Specifications
Geeni SPOT Smart Outlet Plug
Features
Geeni SPOT Smart Outlet Plug
If you’d rather have a round smart plug than a square or rectangular one, this Geeni smart plug could be worth considering. It goes for around $20 on Amazon, making it about average for the price point. As standard, it works with Alexa and Google Assistant but it’s also compatible with Microsoft Cortana, for which there are typically fewer options.
As with basically any smart plug, this Geeni smart plug will allow you to schedule when you want your appliances to turn on and off from anywhere.
If all you want is a basic smart plug with scheduling capabilities, you can’t really go wrong with this one.
Pros
- Reasonably priced.
- It works with Microsoft Cortana.
Cons
- Some reviewers note that this smart plug makes a buzzing noise, so this smart plug may not be the best choice if you’re going to be placing it in your bedroom.
Geeni SPOT Smart Outlet Plug
VIEW ON AMAZONSpecifications
CE Smart Home Wi-Fi Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring
Features
Here’s another smart plug option for you to consider if you’re still haven’t quite settled on one. The listing on Amazon for this CE smart plug comes with two smart plugs (priced around $18.50 per unit), making them averagely priced relative to the other smart plugs in this guide.
If you’re planning on getting several smart plugs, it’s important to note that you can sync up to 30 of these smart plugs with the app.
Otherwise, this is a pretty standard smart plug – you can schedule your devices to turn on and off whenever you want from wherever you want. Some reviewers note that the setup process can be a little fussy, but that the smart plug works just fine once you get past setup.
Pros
- Affordably priced.
- You can sync up to 30 of these smart plugs through the app.
Cons
- Some reviewers on Amazon note that the setup process can be a little bit of a hassle.
CE Smart Home Wi-Fi Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring
VIEW ON AMAZONSpecifications
How We Picked the Best Smart Plugs
For this specific buying guide, we tried to pick smart plugs that would be affordable to a wide variety of people – several people use smart plugs as an alternative to replacing their electronics and appliances with smart ones because it’s more cost-friendly, so we wanted to keep this in mind.
To select the best smart plugs in Canada, we went through over 30 models online. We wanted to find a smart plug for every need and household – for example, we listed smart plugs capable of energy monitoring for those who are looking to be more conscious about the energy they consume.
Frequent Smart Plug Questions
What is a smart plug?
A smart plug is an adaptor that can be plugged into electrical wall outlets to convert them into smart wall outlets. By doing so, you can plug in regular ‘dumb’ devices and control them remotely (via an app on your smartphone or via voice control with Alexa or Google Home.) Some smart plugs even monitor energy usage and/or the temperature of the wall outlet which can help prevent overheating.
Are smart plugs worth it?
That really depends on your personal circumstances. Smart plugs add convenience to your home – you can schedule your slow cooker to turn on at a specific time of day so dinner will always be ready by the time you get home. Smart plugs make it so that you don’t have to walk all the way back to the living room when you forgot to turn the TV off. Smart plugs can also help you screen time for your kids so that they’re not glued to the television 24/7. In general, though, we’d say smart plugs are worth it – they can help keep your life in order and take some stress off your shoulders.
Do smart plugs need a hub?
For the most part, smart plugs do not require a hub.
Do smart plugs work with power strips?
It should be fine to plug a smart plug into a power strip.
How do smart plugs work?
They plug right into your electrical outlets and allow you to control the power supply to your devices either by an app on your smartphone or by voice control with Google Homes or Alexa. Some smart plugs will allow scheduling of what times you want your devices on or off.
What are the smart plug pros and cons?
Pros
- Cheaper than replacing all your appliances with smart ones (you can find prices as low as $10 per plug).
- Some smart plugs allow you to track energy consumption, making it easier to see what contributes to your energy bills.
- Some smart plugs will allow you to conveniently schedule when your device turns on (ie. scheduling your coffee machine to start up at the same time before you get out of bed each morning).
Cons
- Depending on how many devices you want to control remotely, the cost of smart plugs might add up to a lot.
What are the best things to use smart plugs for?
That really depends on you and your lifestyle. If you’re super forgetful about making dinner, you could use a smart plug to turn on your pressure cooker at a certain time each day. If you’re coming home with groceries in the evening and you find that you don’t have any free hands, you can use smart plugs to schedule the lights to turn on whenever you get back at a particular time so you don’t have to fumble around in the dark. Basically, smart plugs are great for automating devices to make your life a little easier.
Is there a 5GHz smart plug?
There are 5 GHz compatible smart plugs out there but they aren’t very common – one example is the Leviton Smart Wifi Mini Plug-In Outlet.
Can I use a smart plug to turn on my TV?
That depends on if your TV has an electronic switch or mechanical switch – if it has a manual switch, you can use a smart plug to turn your TV on and off. You can check if your electronics have a mechanical switch by switching them on and unplugging and re-plugging in the electronic. If your device is turned on when you re-plug it in, it has a mechanical switch.
Do Wi-Fi smart plugs work with Alexa and Google Home?
While many do, it’s best to check the product description to find out if a particular smart plug is compatible with Alexa or Google Home.
How to set up a smart plug?
While it may vary slightly between smart plugs, it’s often as simple as plugging in your smart plug into an electrical socket, plugging in your electronic of choice into the smart plug and downloading your smart plug’s app on to your smartphone. Some smart plugs will allow pairing with Alexa or Google Assistant via their own dedicated apps.
Where can I get a smart plug?
There are several retailers you can buy smart plugs such as (but not limited to): Costco Canada, Amazon Canada, Walmart Canada, Canadian Tire, Best Buy Canada, The Source and Staples.
Other Smart Plugs
Here are other smart plugs that didn’t fit into our main list for one reason or another that we still thought may be of interest to you.
Samsung SmartThings Wifi Smart Plug
What’s nice about this Samsung smart plug is that it’ll send you alerts if it thinks you accidentally left some electronics or lights on in your home. Otherwise, it works just like any other smart plug does where you can schedule when your electronics turn on and off during the day.
The main reason we haven’t placed this smart plug in our main guide is due to the fact it requires a Samsung SmartThings HUB v2 to function. If all you’re looking for is a smart plug to help you automate a few appliances, paying for a smart plug and a hub is a bit of a steep cost to pay in comparison to many of the other smart plugs that are in the main list.
Merkury Smart Wi-Fi Plug
If you’d like another budget-friendly smart plug to consider, this Merkury smart plug might be worth looking at. Compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, it’s also relatively compact (3.54 x 3.54 x 7.00 inches), which probably won’t block other electrical sockets when plugged in.
Featuring pretty much only scheduling and voice control, this smart plug is one the most basic units out there. If you’re looking for a low-priced smart plug that’s easy to set up, this Merkury smart plug is definitely worth adding on your list to consider.
