Key Points
- Smart power strips can remotely control devices like lamps and coffee pots, but not all outlets on the strip may be ‘smart’.
- Smart power strips are generally twice the cost of traditional power strips without any smart features.
- Internet reliance can lead to potential security threats and render smart power strips useless during an outage.
- Compatibility issues may arise when syncing smart power strips with devices like Apple’s smart speaker or the Nest Hub.
Power strips allow you to extend an outlet’s usage, but they have largely stayed the same until smart power strips came along. You may want to avoid a smart power strip, however, until you better understand the pros and cons. The former is easy to come to grips with, especially if you have a connected home. With that in mind, the drawbacks could be considerable depending on your needs.
What Is a Smart Power Strip
We’ve seen smart plugs, intelligent refrigerators, and dozens of devices that connect your home to the web. A power strip works in a similar fashion, but what it can actually do comes down to the model and manufacturer.
Many smart power strips are basically surge protectors with individual smart outlets. There’s not much variety in terms of style or form factor yet, but all connect certain devices to the web. Whatever you plug into an outlet can be controlled remotely to a degree.
Lamps, coffee pots, and TVs can be switched on or off remotely. There are even a handful of intelligent power strips with voice control, although looks can be deceiving. All of the plugs on a smart power strip may not be “smart,” which is minor compared to other issues on our list.
The Cost
If you’re just looking for an affordable way to quickly add a few extra plugs to an outlet, smart power strips aren’t for you. While many are reasonably priced, they are generally twice the cost of a traditional power strip without any smart features.
As with most products, how much you’ll need to pay depends on the features. Smart plugs with six outlets or more are priced at a premium, even if half the outlets aren’t actually smart. Want a power strip you can control with your voice? That’s an option if you’re willing to pay $30-$60 or more.
By comparison, you can pick up a two-pack of six-plug power strips for less than $15. That’s a considerable difference in price. It’s also a good reason to avoid a smart power strip if you’re on the fence between the two styles.
Reliance on the Internet
When you hear the word “smart” attached to any product, that generally means one thing regardless of the device. “Smart” means it connects to other devices through Bluetooth or the internet. While this enables these gadgets to do some wondrous things, it also opens the door to potential security threats.
We’ve all seen horror stories of webcams getting hacked, or heard about privacy concerns with connected devices. It’s something everyone should be aware of in a connected home, even if the only thing synced to your home network is a smart power strip.
The other drawback to connected devices is reliance on the internet. Even if security isn’t an issue, an internet outage will render your smart power strip worthless. Unless you only control it through Bluetooth, reliance on the internet or other devices is another reason to avoid a new smart power strip.
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Conflicts and Configuration
One of the early issues with connected devices was configurations and conflicts. The more devices connected to your home network, the more potential there is for problems to occur. It’s something many of us have experienced with routers and other streaming devices. A smart power strip may just add another problem to the list.
Manufacturers strive to make smart devices easy to use. That includes the way we set them up, which often involves mobile phones and apps. Some products can only be set up through these methods, which rules out a PC. That’s an issue, but not as challenging as configuring some smart power strips with a half-dozen outlets and ports.
If you dread dealing with router issues and have trouble keeping printers online with your home network, a smart power strip may not be for you. Models from larger brands tend to be easier to work with, but a lot of issues that can arise can come from your network, not the device itself.
Compatibility
Device compatibility ties into configuration and conflicts, although it is worthy of its own section given how much confusion it can cause. With smart power strips, there are two types of compatibility you need to consider. You want to make sure large or awkward plugs fit, but also that it works with your existing devices if needed.
If you are just purchasing a smart power strip to automatically turn things on and off at a set time, compatibility won’t be an issue. When you want to sync that power strip to Apple’s smart speaker or the Nest Hub, things can quickly become challenging. That’s where compatibility comes into play.
In our research, we found dozens of power strips listed as “works with Alexa” and several supported by Google as well. Apple and Siri? Not so much, and you may have trouble finding support for other hubs and smart assistants. One way to get around this is to buy a power strip with a voice assistant built-in. They are handy but may be an unnecessary addition to your home’s automation or network.
Alternatives to New Smart Power Strips
There’s a good reason we haven’t seen the traditional power strip change much in decades — outside of additional safety features. They work, and there’s only so much you can do to improve on the design. The power strips we’ve listed below aren’t smart, but they do provide some interesting ways to extend the range of outlets in your home.
ALESTOR Surge Protector with USB ports
If you’re a techie, there’s a good chance you have a house full of gadgets. Keeping them powered can be a problem, especially if you’re short on plugs. ALESTOR’s surge protector solves that problem with 12 outlets and four USB ports.
This large power strip can keep 12 devices safe from power surges and it provides plenty of reach. It has a sturdy, thick six-foot-long extension cord and a very simple design. There are two rows of plugs on either side of the strip with a switch at the top and two lights. Those lights let you know that the surge protection feature is functioning and that the strip is grounded.
ALETSOR’s surge protector is both simple and highly effective at protecting your gear. The top two outlets are designed to accommodate larger plugs, and there’s a mounting hole on the back. It’s highly rated, comes with more outlets than a smart strip, and is available in black or white.
TESSAN Flat Plug Surge Protector Power Strip
As mentioned, the design of power strips hasn’t changed much since they were introduced. Their designs are effective, but they are not ideal for some consumers. TESSAN’s flat plug surge protector is a great reason to avoid a new smart power strip. It can address problems with odd plugs and make twisted cables a thing of the past.
There are nine outlets on this power strip, although you’re only likely to see six at any given time. There are three on three sides with enough space for large and smaller plugs. As a bonus, there are an additional three outlets on the end that can be used to charge USB devices. When you factor in the 15-foot cable, you have a unique solution for power-hungry areas of your home.
This particular version of TESSAN’s power strip will set you back as much as a smart one, but you won’t have to deal with any of the issues that come along with those devices. It has more outlets than those brainy power strips, and you can choose from three cord lengths if you’re looking for something a bit shorter and cheaper.
- 15 foot long cord
- Flat design with 9 outlets
- 3 USB charging ports
- 1,050 joules
Philips Six-Outlet Extender Surge Protector
Power strips are popular for their design and the way they add more plugs to any dual plug outlet. Outlet extenders can also do that. Our favorite comes from Philips and will add six additional sockets to any traditional power outlet in seconds.
With a 900 joules surge protection rating, this outlet can keep consoles, TVs, and other devices safe from harm. It’s not the best choice for those big boxy plugs, but perfect for regular two-prong plugs and boxy smartphone charging blocks. The outlet maintains a low profile at around two inches thick and the LED indicator lets you know your gear is protected with a glance.
Wall outlet extenders aren’t as popular as corded surge protectors, but new models aren’t as hard on plug outlets as older, heavier models. They are an excellent choice when cords are a concern, and this model has a smarter counterpart with the Philips SPP3461WF.
GE Six-Outlet Power Strip
General Electric is a well-known name for its appliances and accessories like power strips. Their products are known to be affordable and reliable, which is what you’ll get from their power strips. Our favorite from the company is this kit, which can provide homeowners with multiple strips at an affordable price.
This power strip comes in a variety of configurations depending on your needs. They are UL listed with integrated circuit breakers, slim, and very simple by design. You can mount them or slide them under things with ease, and there are three lengths to choose from. Single versions are available as well, in both black and white.
We chose the single power strip with a 6-foot cord, but there are four other lengths from 2 to 12 feet depending on your needs. These power strips aren’t fancy and don’t have surge protection, but they get the job done and certainly won’t break the bank if you need multiples.
The Wrap-Up
Buying a new power strip or surge protector for your home shouldn’t be a difficult decision. If you’re considering an intelligent one it could be, unless you choose to avoid a smart power strip. Whether they are a good fit for your home largely depends on your needs and budget. It’s a good idea to be aware of the alternatives, however, unless you’re set on making every facet of your home a little smarter.
Alternatives to Smart Power Strips
- ALESTOR Surge Protector
- TESSAN Flat Plug Surge Protector
- Philips 6-Outlet Extender Surge Protector
- GE 6-Outlet Power Strip
- ALESTOR Surge Protector
- 12 outlets
- 2,700 joules
- Fireproof shell
- 4 USB charging ports
- TESSAN Flat Plug Surge Protector Power Strip
- 15 foot long cord
- Flat design with 9 outlets
- 3 USB charging ports
- 1,050 joules
- Philips 6-Outlet Extender Surge Protector
- Streamlined Design
- 6 power outlets
- 900 joules
- 3 colors
- GE 6-Outlet Power Strip
- 6 outlets
- UL listed
- Wall mountable
- Heavy-duty 6-foot cord
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We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
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