Key Points
- Smart power strips provide users with a hands-off approach to controlling power outlets and can be controlled through smartphone apps or voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant.
- Smart power strips help save energy by shutting off power to idling devices, preventing them from drawing power and costing homeowners money.
- One of the key features of smart power strips is individual outlet control, allowing users to control what devices are drawing power and when.
- Some of the best smart power strip options include the Kasa Smart Plug Power Strip HS300 for overall performance, the POWRUI AW-41 Outdoor Smart Power Strip for outdoor use, the Geeni Smart Surge Protector for budget-friendly options, and the GHome Smart Power Strip for a compact design.
Manufacturers have found a way to make almost any gadget smart, including power strips. If you’re considering one, here are three reasons to buy a smart power strip today. We will discuss why these high-tech components are a must-have accessory in connected homes and touch on some of the top models available.
Reasons to Buy a Smart Power Strip
Some of the best reasons to buy a smart power strip are the same reasons why you would buy a traditional one. These gadgets are designed to give users more power outlets, but many also serve as surge protectors. Smart power strips take things a step further while providing users with a hands-off approach.
Go Hands-Free
Are you tired of reaching down to flip a power strip off that’s lying on the floor? That will never be a problem with an intelligent power strip, considering you can kill power to the entire strip with a smartphone.
These smart plugs connect to your home’s Wi-Fi network. You can control most through smartphone apps or PC software. Some provide detailed statistics on power usage, which can help users narrow down vampiric devices in their homes.
While every smart power strip gives users an extra measure of control, some are also compatible with voice assistants. You can tell Alexa to shut off a device that’s sucking power or even set a timer to turn off devices at specific times. Most voice-compatible smart power strips work with both Alexa and Google Assistant.
Energy Savings
If horror movies don’t frighten you, energy vampires might. Thankfully, these fiends don’t hang around in your basement or suck your life force away while you sleep. The term energy vampire refers to devices in a home that continue to draw power from an electrical outlet, even when switched off.
These idling devices can cost homeowners several hundred dollars a year. That includes laptops, something many of us tend to leave plugged in at all times. Putting your system into sleep mode helps, but they can still draw power while idling.
The same is true for cable boxes, video game consoles, printers, and other types of tech commonly found in homes. With the best smart power strip, you can solve that problem by shutting off power to an outlet completely.
Individual Outlet Control
One of the biggest perks of smart power strips is individual outlet control. You can find this on some semi-intelligent power strips, but it’s a key feature when you want total control over what’s drawing power and when.
Power strips can handle a lot of different gadgets, from appliances to aquariums, consoles, and PCs. Want to turn your aquarium light off while leaving your PC or smartphone charging? You can do that with many smart power strips.
While individual outlet control is common, you’ll want to make sure you have access to all the power outlets, not just a handful. The same is true for power strips with USB ports. You may have the ability to control each of those ports or handle them as a group.
The Best Smart Power Strips
A quick search for “smart power strips” will return a variety of results, including dozens of mediocre models. When you want to keep your devices safe with a reliable, intelligent power strip, consider one of the options below.
Best Overall: Kasa Smart Plug Power Strip HS300
- Includes 6 individually controlled smart outlets
- 3 USB ports
- Compatible with Alexa and Google Home
- No hub needed
- 125 Volts
- 3-prong plug
The best smart power strip for most consumers is the Kasa Smart Plug Power Strip HS300. On the outside, it looks like a classic power strip, but this gadget gives users control over six spacious outlets.
The Kasa HS300 works with any 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connection and doesn’t require a hub or additional accessories. It’s plug-and-play, aside from setting up software that controls the strip. Its max load is rated at 15A with six smart outlets and three USB charging ports. The USB ports aren’t smart, but the outlets certainly are.
You can monitor each plug individually from the Kasa smart app to see how much power they pull. You can shut off any outlet remotely or set schedules to turn devices on and off as needed. The HS300 also provides users with voice controls through Alexa, Google Assistant, and Cortana.
This highly-rated smart power outlet checks all the right boxes and keeps your devices safe with surge protection. While it’s expensive, it’s well worth the price. As a TP-Link product, it’s dependable, and we like that it also comes with a two-year warranty.
Best for Outdoors: POWRUI AW-41 Outdoor Smart Power Strip
- Weatherproof and fireproof for outdoor and indoor use
- Can handle temperatures from -22°F to 104°F
- 4 outlet extender
- Includes remote control
- Timer feature
- Compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant
When you think of smart power strips, PCs and other indoor gadgets typically come to mind. Water-resistant power strips for outdoor use exist but are rare in smart form. This plug from POWRUI is an exception and an interesting choice indoors or outside.
A quick glance lets you know this power strip is different. It has a hybrid splitter design but is brainy beneath its rugged exterior. The AW-41 has an IP44 rating against the weather, is fireproof, and has surge protection for anything plugged into it. This plug can also handle temps from -22 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
There are four outlets on this smart power strip, and you can control each individually. The app isn’t as full-featured as others, but it has all the key information and lets you set up timers. Voice control is an option if you own an assistant from Google or something from Amazon’s Alexa family.
This intelligent power outlet is perfect for anyone with outdoor lighting or an entertainment center on their patio. You can shut things down and monitor your gadgets without going outside, and it has a great price point. Note that it can only work with 2.4GHz Wi-Fi networks, and also keep the waterproof rating in mind. This plug can handle rain, but it isn’t suited for heavy extended downpours.
Best Budget Pick: Geeni Smart Surge Protector
- 6 independently controlled smart outlets
- 3-foot extension cord
- Compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant
- Requires 2.4GHz Wi-Fi but no hub is needed
- Timer feature
One of the drawbacks often mentioned with smart power strips is their price. While that’s true, it’s not the case with all models, including this budget-friendly brainy power strip from Geeni with surge protection.
This smart power strip is comparable to our top option, with six smart outlets and a classic bar design. You can control each outlet individually and access the strip through a dedicated app. While there are no USB ports, it’s easy to set up on 2.4GHz Wi-Fi networks and it’s compatible with Alexa and Google’s voice assistants.
Geeni’s smart power strip has all the features you could want with a mouth-watering price tag. It’s not as sleek as other models and lacks USB, but it has a slot reserved for a wide plug and a three-foot power cord.
Best Mini Option: GHome Smart Power Strip
- 3 individually controlled outlets
- 3 USB Ports
- Surge protector
- Support 2.4GHz Wi-Fi networks
- Compatible with Alexa and Google Home
The typical smart power strips and surge protectors may give you more power outlets to use, but they can also be cumbersome depending on the design. If you’re looking for a small smart power strip, the GHome WP9 is a fantastic option.
At 3.9 inches square and 1.1 inches thick, this power strip leaves a small footprint behind. It’s portable and under a pound, but it still has every smart feature you could ask for. It’s compatible with our favorite two voice assistants, Alexa and Google, and provides app control and monitoring. However, it only supports 2.4GHz Wi-Fi networks. There are three smart outlets on this power strip, along with three USB-A ports.
If you only need a few smart outlets on a small strip, you can’t go wrong with GHome’s smart power strip. It has a modern sense of style with surge protection and smart control for the USB ports as a group.
The Wrap-Up
Smart power strips are the type of device you didn’t know you needed but can’t live without after picking one up. It’s a gadget many people are on the fence about, but they are well worth your time if you live in a connected home and are short on outlets.
- $39.99Buy on Amazon
- Includes 6 individually controlled smart outlets
- 3 USB ports
- Compatible with Alexa and Google Home
- No hub needed
- 125 Volts
- 3-prong plug
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
12/03/2023 03:50 am GMT - Buy Now
- Weatherproof and fireproof for outdoor and indoor use
- Can handle temperatures from -22°F to 104°F
- 4 outlet extender
- Includes remote control
- Timer feature
- Compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
- $16.99Buy Now
- 6 independently controlled smart outlets
- 3-foot extension cord
- Compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant
- Requires 2.4GHz Wi-Fi but no hub is needed
- Timer feature
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
12/03/2023 04:45 am GMT - $22.99Buy Now
- 3 individually controlled outlets
- 3 USB Ports
- Surge protector
- Support 2.4GHz Wi-Fi networks
- Compatible with Alexa and Google Home
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
12/03/2023 05:00 am GMT
Summary Table
| Reasons to Buy a Smart Power Strip | Best Smart Power Strips |
|---|---|
| Go Hands-Free | Best Overall: Kasa Smart Plug Power Strip HS300 |
| Energy Savings | Best for Outdoors: POWRUI AW-41 Outdoor Smart Power Strip |
| Individual Outlet Control | Best Budget Pick: Geeni Smart Surge Protector |
| Best Mini Option: GHome Smart Power Strip |
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Vladimir Sukhachev/Shutterstock.com.
