Best of · Plugs & power
Best smart plugs of 2026: Matter, Thread, and energy monitoring compared
Kasa’s KP125M is the smart plug to buy for nearly any home. Eve Energy is the Thread pick for Apple homes. Skip anything that still needs a Wemo app.
Our pick: Kasa Smart Plug Mini with Matter (KP125M) for most homes; Eve Energy for Thread
Kasa (TP-Link)
Smart Plug Mini 15A with Matter (KP125M)
9.0About $15 each in multipacks
Matter, energy monitoring, and a compact body for the price of a basic Wi-Fi plug.
Pros
- • Matter: Apple Home, Alexa, Google, SmartThings
- • Energy monitoring in the Kasa/Tapo app
- • 15 A / 1,800 W
- • 2.6 x 1.5 x 1.6 in leaves the second outlet free
Cons
- • 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi only
- • Sold mostly in 2- and 4-packs
Eve
Eve Energy (Matter over Thread)
8.7About $40
The best Thread smart plug. It strengthens your Thread mesh and keeps working locally.
Pros
- • Thread: no Wi-Fi congestion
- • Detailed energy history
- • Strong privacy, no cloud account
Cons
- • Needs a Thread border router
- • Pricier than Wi-Fi plugs
Tapo (TP-Link)
Tapo Mini Smart Wi-Fi Plug with Matter (P125M)
8.3About $10–$13 each
The cheapest good Matter plug, if you do not need energy readings.
Pros
- • Matter certified
- • Tiny body
- • Works in the Tapo app with Kasa devices
Cons
- • No energy monitoring
- • 2.4 GHz only
Amazon
Amazon Smart Plug
7.6$24.99
The easiest setup for Alexa-only homes. Nothing else.
Pros
- • Frustration-free setup with Echo
- • Simple and reliable
Cons
- • Alexa only
- • No energy monitoring
- • Bulky
IKEA
GRILLPLATS smart plug
8.0Budget (check local IKEA)
IKEA’s 2026 Matter-over-Thread plug with energy tracking. A bargain if you live near an IKEA.
Pros
- • Matter over Thread
- • Energy consumption tracking
- • Pairs with IKEA remotes and sensors
Cons
- • Rolling out by region in 2026
- • Needs a Thread border router
The best smart plug in 2026 speaks Matter, so it isn’t locked to one app. It should also report energy use and leave the second outlet free. The Kasa KP125M checks every box for about $15. Below we compare the smart plugs worth buying on protocol, ecosystem support, energy monitoring, and price, plus the ones to avoid.
| Plug | Protocol | Works with | Energy monitoring | Max load | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kasa KP125M | Wi-Fi + Matter | Apple, Alexa, Google, SmartThings | Yes (Kasa/Tapo app) | 15 A / 1,800 W | ~$15 each |
| Eve Energy | Thread + Matter | Apple, Alexa, Google, SmartThings | Yes | 15 A | ~$40 |
| Tapo P125M | Wi-Fi + Matter | Apple, Alexa, Google, SmartThings | No | 15 A | ~$10–$13 each |
| IKEA GRILLPLATS | Thread + Matter | Matter controllers, IKEA app | Yes | See IKEA listing | Budget |
| Amazon Smart Plug | Wi-Fi | Alexa only | No | 15 A | $24.99 |
| Kasa EP25 | Wi-Fi (HomeKit) | Apple, Alexa, Google | Yes | 15 A | ~$15 each |
Best smart plug overall: Kasa KP125M
The KP125M is TP-Link’s Matter version of its long-selling slim plug. You add it by scanning the Matter code in Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa, or SmartThings, and it shows up natively in all of them at once. Energy monitoring (live watts, daily kWh, and monthly cost estimates) appears in the Kasa or Tapo app. Reviewed named it an Editors’ Choice. It is rated for 15 A and 1,800 W, enough for lamps, fans, coffee makers, and window AC units within that limit.
Best Thread smart plug: Eve Energy
Thread plugs don’t crowd your Wi-Fi, respond almost instantly, and act as Thread routers that strengthen your mesh for battery sensors. Eve Energy is the most polished Thread plug, with excellent energy history and no cloud account required. You need a Thread border router (recent Apple TV, HomePod mini, Nest Hub 2nd gen, Nest Wifi Pro, or some Echo models).
Best cheap Matter plug: Tapo P125M
If you just want a lamp on a schedule, the P125M does it for around $10–$13 per plug in multipacks. It lacks energy monitoring. It runs in the Tapo app, which now also manages Kasa devices, so mixing the two brands is painless.
Smart plugs for Alexa, Google Home, and Apple Home
With Matter, the old “which plug works with my assistant” question mostly goes away. Every Matter plug here works with Alexa, Google Home, and Apple Home. If you only use one ecosystem, see our dedicated guides: smart plugs for Alexa, smart outlets for Google Home, and smart outlets for Apple Home.
What to look for in a smart plug
- Matter certification, so the plug works with every major platform and survives a brand’s cloud shutting down.
- Wi-Fi vs Thread: Wi-Fi needs no hub, while Thread is faster and better for big device counts.
- Energy monitoring, to find vampire loads and track window AC or dehumidifier costs.
- Size: a slim plug keeps the second outlet on a duplex receptacle usable.
- Load rating: 15 A / 1,800 W is standard. Never exceed it.
How we compared
We compared manufacturer spec sheets, Matter certification listings, and published reviews (Reviewed, Tom’s Guide, Matter Alpha) as of October 2026. Scores weigh ecosystem compatibility, features like energy monitoring, size, and price per plug. Prices move weekly, and multipacks are almost always cheaper per plug.
Questions we get
What is the best smart plug for 2026?
The Kasa Smart Plug Mini with Matter (KP125M). It works with Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home, and SmartThings, monitors energy, handles 15 A, and costs about $15 per plug in multipacks. If you have a Thread border router, Eve Energy is the best Thread option.
Which Wi-Fi smart plug is best?
Kasa KP125M for features, Tapo P125M for the lowest price. Both are Matter certified, so they work with every major ecosystem and not just one app.
What should you not plug into a smart plug?
Anything over the plug’s rating (usually 15 A / 1,800 W), and anything that becomes dangerous if it switches on unattended: space heaters, irons, curling irons, toaster ovens, and medical devices. Many manufacturers also say not to use plugs with resistive heaters at all. Check the manual.
Do I need Matter on a smart plug?
It is the safest bet in 2026. Matter plugs work with Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home, and SmartThings at once, and keep working locally if the cloud has an outage. Belkin shut down the Wemo cloud on January 31, 2026, a good example of why ecosystem-proof plugs matter.
Are Wemo smart plugs still worth buying?
No. Belkin ended the Wemo app and cloud on January 31, 2026. Plugs set up in Apple HomeKit or on Thread before that date keep working, but Google Home and Wemo app control are gone.