Best Outdoor Smart Plugs for 2024 - CNET

Nov 01, 2024

Article updated on October 29, 2024 at 7:00 AM PDT

Take your outdoor spaces next level with the best outdoor smart plugs available.

CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.

CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.

Smart home technology isn’t just for inside the house. You can add voice control and other smart features to your outdoor electronics with an outdoor smart plug. The best part? Having a smart outdoor space doesn't have to be expensive, and smart plugs prove just that by making your regular appliances more functional. With the shopping season approaching, they can make for a great holiday gift for loved ones. These relatively simple devices work by making almost any appliance a little smarter and easier to use. An outdoor smart plug is a convenient purchase for anyone using wired appliances -- like patio lights, bug zappers, outdoor speakers or electric grills -- in their backyard. If you're in the market for one, we've put together this list to help make your choice easier.

A smart plug is essentially a regular power socket, except you’re able to control it from a distance, using an app or digital platform to check what devices are plugged in, whether plugs are still activated and whether you want to switch them off entirely.

Particularly in modern smart homes, it’s a very handy way of keeping track of different devices and making sure you don’t neglect to turn off devices that shouldn’t be running overnight. Not to mention the benefits of a smart ecosystem where you can set custom schedules, switch on certain appliances alongside each other and even use voice commands to activate or control your devices.

Plus, these outdoor smart plugs are designed to be weather resistant and unfazed by rainy days, and there’s a lot to be said for switching an outdoor appliance on or off from the comfort of the indoors.

So whether you’re looking to use Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri to command your smart home, we have the outdoor smart plug for you.

There are few things you'll need to decide when shopping for an outdoor smart plug. Which voice assistant do you use? How many outlets do you want? Some models just have one outlet and some have two. With these questions answered, you'll be on your way to picking the plug that works best for your setup.

TP-Link's Kasa app is easy to use and Kasa devices are quick to set up. The Kasa Outdoor Smart Plug offers two outlets that can be controlled individually, and is rated to operate in temperatures from minus 4 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit. You can choose from voice commands, schedules, timers, scenes or sunrise/sunset modes, as well as an Away feature that randomizes powering outlets on and off.

Kasa products work with Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa, so you'll be able to ask your voice assistant of choice to turn on your lighting. At less than $30, it's a reasonably priced smart plug for your outdoor space. Read our TP-Link Kasa Outdoor Smart Plug review.

If you're looking for a single outlet option, Braumm's model works with Google Assistant and Alexa to control one device. The less-than-$20 list price is a bit high given that you're only getting a single outlet to control, but it's weatherproof and rated for minus 4 to 113 degrees Fahrenheit, so if a single outdoor outlet is all that you need, it'll get the job done.

In addition to status, timers, scheduling and scenes, the app also provides weather information, a handy addition for any outdoor device. You can also share control with other users if they also download the Braumm app to their mobile device.

This $14 device from Wyze is about as affordable as outdoor smart plugs get, but it boasts some promising features -- especially for the price.

The Wyze Plug Outdoor includes two 15-amp outlets you can control independently. It's rated IP64 for protection against water and dust at a temperature range of minus 4 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. You can control the Plug Outdoor with physical buttons, voice control via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, or through the Wyze app.

You can also set the plug to run on various automations, such as dusk-to-dawn sensing, vacation mode, custom schedules and triggers based on other devices. Unlike most smart plugs, the Wyze Plug Outdoor includes energy monitoring. You'll be able to receive alerts when energy thresholds are exceeded and view consumption history in the app.

WeMo's Smart Outdoor Plug is a HomeKit compatible option that offers two outlets and voice control for Siri, Alexa or Google Assistant. At about $40, it isn't the cheapest model you can buy, but WeMo's app works well and we've seen several good plugs and outlets from the brand over the years.

Rated for temperatures from 32 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit, this plug might not be the best bet for cold climates. There are two sockets, but unlike the TP-Link model, they cannot be scheduled or controlled individually. That could be a deal breaker, depending on your use case.

Smart plugs are adapters that control the power supply to the appliance plugged into them. They don't make any changes to your existing outlet. Smart plugs simply disconnect the appliance from power or reconnect it to power when they receive a signal (via app or voice command) to do so.

This isn't a good idea. Outdoor models are optimized for extreme temperatures and have IP-rated housings that protect them from elements like rain and dust. It's much safer to use a plug made specifically for the outdoors.

Most smart plugs will work in a limited capacity with Zigbee, Z-Wave or Bluetooth connections. However, to get features like voice commands with Google Assistant, Siri or Alexa and to control your plug when you're not close by, you'll need a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connection.