Smart plugs let you switch appliances on and off remotely, set schedules and — with energy-monitoring models — see exactly what each device costs to run. They're a cheap, renter-friendly first step into cutting waste.
Why smart plugs matter
Standby power quietly adds to every bill. Smart plugs with energy monitoring reveal the hidden drains and let you automate them off overnight, making them one of the best-value entry points to a lower bill.
Recommended products
Filter our reviews to match your home and priorities.
TP-Link
Tapo P100 (4-Pack) Smart Plug
A versatile 4-pack of compact Wi-Fi smart plugs designed to add remote control and scheduling to everyday UK household appliances.
Affordable automation for multiple appliances without the need for a central hub.
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TP-Link
Tapo P100 Smart Plug (2-Pack)
A budget-friendly entry point into home automation that allows for remote control and scheduling of standard UK household appliances.
Affordable scheduling to eliminate standby power waste across multiple devices.
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Philips Hue
Philips Hue Smart Plug
An ultra-reliable and compact smart plug designed to integrate non-smart lamps into the Hue ecosystem via Bluetooth or Zigbee.
Seamless integration of traditional lighting into sophisticated smart home scenes.
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Antela
ANTELA Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring (4-Pack)
An affordable entry-point into home automation and energy tracking, offering four Wi-Fi enabled plugs for less than £30.
Real-time energy consumption tracking via the Smart Life app.
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TP-Link
Tapo P110 Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring
An affordable Wi-Fi smart plug that adds real-time energy monitoring to individual appliances, helping to identify 'vampire' energy drains.
Granular energy usage tracking for single appliances
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Hive
Hive Active Plug With Signal Booster Feature
A premium zigbee-based smart plug designed for the Hive ecosystem that doubles as a signal repeater for other Hive devices.
Seamlessly integrates with British Gas Hive systems while extending your home's smart device range.
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Avatar Controls
Avatar Controls Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring
A budget-friendly 4-pack of Wi-Fi smart plugs designed to automate household appliances while tracking consumption data via a smartphone app.
Granular energy monitoring at a competitive entry-level price point.
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Meross
Meross Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring (2 Pack)
A cost-effective multi-pack of Wi-Fi smart plugs designed to monitor appliance power consumption and automate home electronics via popular voice assistants.
Real-time energy tracking helps identify 'vampire' appliances throughout the home.
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Meross
Meross Matter Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring (4 Pack)
This 4-pack of Matter-enabled smart plugs allows for universal smart home integration while providing granular energy monitoring for individual household appliances.
Universal compatibility via Matter protocol ensuring long-term future-proofing for your smart home.
Read ReviewBuying advice
Prioritise energy-monitoring models
The monitoring versions cost a little more but show real watts and kWh so you can find the appliances worth targeting.
Check the load rating
Standard 13A plugs suit most gadgets; high-draw items like heaters need a plug rated for the load.
Mind the Wi-Fi band
Most budget plugs need 2.4GHz Wi-Fi — check your router supports it before buying a multi-pack.
Frequently asked questions
Do smart plugs actually save money on energy bills?
They can, when they solve a real problem in your home. Our reviews focus on the products that make a measurable difference rather than novelty gadgets, and each one explains when the savings justify the cost — and when they don't.
Does PowerGuardian sell smart plugs?
No. PowerGuardian is an independent UK energy information service. Some links are Amazon affiliate links and we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, but our reviews and ratings always stay advice-led and independent.
How does PowerGuardian rate smart plugs?
Every review is scored across six dimensions — Energy Saving, Ease of Use, Value, Features, Installation and Reliability — which combine into an overall PowerGuardian Rating out of 5. See our methodology for full detail.