Tuesday, August 3, 2021

Best Remote Control Electrical Outlets

Best Remote Control Electrical Outlets

To help you in your search for the best remote control electrical outlet for your needs, we’re sharing our top picks.
Best overall
Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Outlet
Kasa
  • Icon Pros Light
    No hub required
  • Icon Pros Light
    Affordable
Budget pick
D-Link brand WiFi smart plug
D-Link
  • Icon Pros Light
    No hub required
  • Icon Pros Light
    Energy monitoring
Best dimmer
Lutron Caséta
  • Icon Pros Light
    No hub required
  • Icon Pros Light
    Remote dimming
Limited mobility pick
Etekcity
  • Icon Pros Light
    No hub required
  • Icon Pros Light
    2 remotes included
Most well-known
WeMo Mini Outlet
WeMo Mini
  • Icon Pros Light
    No hub required
  • Icon Pros Light
    Easy set-up

If you want to jump into smart home tech without the steep price tag, remote control electrical outlets and smart plugs are a great start. Both are efficient ways to gain the benefits of home automation without replacing every item in your home with an expensive smart device. See which remote control outlets we recommend.



Compare the best remote control outlets

Product
Price
Built-in Wi-Fi
Energy monitoring
Smart home compatibility
Learn more
Best overall
Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Outlet
Kasa
Icon Yes LightYes
Icon No LightNo
Alexa, Google, IFTTT, Samsung, SmartThings
Budget pick
D-Link brand WiFi smart plug
D-Link
Icon Yes LightYes
Icon Yes LightYes
Alexa, Google, IFTTT
Best dimmer
Lutron Caseta Smart Dimmer
Lutron Caséta
Icon Yes LightYes
Icon No LightNo
Google, Alexa, HomeKit
Limited mobility pick
Etekcity
Icon No LightNo
Icon No LightNo
None
Most well-known
WeMo Mini Outlet
WeMo Mini
Icon No LightNo
Icon No LightNo
Alexa, Google, HomeKit, IFTTT

*Amazon.com list price as of 08/02/2021 at 4:40 p.m. (MT). Read full disclaimer.

Remote control outlet reviews

1. Kasa Smart: Best overall

Best Overall

*Amazon.com list price as of 08/02/2021 at 4:40 p.m. (MT). Read full disclaimer.

The Kasa Smart WiFi Power Outlet makes it easy for folks to control their appliances and reduce energy consumption. This is the most affordable outlet on our list, but it still comes with a ton of amazing features like built-in Wi-Fi, two controllable outlets, and great smart home compatibility.

Because this smart outlet works with two most popular smart home platforms—Alexa and Google Assistant—it's a great option if you're just starting your smart home. Both Alexa and Google have excellent smart speakers that make smart home controls as easy as a simple voice command.

Pro Heading
Pros
Pro Bullet Affordable
Pro Bullet No hub required
Con Heading
Cons
Con Bullet Not compatible with HomeKit

If you don't have a smart home setup yet, the Kasa Smart app is more than a good option to control your outlets using your mobile device (no hub necessary). We also like that you can schedule your outlet to save extra energy when you're asleep or out of town.

As a cheaper brand, this smart outlet isn't compatible with Apple HomeKit, with most HomeKit outlets costing upwards of $80, but it's more than capable for most folks.

2. D-Link: Budget pick

Budget pick

*Amazon.com list price as of 08/02/2021 at 4:40 p.m. (MT). Read full disclaimer.

The D-Link Smart Plug is our budget pick because it gives you more bang for your buck.

D-Link makes life easier by helping you control your home’s electric gadgets from any location. We especially like that it connects directly to your Wi-Fi network without a hub. The D-Link app has an extensive list of features, including the ability to monitor your home’s energy usage and see how much power each connected device consumes.

Not only does the smart plug integrate with other D-Link devices—including the Wi-Fi Water Sensor, Wi-Fi Siren, Wi-Fi Motion Sensor and HD Wi-Fi Camera—but it also works with Amazon Echo, Google, and If This Then That (IFTTT).

Pro Heading
Pros
Pro Bullet Energy monitoring
Pro Bullet No hub required
Con Heading
Cons
Con Bullet Wi-Fi can be unreliable

Several reviewers note that setup can be difficult, and the Wi-Fi connection can be unreliable at times. You might find it frustrating if you can’t always access your devices remotely.

The D-Link smart plug is one of the few that offers energy monitoring and works with multiple other smart devices, making it a good option for the eco-friendly and tech-savvy home.

3. Lutron Caséta Wireless: Best dimmer

Best Dimmer

*Amazon.com list price as of 08/02/2021 at 4:40 p.m. (MT). Read full disclaimer.

The Lutron Caséta Smart Plug-In Lamp Dimmer is a wireless smart plug and lamp dimmer in one, letting you transform a room into a perfectly lit environment. It is one of the few smart plugs that includes a lamp dimmer. You can turn lights on or off and raise or lower them to adjust brightness manually on the plug or through the connected app.

Lutron offers myriad integrations and connections. It works with Amazon Alexa, Apple Watch, Nest and Honeywell thermostats, Harmony Home Control and Pico remote controls, Smart Bridge hub, and Serena shades.

Pro Heading
Pros
Pro Bullet Dimmer switch for lamps
Pro Bullet Excellent smart home compatibility
Con Heading
Cons
Con Bullet Doesn't work with other appliances like fans

This plug doesn’t work with any electronic devices—just lamps. While you’ll have a lot of control over your lighting, you’ll have to use different smart plugs to control other appliances or devices.

The Caséta is best for bedrooms where lighting is the main focus. The plug is also ideal for those new to home automation who want to start simple with controlling their lighting.

4. Etekcity: Limited mobility pick

Limited Mobility Pick
Etekcity
$39.98

*Amazon.com list price as of 08/02/2021 at 4:40 p.m. (MT). Read full disclaimer.

If you have limited mobility or need to access hard-to-reach devices, this remote control outlet is a great fit. Use Etekcity outlets to turn electric-powered gadgets on and off at the push of a button.

Etekcity’s Outlet Switch relies on a remote control to turn electronic devices on or off from as far away as 100 feet. We love how easy it is to expand, whether you want to activate multiple devices with one remote or control one device with multiple remotes.

Pro Heading
Pros
Pro Bullet Comes with two remote controls
Pro Bullet Comes with five plugs
Con Heading
Cons
Con Bullet No mobile app controls
Con Bullet No scheduling

Unfortunately, you can't remotely control this switch with a smart device, nor does it work with any smart hubs or devices. This is the least-sophisticated remote control outlet of the bunch, as it doesn’t connect with an app or allow you to remotely control your devices beyond turning them on and off.

While the Etekcity Outlet Switch has limited capabilities, its lower price tag—it’s the cheapest of the bunch—makes it a great starter product for someone who isn’t ready to invest in pricier smart home technology.

5. WeMo Mini: Most well-known

Most Well-known

*Amazon.com list price as of 08/02/2021 at 4:40 p.m. (MT). Read full disclaimer.

WeMo Mini is one of the most well-known smart plugs on the market, and it instantly transforms your standard electrical outlet into a remote-controllable one. WeMo Mini works with the entire family of WeMo home automation products, as well as the Amazon Echo, Nest Thermostat, and IFTTT.

The WeMo Switch is easy to set up and use, which makes it a great option for anyone who wants to get up and running as quickly as possible.

Pro Heading
Pros
Pro Bullet Smart home compatible
Pro Bullet Easy to set up
Con Heading
Cons
Con Bullet No built-in Wi-Fi
Con Bullet No energy monitoring

Final word

If we had to pick just one remote control outlet, it would be the Kasa Smart WiFi Power Outlet. For one, it’s hardwired into your wall, so it doesn’t add any bulk to your outlets. It also offers two outlets you can control independently. And you can’t beat the number of smart home devices it works with.

There are dozens of smart plugs and remote control electrical outlets on the market—you can take a look at our smart outlets guide to see some other options. Choose the right one for you and experience the simplicity of remotely controlling your electronic devices and appliances.

How we reviewed remote control electrical outlets

We kept things simple for this review by rounding up smart outlets that offer unique features, smart home integrations, user-friendly controls, and affordable price tags. Learn more about how we rank products in our full methodology.

Remote control outlet FAQ

Rather than purchase new smart appliances, transform the ones you already own into smart devices simply by plugging them into smart outlets. Depending on the outlet, you can create a schedule for your devices, remotely turn them on and off, and sometimes track energy usage.

Yes, many of the outlets we listed in this guide can be controlled with your phone.

Yes, some plugs use various other types of signals to communicate with devices.

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Disclaimers

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Safewise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.

Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.

†Google Assistant, Google, and other related marks are trademarks of Google LLC.

Alina Bradford
Written by
Alina Bradford
Alina has been reviewing the latest tech for more than a decade and has contributed her insights to CNET, CBS, Digital Trends, MTV, Top Ten Reviews, and many others. She specializes in smart home and security technology, working to make gadgets less mystifying one article at a time. In the early 2000s, Alina worked as a volunteer firefighter, earning her first responder certification. Her activities aren’t nearly as dangerous today. Her hobbies include fixing up her 100-year-old house, doing artsy stuff, and going to the lake with her family.

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