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It makes sense why smart home technology is expected to be just for the inside of the home. After all, technology usually doesn’t do well against the elements outdoors, particularly if you don’t look after it. However, smart home technology does have its place outdoors. For one thing, you can add voice control and other smart features to your outdoor electronics with an outdoor smart plug, making even the simplest devices smart and helpful to control with just your voice or even an app.
With the holiday shopping season approaching, outdoor smart plugs can make 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.
For those who may not be familiar, a smart plug is a regular power socket that can be controlled remotely. You can use an app or digital platform to monitor what devices are plugged in, check whether the plugs are still active and turn them off completely if desired. It’s usually very handy to keep track of a plug, as you’ll be able to switch it off, and while most outdoor smart plugs are designed to withstand pretty nasty weather, it gives you the ease of mind to control your devices when you need to.
So whether you’re looking to use Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri to command your smart home, we have compiled a list of the best outdoor smart plugs.
What to consider
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.
Best outdoor smart plug FAQs
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.
