The inside of your house doesn’t need to be the only smart area of your home. In fact, you can take advantage of plenty of outdoor smart devices, such as security cameras, video doorbells, and even those cute fairy lights that you swear won’t look good in your backyard, but you want to try out anyway. The downside is that you’re going to want an outdoor smart plug to connect your outdoor smart accessories. Otherwise, things can get a little dicey. Thankfully, we’ve found the best outdoor smart plugs to survive the elements and make your life easier.
While the winter holiday shopping season is officially over, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider these plugs. In fact, outdoor smart plugs make a great belated holiday gift for loved ones, particularly if they’re looking to revamp their backyard. These relatively simple devices make almost any appliance a little smarter and easier to use. For example, turning on your lights with just a press of a button from a smart device? Simple. An outdoor smart plug is also a convenient purchase for anyone using wired appliances — like fairy lights, bug zappers, outdoor speakers, outdoor heaters, or electric grills — in their backyard.
If you’re unsure of what a smart plug is, then we’re here to explain. A smart plug is a regular power socket, but the biggest difference is that it can be controlled remotely, either via an app or a digital platform. With these apps, you can check what devices are plugged in, whether the plugs are still active, turn them off completely, and much more. Keeping tabs on a plug is super handy since it lets you turn it off whenever you want. Most outdoor smart plugs can handle tough weather, but being able to control your devices when you need to just makes life easier.
If you want to use Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri to manage your smart home, our list shows the absolute best outdoor smart plugs on the market.
What to consider
When shopping for an outdoor smart plug, there are a few important decisions to consider. First, which voice assistant do you use? Additionally, how many outlets do you need? Some models come with one outlet, while others have two. Once you answer these questions, you’ll be better equipped to choose the smart plug that best fits your needs.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.