Article updated on February 21, 2024 at 12:00 AM PST
Add some smarts to your yard with our picks of the best outdoor smart plugs. Waterproof Socket Enclosure
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 rates credit cards by comparing their offers to those of their categorical competitors. Each card is individually evaluated through a formula which reflects the standards and expectations of the contemporary market. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings.
CNET editors independently choose every product and service we cover. Though we can’t review every available financial company or offer, we strive to make comprehensive, rigorous comparisons in order to highlight the best of them. For many of these products and services, we earn a commission. The compensation we receive may impact how products and links appear on our site.
Smart lights look great in your yard, but the plugs can be annoying to work with. Suppose you want to have some nice lights in your outdoor space but don't want the hassle of plugging and unplugging them. Smart plugs are an easy solution for that.
A smart plug lets you turn regular lights and appliances into smart devices , letting you turn them on or off remotely. That is a huge convenience outdoors. The best smart plugs also come with more advanced features like the ability to run custom schedules automatically and use commands with voice assistants like Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant. There are a lot of smart plugs designed for indoor use out there, but for outdoor smart plugs, you have weather-resistant outdoor options as well.
Outdoor smart plugs are great to plug in your summer patio lights, bug zappers, outdoor speakers and more without having to hunt for the switch every time. Whether you have Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri in your home, there's a plug out there that will work 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 around $20, 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 $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 $18 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.
Weather Proof Plug Box 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.