Energy-monitoring smart plugs: the cheap way to cut standby power

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A smart plug sits between the wall and a device and lets you turn it on and off from a phone or schedule. Models with energy monitoring also report how much power the device uses. That combination, measure and then switch off, is what makes them useful for saving money.

When they save money

• You have devices that idle all day: a TV with a game console and soundbar, a printer, a home office setup, a spare mini-fridge.
• The device is fine being fully off when you're not using it. Some gear takes a long time to restart or needs to stay on, so check first.

When they don't

A smart plug itself draws a small amount of power, on the order of a watt. If the device it controls barely draws anything in standby, you save little or even lose a bit. Measure first.

The math

A device idling at 10 watts costs about $15 a year at 17¢ per kWh. A plug that cuts that to roughly zero for, say, 16 hours a day saves around $10 a year, so a single plug takes a while to pay off. The value rises with a bigger load (a 40-watt desktop setup is four times the savings) or several devices on one plug through a strip.

What to look for

• Energy monitoring built in, if you want the measuring benefit.
• Compatibility with the voice assistant or app you already use.
• Size, so it doesn't block the neighboring outlet.
• Local schedule support, so timers run even if your internet drops.

Plugs from Kasa (the EP25 model) and Wyze come up repeatedly in published roundups as budget picks with energy monitoring. Check current specs and reviews before you buy, since models are refreshed often.

Prefer something without an app? See the Kill A Watt roundup.

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