- Affordable
- No hub required
Insteon Dual On/Off Outlet
- Two controllable outlets
- Hub doesn't crowd your Wi-Fi network
- Two controllable outlets
- Hub doesn't crowd your Wi-Fi network
- Energy monitoring
- No hub required
Bottom line: Easily convert your appliances to smart devices
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.
Here are the top remote control outlets
Compare the best remote control outlets
| Price |
| Built-in Wi-Fi |
| Energy monitoring |
| Smart home compatibility |
|
Best overall
|
Best hub-based outlet
|
Best energy monitoring
|
| Kasa Smart WiFi Power Outlet | Insteon Dual On/Off Outlet | D-Link Smart Plug |
 |
|
 |
| $22.99 | $49.99 | $29.95 |
| Yes ✓ |
No X |
Yes ✓ |
| No X |
No X |
Yes ✓ |
| Amazon Alexa Google Assistant IFTTT Samsung SmartThings |
Amazon Alexa (via hub) Google Assistant (via hub) |
Amazon Alexa Google Assistant IFTTT |
| View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
| Read review | Read review | Read review |
*Amazon.com list price as of 09/24/2020 at 4:40 p.m. (MT). Read full disclaimer.
Our approach
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—they’re all $30–$50. Learn more about how we rank products in our full methodology.
Remote control outlet reviews
1. Kasa Smart: Best overall
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.
Pros
- Affordable
- No hub required
Cons
- 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. Insteon: Best hub-based outlet
The Insteon Dual On/Off Outlet is a remote-controllable dual outlet that allows you to regulate and schedule your electronic devices from any location. When you connect the outlet with the Insteon Hub—it doesn’t have remote controls without it—you can control it through your smartphone, Amazon Echo, and Google Home smart speaker.
The biggest advantage of the hub is that you don’t need to crowd your Wi-Fi network with a ton of Wi-Fi devices. It’s also compatible with Insteon’s large selection of smart devices, like the wall switch, keypad, and mini remote. The hub costs extra (about $80), so Insteon’s harder to start with than Kasa Smart.
Pros
- Hub doesn't crowd your Wi-Fi network
- Two controllable outlets
Cons
- Hub costs extra
We also like this Insteon outlet because you can control the upper and lower outlets independently for more flexibility in your smart home. The smartphone app is easy to use, so you can control devices, create schedules, and receive alerts.
You need to hardwire this device into the wall, so it doesn’t rank high on the user-friendly scale. In general, it’s a fairly easy DIY project, but we recommend hiring a professional if you aren’t knowledgeable in basic electrical work. This outlet is sleek, slim, and has multiple color options, which makes it a great pick if you’re focused on aesthetics.
3. D-Link: Best energy monitoring
The D-Link Smart Plug 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).
Pros
- Energy monitoring
- No hub required
Cons
- 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.
4. Lutron Caséta Wireless: Best dimmer
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.
Pros
- Dimmer switch for lamps
- Excellent smart home compatibility
Cons
- 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.
5. Etekcity: Limited mobility pick
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.
Pros
- Comes with two remote controls
- Comes with five plugs
Cons
- No mobile app controls
- 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.
More brands we recommend
6. WeMo Mini: Most well-known
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.
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.
Remote control outlet FAQ
What can I use smart outlets for?
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.
Disclaimers
*Amazon.com list price as of 09/24/2020 at 4:40 p.m. (MT). 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.
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