Glossary · Smart home
Smart plug
A smart plug is an adapter that sits between an outlet and an appliance and lets you switch it on or off from an app, a voice assistant or a schedule.
What it means for you
It is a simple way to control lamps and fans without rewiring. Check the safety marks and the electrical limits for what you plug in, and note that many Wi-Fi plugs only join 2.4 GHz networks.
Guides on this topic
- Smart Plug Buying Guide
Safety marks, electrical limits, Wi-Fi vs Matter and Thread, hubs and energy monitoring.
- Best Matter Smart Plugs
Compact Wi-Fi, energy monitoring, Thread and outdoor Matter plugs.
- Do Smart Plugs Need a Hub?
When a plug needs a hub: Wi-Fi vs Matter, Thread border routers, Zigbee and Z-Wave.
Related terms
← All glossary terms · Search all guides for “Smart plug”
Definitions are short and general. For model-specific details, check your device maker’s own documentation.