Last updated: 24 March 2026

This is an opinion piece. Views expressed are the author's own and do not constitute professional advice.

Cool Factor: 4/5

Smart plugs remain one of the cheapest and easiest ways to start building a smarter home. After testing and comparing the best smart plugs UK buyers can get right now, the Tapo P110M is still our top pick for 2026. It offers Matter support, real-time energy monitoring and a compact design, all for under £17. Here is how it stacks up against the Philips Hue, Eve Energy and Meross alternatives.

Why smart plugs are worth it in 2026

Energy prices in the UK have stayed stubbornly high, and that makes visibility into your usage more valuable than ever. A good smart plug lets you see exactly how much power each device draws, schedule it to switch off when you do not need it, and control everything from your phone or voice assistant. In other words, a £10–£15 gadget can genuinely help you cut waste and lower your bills.

On top of that, the Matter standard has matured significantly since 2024. As a result, most of the best smart plugs UK shoppers can buy now work across Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home and SmartThings without any fuss. You are no longer locked into one ecosystem, which makes choosing much simpler.

Best overall: Tapo P110M Smart Plug

If you want one smart plug that just works with everything, the Tapo P110M is the one to beat. It supports Matter, so it integrates seamlessly with Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home and SmartThings. There is no brand lock-in and no extra hub required.

You can plug in anything from a lamp to a fan or coffee machine, then control it using your phone, set up scheduled routines, or simply use voice commands. Unlike many budget plugs, it also offers real-time energy monitoring through the Tapo app. You can see how much energy each device uses and estimate what it costs to run. For households trying to reduce standby waste, this is genuinely useful.

The design is compact too. The P110M does not block the socket next to it, which is a big win if you use crowded extension leads. Trusted Reviews praised both its design and Matter compatibility, and we agree entirely.

Price: RRP £16.99 (frequently discounted to around £10–£12 on Amazon)

Best for: Smart home beginners or anyone who wants the best value for money.

Check the Tapo P110M on Amazon

Runner-up for Apple users: Eve Energy (Matter / Thread)

The Eve Energy is the premium option for anyone who values privacy and deep Apple Home integration. It uses both Thread and Matter, which means ultra-fast local control and excellent reliability across your home network.

Like the Tapo, it includes energy monitoring, and this data syncs neatly into Apple Home. Importantly, Eve avoids using any cloud services, so your data stays private. That is a meaningful difference for privacy-conscious users.

However, there are trade-offs. The Eve Energy is noticeably bulkier than the Tapo P110M, and its price is typically two to three times higher. If you are not deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem, you are paying a premium for features you may not fully use.

Price: £35–£50

Best for: Apple Home users and those who care most about privacy.

Best for Hue households: Philips Hue Smart Plug

If you are already running Hue bulbs throughout your home, the Philips Hue Smart Plug slots neatly into your existing setup. It connects via Bluetooth or Zigbee (with the Hue Bridge) and can be controlled through the same app and automations as your lights.

The downside is that it is mainly designed for lamps and lighting rather than high-power devices like heaters. It also lacks energy monitoring entirely, so you cannot track usage or cost. Additionally, it does not support Matter, which limits cross-platform flexibility.

That said, it is reliable, compact and well-built. If you are already invested in Hue, adding this plug keeps everything under one roof.

Price: £29–£35

Best for: Existing Hue users who want to expand their smart lighting.

Best budget pick: Meross MSS315 Smart Plug

The Meross MSS315 is another Matter-compatible plug that regularly comes in under £18. It does not have as polished an app as the Tapo, but it works perfectly well with Google Home, Alexa and Apple Home.

Energy monitoring on the Meross is more basic compared with the Tapo P110M, so you will not get the same depth of usage data. However, for straightforward smart control on a tight budget, it is excellent value and a solid alternative if the Tapo is out of stock.

Price: £12–£18

Best for: Anyone who wants a no-fuss Matter plug without spending much.

Comparison table: best smart plugs UK at a glance

Smart Plug	Matter	Energy Monitoring	Hub Needed	UK Price
Tapo P110M	Yes	Yes	No	£10–£17
Eve Energy	Yes	Yes	Thread hub	£35–£50
Philips Hue	No	No	Bridge recommended	£29–£35
Meross MSS315	Yes	Basic	No	£12–£18

Our verdict on the best smart plugs UK

After spending time with all four options, we think the Tapo P110M hits the perfect balance of price, performance and compatibility. It is tiny, reliable and the energy monitoring genuinely helps you save money rather than just automate switches. You can read our full Tapo P110M review for a deeper dive into that particular plug.

If you are already deep in the Hue ecosystem, their plug makes sense for keeping everything in one app. And if you want Apple Home privacy with Thread networking, the Eve Energy is a brilliant premium choice. For everyone else, the Tapo P110M is the smartest buy in 2026.

Overall, this is a solid 4/5 Stone cold. The Tapo P110M in particular is properly impressive for the price, and the smart plug category as a whole has matured nicely thanks to Matter. It did not quite hit Ice cold because the Philips Hue still lacks energy monitoring and Matter support, and the Eve Energy remains expensive for what it does. But the best smart plugs UK buyers can get today are genuinely useful, affordable and easy to set up.

FAQs about smart plugs in the UK

Do smart plugs really save energy?

Not directly, but they help you spot devices that waste power on standby. By scheduling appliances to switch off when not needed, most households can reduce unnecessary energy consumption. The Tapo P110M's energy monitoring feature is especially helpful for identifying the biggest offenders.

Can smart plugs handle kettles and heaters?

Most UK smart plugs are rated up to 13A (around 2,990W), which covers the majority of household appliances. However, you should always check the wattage of your device before plugging it in. TP-Link specifically advises against using smart plugs with EV chargers or appliances with motors above 1/6HP.

Do I need a hub for a smart plug?

No, not for the Tapo P110M or Meross MSS315. Both connect directly over Wi-Fi. The Eve Energy needs a Thread border router (such as an Apple TV 4K or HomePod Mini). The Philips Hue Smart Plug works over Bluetooth but unlocks full features with a Hue Bridge.

What is Matter, and why does it matter for smart plugs?

Matter is a connectivity standard backed by Apple, Google, Amazon and Samsung. It allows smart home devices to work across different ecosystems without needing separate apps or hubs for each. In practice, this means a Matter-certified plug like the Tapo P110M works with Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home and SmartThings out of the box.

Which smart plug is best for Apple Home?

The Eve Energy is the strongest option for dedicated Apple Home users, thanks to Thread support and local-only data processing. However, the Tapo P110M also works with Apple Home via Matter and costs significantly less, so it is worth considering if budget is a factor.

More from CoolCuration

• Tapo P110M Smart Plug review — our in-depth look at the best-value smart plug you can buy right now.
• Best smart speakers UK — pair your new smart plug with a voice assistant for hands-free control.
• Octopus Energy referral — save on your energy bills and get a sign-up bonus when you switch.
• Hive Thermostat — another smart home essential that can help cut your heating costs.
• Gift guide for techies — browse our curated picks for gadget lovers and smart home fans.
• Google Nest Learning Thermostat — the premium smart thermostat with adaptive scheduling and energy insights.

Affiliate disclaimer: some links on this page may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we genuinely rate. This is not financial advice.