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Best Outdoor Smart Plugs for 2023

Smarten up your yard with the best outdoor smart plugs.

4 min read
$25 at Amazon
20201007-121613
TP-Link Kasa Outdoor Smart Plug
Best overall
$25 at Amazon
$40 at Crutchfield
20201209-102411
WeMo Smart Outdoor Plug
Best for HomeKit users
$40 at Crutchfield
$20 at Amazon
braumm-outdoor-smart-plug
Braumm Outdoor Smart Plug
Best single outlet option
$20 at Amazon
$18 at Amazon
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Wyze Plug Outdoor
Best budget plug
$18 at Amazon

The days are getting warmer, which means you'll have more time to spend outside. The easiest way to elevate your outdoor space is with some great lighting, but constantly plugging and unplugging lights can be annoying and inconvenient to say the least. Smart plugs are an easy solution for that. 

With smart plugs, you can turn regular lights and other appliances into smart devices, letting you remotely turn them on or off. The best smart plugs also let you create custom schedules and commands using voice assistants like Alexa, Siri and the Google assistant. There are plenty of smart plugs designed for indoor use, but if you want an outdoor smart plug for your exterior lights or other electronics, you've got weather-resistant outdoor options as well. 

These plugs are ideal for outdoor holiday decor, but they come in handy year-round as well, so really, any time's a great time to pick one up. Outdoor smart plugs are a great way to add smarts to summer patio lights, bug zappers, outdoor speakers and more. Whether you have Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri in your home, there's a plug out there that will work for you. 

What to consider

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. 

20201007-121613
Molly Price/CNET

TP-Link Kasa Outdoor Smart Plug

Best overall

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 F. 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 holiday display. At around $20, it's a reasonably priced smart plug for your outdoor space. Read our TP-Link Kasa Outdoor Smart Plug review.

20201209-102411
Molly Price/CNET

WeMo Smart Outdoor Plug

Best for HomeKit users

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 F, 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.

braumm-outdoor-smart-plug
Molly Price/CNET

Braumm Outdoor Smart Plug

Best single outlet option

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 F, 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.

Read our Braumm Outdoor Smart Plug review.

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Wyze

Wyze Plug Outdoor

Best budget plug

This $16 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 F. 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.

Read our Wyze Plug Outdoor first take.

Best outdoor smart plug FAQs

How does a smart plug work?

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. 

Can I use a regular smart plug outdoors?

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. 

Do I need Wi-Fi?

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.