Smart Plug & Switch Brands
TP-Link Kasa, Lutron Caseta, Leviton, Wemo, and Meross compared. Which smart plugs and switches are worth buying and which to avoid.
GE CYNC
Smart Lighting Made Simple
Affordable smart bulbs, strips, and switches from GE.
TP-Link Kasa
Smart Living Made Easy
Affordable smart plugs, switches, bulbs, and cameras with no hub required.
Wemo by Belkin
Make It Wemo
WiFi-connected smart plugs and switches from Belkin, one of the original smart home brands.
Emporia
Know Your Energy
Eve
Smart Home. No Compromise.
About Smart Plug & Switch Brands
Lutron Caseta is the brand electricians recommend — their Clear Connect RF protocol never drops connections, and the system works without a neutral wire (which 40% of older homes lack). The tradeoff is cost: $60 per dimmer switch plus a $100 bridge. TP-Link Kasa dominates smart plugs with reliable WiFi connectivity, energy monitoring on the KP125 model, and prices under $12 per plug. Leviton makes the best in-wall smart switches if your home has neutral wires — their Decora line looks like standard switches and carries a 5-year warranty. Wemo used to lead but their app reliability has declined; most users have moved to Kasa or Meross. Meross is the value pick with HomeKit support at half the price of brand-name competitors.
Buying Tips
- No neutral wire in your switch box? Lutron Caseta is your only reliable option
- TP-Link Kasa KP125 is the best smart plug with energy monitoring under $15
- Avoid putting high-wattage appliances (space heaters, AC units) on standard 15A smart plugs
- Leviton and Lutron look like normal switches — guests can use them without an app