Meta Description: Are smart plugs worth buying? Learn how smart plugs can reduce standby power, monitor electricity use, automate appliances, and potentially lower your monthly electric bill.
Smart plugs have become one of the easiest ways to add automation to an ordinary home. Plug one into a wall outlet, connect an appliance, and you can often control it from your phone or schedule it to turn on and off automatically.
But there’s an important question for homeowners:
Can a smart plug actually save enough electricity to make a difference on your electric bill?
The short answer is sometimes.
Smart plugs don’t magically make appliances more energy efficient. Their biggest benefit is giving you control over when devices use electricity and, on some models, showing you how much power those devices consume.
The savings can be meaningful for certain appliances and habits—but relatively small for others.
What Is a Smart Plug?
A smart plug is a small device that sits between an appliance and a standard electrical outlet.
After connecting it to a compatible app, you can typically:
- Turn an appliance on or off remotely
- Create schedules
- Set timers
- Monitor electricity consumption on supported models
- Create smart-home automations
- Control devices using voice assistants
- Turn equipment off automatically when it’s not needed
Some smart plugs also measure energy consumption. These models are particularly useful if your goal is reducing electricity usage because they let you see how much power a connected device is actually consuming.
ENERGY STAR’s Smart Home Energy Management System specification recognizes plug-load monitors and controls—including smart plugs and smart power strips—as devices capable of reporting power or energy consumption.
The Biggest Question: Do Smart Plugs Save Electricity?
The smart plug itself doesn’t necessarily save energy.
The savings come from what the plug allows you to do.
For example, imagine a television setup that remains connected to power around the clock. Even when the TV isn’t actively being watched, connected electronics can consume electricity in standby or other low-power modes.
The U.S. Department of Energy describes this as standby power and notes that some products consume electricity even when they appear to be turned off.
A smart plug can cut power to compatible equipment during periods when it doesn’t need to remain energized.
That’s where the potential savings come from.
Our Real-World Savings Test: What the Numbers Can Look Like
Rather than claiming that every household will save a specific amount, it’s better to look at realistic scenarios.
Suppose an appliance or group of electronics draws an average of 5 watts continuously when not actively being used.
That’s:
5 watts × 24 hours × 365 days = 43.8 kWh per year
At an electricity rate of $0.20 per kWh, that would represent approximately:
$8.76 per year
If the standby load were 20 watts instead:
20 × 24 × 365 = 175.2 kWh
At $0.20/kWh:
$35.04 per year
These examples demonstrate an important point:
Small standby loads can add up—but the savings depend heavily on the actual power draw.
If an appliance uses almost no electricity while idle, a smart plug won’t create significant savings.
If you’re controlling a group of devices with a substantial idle load, the potential benefit becomes much more interesting.
Where Smart Plugs Can Make the Most Sense
1. Entertainment Centers
A television, streaming device, game console, speakers, and other electronics can form a convenient group.
Instead of manually unplugging everything, a smart plug or smart power strip can turn selected equipment off according to a schedule.
For example:
11:30 PM: Turn entertainment equipment off
6:30 AM: Restore power
However, be careful with devices that need to remain connected for updates, recording, networking, security, or other functions.
2. Home Office Equipment
Home offices can contain several devices:
- Monitors
- Speakers
- Printers
- Chargers
- Desk lamps
- External hard drives
- Computer accessories
A scheduled smart plug can help cut power to equipment that doesn’t need to remain energized overnight.
ENERGY STAR recommends using power-management features and smart power strips for office equipment to help reduce unnecessary electricity consumption.
3. Chargers and Small Electronics
Phone chargers and other electronics may consume some electricity when connected without actively charging a device.
The amount is usually small for an individual modern charger, so don’t expect a dramatic reduction in your bill from controlling one phone charger.
However, if you have a large collection of chargers, speakers, accessories, and other always-connected electronics, controlling them as a group may make more sense.
4. Seasonal Devices
Smart plugs can be particularly convenient for devices that aren’t needed continuously.
Examples include:
- Holiday lights
- Decorative lighting
- Fans
- Certain seasonal equipment
- Lamps
- Some small appliances
Instead of remembering to turn everything off, you can establish an automatic schedule.
5. Appliances With Predictable Schedules
If an appliance has a simple on/off function and can safely be controlled by a smart plug, scheduling can help avoid unnecessary operation.
For example, you might use a smart plug to control a lamp that would otherwise be left on throughout the day.
The key is to make sure the appliance is designed to safely resume operation when power is restored.
Smart Plug vs. Smart Power Strip
These two products solve similar problems but are designed for different situations.
Smart Plug
Best for controlling one appliance or a small device.
Good examples:
- Lamp
- Fan
- Coffee maker, if manufacturer-approved for this type of control
- Small electronics
Smart Power Strip
Better for a group of electronics.
For example, a home entertainment setup could have:
TV + speakers + streaming device + gaming accessories
A smart power strip can allow certain outlets to remain powered while automatically controlling others.
ENERGY STAR specifically recommends smart power strips for electronics where some devices need to remain on while others don’t.
Smart Plugs Can Also Help You Find Energy Hogs
This may actually be one of the most valuable features of an energy-monitoring smart plug.
Instead of guessing which appliance is consuming electricity, you can measure it.
Connect the monitor to a device and observe its consumption over several days.
You might discover that:
- An older refrigerator consumes more than expected
- A home-office setup draws power overnight
- A gaming setup remains active for long periods
- A dehumidifier runs frequently
- A particular appliance has a surprisingly high energy demand
Once you have the data, you can decide whether changing the schedule, replacing the device, or simply using it less makes sense.
Smart Plug Savings Depend on Your Electricity Rate
A smart plug can save a certain number of kilowatt-hours, but the dollar value depends on what your utility charges.
For example, saving 50 kWh per year would produce different financial savings at different electricity rates.
| Electricity Rate | 50 kWh Saved |
|---|---|
| $0.12/kWh | $6 |
| $0.15/kWh | $7.50 |
| $0.20/kWh | $10 |
| $0.25/kWh | $12.50 |
| $0.30/kWh | $15 |
This is why claims such as “smart plugs will save you $100 every year” should be treated cautiously.
Your actual savings depend on the appliance, usage pattern, standby load, electricity price, and how consistently you use the automation.
Don’t Forget the Smart Plug Uses Electricity Too
A smart plug isn’t completely free from energy consumption.
It needs electricity to operate its electronics and maintain connectivity.
That’s why it’s important to consider the net savings, rather than simply looking at how much electricity an appliance consumes.
ENERGY STAR’s Smart Home Energy Management System criteria, for example, specify a maximum standby power level of 1 watt for the plug-load monitor/control component in the certified SHEMS package.
For a smart plug that uses approximately 1 watt continuously:
1 W × 24 × 365 = 8.76 kWh per year
At $0.20/kWh, that’s about:
$1.75 per year
The actual consumption varies by product, so check the manufacturer’s specifications when comparing models.
When a Smart Plug Probably Isn’t Worth It
There are situations where buying a smart plug primarily for energy savings may not make financial sense.
Very Low Standby Loads
If the appliance consumes almost nothing when idle, there may be little electricity to save.
Infrequently Used Devices
If you only use an appliance occasionally, the potential savings may be tiny.
High-Power Appliances
Don’t assume every appliance can safely be controlled with a smart plug.
High-current equipment such as certain:
- Space heaters
- Air conditioners
- Water heaters
- Large motors
- Appliances with compressors
may require specialized controls or electrical equipment.
Always check the smart plug’s voltage, amperage, and load specifications and follow the appliance manufacturer’s instructions.
Smart Plugs Aren’t a Substitute for Energy-Efficient Appliances
A smart plug can help control when something uses electricity, but it doesn’t change the fundamental efficiency of the appliance.
For example, if an old refrigerator is consuming significantly more electricity than a modern efficient model, putting it on a schedule isn’t necessarily the best solution.
Similarly, turning off a device for a few hours may save less money than replacing a highly inefficient appliance.
The U.S. Department of Energy emphasizes low standby power as one component of overall product efficiency, and its purchasing guidance compares the long-term costs of products with different standby power levels.
How to Test Your Own Smart Plug Savings
You don’t have to guess.
You can perform a simple household experiment.
Step 1: Measure the Device
Use an energy-monitoring smart plug to measure the appliance’s normal consumption.
Step 2: Record the Data
Track usage for several days.
Step 3: Create an Automation
Set the smart plug to turn the device off during periods when you don’t need it.
Step 4: Measure Again
Compare electricity consumption before and after the automation.
Step 5: Calculate Your Savings
Use:
Energy saved × electricity rate = estimated financial savings
For example:
If your automation reduces consumption by 30 kWh per year and your electricity rate is $0.20/kWh:
30 × $0.20 = $6 per year
That gives you a much more realistic answer than relying on a generic savings claim.
What Should You Plug Into a Smart Plug?
Good candidates generally have three characteristics:
- They consume electricity when you don’t need them.
- They can safely be turned completely off.
- Their operation can be automated without creating a safety or usability problem.
Good examples can include:
- Lamps
- Certain entertainment electronics
- Some home-office accessories
- Seasonal lighting
- Certain fans
- Small electronics
Always verify compatibility and electrical ratings before connecting an appliance.
A Smart Plug Can Be More Valuable for Convenience Than Savings
Here’s something that often gets overlooked.
Even if a smart plug only saves you a few dollars per year, it may still be useful because of its automation features.
Imagine never having to remember to:
- Turn off the living-room lamp
- Shut down selected entertainment electronics
- Turn seasonal lights off
- Check whether a particular device was left running
The convenience can be the primary benefit, while energy savings are a bonus.
Final Verdict: Are Smart Plugs Worth It?
Yes—but not for every appliance and not solely because they’re “smart.”
Smart plugs are most valuable when they’re used to control devices that consume meaningful amounts of electricity unnecessarily or when they help you establish consistent schedules.
They can also be useful as inexpensive energy-monitoring tools that reveal which devices are consuming power.
However, don’t expect one smart plug to dramatically reduce your electric bill.
The better strategy is to use smart plugs as part of a larger energy-management plan:
Measure → Automate → Monitor → Adjust
Start with the devices you suspect are wasting the most electricity. Measure their actual consumption, automate periods when they’re unnecessary, and calculate the resulting savings.
If the savings are small, move on to another device.
If the savings are meaningful, keep the automation running.
Bottom Line
Smart plugs can be worth it, especially for households with multiple electronics, predictable schedules, and higher electricity rates.
But the biggest advantage isn’t the smart plug itself. It’s the ability to see and control electricity consumption instead of guessing where your energy dollars are going.
For the best results, combine smart plugs with efficient appliances, smart thermostats, LED lighting, and whole-home energy monitoring. Together, these tools can give you much greater control over your home’s electricity use.
Energy savings vary by appliance, usage patterns, electricity rates, and smart-plug power consumption. Never use a smart plug with equipment unless the plug is properly rated for the load and the appliance manufacturer permits that type of control.
