Club Benefits
The best outdoor smart plugs turn ny outlet-powered gadget connected to them ‘smart’ by linking them to your Wi-Fi network, allowing you to control your various outdoor smart home devices, including customizeable or dimmable lights.
These plugs are designed to safely withstand the elements, so don't think about taking one of the best smart plugs outside. Then, once connected to your network, you can use these weather-resistant plugs to turn your outside space smarter, with schedules and easy adjustments on your phone.
The best outdoor smart plugs you can buy today
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Best smart plug overall
TP-Link's Tapo Smart Outdoor Plug P400M is affordable and works with virtually any smart home platform thanks to the updated Matter protocol support, and has two outlets that can be controlled individually.
Inside of its IP65 weatherproof plastic housing is a dual-antenna Wi-Fi radio that connects to your router from up to 300 feet away. While it can withstand dust and rainfall, you should ensure that the outlets are facing downward and covered when not in use.
Aside from the robust hardware, it's TP-Link's Tapo app that sets this device apart from other smart outlets. The app makes the setup process exceedingly simple; it works with Alexa, Google Assistant, SmartThings and IFTTT, and it has streamlined scheduling options for each outlet to let you turn your devices on and off at certain times — including sunset and sunrise.
The app also lets you create scenes and automations to work with your other Tapo or Kasa devices. For example, it can power on your outdoor lamp if your TP-Link camera detects motion.
Best for Ring smart homes
The Ring Outdoor Smart Plug is a massive brick. At the bottom are two plugs, each protected by a rubber flap. At the top is a 6.5-inch cord that’s long enough to plug the Ring into an outdoor outlet, while still being able to close your outlet’s door.
I especially like that the prongs are at a right angle to the cord; it makes it much easier to close the door. The Ring also comes with three screws and wall anchors. On the front of the Ring is a large circular button that’s blue in the center; you can press on either side of the button to control each outlet independently. The button makes a slight clicking sound.
Unlike most other smart plugs, the Ring needs to connect to a hub, which can either be a Ring Bridge ($49, Amazon) or an Amazon Echo smart speaker. Within the Ring app, you can configure the two outlets to work together or separately and create schedules for when they turn on and off.
In all, the Ring Outdoor Smart Plug is a good device for those invested in the Ring ecosystem.
Best dimming outdoor smart plug
One of the problems with most smart outdoor plugs is that they lack a dimming function. The TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Dimmer (KP405) lets you do exactly that — dim whatever lights are connected to it.
It’s great if you want to create even greater ambiance in your outdoor space. Keep in mind that not all lights will react the same to being dimmed — some may flicker. The Kasa app has a ton of features, from scheduling to connecting the plug to other TP-Link smart home devices, to controlling it with Alexa, Google Assistant, and SmartThings.
How we test the best outdoor smart plugs
To determine which are the best outdoor smart plugs, we install them outside our home, and evaluate a few key factors.
Ease of setup and security
For many homeowners, a smart plug will be one of the first forays into the smart home, so it should be easy to set up via the app. There also should be a reasonable amount of security, in the form of two-factor authentication.
How well does it fit into an outdoor outlet?
Most outdoor outlets have a protective cover to shield them from the elements. A smart outdoor plug's prongs should be able to fit easily into the outlet, and allow you to close the cover. The smart outdoor plug should also be flexible enough to allow you to use both receptacles in the outlet.
Is it well designed?
A smart outdoor plug should be built to withstand the elements, which is why we look for an IP64 rating or better. It should have protective covers for the ports you're not using, and it should have large buttons that are easy to press, and let you know if the outlet is powered or not.
What features does the app have?
In addition to being easy to use, the smart plug app should have plenty of features to make your life as convenient as possible. We look at all of the features in the app, and see how they compare to other apps.
How to choose the best outdoor smart plugs
Plug orientation
Most outdoor outlets have a protective cover of some sort that shields them from the elements; some covers can close even when something is plugged in to the outlet. However, if a smart plug’s prongs are in line with its cord, then this often means that the cord will have to be bent 90 degrees in order for you to close the cover, which could lead to the smart plug wearing out sooner.
Other smart plugs are designed so that the prongs are perpendicular to the cord, so that when you plug it into an outlet, it hangs down naturally, and won’t get bent if you plug it into an outlet.
Number of outlets
Chances are, you’ve got more than one thing to plug in outdoors, so the better smart plugs have at least two outlets. More importantly, they let you control each outlet separately, making it much easier to control when things turn on and off.
Smart scheduling
One of the features we look for in the best outdoor smart plugs is the ability to schedule them to turn on at sunset and off at sunrise. If the lights you want to control are up all year-round, you don’t want to have to keep fiddling with the app as the days get longer and shorter. The very best apps in this regard also have an offset, so you can have your lights turn on at a set time before sunset — when it’s getting dark.
Weather resistance
This should be a given, but any outdoor smart plug should be able to withstand some rain and snow. Most have what's called an IP (Ingress Protection) rating of 64 or higher; this means they can handle sprays of water, but shouldn't be submerged. Regardless, you should always try and mount an outdoor smart plug so that its outlets are facing down, and cover up the plugs that aren't being used.
FAQs
Can I use a regular smart plug outdoors?
You might be tempted to pick up one of the best smart plugs and use it outside, but it's not advisable. Outdoor smart plugs are specifically designed to withstand the weather, and keep water out to a certain amount — you can't dunk them in water, for instance. Indoor plugs don't have that protection, so they can be damaged and stop working more easily. That's not only an inconvenience but could also be a safety hazard, too.
Do smart plugs work in cold weather?
Yes. All outdoor smart plugs are rated to work in a variety of conditions, including both freezing and sweltering weather. Most will be able to work from -4º Fahrenheit (-20º C) to 120º F (49ºC).
