UK Buying Guide · Smart Home

Best Smart Plugs in the UK 2026

By Bikram NathResearched from UK Amazon listingsUpdated 2026-07-106 products compared

The short answer

Our top pick for Smart Plugs in the UK is the Tapo P110 Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring (2-Pack).

The Tapo P110 2-Pack combines energy monitoring, scheduling, and away mode at the best price-per-plug — the definitive smart plug buy for UK homes in 2026.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This guide contains Amazon affiliate links, and we may earn a commission — at no extra cost to you — but it never changes our rankings.

Smart plugs are the easiest and most affordable way to start building a smart home in the UK — plug one in, connect to Wi-Fi, and instantly voice-control any appliance via Alexa or Google Assistant. From scheduling the kettle before you wake up to turning off the TV from bed, smart plugs add automation to ordinary devices without expensive upgrades. UK homes use the Type G (BS 1363) three-pin socket — all smart plugs in this guide are specifically designed for UK sockets and comply with UK electrical safety standards. This guide covers the best smart plugs available on Amazon UK in 2026, evaluated for reliability, energy monitoring, voice control compatibility, app quality, and value.

Buying guide

What to look for in Smart Plugs

  1. UK smart plugs use the Type G three-pin BS 1363 format — do not buy plugs designed for EU (Type C/E/F) or US sockets. All products in this guide are specifically designed for UK sockets and are rated 13A at 240V.
  2. 2.4GHz Wi-Fi only: all smart plugs in this guide connect exclusively to 2.4GHz Wi-Fi networks. If your UK router broadcasts only 5GHz (common on newer BT, Sky, and Virgin Media hubs), you must enable a 2.4GHz band or use a dual-band router to use these devices.
  3. Energy monitoring is a key differentiator. Models like the Tapo P110 and EIGHTREE Smart Plug display live wattage and accumulate cost data over time — useful for identifying which UK appliances are driving electricity bills in the current energy price climate.
  4. Away mode simulates occupancy by randomly cycling appliances on and off when you're not home — a useful deterrent built into most Tapo and TVLIVE plugs. This is an underrated security feature for UK homes.
  5. EV charging is not supported by any 13A smart plug — UK domestic EV charging requires a dedicated 7kW wallbox circuit. Never attempt to control an EV charger via a smart plug, which will damage both the plug and the vehicle's charging system.

Our process

How we choose our picks

We don’t lab-test products ourselves. Instead we synthesise the strongest independent evidence — current Amazon UK listings, verified-buyer feedback, published specs and UK pricing — into clear, honest recommendations. We earn a commission if you buy through our links, but that never changes which products we rank.

  • Current UK availability

    We only shortlist products actively listed and in stock on Amazon UK, checked against live catalogue data — not last year’s models.

  • Publicly visible buyer feedback

    We look at how each product is received by UK shoppers — its overall rating standing and the praise or complaints that recur in public reviews — rather than relying on a single reviewer’s opinion.

  • Published specs & value

    We compare manufacturer specifications, typical UK price bands, warranty and running costs so each pick is right for a real budget and use-case.

  • UK-specific fit

    We factor in UK voltage, plug/fitting standards, CE/UKCA marking and Consumer Rights Act cover — details that generic global lists miss.

More about our standards on the About page.

Side by side

How our top 6 compare

Spec#1 · Top PickTapo P110 Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring (2-Pack)#2 · Best Budget 2-PackTapo P100 Smart Plug (2-Pack)#3 · Best Single-Unit ValueTapo P100 Smart Plug (Single)#4 · Best for SmartThingsEIGHTREE Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring#5 · Best for Alexa-Only HomesAmazon Basics Wi-Fi Smart Plug#6TVLIVE Smart Plug 2-Pack
CompatibilityAlexa, Google AssistantAlexa, Google AssistantAlexa, Google AssistantAlexa, Google Home, SmartThingsAlexa onlyAlexa, Google Home
Energy MonitoringYes (hourly, daily, weekly, monthly)NoNoYes (daily, weekly, monthly, yearly + cost estimation)NoYes
Plug StandardType G BS 1363 (UK)Type G BS 1363 (UK)Type G BS 1363 (UK)Type G BS 1363 (UK)Type G BS 1363 (UK)Type G BS 1363 (UK)
Max Load13A, 2990W13A13A13A13A13A

The rankings

The best Smart Plugs, ranked

Tapo

Top Pick
Tapo P110 Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring (2-Pack) — product image

Tapo P110 Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring (2-Pack)

The Tapo P110 2-Pack combines energy monitoring, scheduling, and away mode at the best price-per-plug — the definitive smart plug buy for UK homes in 2026.

Compatibility
Alexa, Google Assistant
Energy Monitoring
Yes (hourly, daily, weekly, monthly)
Plug Standard
Type G BS 1363 (UK)
Max Load
13A, 2990W

What we like

  • Real-time energy monitoring tracks hourly, daily, and monthly electricity usage
  • 2-pack offers best per-plug value at under £16 for two units
  • Away mode cycles plugs randomly to deter UK home break-ins
  • No hub required — direct 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connection via Tapo app

Worth noting

  • Works with Alexa and Google but not with Apple HomeKit
  • 2.4GHz only — requires dual-band router for most UK broadband setups
  • Avoid for appliances over 13A rated load — check appliance labels
£15.99£23.9933%Amazon.co.uk price as of 28 Jul, 01:22 (London time). Details

Tapo

Best Budget 2-Pack
Tapo P100 Smart Plug (2-Pack) — product image

Tapo P100 Smart Plug (2-Pack)

The Tapo P100 2-Pack is the best entry-level smart plug in the UK — reliable scheduling and away mode without the cost of energy monitoring for basic smart home starts.

Compatibility
Alexa, Google Assistant
Energy Monitoring
No
Plug Standard
Type G BS 1363 (UK)
Max Load
13A

What we like

  • Under £15 for 2-pack — the most affordable dual-pack in our guide
  • Away mode and scheduling for basic smart home automation
  • Device sharing for family members via Tapo app
  • No hub required for direct Wi-Fi setup

Worth noting

  • No energy monitoring — that requires the Tapo P110 upgrade
  • Not compatible with Apple HomeKit
  • App occasionally requires re-pairing after router firmware updates
£14.99£19.9925%Amazon.co.uk price as of 28 Jul, 01:22 (London time). Details

Tapo

Best Single-Unit Value
Tapo P100 Smart Plug (Single) — product image

Tapo P100 Smart Plug (Single)

At under £8 per unit, the Tapo P100 single is the cheapest way to add smart control to one appliance in a UK home — perfect as a starter or top-up purchase.

Compatibility
Alexa, Google Assistant
Energy Monitoring
No
Plug Standard
Type G BS 1363 (UK)
Max Load
13A

What we like

  • Under £8 — the lowest-cost single smart plug in our guide
  • Same scheduling, timer, and away mode as the 2-pack
  • Compact design does not block adjacent sockets in UK extension leads
  • Quick setup via Tapo app in under 2 minutes

Worth noting

  • No energy monitoring feature
  • Single unit only — buying multiples costs more than the 2-pack
  • Alexa and Google only — no HomeKit
Check price on Amazon UKPrice & availability checked on Amazon

Eightree

Best for SmartThings
EIGHTREE Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring — product image

EIGHTREE Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring

EIGHTREE's SmartThings compatibility and detailed cost-estimation energy monitoring make it the best single-unit smart plug for UK Samsung ecosystem users.

Compatibility
Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings
Energy Monitoring
Yes (daily, weekly, monthly, yearly + cost estimation)
Plug Standard
Type G BS 1363 (UK)
Max Load
13A

What we like

  • SmartThings compatible — wider ecosystem reach than Tapo alone
  • Daily, weekly, monthly, yearly energy tracking with cost estimation
  • Device group management for controlling multiple plugs simultaneously
  • 2-year warranty — longer than most competitors at this price

Worth noting

  • Lesser-known brand compared to Tapo or Amazon Basics
  • Single unit only — no multi-pack option
  • 2.4GHz Wi-Fi only as with all competitors
£8.59Amazon.co.uk price as of 28 Jul, 01:22 (London time). Details

Amazon Basics

Best for Alexa-Only Homes
Amazon Basics Wi-Fi Smart Plug — product image

Amazon Basics Wi-Fi Smart Plug

For UK households fully committed to the Amazon Alexa ecosystem, the Amazon Basics plug is the frictionless option — no separate app, no bridging required.

Compatibility
Alexa only
Energy Monitoring
No
Plug Standard
Type G BS 1363 (UK)
Max Load
13A

What we like

  • No third-party apps required — controls entirely within Alexa app
  • Compact design leaves adjacent sockets free in UK multi-socket strips
  • Schedule at sunrise/sunset — useful for UK seasonal lighting automation
  • Under £10 with Amazon's reliability backing

Worth noting

  • Alexa only — does not work with Google Assistant or HomeKit
  • No energy monitoring feature
  • Amazon ecosystem lock-in — not portable to other assistants if you switch
£9.99Amazon.co.uk price as of 28 Jul, 01:22 (London time). Details

TVLIVE

TVLIVE Smart Plug 2-Pack — product image

TVLIVE Smart Plug 2-Pack

TVLIVE's child safety lock and CE/ETL certification make it the most safety-focused smart plug 2-pack in our guide — the right choice for UK families with young children.

Compatibility
Alexa, Google Home
Energy Monitoring
Yes
Plug Standard
Type G BS 1363 (UK)
Max Load
13A

What we like

  • Energy monitoring included at 2-pack price of under £15
  • Child lock with sliding safety cover — important for UK homes with young children
  • CE, RoHS, and ETL certified — strong safety credential set
  • Bluetooth fallback for setup without stable 2.4GHz Wi-Fi

Worth noting

  • Requires SmartLife app — not direct Alexa/Google native integration
  • Setup process requires SmartLife app link via Alexa/Google app — less intuitive
  • Bluetooth + Wi-Fi dual setup can confuse first-time UK smart home users
£15.99£19.9920%Amazon.co.uk price as of 28 Jul, 01:22 (London time). Details

Product prices and availability are accurate as of 28 Jul, 01:22 (London time) and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

Editor's Note

All smart plugs in this guide are specifically designed for UK Type G (BS 1363) sockets and are rated at 13A/2990W maximum load — which covers the majority of UK household appliances including kettles, lamps, fans, and TVs. UK electrical safety regulations require all smart plugs to carry CE and UKCA marking. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, faulty smart plugs purchased via Amazon UK carry statutory rights. Never use smart plugs with high-induction loads (motors over 1/6HP, air conditioning units, or EV chargers) — these exceed the plug's design parameters and create fire risk.

Our Take

Most UK homes run on 2.4GHz Wi-Fi with thick walls — check range and connectivity before buying smart devices. The Tapo P110 Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring is our top recommendation — it consistently outperforms alternatives in real-world UK use. The Tapo P100 Smart Plug is the smart budget pick — it covers the essentials without the premium price tag. Avoid the cheapest unbranded options on Amazon UK — they rarely survive past six months of regular use and UK consumer protection only helps if the seller is still trading.

Questions & answers

Frequently asked questions

Do UK smart plugs work with Alexa and Google Home?
Yes. Tapo P100/P110, TVLIVE, and EIGHTREE smart plugs all support both Amazon Alexa and Google Home. The Amazon Basics plug works exclusively with Alexa. All require 2.4GHz Wi-Fi.
What is the Type G smart plug standard used in the UK?
UK homes use Type G sockets (BS 1363) with three rectangular pins at 240V/13A. All smart plugs in this guide are specifically designed for UK Type G sockets and cannot be used in EU or US sockets.
Can smart plugs help reduce UK electricity bills?
Yes, through two mechanisms: scheduling appliances off when not needed, and energy monitoring (on Tapo P110 and EIGHTREE) which identifies high-consumption devices. Given UK energy prices, identifying devices that consume standby power can produce meaningful savings.
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. UKPicks earns a small commission from qualifying purchases made via links on this page. This does not affect our editorial recommendations or the price you pay.

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Tapo P110 Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring (2-Pack)

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