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Automate your lights, coffee makers, fans and more for under $50, or even cheaper.

If you’re not sure what smart plugs actually do, here’s a primer: They plug into your regular outlets and then connect to whatever home devices would normally go there. Many of them use Bluetooth and/or an app, and many are also compatible with Amazon Alexa or similar voice control, so that you can set timers and schedules, turn lights and devices on and off remotely and so much more.

Imagine your coffee maker brewing you a cup every morning like clockwork without you needing to wake up earlier to turn it on. Or your lights turning on and off when you’re out of town so any would-be intruders are dissuaded because they think someone’s home. Or the ability to turn off a device from anywhere if you accidentally left it on before leaving the house, and don’t want it wasting energy. The possibilities are limitless.

These Kasa smart plugs have passed the test of former editor Janie Campbell and so many others, given their 20,000+ 5-star ratings. They're easy to set up and you can set schedules or timers to turn household devices on or off so they're not left running all the time. These also work with Google Home voice control in addition to Alexa, and also have their own Kasa app so you can control your devices remotely even if you're not home.

Promising review: "I have these smart plug modules all over my house. They are extremely convenient and can save money too. Our power company switched to time of day metering where they charge more during peak usage. I put these modules on my chest freezer and other appliances that I don’t want to use during peak usage. The module turns off the appliance during peak hours and turns it back on when the rate is cheaper. I have them on certain window air conditioners too!" —jeffrey Town-Campell

Get it from Amazon for $8.99 (also available in a two-pack).

Sometimes one or two smart plugs isn't enough for the amount of devices you want to control in one room, especially if you're stuck with a limited amount of outlets. That's where a power strip can come in handy — this one works the same as the other Kasa smart plugs above, except it has six outlets so you can plug in and control even more devices through the app.

Promising review: "Like the single plugs this is easy to set up and we started saving $ on our electric bill the very first day. I’m so glad we got these. I even set up a group called “fans” that can turn on the floor fans to cool down the building on a schedule that works for us. We also don’t waste $ by someone forgetting to turn something off. So excited to implement this for our business and shave a big chunk off our electricity bill." —Jennie A.

Get two products in one with these Linkind smart plugs that have built-in LED lights, which can automatically activate from dusk to dawn. Now you don't have to stumble around in the dark at night and you can control other devices plugged into the outlets, with a flexible timer that saves energy. These plugs work with Alexa, Google Home and Apple Home using voice control, and also work via the AiDot app.

Get a two-pack from Amazon for $17.99 (also available in a four-pack).

Smart plugs can work for your outdoor lights and appliances, too, but you'll want one with a little more protection. Enter this Amazon Basics two-socket plug designed for outdoor use, such as with holiday lights or fountains. It's compatible with Alexa, so you can use remote and voice control to operate, and is weather-resistant, keeping the outlets safe against water. Just note that because this is an Amazon device, it won't work with Google Home or Apple Home.

Promising review: "super happy with this, I have connected my outdoor pond pump to one side and my outdoor lights to the other. I set routines for on/off for my lights and pond on the Alexa app, super easy and don't have to ever think about when to turn them on or off anymore." —RF

If you want an outdoor smart plug that works with Google Home in addition to Alexa, Kasa also sells one with two sockets. Similarly, you can set schedules and timer for outdoor lights and appliances, as well as controlling them remotely or with voice control. This one is also weather-resistant, and comes with an impressive 4.6-star average across over 18,000 ratings.

Use Apple Home, Alexa or Google Home to control these mini square smart plugs. These plugs are square-shaped, unlike the rectangular style that's a bit more common, but still small enough not to block any other outlets as shown in the photo here. You can set schedules and timers for your various appliances, and setup is as easy as turning on Bluetooth and scanning a code.

These plugs also don't track your data, if that's a concern you have with smart plugs — there's no cloud or registration involved, and your devices are still usable on your local area network (LAN) even if your home internet is offline.

Promising review: "I got into smart home early and have tried LOTS of different brands and found that for the most part you get what you pay for. I returned or dumped several other brands both cheaper and more expensive. Meross is consistently about the easiest of any that I have tried to add to either Apple Home or Alexa. Connection is always stable. Note that these are "Matter" compatible which adds to their flexibility." —Mike J

Get a two-pack from Amazon for $34.99 (also available in a four-pack).

These Amazon Basics plugs are cheaper than Kasa by a few dollars with many of the same perks — the compact size, ability to set customizable routines and control over your plugged-in devices from anywhere. They work with Alexa and, unlike other smart plugs, can be operated right from the Alexa app (no more downloading yet another app to use your tech). Use them for coffee makers, lamps, fans, humidifiers and more.

Get it from Amazon for $10.01 (also available in a four-pack).

While this isn't technically a "smart" plug the way the rest on this list are, this remote-control plug can still add major convenience to your home. The remote, which comes on a keychain for safekeeping, is programmable with each accompanying plug (you can buy up to five in bulk), letting you control multiple devices with the same remote. The 100-foot range works through walls and doors, so you don't have to be in the same room as the lights to turn them off. This plug doesn't come with the ability to set timers or schedules; it's just an on/off mechanism. Still, just imagine the luxury of not having to get out of bed to switch off the lights and instead using a remote.

Promising review: "Got two of these things. I love them. Installed on an item in the house that’s hard to get to for plugging in and another down at my shop mostly just for convenience. Really like these things. If you are in the market for an easy on and off then this is it. Highly recommend if you are in need or maybe a little lazy like me." —Greywolf

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in two colors and as multi-packs).

Reviews for this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.