8 Best Outdoor Smart Plugs for a High-Tech Backyard

Whether you regularly entertain guests or spend a lot of time in the backyard, it’s distracting to have to get up and turn on a flood light or make sure the security camera is active. Thankfully, you don’t have to manually control all the devices you’ve set up in your backyard anymore. It’s 2022, and the accessibility of outdoor smart tech means you can do all of that from your smartphone with a smart plug.

These handy gadgets are a veritable lifesaver for anyone who’s found themselves getting up to close a garage door, flip on a light or activate sprinklers. Plus, outdoor smart plugs are super quick to set up and easy to use. Plug the outdoor devices you’d like to control from your phone into the smart plug, set up your smart plug via app, and you’ve got yourself a sweet, easy night to look forward to.

If you’re not sure which outdoor smart plug you should buy, you’re in luck. We’ve rounded up some of the best options to help you decide which one fits your lifestyle. Peruse our picks before you go shopping and we’ll make sure you have the best of the best to place outside your home.

What to Look for When Buying an Outdoor Smart Plug

When choosing the best outdoor smart plug for your needs, consider size, durability, number of outlets, device compatibility, connectivity options and, of course, whether the smart plug is actually meant to be used outdoors.

Most smart plugs on the market are made for indoor use. When purchasing an outdoor smart plug, be sure it’s rated for outdoor use and can withstand the elements. Look for water-resistant and dust-resistant ratings of IP44 to IP64, with higher ratings denoting more protection.

Check the plug’s size and number of outlets to be sure it will work for your needs. For instance, if you need to power multiple lights or devices, a plug with two outlets won’t cut it.

Similarly, be sure the plug is compatible with your smart home hub or corresponding smartphone app. Some outdoor smart plugs aren’t compatible with Amazon’s Echo devices and Alexa, for instance, while others are made to be used with them. Ensure the outdoor smart plug you choose works with the automation features you’ve already implemented or plan to implement in your home.

Some plugs can be set on a schedule to operate outdoor smart home devices automatically. Set your sprinklers to water the lawn on weekends or outdoor lights to turn on when the sun is going down. This type of automation is where outdoor smart plugs really shine.

Evaluation Criteria

When evaluating outdoor smart plugs, we looked for products with a positive reputation as well as an abundance of consumer and professional reviews. When we narrowed down our selection, we focused on these major points: price, reliability, compatibility and ease of installation. After analyzing each product, we chose one to fit each of the categories below.

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