Best outdoor smart plugs: take your smart home outside this summer

If you're looking to expand your smart home beyond your home and into your outdoor space, then the best outdoor smart plugs are the answer. These game-changing devices allow you to connect your outdoor devices to your existing smart home set-up, from automated holiday lights to routines for turning sprinklers off as the sun rises and sets.

With the right design, these plugs allow you to turn one outlet into two or more, all while being protected from rain, cold, and other harsh conditions. Of course, when selecting an outdoor smart plug, be sure to check compatibility with your existing set-up. These plugs work with popular smart assistants like Alexa, Google, and Apple HomeKit, but some brands may vary in their connectivity options.

But outdoor smart plugs are just the beginning. A variety of other smart yard and garden devices have hit the market that can streamline your outdoor chores even further, including the best robot lawnmowers that can take care of the weekly grass trimming, and smart landscape lighting systems that enhance the ambiance of your outdoor living space. 

Read on to discover the possibilities that smart outdoor devices can bring to your life, and embrace the convenience and ease that comes with a fully integrated smart home. 

Best outdoor smart plugs: Quick list

The best outdoor smart plugs in 2024

Best outdoor smart plug overall

(Image credit: TP-Link)

With an IP64 weather-resistant rating and sleek black design, the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug is a great smart plug that works with both Alexa and Google Assistant. You can control your devices through voice control or via the Kasa Smart app, and the dual outlets mean you can control two different devices at once.

There's no hub required, which means it's incredibly easy to get set up, and you can use the app to create schedules, set routines and timers, and even have your lights turned on and off according to local sunrise and sunset times. For safety, there's also surge protection and protective covers to use during off-periods.

Best outdoor smart plug for HomeKit

(Image credit: Lutron)

Lutron Caséta Weatherproof+ Outdoor Smart Plug is an excellent smart plug, offering amazing weather-resistant features and reliable performance. It has a sleek, modern-looking design and is rated highly by users for durability and protection from the elements. The high IP65 weather resistance rating also means the plug is highly resistant to dust, dirt, and severe rainfall, making it an ideal solution for outdoor use.

Lutron's Caseta app lets you control devices via voice commands through Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri, opening up more compatibility options. From there, you can schedule the plug to turn on/off automatically or set up geofencing to control it based on your location. The plug is also a fantastic choice for outdoor lighting, offering dimming capabilities and enabling you to adjust lighting levels to your liking .

Best outdoor smart plug for energy monitoring

(Image credit: Wyze)

An excellent option for those who want a reliable and affordable smart plug rated for outdoor use, the Wyze Plug Outdoor is weather-resistant, easy to use, and can be controlled through voice commands or the Wyze app. It also features two individually controlled outlets, making it an ideal tool for powering outdoor lighting, decorations, and even power tools.

The plug can be connected through your home Wi-Fi, giving you control of outdoor devices from wherever you are. With a range of up to 300 feet, the Wyze plug can be used in even the largest outdoor spaces, and its IP64 rating means it is highly resistant to both water and dust. You will need the app to control the device, where you can control each outlet individually to create schedules and automations.

Best outdoor smart plug for security

(Image credit: WeMo)

Compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, and HomeKit, and without the need for a separate hub, the WeMo WiFi Smart Outdoor Plug would be an excellent fit for an Apple-dedicated household. Scheduling is slightly more advanced than others on this list, too, with 'Away Mode' allowing you to automate a random power on/off when you're away from home, indicating to would-be trespassers that someone is there.

The somewhat baffling flaw in the WeMo offering is the fact that both outlets can be controlled together, but not separately. This will be a significant mark against the device for some but, if you plan to use it for turning on two sets of Christmas lights, rather than two unrelated things, it should be fine.

Best outdoor smart plug for number of outlets

(Image credit: POWRUI)

An extension lead for your backyard, the POWRUI Smart Power Strip has been designed for those who need to power a lot of different devices but only have a single convenient socket. Turning a single power source into four outlets, the POWRUI offering should power even the most elaborate holiday light scene. That said, rating IP44, it is slightly less sturdy than some other examples on this list.

The smart plug works with Alexa, Google, and IFTTT, and you will need the app to control each outlet individually. Scheduling can also be found there, or you can make use of voice control through your chosen smart assistant.

Best outdoor smart plug for Alexa

(Image credit: Ring)

One for those already converted to Ring and its products, the brand's smart plug offering is sleek-looking (though quite large) and very capable. With dual outlets covered by a protective rubber flap, it fits in with other devices from Ring with a glowing blue button on top that can be used to control the outlet without internet.

The big downside to the Ring Outdoor Smart Plug for some will be the need for an additional Ring Bridge hub, which you will need if you want the device to communicate with your WiFi. Alternatively, select Amazon Echo speakers will serve the same purpose, if you already have one ready at home.

(Image credit: Wyze)

Choosing the best outdoor smart plug

Are smart plugs okay to use outdoors?

While most smart plugs should only be used inside away from water and other elements, there are outdoor smart plugs designed to be used outside. These come from a variety of brands and at a range of price points, but mean that you can add automation to your outdoor electricals such as string lights (especially useful when the holidays come), folding them into your existing smart home routines via Alexa or Google Assistant.

Are outdoor plugs safe?

Electrical outlets aren't the first thing you may think about placing in the backyard, but outdoor smart plugs are perfectly safe to use outdoors. The devices on this list have been specifically designed to be able to withstand the elements and, while the protection varies between brands and models, all of them are weatherproof.

Just be sure that the smart plugs you are using are designed for the outdoors and, for the indoor alternative, take a look at our guide to the best smart plugs.

(Image credit: Ring)

About this guide

At Livingetc, we believe in transparency and reliability when it comes to product reviews. We have a wide team of impartial and professional testers on hand to rigorously evaluate products in order to provide our readers with reliable and trustworthy recommendations, and our goal is to provide buying guides, reviews, and shopping edits that help to improve our readers’ lives in some way.

These products range from high-end luxury goods to more affordable items that can still provide a touch of decoration and boost the sense of fun in your home. We ask our editors, writers, and freelancers to pay attention to the details of these picks, ensuring there are valuable insights that buyers can rely on beyond the product description. 

The best outdoor smart plugs on this list were curated by our experts based on hands-on testing in their own homes, as well as consumer feedback and online reviews. We will update the guide regularly to reflect new releases and fresh recommendations, and will always be trying new products to find the very best.