Hey friend! If you‘re looking to gain more control over the power delivery in your home while saving money on electricity bills, I want to tell you about one of my favorite gadgets – the smart power strip!
In this post, I‘ll explain 3 great reasons why smart power strips are worth investing in. I‘ll also recommend some excellent models that I confidently use myself across different needs and budgets.
An Overview of Smart Power Strips
Traditional power strips simply offer more outlets to plug devices into. Smart versions take things to the next level by making those outlets remotely controllable via smartphone and voice apps.
So instead of having to manually turn devices on and off by physically pressing the power strip‘s switch, you can cut power to individual outlets or the whole strip using your phone from anywhere!
Many smart strips have cool features like:
- Apps that let you view real-time energy usage for each outlet
- Scheduling when outlets turn on/off automatically
- Voice control through Alexa, Google Assistant, etc
- Surge protection and electrical overload safeguards
As you‘ll see below, there are great reasons beyond basic convenience for adding smart power control in your home, office, or even outdoors!
Now let‘s look at 3 benefits that I found most useful from my own experience.
Reason 1: Save Money By Cutting Energy Vampire Power Drain
Have you heard of "energy vampires"? These aren‘t actual vampires sucking your electricity, but rather devices that waste tons of energy even while powered off or idle.
Any gadget that still draws phantom loads when switched off or not actively in use is an energy vampire. These idle power drains can cost the average household over $100 per year!
Some sneaky electric vampires include:
- Game consoles and streaming boxes
- Computer speakers/monitors
- Phone and laptop chargers
- Smart home hubs and WiFi routers
- Kitchen appliances with digital displays
Now by completely cutting off vampiric devices when not needed, smart power strips let you reclaim all those wasted kilowatt-hours and dollars.
For example, ENERGY STAR estimates the average home has 65 vampire loads totalling 400 kWh annually. So smart strips can save ~$50 per year or more by powering these devices down fully.
Over time, the electricity savings easily offset the upfront cost of a smart strip – making them a smart investment in your utility budget!
Reason 2: Convenience Of Voice And App Controls
Let‘s say you have a floor lamp, fan, phone charger, and speaker system all plugged into an everyday power strip under your desk.
Turning those various things on and off separately can mean a lot of bending, crawling, and squeezing to access the awkwardly placed power strip switch.
Instead of such a literal pain, smart strips enable turning individual outlets or the full strip on/off right from your phone or by telling Alexa/Google what to do!
Most models have well-designed apps that display all connected outlets and allow you to toggle each one individually. This makes it simple to choose exactly which devices receive juice.
Beyond basic on/off functions, many apps let you analyze real-time energy usage, create schedules, set timers, and more.
For example, I have a lighting scene for movie nights that kills overhead lights while powering my home theater system, popcorn maker, and bias lighting at the press of a button!
So if total control over your power delivery plus the convenience of voice/app-based access sounds helpful, smart strips deliver in a major way over conventional power strips.
Reason 3: Protect Sensitive Electronics from Power Surges
Between electrical storms, grid fluctuations, and wiring issues, power surges and spikes can happen unexpectedly. These sudden bursts of excess voltage can damage or destroy sensitive electronic gear.
Since most smart power strips have integrated surge protection circuits, they add an extra layer of protection between your wall power and prized gadgets.
Quality surge protectors divert or absorb sudden voltage spikes before they reach downstream electronics. They also safely cut off power flow during extreme events to prevent equipment harm.
So by using a smart strip instead of a basic power splitter, you guarantee clean and consistent electricity flow in addition to smart controls. That means better safety for expensive PCs, televisions, appliances and other electronics against surges.
Now that you know some excellent reasons to upgrade, let‘s look at the specific smart power strip models I recommend across few great options for different needs…
Best Overall: Kasa Smart Plug Power Strip HS300
If you want a reliable all-around smart strip with tons of outlets, the Kasa Smart Plug Power Strip HS300 is my top recommendation.
I‘ve used several Kasa smart home products with great success over the years, and this power strip model tops my list. Here‘s an overview of the key specs and benefits:
- 6 smart outlets – Each of the 6 AC outlets can be independently controlled and monitored
- 3 USB ports – Fast charge phones, tablets, and other USB-powered gear
- 1850 watt / 15 amp capacity – Safely run most household electronics
- Works with Alexa & Google Assistant – Voice control outlets via speech commands
- Scheduling and timers – Set auto rules through the Kasa app
- Compact design – Relatively small footprint with 6ft power cable
- Surge protection – Protects against spikes up to 900 joules
With deep app functionality, voice assistant access, robust surge security, and competitive pricing around $70, the Kasa HS300 hits all the right notes.
I run my home office equipment like monitors, routers, and speakers through this strip. It‘s been super reliable while letting me kill vampire loads and schedule everything automatically.
So if you want a feature-packed smart power strip that‘s also a sturdy and safe surge protector, put the Kasa HS300 at the top of your list!
Best for Outdoors: POWRUI AW-41 Outdoor Smart Power Strip
Smart power strips aren‘t only useful inside the home – they also unleash very helpful abilities for exterior spaces like patios, porches, or gardens.
That‘s why I recommend the POWRUI AW-41 Outdoor Smart Power Strip as the top outdoor model on the market currently.
Built with weatherproof casing and water-sealed connections, this rugged strip can permanently withstand the elements while delivering smart controls.
Let‘s look at why I rate it so highly for outdoor usage:
- IP44 weatherproof rating – Sealed against splashing water from any direction
- Operates from -22° to 104°F – Works year-round even in extreme cold or heat
- 4 smart AC outlets – Individual app and voice control over each output
- Surge protection included – Guards against electrical spikes up to 900 joules
- Timer/scheduling capabilities – Set auto on/off periods by time of day
- Alexa + Google Assistant compatible – Use voice commands to control the strip
I use this outdoor strip for my backyard patio setup. It lets me easily turn on accent lighting, music system, insect repeller, and outdoor heater whenever I‘m hosting friends outside.
The awesome thing is not having to worry about splashing drinks or rain hurting this rugged gadget that lives outside permanently. And not dealing with cords is great since everything gets powered on/off via app or voice!
So if you‘re looking to smartify devices in your outdoor living space, the POWRUI Outdoor Smart Strip is purpose-built for the job.
Best Budget: Geeni Surge 6-Outlet Smart Power Strip
At around just $25, the Geeni Surge 6-Outlet Smart Power Strip packs quite a punch for the price. It delivers core smart strip capabilities on a budget.
As the name suggests, you get 6 standard AC outlets to plug devices into. And each outlet can be individually controlled through the Geeni app or using Alexa/Google voice commands.
Here are the quick vitals that make this an impressive value-priced option:
- 6 smart AC outlets – Independent app/voice control over each outlet
- Surge protection included – Guards against spikes up to 330 joules
- 6 foot power cord – Plenty of length to reach distant areas
- Compact size – Fits into tight spaces and behind furniture
- Scheduling capabilities – Set timers and auto rules in the Geeni app
I keep this wallet-friendly strip in my bedroom. It lets me easily turn off devices fully before bed to eliminate annoying power lights and vampire loads.
The Geeni hardware feels cheaper than premium models but totally does the job. So if you want an affordable entry point into smart power strips, grab this one!
Best Compact: GHome Smart Power Strip
If most full-sized power strips feel too massive for your needs, check out the perfectly pint-sized GHome Smart Power Strip.
It packs 3 controllable AC outlets and 3 USB ports into a super slim 3.9 x 3.9 x 1.1 inch frame. So this low-profile strip is sized for discreet placement on desks, behind monitors, or anywhere space constrainsts exist.
Let‘s glance at the unique advantages of choosing such a diminutive smart strip:
- Ultra-compact design – Fits tight spots only 1 inch deep
- 3 smart AC outlets – Control each one independently
- 3 fast-charging USB ports – Rapidly juice USB devices
- Surge protection – Guards against spikes up to 600 joules
- App and voice control – Works with Alexa, Google Assistant
I keep the GHome strip mounted out-of-sight behind my living room TV. It powers the TV, soundbar, streaming box, and gaming consoles while protecting from surges.
When company is over, I can easily ask Google to switch inputs between devices or cut power to unused gear. And everything stays neatly hidden from sight!
So if you need robust smart features without a visible power strip dominating the landscape, the tiny GHome Smart Power Strip perfectly fits the bill.
Let‘s Summarize the Winning Picks…
| Usage Scenario | My Top Recommended Model | Key Benefits |
| Best Overall | Kasa Smart HS300 | ⦁ 6 smart AC outlets ⦁ Voice + app control ⦁ Surge protection |
| Outdoor Usage | POWRUI AW-41 Outdoor | ⦁ Weatherproof ⦁ Works year-round ⦁ Timer capabilities |
| Budget Pick | Geeni Surge Smart Strip | ⦁ 6 smart outlets ⦁ Compact design ⦁ Alexa/Google support |
| Space Constraints | GHome Smart Strip | ⦁ Ultra small form ⦁ 3 smart outlets ⦁ USB charging ports |
As you can see, smart power strips are extremely versatile for all kinds of uses. And choosing the right model lets you maximize convenience, control, and energy savings.
I hope breaking down those 3 compelling reasons to buy along with my own real-world recommendations gave you a helpful headstart in your research!
Let me know if any other smart home automation questions pop up. I‘m always happy to help a friend take advantage of the latest gadgets to make their life easier.
Talk soon,
[Your Name]
