Best Smart Plugs 2026 UK: Energy Monitoring & Schedules

The Tapo P110M is the best smart plug with energy monitoring for most UK homes: it measures a connected appliance in the Tapo app, handles schedules and can join a Matter smart-home setup. If you only need simple Wi-Fi control, the Tapo P110 avoids the extra Matter setup. Choose Eve Energy for a Thread-based home, Meross MSS315 for two Matter-over-Wi-Fi plugs, or Shelly Plus Plug UK when local automation matters more than a polished beginner setup.

A smart plug measures only the appliance plugged into it; it does not reveal whole-home usage or guarantee a lower bill. Before buying, check the UK socket, appliance load, whether the app shows the energy data you want, and whether a Matter controller or Thread border router is needed for your chosen platform.

Our top five picks

On this page

• Comparison at a glance
• The five smart plugs in detail
• Which one should you buy?
• What energy readings can and cannot tell you
• Compatibility and setup
• Safe uses and electrical loads
• How we chose
• The bottom line
• Frequently asked questions

Comparison at a glance

Plug and pack	Best for	Energy readings	Main setup catch
Tapo P110M, one	Most UK homes	Tapo app; Matter platform support varies	2.4GHz Wi-Fi; third-party Matter control needs a compatible controller
Tapo P110, one	Simple Wi-Fi	Tapo app	No Matter or native Apple Home control
Eve Energy UK, two	Thread and privacy	Eve app; platform features vary	Matter controller and Thread border router required
Meross MSS315, two	Two Matter plugs	Meross app	2.4GHz Wi-Fi and compatible controller for Matter platforms
Shelly Plus Plug UK, two	Local automations	Shelly app or local interface	More setup than a simple app-only plug

All five choices are UK-plug products and monitor the energy used through each plug. The two Tapo choices are single plugs; the Eve, Meross and Shelly choices here are exact two-packs. Do not compare a two-pack with a single plug on headline price alone.

The five smart plugs in detail

Tapo P110M: best overall

The P110M combines a 13A UK socket, Tapo energy history, schedules and Matter control. TP-Link’s UK specification confirms the 2.4GHz Wi-Fi requirement and the indoor-use limit. It is the most flexible one-plug starting point here if you might add devices from other brands later.

The important distinction is where the readings appear. Energy data is available in the Tapo app; support inside Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home or other Matter platforms is not uniform. A compatible Matter controller is needed for third-party platform control, but not for ordinary Tapo-app setup. Do not buy it assuming every ecosystem displays the same energy chart.

Verdict: Buy it for a useful balance of monitoring, scheduling and platform choice. If Matter is irrelevant to you, the P110 is simpler.

Tapo P110: best simple Wi-Fi plug

The P110 is an indoor 13A UK smart plug with live power and usage history in the Tapo app. It supports schedules, timers, Alexa and Google Assistant without a separate hub. TP-Link’s P110 information is clear about its 2.4GHz connection and load limit.

It is a practical choice for checking one appliance at a time or putting a lamp on a schedule. It does not offer Matter or native Apple Home support. There is little point choosing it over the P110M if cross-platform Matter control is already part of your plan, but it avoids buying a feature you may never use.

Verdict: Buy it when Tapo, Alexa or Google already covers your home and energy readings in the Tapo app are enough.

Eve Energy UK: best for a Thread-based home

This UK two-pack uses Matter over Thread rather than Wi-Fi. Eve’s Energy specifications list UK Type G sockets, power monitoring and local, cloud-free operation. It is a sensible premium choice for a home that already has a compatible Matter controller and Thread border router.

That hub requirement is not optional for a normal Matter setup. The Eve app can show power and estimated costs, while energy features in other platforms vary; do not assume the basic Apple Home screen will give the same charts. Thread is appealing when you deliberately want local networking and fewer Wi-Fi devices, but it is needless expense for someone starting from one lamp.

Verdict: Choose this two-pack if your Thread infrastructure is in place and local control is a priority.

Meross MSS315: best two-pack for Matter over Wi-Fi

The exact MSS315 two-pack offers per-plug energy readings in the Meross app and Matter control over 2.4GHz Wi-Fi. Meross’s product information describes real-time readings, history and schedules. It is useful when two separate appliances need measurement without moving one plug between sockets.

Before buying, remember that the Meross app is the clearest place for its energy history, and a compatible controller is needed to add the plugs to a Matter ecosystem. Check that your router has a usable 2.4GHz network and that the socket spacing leaves room for the plug bodies.

Verdict: Choose this if you want two UK monitoring plugs and prefer Matter over Wi-Fi to a Thread setup.

Shelly Plus Plug UK: best for local automation

This exact two-pack is for people who want more than a scheduled on/off button. Shelly’s UK specification confirms BS 1363 Type G fit, power and energy metering, a local web interface, MQTT, scripting and 13A switching. It can work on a local Wi-Fi network without relying on Shelly’s cloud for in-home control.

Those controls create setup work. A Shelly plug is attractive for a Home Assistant or MQTT project, but its app and local options are more to learn than Tapo’s basic flow. It is also a two-pack, so count how many monitored appliances you actually need before choosing it.

Verdict: Buy it for local automation and detailed control, not because a simple lamp timer requires scripting.

Which one should you buy?

Start with the Tapo P110M if you want one monitoring plug that can also join a Matter home. Buy the P110 for a simpler Tapo-only setup. Choose Eve only if you have, or intend to build, a Thread network; Meross is the two-plug Matter-over-Wi-Fi alternative. Pick Shelly for local integrations and power-meter data you can use in your own automations. The biggest mistake is paying for an ecosystem feature without checking whether the energy graph appears in the app you actually use.

If you are still deciding between Apple, Google and Alexa, our smart-home ecosystem comparison explains the platforms. Our device integration guide covers what a controller does when several brands need to cooperate.

What energy readings can and cannot tell you

Watts are the live reading; kWh is the billed quantity

A watt reading is a snapshot of power use. Kilowatt-hours measure energy over time: a 100W appliance running for ten hours uses about 1kWh. A plug can reveal a surprisingly hungry appliance, but the saving comes only if you change how long or how often it runs. Set your own electricity rate in the app for any cost estimate; tariffs and standing charges vary. For the broader picture, use our home energy-monitoring guide.

Measure the appliance, not the whole house

A smart plug cannot measure hard-wired equipment or explain the entire meter reading. Test an appliance over a representative week before judging it; a fridge or dehumidifier cycles, so one minute of watts is a poor monthly forecast. Check whether the model keeps history in its own app and whether that history survives a reset.

Compatibility and setup

Wi-Fi, Thread and Matter are different questions

The Tapo, Meross and Shelly models here use 2.4GHz Wi-Fi. Eve uses Thread and needs a compatible Thread border router and Matter controller. Matter is a common control standard, not a promise that every app exposes each plug’s energy statistics. Even for the P110M and MSS315, plan to use the maker’s app if detailed energy history is the reason you are buying. Our hub-free automation guide explains when avoiding another hub is useful.

Schedules should match the connected appliance

Scheduling a lamp to come on before dusk is a sensible use. Cutting power to a washer mid-cycle, restarting a heater remotely or switching a medical device is not. A schedule must not override the appliance maker’s instructions, and remote control is no substitute for checking the room and equipment. For lighting routines, see our smart-lighting schedules guide.

Safe uses and electrical loads

Match the plug’s stated amperage and wattage to the appliance, allow the plug to sit fully in a sound UK socket, and keep indoor-only models dry. Avoid daisy-chaining adapters or using a smart plug to make an unsuitable high-load device “smart”. The listed ratings do not prove every heater, motor or charger is suitable; follow both manuals. TP-Link explicitly excludes EV charging on the P110/P110M and warns about certain motor/compressor loads.

Electrical Safety First advises never leaving a portable heater unattended while in use. A remote on/off feature does not make unattended heating safe. Check the correct UK plug and supplier information too; a two-pin imported product is not interchangeable with a Type G model. Our smart-plug uses guide covers simpler jobs such as lamps and fans.

How we chose

We compared UK-socket versions by their monitoring capability, connection method, pack size, load rating, app and controller requirements, and useful automation options. Manufacturer specifications and exact product details informed this shortlist. We have not installed these five packs or independently measured their meter accuracy, long-term reliability or app performance. No claimed household saving is built into the ranking.

The bottom line

For one UK energy-monitoring smart plug, the Tapo P110M is the strongest all-round choice because it covers ordinary schedules and Matter control while keeping power history in the Tapo app. Buy the P110 if you have no Matter plans. Eve’s UK two-pack suits a Thread home, Meross’s two-pack suits Matter over Wi-Fi, and Shelly’s two-pack suits local automation. Whichever you choose, confirm the app and hub you will use before ordering.

Frequently asked questions

Do smart plugs reduce electricity bills by themselves?

No. They measure usage and can schedule suitable appliances, but savings depend on what you change. A plug also consumes a little electricity itself.

Can I see energy readings in Apple Home from every Matter plug?

Do not assume so. Platform and firmware support varies. For detailed history, use the manufacturer app specified for the exact plug and check current compatibility before buying.

Does Eve Energy need a hub in the UK?

Yes, a normal Matter setup needs a compatible controller and Thread border router. Check your existing HomePod, Apple TV, Echo, Nest or SmartThings hardware against Eve’s supported list.

Will a 13A smart plug work with any 13A appliance?

No. Check the appliance type, starting load and both manufacturers’ instructions. Motor loads, heaters and EV charging can have extra restrictions even when a headline wattage appears to fit.

Can I use a smart plug with a portable heater?

Do not use remote switching as permission to leave a heater unattended. Electrical Safety First advises against leaving portable heaters unattended while in use. Follow the heater and plug manuals.

Is a two-pack better value than one plug?

Only if you need two monitored appliances at once. Compare the exact pack quantity, app and controller requirements, and UK socket fit rather than a single headline price.