Best Smart Plugs (Travel)

Smart Plugs for Travelers and Mobile Workers

Smart plugs turn any outlet into a controllable, schedulable power point. For travelers, they mean hotel room automation, security simulation at home, and remote control of devices from anywhere. For home use, they're the easiest smart home entry point.

Why Travelers Love Smart Plugs

At home while you're away:

Turn lights on/off to simulate presence
- Control devices remotely (forgot to unplug the iron?)
- Schedule appliances for energy savings

In hotel rooms:
- Control lamp switches that are hard to reach
- Set phone charger schedules
- Create voice-controlled lighting

### Key Features to Consider

Voice Assistant Compatibility
Pick plugs that work with your ecosystem:
- Alexa: Amazon Smart Plug is seamless
- Google: Kasa and most others work
- HomeKit: Eve Energy or HomeKit-certified options

Energy Monitoring
Some plugs track power usage, helping identify energy vampires. Useful for home management, less critical for travel.

Size/Form Factor
Compact plugs don't block adjacent outlets. Travel-friendly plugs pack smaller. Check dimensions against your specific outlet needs.

### WiFi Considerations

Most smart plugs need 2.4GHz WiFi (not 5GHz). Hotel WiFi can be tricky:
- May require captive portal sign-in
- Guest networks may block device-to-device communication
- Some plugs can create their own network for basic control

For travel, plugs with local control (no internet required) work best in unpredictable networks.

### The Travel Kit

Bring 1-2 smart plugs on trips:
- Control bedside lamp from bed
- Turn hotel room lights off from couch
- Schedule wake-up lighting

It's a small luxury that makes hotel rooms feel more like home.