What are smart plugs and do energy-saving plugs work?

• Smart plugs vs. smart meters - what’s the difference? 

• What does a smart plug do and how do smart plugs work? 

• Do smart plugs save energy and are smart plugs worth it? 

• Energy-saving plugs: How do energy-saving plugs work? 

• Do energy-saving plugs work? 

• Simple ways to save energy at home

• FAQs about smart plugs, smart meters and power-saving claims

When energy costs are on the rise, you may have searched for ways to cut down on your electricity bills. You might have come across terms like “smart plug” or “power-saving plug” as potential energy-saving solutions, but what exactly do smart plugs do? And how much difference can they realistically make? Read on to find out.

A smart plug is a small adapter that plugs into a wall socket. You plug an appliance into it, then control that appliance from an app, a voice assistant or a schedule. Smart plugs and smart meters are both about energy, but they do different jobs. Neither one depends on the other.

What are smart meters? 

Smart meters are devices installed by your energy supplier which measure how much gas and electricity you’re using. Readings are then sent automatically to your energy supplier. You can also monitor your energy usage in near real-time via the in-home display.

Smart meters support whole-home energy monitoring. They help you see patterns across your household energy use, instead of focusing on just one plug socket or one appliance. This makes them useful for budgeting, spotting changes in energy use, and reducing reliance on estimated bills.

What are smart plugs? 

Think of a smart plug as a control for one device. People commonly use them with lamps, chargers, fans and other small appliances. With a smart plug, you can switch a device on or off remotely, automate it, or in some cases track how much electricity it uses.

So, what does a smart plug do in everyday life? It can help you set a lamp to turn on before you get home, switch off a device you forgot about, schedule appliances around your routine, or monitor the electricity used by a connected appliance if the model includes energy-monitoring features.

And how do smart plugs work? Most connect to your home Wi-Fi or a smart home hub, receive commands from an app or voice assistant, and then open or close an internal switch that controls whether electricity flows to the plugged-in device.

Many smart plugs also offer scheduling features, allowing you to set times for your appliances to turn on and off. Some may even be able to integrate with smart home systems.

Common smart plug features include:

• Remote control: turn a compatible appliance on or off from your phone.

• Scheduling: set a device to turn off at night or turn on at a chosen time.

• Timers: automatically switch off a device after a set period.

• Voice control: use compatible assistants such as Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri, depending on the product.

• Energy monitoring: track the electricity use of one appliance when the smart plug supports this feature.

Safety tip: always check the smart plug’s maximum load rating and the appliance manufacturer’s guidance before use. Electrical Safety First also advises consumers to buy electrical products from reputable retailers, follow the manufacturer’s instructions and check that products carry appropriate UK safety markings.

Smart plugs can help reduce wasted electricity in specific situations, but they are not automatic bill-cutting devices. Their value depends on whether they help you avoid unnecessary use, such as lights or appliances being left on longer than needed.

This reflects guidance from trusted energy advice organisations such as Energy Saving Trust, which generally recommends focusing on practical behaviour changes, efficient appliances and better visibility of energy use rather than relying on devices that promise automatic savings.

Are smart plugs worth it?

That means the answer to are smart plugs worth it depends on your household. They may be worth considering if you regularly forget to switch things off, want to automate lights for convenience or security, or want appliance-level energy monitoring. They may be less useful if you already turn devices off at the wall and only plan to use them with low-standby appliances.

Energy efficiency  

Here is the main point on energy: a smart plug only saves you electricity if is stops you using more power than the plug itself uses. That’s because a smart plug stays in standby mode so it can respond to commands. This means it always uses a small amount of electricity, even when the connected device is switched off.

Smart plugs might be more helpful for people who want to use smart scheduling features, such as setting times and schedules for their appliances, for a more automated home system.

Controlling home appliances remotely 

One reason people buy smart plugs is convenience: they let you control suitable devices remotely, which can help with routines, lighting and peace of mind when you are away from home.

They can also support routines, such as turning decorative lights off at bedtime, switching a desk setup off after working hours, or setting lamps to come on while you are away.

Energy monitoring

Some smart plugs include energy-monitoring features, which can help you look at the electricity use of one connected device at a time.

This is most useful when you want to understand one device at a time, such as a computer setup, dehumidifier, games console or older appliance. For a fuller view of your household’s electricity and gas use, a smart meter and in-home display can provide a broader picture.

Smart plugs may be most useful with time-of-use tariffs when they help you shift flexible tasks safely and conveniently. Always check whether the appliance is suitable for scheduled use and whether it is safe to run unattended.

In contrast to smart plugs, ‘energy-saving’ or ‘power-saving’ plugs are marketed as devices that save energy simply by being plugged into a socket. Manufacturers often claim these products work by “stabilising voltage” or “improving appliance efficiency” across household appliances. However, these claims can be vague and not backed up by evidence.

Products sold as energy saving plugs are different from smart plugs. A smart plug gives you control over one connected appliance, while a power-saving plug is often marketed as a device that reduces electricity use across the home without changing how you use appliances.

You should be cautious of products sold as energy-saving or power-saving plugs. Some claim that plugging one into a socket can reduce your whole-home electricity bill, but these claims are often vague. Before you buy, look for clear evidence, recognised safety certification and information from a reputable manufacturer.

So, do energy-saving plugs work? Be cautious of any plug-in product that claims to cut your whole-home electricity bill simply by sitting in a socket. This is especially true if it does not clearly explain its evidence, safety testing and certification.

For the similar question, do plug in electricity savers work, the simple answer is no plug can cut your bill on its own. To save energy, use less power, choose efficient appliances, switch devices off standby, and use a smart meter to see where your energy goes.

Red flags to watch for include:

• Claims of large savings with no behaviour change

• Vague wording such as “stabilises electricity” without evidence

• No recognised certification or unclear manufacturer details

• Pressure-selling, fake reviews or exaggerated before-and-after figures

• Products that look similar across different marketplaces under different brand names

If your goal is to cut energy use, the most reliable approach is to combine good habits with better visibility over when and where energy is being used.

If you’re looking to reduce your household energy usage, consider adopting some of these simple energy-saving habits:

• Unplugging appliances when they’re not in use and turning off sockets at the wall.

• Purchasing efficient appliances: Appliances with a high energy efficiency rating (Grade A) are more efficient in the long run.

• Regularly maintaining your high-energy appliances, such as radiators and washing machines.

• Getting a smart meter. With a smart meter, you can track your energy usage with the in-home display for accurate energy monitoring. What’s more, your bills will be based on your actual usage rather than estimated figures.

• Using appliance timers or smart schedules only where it is safe to do so.

• Checking your in-home display regularly to understand when your household uses the most energy.

• Reducing standby use across entertainment systems, chargers, monitors and other devices where the manufacturer says it is safe to switch off at the plug.

• Comparing energy use before and after changing a habit, so you can see what is actually making a difference.

• Checking trusted sources such as Energy Saving Trust for practical home energy-saving advice and Electrical Safety First for guidance on safe electrical product use.

For some households, smart plugs can be a useful add-on for convenience and control, but they work best as part of a wider approach to managing energy rather than as a standalone solution.

The strongest approach combines awareness, control and safe behaviour change. Use a smart meter to understand whole-home use, switch off appliances that do not need to stay on, and only use smart plugs where scheduling or remote control adds genuine value.

For more energy-saving tips refer to our guide here.