Do smart plugs save energy? Yes, but only when they switch off something that would otherwise stay on or sit in standby. A smart plug uses a little electricity itself, so on the wrong device it saves nothing.
Here are five honest answers, a simple way to measure the result in your own home, and the places a smart plug is worth using.
Table of Contents
Do smart plugs save energy by themselves?
No. A smart plug is a switch you can schedule, and the saving comes from what it switches off. Plugging one in changes nothing until it cuts power to a device that was wasting it.
The plug also draws a small amount of standby power to stay connected to Wi-Fi. That figure is listed in the specifications, so check it for the model you buy.
Where do smart plugs save the most?
They save most on devices that draw power when they look off, and on things people forget to switch off.
| Use | Why it saves | How to set it |
|---|---|---|
| TV, soundbar and games console strip | Cuts standby overnight | Off at bedtime, on in the morning |
| Home office: monitor, printer, speakers | Cuts standby outside work hours | Off on weekday evenings and weekends |
| Lamps left on | Stops hours of wasted light | Off automatically at a set time |
| Dehumidifier or fan | Limits running time | On for set hours only |
| Chargers and battery docks | Stops trickle use after charging | Timer for a charging window |
Where do smart plugs save nothing?
They save nothing on devices that already use almost no standby power, and they cost you on anything that must stay on.
- Modern phone chargers with nothing attached.
- LED lamps that are already switched off at the lamp.
- Routers, modems and smart hubs, which must stay on.
- Refrigerators and freezers.
- Devices that need a button press to restart, which you will end up leaving on.
Some appliances should never go on a plug at all. See our smart plug guide for safe uses.
How do you measure the saving yourself?
Use a smart plug with energy monitoring and compare a week with the schedule off against a week with it on. This gives a real figure for your home instead of a guess.
- Plug the appliance into an energy-monitoring smart plug.
- Run for a week with no schedule and note the kilowatt-hours used.
- Add your schedule and run for another week.
- Subtract the second figure from the first.
- Multiply by 52 for a yearly estimate, then by your price per kilowatt-hour from your bill.
If the yearly saving is smaller than the price of the plug, that spot is not worth it.
Are energy-monitoring smart plugs worth the extra cost?
One is worth having, because it turns guesswork into numbers. You do not need monitoring on every plug.
- Buy one monitoring plug and move it from appliance to appliance.
- Use plain plugs for the schedules you keep.
- Check that the app shows both live watts and total kilowatt-hours.
Do smart plugs save energy compared with other upgrades?
Heating, cooling and lighting changes save more, because that is where most household energy goes. ENERGY STAR says almost half of the average household’s annual energy bill goes to heating and cooling.
- A smart thermostat, if you control your own heating and cooling.
- LED bulbs in the lights you use most.
- Switching off at the wall for things you rarely use.
Our guide to smart home devices that save money ranks the options.
Frequently asked questions
Do smart plugs really save energy?
They can, when they switch off devices that would otherwise sit in standby or be left on. They save nothing on devices that already use almost no power when off.
How much electricity does a smart plug use?
A small amount, to stay connected to Wi-Fi. The standby figure is listed in each model’s specifications, so check it before you buy.
Do smart plugs save money on the electric bill?
Only if the appliance wastes more than the plug uses. Measure with an energy-monitoring plug, then compare the yearly saving with the price of the plug.
What should I put on a smart plug to save energy?
TV and games console strips, home office equipment, lamps that get left on, and dehumidifiers. These either draw standby power or run longer than needed.
Is it better to unplug devices or use a smart plug?
Unplugging saves slightly more, because the plug uses no power. A smart plug is better when you would otherwise forget, because it switches off automatically.
Do smart plugs with energy monitoring cost more to run?
No meaningful difference. Monitoring adds a feature to the app, not a significant amount to the plug’s own power use.
About the author: Hamza Javaid is a web developer and the editor of InnovateTechie. Read our editorial policy.
Last updated: October 2026. Prices, plans and app menus change often, so confirm details on the manufacturer’s page before you buy.
