10 Best Smart In-Wall Outlets / Receptacles

Switching to integrated smart outlets in your home is like giving yourself superpowers to control your devices and get a better grip on your energy use. Regular outlets get the job done, but new technology offers a new level of command. Imagine knowing exactly how much energy each device is using; it's like peeking inside a magic box! This technology doesn't just make life easier; it's a game-changer. You get the upper hand in managing electronics without hassles. Curious to find out how this upgrade can make a real difference? Dive in and discover the benefits of smart outlets in every room.

While smart plugs are a quicker alternative to gaining smart control over devices, smart outlets offer a much more permanent solution.

This is important for Zigbee and Z-Wave smart homes, as in-wall outlets are the perfect repeaters, to extend the mesh network to all corners of a property.

I’ve recently installed some smart Wi-Fi outlets in my home theater to allow me to complete a “shutdown routine” for my sound equipment and consoles.

In this guide, I talk through some important things to consider before deciding on which outlet to go with.

Top Wi-Fi Picks

Top Z-Wave Picks

Top Zigbee Picks

What are Smart In-Wall Outlets?

Smart outlets, also known as smart receptacles, are electrical outlets that can be controlled remotely through a smartphone, tablet, or voice commands via a smart home hub or voice assistants like Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri. 

They typically have built-in Wi-Fi or other wireless communication protocols, such as Zigbee or Z-Wave, enabling them to connect to your home's smart network. They can be used to automate various devices in your home, like lamps, fans, or any plugged-in appliance, allowing you to set schedules, create personalized scenes, and control them remotely. 

Examples of smart in-wall outlets include Kasa Smart Plug KP200, Leviton Decora Smart Wi-Fi Outlet (D215R-2RW), and UltraPro In-Wall Smart Outlet.

Are there any Matter or Thread-based smart in-wall outlets?

Currently, there are no Matter or Thread-based smart in-wall outlets available in the market. So, you would need to use a Thread-enabled smart plug like the Eve Smart Plug to gain smart control over your existing outlets. 

As the popularity of Thread and the Matter standard is on the rise, more devices supporting these technologies will be made available in the future.

Considerations when choosing a smart in-wall outlet

Here are some of the things I considered when selecting a smart receptacle for my home.

Number of Outlets you can Smart Control

While most smart receptacles allow for two devices to be plugged in, not all of them allow smart control over both outlets.

My top pick, the Kasa Smart Plug KP200, supports both while the UltraPro only provides one smart outlet and one “always on” (AKA dumb!) outlet.

Communication Protocol & Hub Compatability

When choosing a smart in-wall outlet, the communication protocol is a key consideration. There are three main protocols: Wi-Fi, Zigbee, and Z-Wave. 

Wi-Fi outlets generally don't require a hub and connect directly to your home network, providing seamless integration with smartphone apps and voice assistants. Zigbee and Z-Wave outlets typically need a hub or gateway to connect and interact with your smart home ecosystem.

It’s also important to consider if you plan on using this with a voice assistant such as Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri, as not all smart outlets work with all voice assistants.

For example, the Kasa Smart Plug KP200 works with Alexa, and Google Assistant but not Siri.

Energy Monitoring Capabilities

Opting for a smart in-wall outlet with energy monitoring features can provide valuable insights into your home's electricity usage. 

These outlets, such as the Sinopé Smart Outlet, can help homeowners save energy and money in the long term by providing real-time data and usage patterns.

Circuit Rating / Breaker Size

The amperage rating of an outlet determines the maximum electrical current it can safely handle. Most residential outlets are rated for 15 or 20 amps. It's crucial to choose a smart in-wall outlet that matches the amperage of the existing wiring and circuit breaker in your home to prevent overloading and potential electrical hazards.

All of the smart outlets on this list are designed for 15-amp circuits. This is typically suitable for general household use, such as lighting, small appliances, and electronics. 

A 20-amp outlet, on the other hand, can handle higher loads and is commonly found in kitchens, laundry rooms, or garages, where more powerful appliances are used. 

I was only able to find one 20-amp smart outlet available which is the Legrand Radiant Smart Outlet with Netatmo. However, the product doesn’t have great reviews so I cannot recommend it.

Also, it's worth noting that all smart outlets generally require a neutral wire.

Electrical Box Depths

Smart in-wall outlets may require deeper electrical boxes due to their larger size and additional components. 

Before purchasing a smart outlet, compare its depth requirements with your existing electrical boxes. 

If the boxes aren't deep enough, you may need to replace them or use box extenders.

Safety Features and Tamper Resistance

Safety is a top priority when selecting smart in-wall outlets, particularly if you have children in your home. 

Tamper-resistant outlets are designed with built-in safety mechanisms, such as spring-loaded shutters, which only open when equal pressure is applied simultaneously to both slots. 

This helps prevent children from inserting objects like paperclips or keys into a single slot, reducing the risk of electrical shock and accidents.

One example of a smart in-wall outlet with tamper-resistant features is the Leviton Decora Smart Wi-Fi 15A Outlet.

Safety Certification

When choosing a smart in-wall outlet, you should consider safety certifications from recognized organizations like UL, ETL, FCC, and CE (In Europe). 

These certifications ensure the product meets industry safety standards, providing peace of mind and confidence in the outlet's safety, quality, and performance, while reducing the risk of electrical hazards.

I personally wouldn’t have an outlet installed without the necessary certifications as it’s just not worth the risk.

Professional Installation by a Licenced Electrician

While some smart in-wall outlets can be installed by a knowledgeable DIY enthusiast, I highly recommended using a professional licensed electrician for installation. This ensures the outlet is installed correctly, safely, and in accordance with local electrical codes and regulations. 

Licensed electricians have the necessary training, experience, and expertise to handle any unexpected issues or complications that may arise during the installation process.

While this adds to the cost, it gives peace of mind knowing that your home's electrical system remains safe, and the smart outlet will function correctly.

Top Wi-Fi Picks

The Kasa Smart Plug KP200 has an easy installation process with its snap-on design and supports schedules and timers for each device, along with an away mode to improve home security. 

The device does not require a hub and is certified by ETL for safety standards. You can group smart devices together for unified control with the Kasa Smart app. 

The device works with a secured 2.4GHz wireless network, does not require a separate hub, and is compatible with voice assistants such as Alexa and Google.

An issue with the KP200, along with most other smart outlets, is the existing electrical box may not be deep enough, which can complicate the installation process. Additionally, weak Wi-Fi connectivity has been reported in some instances, causing limitations in effectively controlling connected devices.

Also, there can be issues with the faceplate's ability to stay in place on textured walls due to its snap-on design. A more secure, screw-based system might be better to solve this problem.

The Leviton Decora Smart Outlet (2nd Gen) has a number of nice features. The auto-shutoff feature acts as a countdown timer to automatically turn items off after a pre-set time duration

The vacation mode feature helps to give the illusion that your home is occupied when you’re away which can help deter intruders.

With its manual push-button on/off control, you can still use the outlet, when you’re internet or Wi-Fi is down. And with the scheduling feature, you can easily set up devices or appliances to turn on or off at specific times or even based on sunrise/sunset.

It requires a neutral wire and works with Apple HomeKit/Siri and Alexa.

There is some negative feedback on the product, mainly concerning difficulties with setting up the My Leviton App and the Homekit setup process. 

Some users find it frustrating to scan QR codes and locate devices during the setup. Moreover, a significant limitation includes only having one of the two sockets as smart, with the bottom one remaining always on. 

The UltraPro app, available on the Apple App Store and on Google Play, simplifies network connection and supports full customization based on times, location, and other factors. 

It features two tamper-resistant grounded power sources, one Wi-Fi-controlled outlet, and one always-on outlet. The white faceplate fits rocker-style wall plates for a modern appearance and screw terminals allow quick and confident connection of hot, neutral, and ground wires.

The Amazon Basics Smart In-Wall Outlet offers users an easy and innovative way to control their devices throughout their homes. With its 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connectivity and compatibility with Alexa-enabled devices, this in-wall outlet makes it possible to manage your devices through voice control and routine automation. 

Some points to note though. The large size of the outlet may not fit comfortably in all wall boxes, and it lacks side-wire connection options. Additionally, some people have reported connectivity problems, which may lead to the product being less responsive at times.

The GE myTouchSmart Wi-Fi Smart Outlet is a simple device that allows you to control your devices through voice commands or via your mobile device. 

The top outlet remains permanently on while the bottom outlet is Wi-Fi-controlled, and the outlet requires no hub to function. 

The product has a two-year limited warranty and is easy to install and use with its space-saving screw terminals. The UL-listed device is compatible with voice commands from Alexa and Google Home Assistant for hands-free control. 

Additional features include setting daily or weekly schedules, manual on/off control with a push-button, automatic adjustment based on local sunrise/sunset times, and a countdown timer feature.

Some users have reported difficulties when trying to connect the device to their Wi-Fi network, particularly those with dual-band routers. Despite being listed as compatible with Alexa and Google Home Assistant, several users have had issues with the receptacle not working well with Alexa.

With the Geeni Smart Wall Outlets, you can easily control devices remotely with your smartphone, or by using voice commands through Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also automate daily schedules to have wall outlets automatically turn on/off according to your needs. The product is easy to install and is compatible with various smart home apps while offering the ability to control both outlets independently.

A few users have experienced installation challenges due to it being too large for specific electrical boxes, or poor screw quality hampering secure wire attachments.

Top Z-Wave Picks

The Enbrighten Z-Wave Plus Smart Outlet is compatible with popular voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant, easily integrating with your existing smart home ecosystem through a Z-Wave certified hub. 

The in-wall installation features two outlets one that provides traditional functionality and another that is Z-Wave controlled, allowing wireless scheduling and operation from mobile devices. 

With tamper-resistant outlets, this device is safe for use in homes with children and pets and is suitable for controlling various types of light sources and devices. 

Many users appreciate its easy installation, responsive performance, and compatibility with a range of smart home hubs.

Generally speaking, the device works well with multiple smart home hubs, such as Samsung SmartThings, Hubitat Elevation, and Wink.

Initial pairing with smart home hubs can be challenging and time-consuming for some users while others might be disappointed with the fact that only one of the two outlets is controllable, while the other remains a standard, non-controllable outlet.

The Bryant Electric IDEVZ08W is a Z-Wave enabled tamper resistant receptacle that allows for control of a single (bottom) outlet along with one always-on. 

It's compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home via a hub, making it a highly versatile addition to your smart home ecosystem. Additionally, the outlet can be remotely controlled through Android and iOS mobile devices for ease of use. 

People have found it to seamlessly integrate with existing smart home systems, such as Home Assistant. This has allowed them to effectively connect their Z-Wave controller to previously incompatible outlets and devices.

The setup process for this smart outlet is quite simple, as it easily pairs with compatible Z-Wave Plus hubs. It features one Z-Wave-controlled outlet on the bottom–ideal for connecting your smart devices–while the top outlet remains on, providing versatility for your power needs. 

The tamper-resistant design ensures that users can confidently incorporate the outlet into their homes without risking any unwanted tampering. 

With a range of 150 feet, this outlet provides reliable connectivity for various room sizes and layouts.

Top Zigbee Picks

The Enbrighten Zigbee Smart Outlet is a high-quality receptacle that offers numerous features and benefits. This outlet comes with one Zigbee-controlled outlet and another always-on outlet, enabling remote and manual operation. 

The receptacle comes with a space-saving screw terminal and requires a neutral wire for installation. The device is Zigbee Certified and acts as a mesh network repeater for device-to-device interoperability. 

The Enbrighten Zigbee Smart Outlet Receptacle is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, through a compatible Zigbee hub. The product works well with various smart home systems, such as Hubitat, Amazon Echo 4, and the SmartThings Hub.

This product also comes with a 5-year limited warranty which is more that most on this list.

However, it's worth noting that some customers have reported challenges and drawbacks with this product. It does not work directly with the Philips Hue Zigbee hub. 

Users have also reported challenges with the installation due to the short ground screw while others were disappointed with the lack of energy monitoring features and having only one controllable outlet.

The Sinopé smart in-wall outlet allows you to control a wide variety of small appliances and decorative lights using your phone or voice assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings, and Hubitat. 

You can set timers and schedules to turn off your devices, thereby reducing your energy consumption and avoiding phantom power. 

The Neviweb app and GT130 hub are required to use this product's exceptional features such as automations, scenes, geofencing, and energy reports. 

This device supports wall mount installation and connectivity protocol Zigbee. 

It is certified by CSA and UL and has a capacity of 15 Amps and a maximum power of 0.5 Horsepower. 

However, it is vital to note that some users encounter issues with the installation process, specifically related to the ground screw. The gap for the ground screw may not accommodate the proper wire size for all homes, necessitating adjustments to make it work correctly. 

Additionally, it is worth mentioning that the Sinope Wall outlet does not recall its previous state following a power outage, which could pose inconveniences for some users. 

My Experience

As I mentioned, I recently installed some smart outlets in my home theatre. I recorded a video for our Youtube channel, of the unboxing, installation, and setup process which you can check out below.

Other FAQs

What is the difference between a smart outlet and a smart plug

A smart outlet is a permanent fixture that replaces a standard electrical outlet and needs to be hardwired into your home's electrical system. 

On the other hand, a smart plug is a portable device that fits into an existing outlet and provides smart control for any plugged-in device. 

While both offer remote control and scheduling capabilities, smart in-wall outlets integrate seamlessly into your home's design, without any extra hardware sticking out of the wall. 

In contrast, smart plugs can be easily moved and installed without any wiring or electrical knowledge. 

Do smart in-wall outlets require a hub?

Smart in-wall outlets use different communication protocols, such as Wi-Fi, Zigbee, or Z-Wave. Wi-Fi outlets generally don't require a hub, while Zigbee and Z-Wave outlets generally do. 

If you already have a hub or gateway that supports Zigbee or Z-Wave, it may make sense to choose outlets that use these protocols as you’ll end up with a more reliable mesh network.

Conclusion

As you can see smart in-wall outlets offer a seamless way to integrate smart home automation into your home's design. They allow convenient control of plugged-in devices through your smartphone, voice assistant, or scheduled routines. 

My main recommended smart outlet is the Kasa Smart Plug KP200 while the Leviton DW15S-1BZ is also worth a look.

Citations

• https://www.ul.com/services/attachment-plug-and-receptacle-safety-evaluations
• https://www.leviton.com/en/products/residential/outletsreceptacles
• https://www.sinopetech.com/en/product/smart-in-wall-outlet-zigbee/
• https://byjasco.com/products/power-charging/receptacles