Buying Guide
The Best Smart Power Strips with Energy Monitoring: Picks and Trade-offs
We looked at 5 smart power strips with energy monitoring side by side, with the trade-offs that separate them and who each one suits.
By Jamie Cole, Lead Product Researcher
8 min read5 products evaluated
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Per-outlet energy monitoring, which tells you which specific device is responsible for how much draw, is the more useful and less commonly available capability than whole-strip aggregate monitoring, which only tells you total draw without identifying the source.
Energy monitoring data transmission relies on the same cloud or local architecture as smart control features, meaning monitoring history can be lost if cloud service is discontinued, a data-continuity risk specific to the monitoring feature.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Best Energy Monitoring Pick Overall
Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip - Matter Compatible, Energy Monitoring, Surge Protection, 6 Individually Controlled Outlets & 3 USB Ports, Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri & Bixby - Tapo P316M
Buyers who want genuine energy monitoring with Matter compatibility
Our take Check price for Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip - Matter Compatible, Energy Monitoring, Surge Protection, 6 Individually Controlled Outlets & 3 USB Ports, Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri & Bixby - Tapo P316M (opens in a new tab)
Best Per-Outlet Smart Control Pick
kasa smart Plug Power Strip KP303, Surge Protector with 3 Individually Controlled Smart Outlets and 2 USB Ports, Works with Alexa & Google Home, No Hub Required, White
Buyers who want a proven, independent per-outlet smart strip and value real-world track record
Our take Check price for kasa smart Plug Power Strip KP303, Surge Protector with 3 Individually Controlled Smart Outlets and 2 USB Ports, Works with Alexa & Google Home, No Hub Required, White (opens in a new tab)
Best Alexa-Ecosystem Monitoring Pick
Amazon Basics Smart Plug Power Strip with 6 Individually Controlled Outlets and 3 USB Ports (2 USB-A and 1 USB-C), WiFi, Works with Alexa Only, 2.4 GHz, No Hub Required, White
Alexa-focused households who want 6 independently controlled smart outlets
Our take Check price for Amazon Basics Smart Plug Power Strip with 6 Individually Controlled Outlets and 3 USB Ports (2 USB-A and 1 USB-C), WiFi, Works with Alexa Only, 2.4 GHz, No Hub Required, White (opens in a new tab)
Best Multi-Ecosystem Pick
TP-Link Tapo Smart Plug Outlet Extender, Surge Protector, 18W Fast Charging, 3 Individual Smart Outlets, 1x USB-C & 2X USB-A, Smart Night Light, Works w/Apple HomeKit, Alexa & Google Home, Tapo P306
Buyers with a mixed smart home ecosystem who want broad compatibility
Our take Check price for TP-Link Tapo Smart Plug Outlet Extender, Surge Protector, 18W Fast Charging, 3 Individual Smart Outlets, 1x USB-C & 2X USB-A, Smart Night Light, Works w/Apple HomeKit, Alexa & Google Home, Tapo P306 (opens in a new tab)
Best Mixed Smart and Always-On Monitoring Pick
POWSAV 6 Ft WiFi Surge Protector - 8 Outlet Extension Cord with 4 Smart & 4 Always On Outlets, 4 USB Ports, Alexa & Google Home Compatible, Black
Buyers who want partial energy monitoring while keeping some outlets always powered
Our take Check price for POWSAV 6 Ft WiFi Surge Protector - 8 Outlet Extension Cord with 4 Smart & 4 Always On Outlets, 4 USB Ports, Alexa & Google Home Compatible, Black (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best Energy Monitoring Pick Overall1 of 5
Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip - Matter Compatible, Energy Monitoring, Surge Protection, 6 Individually Controlled Outlets & 3 USB Ports, Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri & Bixby - Tapo P316M on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Explicitly advertised energy monitoring alongside 6 individually controlled outlets, useful for identifying which specific device drives your energy costs rather than just a whole-strip total.
Best for
- Buyers who want genuine energy monitoring with Matter compatibility
Why we like it
Matter compatible for broad smart home integration.
Explicit energy monitoring feature disclosed. On price, it's actually priced above kasa smart Plug Power Strip KP303, which is worth weighing if cost is your deciding factor between the two.
On the other side, Verify per-outlet vs.
Key dimensions & specs
- Energy monitoring, 6 individually controlled outlets
- Matter compatible
- 3 USB ports, surge protection
- Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Bixby
Pros
- Explicit energy monitoring feature disclosed
- 6 individually controlled outlets for per-device insight
- Matter compatible for broad ecosystem support
- Surge protection included
Cons
- Highest price in this guide
- Verify per-outlet vs. whole-strip monitoring granularity
Best Per-Outlet Smart Control Pick2 of 5
kasa smart Plug Power Strip KP303, Surge Protector with 3 Individually Controlled Smart Outlets and 2 USB Ports, Works with Alexa & Google Home, No Hub Required, White on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Works with Alexa and Google Home without a separate hub.
Best for
- Buyers who want a proven, independent per-outlet smart strip and value real-world track record
Why we like it
On the other side, No Matter compatibility confirmed.
Key dimensions & specs
- 3 individually controlled smart outlets
- 2 USB ports
- Works with Alexa and Google Home, no hub
Pros
- Independent per-outlet control
- No separate hub required
- Surge protector included
Cons
- Verify current energy monitoring granularity via the app
- Fewer outlets than larger picks
- No Matter compatibility confirmed
Best Alexa-Ecosystem Monitoring Pick3 of 5
Amazon Basics Smart Plug Power Strip with 6 Individually Controlled Outlets and 3 USB Ports (2 USB-A and 1 USB-C), WiFi, Works with Alexa Only, 2.4 GHz, No Hub Required, White on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
6 individually controlled outlets from Amazon's own smart home ecosystem, tight Alexa integration if that's your primary smart home platform.
Best for
- Alexa-focused households who want 6 independently controlled smart outlets
Why we like it
Includes a USB-C port among 3 total USB ports.
On the other side, Energy monitoring specifics not explicitly disclosed.
Key dimensions & specs
- 6 individually controlled outlets
- 3 USB ports (incl. 1 USB-C)
- Alexa only, WiFi 2.4GHz
- Amazon Basics brand
Pros
- 6 independent smart outlets
- Tight Alexa ecosystem integration
- Includes a USB-C port
- Established Amazon Basics brand
Cons
- Alexa-only, not for Google Home or Apple HomeKit households
- Lower rating than the top picks
- Energy monitoring specifics not explicitly disclosed
Best Multi-Ecosystem Pick4 of 5
TP-Link Tapo Smart Plug Outlet Extender, Surge Protector, 18W Fast Charging, 3 Individual Smart Outlets, 1x USB-C & 2X USB-A, Smart Night Light, Works w/Apple HomeKit, Alexa & Google Home, Tapo P306 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Works across Apple HomeKit, Alexa, and Google Home simultaneously, broad compatibility for households with mixed smart home ecosystems.
Best for
- Buyers with a mixed smart home ecosystem who want broad compatibility
Why we like it
3 individual smart outlets with 18W fast USB-C charging.
On the other side, Fewer outlets than larger smart strips.
Key dimensions & specs
- 3 individual smart outlets
- 18W fast USB-C charging
- Works with Apple HomeKit, Alexa, Google Home
- Smart night light feature
Pros
- Compatible with Apple HomeKit, Alexa, and Google Home
- 18W fast USB-C charging
- Compact outlet extender form factor
- Smart night light bonus feature
Cons
- Verify energy monitoring data availability for this model
- Fewer outlets than larger smart strips
Best Mixed Smart and Always-On Monitoring Pick5 of 5
POWSAV 6 Ft WiFi Surge Protector - 8 Outlet Extension Cord with 4 Smart & 4 Always On Outlets, 4 USB Ports, Alexa & Google Home Compatible, Black on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
A useful mix of 4 smart-controlled and 4 always-on outlets, appropriate if you want monitoring insight on some devices while keeping critical equipment always powered without accidental app-triggered shutoff.
Best for
- Buyers who want partial energy monitoring while keeping some outlets always powered
Why we like it
Works with Alexa and Google Home.
On the other side, Verify per-outlet vs.
Key dimensions & specs
- 4 smart outlets, 4 always-on outlets
- 4 USB ports
- Alexa and Google Home compatible
- 8 outlets total
Pros
- Genuine mix avoids accidental shutoff of critical equipment
- 8 total outlets plus 4 USB ports
- Works with Alexa and Google Home
- Reasonable price for the feature set
Cons
- Only half the outlets have smart monitoring capability
- Verify per-outlet vs. aggregate monitoring granularity
How We Chose These Smart Power Strips with Energy Monitoring
Each pick was assessed across 3 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Checked whether each pick offers per-outlet energy insight, which identifies the specific device responsible for draw, versus whole-strip aggregate monitoring, which only reports total draw.
- Cloud dependency risk for stored monitoring history
- Noted that energy monitoring data transmission relies on the same cloud or local architecture as smart control features, meaning monitoring history can be lost if cloud service is discontinued.
- Accuracy verification against a reference load where possible
- Considered that consumer smart strip energy monitoring is typically based on inexpensive internal sensors whose real-world accuracy can deviate from actual consumption.
What to Look for in a Smart Power Strip with Energy Monitoring
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Understand that a power strip and a surge protector are not automatically the same thing
A basic power strip simply splits one wall outlet into several without any electrical protection built in, while a genuine surge protector includes internal components (commonly metal oxide varistors) that absorb and redirect a sudden voltage spike before it reaches your connected electronics, and a joule rating, when stated, quantifies roughly how much total surge energy those components can absorb before needing replacement.
This distinction matters because these two product types are frequently sold side by side with visually similar designs, and a strip without stated surge protection provides zero defense against the kind of voltage spike that can damage a laptop charger, a monitor, or other sensitive electronics during a storm or grid fluctuation.
Check the listing specifically for a stated joule rating and the words "surge protector," not just "power strip," if protecting connected electronics is part of why you're buying one.
Confirm your specific mounting method's compatible dimensions before assuming it fits your setup
Power strips designed to mount rather than simply sit on a surface, clamp-on models that grip a desk edge, wall-mount models secured with screws, and under-desk models that attach to the underside of a desk, each have documented compatible dimension ranges (desk edge thickness for clamps, screw spacing for wall mounts) that don't universally fit every desk or wall, so a mounting design being the right general category doesn't guarantee it fits your specific setup.
This is an easy detail to overlook when focused on outlet count and features, but a clamp rated for a specific edge thickness range that doesn't match your desk, or wall-mount screw spacing that doesn't align with your available wall studs, means the mounting mechanism simply won't work regardless of how good the strip itself is.
Measure your actual desk edge, wall spacing, or under-desk clearance and compare it directly against the product's stated compatible range before ordering.
Check combined USB wattage and port count against how many devices you actually charge at once
USB charging ports on a power strip vary meaningfully in both count and total combined wattage output, and this total wattage gets shared or allocated across all connected devices simultaneously, meaning a strip advertising a high total wattage figure with many ports can still deliver notably less power to any single device if several are charging at the same time compared to a strip with fewer ports but the same total wattage.
USB-C ports supporting Power Delivery (PD) can charge laptops and other higher-power devices meaningfully faster than basic USB-A ports, which are typically limited to lower wattage output regardless of what's plugged in.
Count how many devices you'll realistically charge simultaneously and check both the per-port and total combined wattage figures, not just the raw port count, especially if laptop charging via USB-C is part of your actual use case.
Check outlet spacing if you regularly plug in bulky wall adapters
Standard AC outlet spacing on a power strip assumes typical plug sizes, but bulky wall-wart style adapters (common for routers, some monitors, and certain chargers) can be wide enough to block one or even two adjacent outlets entirely, a real practical problem that a strip's total outlet count doesn't reflect if several of your devices use oversized plugs.
Some strips specifically design wider outlet spacing or offset outlet positioning to accommodate this, a detail worth checking if your actual device mix includes multiple bulky adapters rather than assuming raw outlet count translates directly to usable outlet count.
Count how many of your actual devices use oversized wall-wart adapters, and check listing photos or reviews specifically mentioning outlet spacing if that describes your setup.
Weigh review volume against star rating, since safety-critical categories deserve extra scrutiny
Power strips and surge protectors are electrical safety products, not just convenience accessories, and a listing with a strong rating built on a large, genuine review history provides meaningfully more confidence in consistent manufacturing quality and long-term reliability than a similar-looking product with only a handful of reviews, particularly relevant here since a failure mode in this category (a short, an internal fire risk) has real consequences beyond simple product disappointment.
This doesn't mean every lesser-reviewed product is unsafe, but it does mean the safety and durability claims on a thin-review listing carry less independently verified weight for a category where that verification matters.
Check for independent safety certification (UL or ETL listing) as a baseline requirement regardless of review count, and additionally weigh review depth more heavily here than you might for a lower-stakes product category.
How to Choose a Smart Power Strip with Energy Monitoring
Outlet count isn't consistently confirmed across every pick in this comparison; check each listing's product details directly.
| Kasa smart Plug Power Strip KP303 | |
| TP-Link Tapo Smart Plug Outlet Extender | |
| No firm budget ceiling, prioritizing outlets or surge protection | Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip |
USB-C PD Charging vs Outlets Only
- Charges laptops and higher-power devices faster directly from the strip, without a separate charging brick. In this comparison: Amazon Basics Smart Plug Power Strip with 6 Individually Controlled Outlets and 3 USB Ports, TP-Link Tapo Smart Plug Outlet Extender.
- Simpler design focused purely on outlet count, pair with your own chargers as needed. In this comparison: Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip, kasa smart Plug Power Strip KP303, POWSAV 6 Ft WiFi Surge Protector.
| Check each listing's stated joule rating directly | Surge protection level isn't consistently confirmed here |
|---|
For Bulky Wall-Wart Adapters Specifically
- Wide or offset outlet spacing explicitly mentioned in the listing or shown in product photos, not just a high raw outlet count.
- Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip fits this specifically: Explicit energy monitoring feature disclosed.
- You want what Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip offers: Explicit energy monitoring feature disclosed. That's a real functional upgrade over the budget picks here, not just a brand markup.
- The main thing you'd be paying extra for elsewhere in this list is capacity or charging speed you may not need.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between per-outlet and whole-strip energy monitoring?
Per-outlet monitoring tells you which specific device is responsible for how much energy draw, whole-strip aggregate monitoring only tells you the total draw across all outlets combined without identifying the source.
How accurate is smart power strip energy monitoring?
Consumer smart strips typically use inexpensive internal sensors whose real-world accuracy can deviate from actual consumption, treat the readings as a useful estimate, not a precise measurement.
Will I lose my energy monitoring history if the manufacturer shuts down?
Likely yes, if that history is stored only in the manufacturer's cloud app. This is the same long-term availability risk as remote control functionality, a real data-continuity concern for smart devices generally.
Do all smart power strips offer historical energy data?
Some offer weeks of in-app historical charts with export capability, others provide only real-time readings with no historical retention at all, check this specifically if trend tracking matters to you.
Bottom Line
Best overall: Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip - Matter Compatible, Energy Monitoring, Surge Protection, 6 Individually Controlled Outlets & 3 USB Ports, Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri & Bixby - Tapo P316M — best energy monitoring pick overall pick in this roundup. See the full verdicts above for every pick, with pros, cons and who each one suits.
Browse all smart power strips with energy monitoring on Amazon — Prime-eligible options with current pricing.