SMART PLUGS · LIGHTING · ENERGY MONITORING

Smart home & energy gear worth actually buying.

Our newest section: smart plugs for holiday lights, whole-home energy monitors, and the gear that helps you actually see — and cut — your electric bill. Same independent approach as our screen-free tracker reviews: no sponsored placements, verdicts based on official specs and current stock.

See Our Top Picks ↓ Compare Them Side by Side

picks verified so far

categories: plugs, lighting, energy

buying guides live, more on the way

Smart Plugs

Automate any outlet, indoor or outdoor-rated

Holiday Lighting

App-controlled string lights for Christmas displays

Energy Monitors

See exactly where your power (and money) is going

Affiliate disclosure: Kudomax is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases made through links on this page (paid links) — at no extra cost to you.

WHERE WE'RE STARTING

Our first 4 smart home picks

This section is brand new. These four are the first products we've checked against official specs and current Amazon stock — full hands-on reviews and more picks are coming to this section soon.

OUR PICK · WORKS WITH EVERYTHING 01

TP-Link Kasa Outdoor Smart Plug (EP40A)

A 2-outlet, IP64-rated outdoor plug — and the only one on this list that works with Alexa, Google Home and Apple HomeKit. Put your Christmas lights on a schedule without a separate hub.

✓ Alexa, Google Home & Apple HomeKit

✓ IP64 outdoor-rated, 2 grounded outlets

✕ No energy-usage tracking (see pick #3 for that)

Check Today's Price → Read our full 5-plug buying guide →

Paid link · price shown live on Amazon

SKIP THE PLUG, BUY THE KIT 02

Smart C9 Christmas Outdoor String Lights

66 feet of app-controlled, music-syncing C9-style bulbs built specifically for outdoor holiday displays — no separate smart plug needed. The pick if you're starting your lighting setup from scratch.

✓ 66 ft coverage, built-in app + music sync

✓ No smart plug required — it's self-contained

✕ Pricier than automating lights you already own

Check Today's Price →

Paid link · price shown live on Amazon

SEE WHAT'S DRAWING POWER 03

Kasa Matter Smart Plug w/ Energy Monitoring (4-Pack)

A 4-pack of Matter-compatible indoor plugs with built-in energy monitoring. Plug in a space heater, lamp or console and see exactly how many watts it's pulling — then decide if chasing "vampire power" is worth it.

✓ Matter-compatible — works with most smart home hubs

✓ Per-plug energy monitoring, 4-pack

✕ Indoor use only

Check Today's Price →

Paid link · price shown live on Amazon

WHOLE-HOME ENERGY MONITOR 04

Emporia Vue 3 Home Energy Monitor

Installs in your breaker panel and tracks usage for the whole house — the pick we point to for anyone who liked Sense but can't buy one anymore (Sense stopped selling new hardware). Supports solar/net metering, no subscription required for the core app.

✓ Whole-home visibility, not just one outlet

✓ Solar/net-metering support, no required subscription

✕ Needs installation in your breaker panel (or an electrician)

Check Today's Price →

Paid link · price shown live on Amazon

Read our full Emporia Vue 3 review → Or see the Sense alternatives guide →

SIDE BY SIDE

How the first 4 picks compare

Product	Best For	Where It Goes	Power Monitoring	Compatibility	Price Band	Buy
Kasa EP40A #1 PICK	Universal outdoor automation	Outdoor outlet	No	Alexa + Google + HomeKit	$	Check Price
Smart C9 String Lights	All-in-one holiday lighting	Outdoor	No (self-contained)	Its own app + music sync	$$	Check Price
Kasa KP125MP4 (4-pack)	Tracking individual outlets	Indoor outlet	Yes, per plug	Matter (most hubs)	$$	Check Price
Emporia Vue 3	Whole-house visibility	Breaker panel	Yes, whole-home	Wi-Fi app, no official API	$$$	Check Price

Price bands are relative comparisons only ($ cheapest → $$$ priciest among these four), not fixed dollar figures — every "Check Price" button (paid link) opens the live Amazon listing, since prices change frequently.

OUR FIRST BUYING GUIDE IS LIVE

Best Smart Plugs for Christmas Lights (2026)

Outdoor-rated vs. indoor-only, the GFCI rule most guides skip, and why the EP40A above is our top pick — all 5 plugs compared side by side.

Read the Full Guide →

More buying guides for this section are on the way. In the meantime, our other section already has 30+ in-depth reviews — screen-free fitness trackers & smart rings →