Smart plugs are often marketed as simple energy-saving tools, but many UK households are unsure how much difference they actually make. By allowing you to monitor and control individual appliances, smart plugs help reveal hidden standby usage and reduce unnecessary electricity waste. This guide explains how smart plug energy usage works in real UK homes, what savings are realistic, and where these devices are most effective.
🔹 Why Smart Plugs Are Worth It
Every home has “vampire devices” — gadgets that quietly draw power while on standby. Smart plugs reveal that consumption in real time and allow you to cut it automatically.
💡 Example:
A TV and soundbar on standby might use 40 kWh per year, costing £12–£15. Add a gaming console, coffee machine, and router, and you’re easily wasting £50+ annually without even realising it.
With a smart plug, you can schedule off-times, monitor real usage, and slash those background costs by 20–40 %.
🔸 1️⃣ TP-Link Tapo P110 Mini Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring
- Compact design fits neatly beside other plugs
- Tracks real-time and historical power use in the app
- Supports Alexa and Google Home voice commands
- Set schedules, timers, and automatic cut-offs
💡 Why it saves money: Lets you see exactly how much an appliance costs to run — perfect for kettles, TVs, or chargers you forget to unplug.
👉 View on Amazon
🔸 2️⃣ Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug HS110 with Energy Monitoring
- Monitors current, voltage, and total consumption
- Remote control through Kasa Smart app
- Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT
- Built-in surge protection
💡 Why it saves money: Ideal for automating high-draw devices like heaters or PCs — switch them off remotely if left running.
👉 View on Amazon
🔸 3️⃣ Amazon Smart Plug – Works with Alexa
- Simple setup directly through Alexa app
- Voice-controlled on/off for any device
- Reliable build quality and integration
- No extra hub required
💡 Why it saves money: While it doesn’t track kWh, it automates power use perfectly for lights, fans, and chargers — reducing standby costs by up to 30 %.
👉 View on Amazon
🧮 How Much Energy Do Smart Plugs Use Themselves?
Smart plugs draw 0.5–1 W when idle — about £1–£2 per year. Since they can save 10–20 × that amount, they quickly pay for themselves.
| Device | Avg Standby Draw | Yearly Cost (£0.30/kWh) |
|---|---|---|
| Smart Plug itself | 1 W | £2.60 |
| Smart Plug + TV (standby cut) | 0 W | £0 |
| Net Saving Per Plug | — | ~£12 / year |
Multiply across 5–10 devices and the yearly saving easily exceeds £60–£100.
In a typical UK home, smart plugs are often used on devices like TVs, soundbars, broadband routers, and kitchen appliances that stay plugged in all day. While each device may only draw a small amount of standby power, the combined effect across several rooms can quietly add up over the course of a year — making plug-level control more impactful than many people expect.
🔍 FAQs
Q: Can I track energy in kWh?
A: Yes — models like Tapo P110 and Kasa HS110 display exact figures inside their apps.
Q: Do smart plugs work with extension leads?
A: Yes, but only within load limits (usually 13 A / 3000 W).
Q: Are they safe to leave on 24/7?
A: Definitely. They include surge and temperature protection — just avoid daisy-chaining.
💡 Related Guides
If you haven’t picked a plug yet, our Best Smart Plugs UK 2025 roundup shows which models work best with Alexa, Google, and app control.
For even deeper tracking, see how Smart Energy Monitors for Homes UK 2025 reveal your total power usage.
Want to automate savings? Combine your plugs with Smart Motion Sensors UK 2025 for lights and devices that switch off automatically.
Check out our Top 5 Energy-Saving Gadgets — smart devices that reduce everyday power use across your home
⚡ Energy Tip
Use one smart plug for your router and electronics. Schedule it to power-cycle nightly — this maintains performance and saves a few extra watts every day.
Author Insight – Andrew
Many people focus on reducing electricity use during active hours, but the most consistent savings often come from controlling what runs quietly in the background. Smart plugs are most effective when used as part of a wider habit of switching off what isn’t needed, rather than relying on a single device to do all the work.
🏁 Final Recommendation
If you want real insight into where your power goes, the TP-Link Tapo P110 is unbeatable for accuracy and reliability.
💡 Both the Tapo P110 and Kasa HS110 are among the best smart plugs for energy monitoring UK 2025, helping you take total control of your electricity costs.
For official, trusted UK advice on reducing energy use, the Energy Saving Trust has clear, practical guidance on saving electricity at home.
Learn how to monitor and control electricity use in every room with the Smart Energy Monitors & Plugs Hub — from smart plugs to power meters and automation tips that lower your bills.
Written by Andy M. — a Scottish home-efficiency writer simplifying smart gadgets, energy tips, and everyday fixes.
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