Quick picks
- Best smart plugTP-Link Tapo P110Wi-Fi, no hub, energy monitoring, schedules and timers.
- Best for Hue homesPhilips Hue Smart PlugTurns any lamp into part of your Hue system; works over Bluetooth or with a Hue Bridge.
- Best budget smart bulbTP-Link Tapo L530E16 million colours, dimmable, no hub needed.
- Best smart lighting systemPhilips Hue Essential starter kitThree colour bulbs plus the Hue Bridge, which supports up to 50 bulbs.
Comparison table
Specs from TP-Link's Amazon.co.uk listings and Philips Hue UK's product pages.
| Model | Type | Needs a hub? | Connection | Voice assistants | Stand-out "do less" feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tapo P110 | Smart plug (13A max, 2,990W) | No | Wi-Fi | Alexa, Google Assistant | Energy monitoring; away mode; auto-off |
| Hue Smart Plug | Smart plug | No for basics; Bridge unlocks more | Bluetooth, Zigbee | Alexa, Google, Apple Home (with Bridge) | Works without Wi-Fi; joins Hue scenes |
| Tapo L530E | E27 colour bulb, 806 lumens | No | Wi-Fi | Alexa, Google Assistant | Sunrise and sunset schedules |
| Hue Essential starter kit | 3 E27 colour bulbs (up to 806 lumens) + Bridge | Bridge included | Zigbee via Bridge | Alexa, Google, Apple Home (with Bridge) | Light scenes and automations for the whole house |
The picks in detail
TP-Link Tapo P110
A smart plug is the cheapest smart home upgrade there is. Plug it into the wall, plug a lamp (or a fan, or a heated airer) into it, and you can switch it on and off from your phone, by voice or on a schedule. The Tapo P110 connects straight to your Wi-Fi, so there's no hub to buy.
What sets it apart from basic smart plugs is energy monitoring: the Tapo app shows how much power whatever's plugged in is using. That's handy for spotting the gadget quietly eating electricity on standby. There's also an away mode that switches things on and off at random to make it look like someone's home, and you can share control with the rest of the household.
- Wi-Fi; no hub required
- Energy monitoring in the Tapo app
- Schedules, timers, away mode and auto-off
- Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
- Indoor use; 13A max, 2,990W; also sold in multipacks
Why it's lazy-approved
- Set a schedule once and forget about it
- Shows which gadgets are costing you money
Worth knowing
- Wi-Fi plugs depend on your router being on and in range
- Not for outdoor use
Specs: TP-Link Tapo listing on Amazon.co.uk.
Philips Hue Smart Plug
If you already have (or plan to get) Philips Hue bulbs, the Hue Smart Plug lets any ordinary lamp join the system. It then switches with your Hue scenes, routines and accessories, so "lights off" really means all of them.
You can control it over Bluetooth straight from the Hue app, with no Wi-Fi involved. Add a Hue Bridge to unlock voice control and more automations, with Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Home and Matter support.
- Bluetooth for instant control; Zigbee with a Hue Bridge
- Works without Wi-Fi
- Voice control with a Hue Bridge: Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Home
- Matter via the Hue Bridge
- Philips Hue lists a minimum support period of 60 months from purchase
Why it's lazy-approved
- One app and one routine for every light in the house
- No Wi-Fi setup faff
Worth knowing
- The best features need a Hue Bridge
- No energy monitoring listed
Specs: Philips Hue UK product page.
TP-Link Tapo L530E
The L530E is an inexpensive way to try smart lighting without a hub. It's an E27 (screw-in) bulb that connects to your Wi-Fi, gives out 806 lumens (TP-Link calls it a 60W equivalent), and offers 16 million colours plus white from warm 2,500K to cool 6,500K.
You can dim it from 1 to 100%, set schedules and timers, and use sunrise and sunset modes so lamps come on when it gets dark. There's also an away mode that switches it on and off at random while you're on holiday. It works with Alexa and Google Assistant. Most UK ceiling lights use bayonet (B22) fittings, and TP-Link sells a B22 version, the Tapo L530B.
- E27 fitting; 806 lumens; B22 version (L530B) also available
- 16 million colours; white from 2,500K to 6,500K; dimmable 1 to 100%
- Schedules, timers, sunrise/sunset modes and away mode
- Wi-Fi; no hub required; Alexa and Google Assistant
- Device sharing for the household
Why it's lazy-approved
- Lights that follow the sunset without you lifting a finger
- No hub to set up
Worth knowing
- Lots of Wi-Fi bulbs can crowd a basic router
- Someone flicking the wall switch off cuts the power to the bulb
Specs: TP-Link Tapo listing on Amazon.co.uk.
Philips Hue White and Colour Ambiance Essential starter kit (3 × E27 + Bridge)
Philips Hue is the most established smart lighting system, and this starter kit is a sensible way in. You get three full-colour, tunable-white E27 bulbs (up to 806 lumens, 2,200 to 6,500K) and the Hue Bridge, which supports up to 50 bulbs. That means you can grow the system room by room.
The Bridge unlocks the clever stuff: routines that bring the lights up slowly in the morning, scenes designed by Philips, accessories like switches and motion sensors, and voice control through Alexa, Google Assistant or Apple Home. Because Hue runs on its own Zigbee network, it doesn't clog up your Wi-Fi.
- 3 × E27 colour and tunable-white bulbs, up to 806 lumens each
- White light from 2,200 to 6,500K; millions of colours; dimmable
- Hue Bridge included: up to 50 bulbs
- Voice control with Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple Home (via Bridge)
- Matter support via the Bridge or third-party Thread border routers
Why it's lazy-approved
- Set up routines once and the house runs itself
- Huge range of add-on lights and switches
Worth knowing
- Costs more per bulb than Wi-Fi bulbs
- E27 only in this kit; check your fittings (many UK ceiling lights are B22)
Specs: Philips Hue UK product page.
How to choose smart plugs and lighting
1. Plug or bulb?
A smart plug makes any lamp or appliance switchable, but it can only turn things on and off. A smart bulb can also dim and change colour. Start with plugs for lamps you already like, and bulbs where mood lighting matters.
2. Wi-Fi or a hub?
Wi-Fi devices like Tapo are cheap and simple, with no hub to buy. Hub-based systems like Hue cost more up front but run on their own network, which helps when you've got lots of lights.
3. Check your fittings
UK homes use a mix of bayonet (B22) and screw (E27) fittings, plus small GU10 spotlights. Check before you buy.
4. Pick your voice assistant
Everything here works with Alexa and Google Assistant. Hue also works with Apple Home via the Bridge.
5. Put it to work
A smart plug can switch off a heated airer that has no timer (check the airer's manual first). A video doorbell plus smart lights means you can greet visitors without getting up. And never put a smart plug on anything the manufacturer says shouldn't be left to switch on unattended.
FAQ
Do smart plugs need a hub?
Wi-Fi smart plugs like the Tapo P110 don't. The Philips Hue Smart Plug works over Bluetooth without a hub, but a Hue Bridge unlocks voice control and remote access.
Do smart plugs save money?
They can help by switching off things that sit on standby and by showing you what uses the most power. The Tapo P110 has energy monitoring for this. Savings depend entirely on what you plug in and how you use it.
Can I use a smart plug with a heater?
Check the heater's manual. Some manufacturers advise against using timers or remote switching. The Tapo P110 is rated up to 13A (2,990W), but rating isn't the only safety question. Never leave heaters on unattended against the manufacturer's advice.
What happens if someone turns off the light switch?
A smart bulb loses power and can't be controlled until the switch goes back on. Smart switches or remotes help, or just tape a note to the switch.
Do smart bulbs work with Alexa and Google?
Yes, all the picks here do. The Hue range needs the Hue Bridge for voice assistant support.
Have you tested these products?
No. These are research-based picks. We've read the manufacturers' specs and published reviews so you don't have to. We don't publish made-up scores.