Your home entertainment center. Your home office. Your bedroom TV setup. Each one is quietly drawing electricity right now — even though nothing is actively in use. This invisible drain, called phantom power or standby power, costs the average U.S. household $100–$200 per year according to the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
A smart power strip is the most effective tool for eliminating it. But with dozens of options available, choosing the right one comes down to a few key questions: Do you want app control and scheduling? Or do you just want something that works automatically without any setup? Do you have a home office, an entertainment center, or both? The right answer depends on your situation — and that's exactly what this guide is here to settle.
How We Evaluated These Strips
We evaluated each strip across five criteria that matter most for energy saving: phantom power elimination effectiveness, ease of setup, outlet layout and flexibility, surge protection rating, and overall value relative to price. We also factored in whether each strip works without WiFi or a smart home hub, since not everyone wants another app on their phone.
Quick Comparison: All 4 Strips at a Glance
| Strip | Price | Outlets | WiFi/App | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kasa HS300 | ~$35 | 6 smart + 3 USB | Yes (Alexa + Google) | Most households |
| Smart Strip ECG-7MVR | ~$20 | 7 (1 control + 4 switched + 2 always-on) | No — fully automatic | Simple no-setup solution |
| Gosund Smart Power Strip | ~$28 | 6 smart + 3 USB | Yes (Alexa + Google) | Budget app-control pick |
| APC Smart Plug Strip PH6U4X32 | ~$35 | 6 total (3 smart) + 4 USB | Yes (Alexa only) | Trusted brand, heavy surge protection |
Full Reviews
🥇 Kasa Smart Power Strip HS300 — Best Overall
The Kasa HS300 is the clear winner for most households and the strip we recommend first. Its six outlets are individually controllable from the Kasa app — meaning you can turn any single outlet on or off remotely, set different schedules for each one, and monitor exactly how many watts each device is drawing in real time. That last feature is genuinely useful: plug in your cable box, check the app, and see exactly what it's costing you in standby. The HS300 works with both Alexa and Google Home, requires no hub, and connects to any 2.4GHz WiFi network. Three always-on USB ports handle phone and tablet charging without occupying an outlet. Build quality is solid — it's ETL certified and includes 500-joule surge protection. The one limitation: it requires WiFi and the Kasa app to unlock its full feature set. If you lose internet or your phone dies, the outlets still work but you lose remote control and scheduling.
Best for: Tech-comfortable households who want full control and energy monitoring
Pros: Per-outlet energy monitoring, Alexa + Google, individual scheduling, 3 USB ports
Cons: Requires 2.4GHz WiFi, app needed for full features
🥈 Smart Strip ECG-7MVR — Best No-WiFi Option
If you don't want an app, don't want to deal with WiFi setup, and just want something that works automatically from the moment you plug it in — the ECG-7MVR is exactly that. It uses current-sensing technology to detect when the device plugged into its control outlet (your TV or computer) powers off, then automatically cuts power to all four switched outlets. No scheduling. No smartphone. No internet connection. Plug your TV into the control outlet, plug your cable box, soundbar, and gaming console into the switched outlets, plug your router into one of the two always-on outlets, and walk away. From that point on, every time you turn your TV off, everything else cuts power automatically. The ECG-7MVR has been around for years and has a strong track record — it's a perennial Amazon bestseller with over 850 reviews. The limitation is obvious: no remote control, no energy monitoring, no scheduling beyond the basic master/switched logic.
Best for: Anyone who wants zero setup and zero ongoing maintenance
Pros: No WiFi needed, works instantly, adjustable sensitivity dial, 2 always-on outlets
Cons: No remote control, no scheduling, no energy monitoring
🥉 Gosund Smart Power Strip — Best Budget App-Controlled Pick
The Gosund Smart Power Strip delivers most of the Kasa HS300's features at a lower price point. You get six individually controllable outlets, three USB charging ports, Alexa and Google Home compatibility, and schedule/timer functionality through the Smart Life app. Energy monitoring is not included per outlet — you get total strip consumption rather than per-device breakdown, which limits its usefulness for diagnosing your biggest energy vampires. That said, for someone who primarily wants to set a nightly schedule to cut all entertainment center power at midnight, the Gosund does that job just as well as the Kasa at a lower cost. Build quality is decent though not quite as polished as the Kasa. The Smart Life app is functional but has a slightly steeper learning curve than the Kasa app.
Best for: Budget shoppers who want app control and scheduling
Pros: Lower price, Alexa + Google, 6 individual outlets, 3 USB ports
Cons: No per-outlet energy monitoring, Smart Life app less polished than Kasa
4️⃣ APC Smart Plug Strip PH6U4X32 — Best for Surge Protection Priority
APC is the most trusted name in surge protection, and the PH6U4X32 brings their reputation to the smart power strip category. You get six total outlets — three of which are smart and individually controllable — plus four USB ports (two smart, two standard). Surge protection is rated at 2160 joules, significantly higher than the Kasa HS300's 500 joules, and backed by APC's lifetime equipment protection policy covering up to $150,000 of connected devices. That's meaningful if you're plugging in expensive equipment like a gaming PC, 4K TV, or home theater receiver. The limitation worth noting: APC's smart outlets currently only work with Alexa, not Google Home. If you're a Google household, the Kasa HS300 is the better choice. For Alexa households with expensive electronics, the APC's superior surge protection makes it worth considering despite the higher price.
Best for: Alexa households with expensive electronics to protect
Pros: Highest surge protection (2160J), $150K equipment warranty, trusted brand
Cons: Only 3 of 6 outlets are smart, Alexa only (no Google Home)
Which Smart Power Strip Is Right for You?
The right choice comes down to three simple questions. First: do you want WiFi and app control, or do you just want something that works automatically? If you want automatic and simple, get the ECG-7MVR and stop reading — it's the easiest phantom power fix available. If you want scheduling and remote control, keep going.
Second: are you primarily an Alexa household or Google household? If Google, the Kasa HS300 is your pick. If Alexa, both the Kasa and APC work, but if you have expensive electronics to protect, the APC's superior surge protection is worth the tradeoff of losing Google Home compatibility.
Third: is per-outlet energy monitoring important to you? If yes — if you want to actually see what each device costs and make informed decisions — only the Kasa HS300 offers that. The others show total strip consumption at best.
"The average U.S. household spends about $100 per year powering devices when they are off or in standby mode." — U.S. Department of Energy
Setup Tips for Maximum Savings
Whichever strip you choose, the outlet assignment matters. Always plug your primary device — the TV, the desktop computer — into the control or master outlet. Plug peripherals (soundbar, monitor, printer, gaming console) into the switched outlets. Plug your router, DVR, or any device that must stay on 24/7 into the always-on outlets. Never put a DVR with scheduled recordings on a switched outlet — it will miss recordings.
For app-controlled strips, set a nightly schedule to cut all switched outlet power at a fixed time — say, midnight. This is your safety net for nights when you fall asleep with the TV on or forget to turn things off. Combined with the automatic switching when you turn devices off manually, you're eliminating virtually all standby draw from your entertainment center.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best smart power strip overall?
The Kasa HS300 is our top pick for most households. It offers six individually controlled outlets, real-time per-outlet energy monitoring, Alexa and Google Home support, and built-in surge protection. At around $35, it pays for itself in under a year on standby savings alone.
What is the best smart power strip without WiFi?
The Smart Strip ECG-7MVR is the best no-WiFi option. It uses automatic current-sensing to detect when your TV or computer shuts off and immediately cuts power to all connected peripherals. No app, no setup, no internet required — plug it in and it works automatically from day one.
How much can a smart power strip save per year?
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the average household wastes $100–$200 per year on standby power. A smart power strip covering your entertainment center and home office can eliminate most of that waste. At a typical cost of $20–$35, most smart strips pay for themselves within 3–6 months.
Is it safe to plug a TV into a smart power strip?
Yes — all four strips reviewed here include surge protection, which actually provides better protection for your TV than a standard outlet. The only device to be careful with is a DVR or cable box with scheduled recordings — plug those into the always-on outlet so they keep power regardless of the strip's state.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, EcoThrift Home earns from qualifying purchases. Links marked as affiliate links have no effect on the price you pay, and we only recommend products we believe provide genuine value. Read our full disclosure.