EcoGuide · Standby Power · Updated 2026-09-30 · 1,000 words
Best Smart Power Strip for Phantom Loads
The Short Answer
A smart power strip cuts standby power the simple way: it switches whole outlets off on a schedule or from your phone, so the TV, console, soundbar and set-top box stop drawing power overnight. Two of our picks also show how many watts each outlet uses, which tells you whether a device is worth switching off at all.
| Strip | Smart outlets | Energy monitoring | Works with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kasa HS300 | 6, each switched separately, plus 3 USB | Yes | Alexa, Google Assistant; Kasa app |
| Tapo P316M | 6, each switched separately, plus 3 USB | Yes, per outlet | Matter (Apple Home and others); Tapo app |
| Kasa KP303 | 3, plus 2 always-on USB | No | Alexa, Google Assistant; Kasa app |
All three are rated 15 A / 1,875 W in total, need 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and no hub, and include surge protection. We chose them from the manufacturers’ published specifications; we do not test products in-house (how we choose).
How Much a Strip Can Save
It depends on what is plugged into it, so measure before you buy. For context: the U.S. Department of Energy says devices drawing power while switched off add up to almost 10% of residential electricity, and NRDC measured an average always-on load of 164 watts in the homes it studied, with consumer electronics making up about half (NRDC, 2015).
To price your own entertainment stack: multiply its standby watts by 8.76 for kWh per year, then by the price per kWh on your bill. If a strip keeps it off for 16 hours a day, you save two-thirds of that. The monitoring strips below show the watts for you; for the budget strip, use a plug-in meter first.
1. Kasa HS300: Best Overall
Six individually controlled outlets and three USB ports, with energy monitoring in the Kasa app so you can see which device on the strip is drawing power. Kasa lists a 15 A / 1,875 W total rating and ETL-certified surge protection. Schedules and timers turn the whole entertainment center off overnight; Alexa and Google Assistant can switch outlets by name.
We may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Products are chosen on published specifications; we do not test them in-house (how we choose).
Kasa HS300 Smart Power Strip
6 individually switched outlets with energy monitoring, 3 USB ports; Alexa and Google Assistant.
View on Amazon2. Tapo P316M: Best for Matter
The same six-outlet, three-USB layout, but Matter-certified, so it works in Apple Home and other Matter systems. TP-Link’s datasheet lists per-outlet energy tracking in the Tapo app, a 15 A / 1,875 W total rating and ETL-certified surge protection. Pick it over the HS300 if you run Apple Home or want to avoid being tied to one app.
We may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Products are chosen on published specifications; we do not test them in-house (how we choose).
Tapo P316M Smart Power Strip (Matter)
6 outlets with per-outlet energy monitoring, 3 USB ports; Matter-certified.
View on Amazon3. Kasa KP303: Best Budget Pick
Three individually controlled outlets and two always-on USB ports, with schedules, timers and voice control, but no energy monitoring. That is fine once you know what to switch off. Pair it with a plug-in meter if you want numbers first.
We may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Products are chosen on published specifications; we do not test them in-house (how we choose).
Kasa KP303 Smart Power Strip
3 individually switched outlets, 2 always-on USB ports; no energy monitoring.
View on AmazonWhat to Leave On
- Your router and modem, unless you are happy to lose internet (and smart home control) overnight.
- A DVR that records overnight, and set-top boxes that need time to reboot and download updates.
- Game consoles mid-download. Schedule the off time after downloads usually finish, or use the console’s own energy-saving power mode instead.
- Anything medical, a fridge or freezer, or a sump pump. These do not belong on a switched outlet.
Want to find the biggest standby loads in your home first? Our 4-minute phantom load audit shows how, and what is vampire power? explains where it comes from.
Free: Home Energy Audit Checklist (PDF)
A two-page, room-by-room checklist for finding air leaks, standby power and heating and cooling waste yourself, in the order that pays back fastest. Get it now, plus new fix guides by email. Unsubscribe any time.
By signing up you agree to receive emails from EcoHome Intelligence. See our Privacy Policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do smart power strips really save money?
Yes, on devices that draw power while off. Measure the standby watts, multiply by 8.76 for kWh per year and by your electricity rate, then schedule the strip off when you do not use them. The saving is the share of that you switch off.
What is the best smart power strip for phantom loads?
The Kasa HS300 for most homes: six individually switched outlets with energy monitoring. The Tapo P316M if you use Matter or Apple Home, and the Kasa KP303 if you want scheduling without monitoring.
Which smart power strips have energy monitoring?
Of our picks, the Kasa HS300 and the Tapo P316M (per outlet). The Kasa KP303 does not monitor energy.
Should I turn off my router with a smart strip?
Usually not. Switching it off takes your internet and any smart home controls offline, including the strip’s own app control.
Are smart power strips safe for high-power appliances?
Stay within the rating: all three picks are rated 15 A / 1,875 W in total. Do not use them for space heaters, fridges or anything that should never switch off unexpectedly.
Related Guides
- What is vampire power? — where standby waste comes from
- Best smart plug with energy monitoring — for single devices
- Find phantom loads in 4 minutes — measure before you buy
