Top-Rated Smart Plugs for Electric Heaters: An Actionable Guide

Electric heaters are a popular choice for many households looking to stay warm during the colder months. Whether it's a space heater or a portable electric heater, these devices are convenient, energy-efficient, and versatile. However, managing their operation efficiently can sometimes be challenging, especially when it comes to ensuring safety, controlling energy consumption, and optimizing their usage. This is where smart plugs come into play.

By pairing your electric heater with a smart plug, you can gain control over when and how your heater runs, while also monitoring energy usage and ensuring safety. This actionable guide will take a deep dive into the best features of smart plugs for electric heaters, how to choose the right one, and some of the top-rated options available in the market.

Why Use Smart Plugs with Electric Heaters?

1. Improved Control and Flexibility

Smart plugs offer a level of flexibility that traditional switches cannot match. You can control your electric heater from anywhere using your smartphone or voice assistant. Whether you want the heater to turn on before you arrive home or automatically shut off when it reaches a certain temperature, smart plugs make it easy to create a more efficient and personalized heating routine.

2. Energy Efficiency and Monitoring

Electric heaters can be energy-hungry devices, especially if they are left running longer than necessary. A smart plug allows you to track the energy consumption of your heater and offers insights into how much power it's using. With this data, you can adjust the operation time to reduce energy wastage. Additionally, scheduling features allow you to automatically turn off the heater after a specific period, reducing your overall energy usage.

3. Increased Safety

One of the most important reasons to use a smart plug with an electric heater is safety. Electric heaters are prone to causing overheating or fire hazards if they are left on for extended periods. By using a smart plug with a timer or scheduling feature, you can automatically turn off the heater after a set amount of time, preventing these potential risks. Many smart plugs also come with built-in surge protection, ensuring that your heater is protected from power surges or electrical malfunctions.

4. Voice Control for Hands-Free Operation

If you're integrating your electric heater into a smart home system, smart plugs provide voice control functionality. This allows you to control the heater using voice commands via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple HomeKit, making it easier to operate the device without needing to physically interact with the plug.

5. Convenient Automation

Smart plugs offer automation capabilities, allowing you to program your electric heater to follow specific routines. For example, you can schedule the heater to turn on before you wake up, ensuring a warm room when you get out of bed. Similarly, you can set the heater to turn off once you leave the house or once the room reaches the desired temperature.

Key Features to Look for in a Smart Plug for Electric Heaters

Not all smart plugs are created equal, and when choosing the best smart plug for your electric heater, there are several features that should be at the top of your list.

1. Surge Protection

Electric heaters can draw a significant amount of power, which makes surge protection an essential feature. A surge protector helps prevent electrical damage to your heater in the event of a sudden voltage spike. It safeguards your equipment and ensures the longevity of the device, reducing the risk of a fire or electrical malfunction.

2. Energy Monitoring

Energy monitoring is one of the most beneficial features a smart plug can offer when paired with an electric heater. By tracking the energy consumption of your heater, you can better understand its efficiency and make adjustments to reduce energy waste. Look for smart plugs that provide detailed usage statistics and reports via their respective apps.

3. Scheduling and Timers

The ability to schedule when your heater turns on and off is a powerful tool in ensuring that your electric heater only operates when needed. Timers can also help you program the heater to run for specific periods, like a set amount of hours, or until a certain temperature is reached. This feature allows for greater control and can also help extend the lifespan of the heater by reducing unnecessary run time.

4. High Power Rating

Electric heaters generally consume more electricity than other household devices, so it's important to ensure that the smart plug you choose can handle the power requirements of your heater. Look for smart plugs with a high-power rating, generally capable of handling 10-15 amps or more. Check the specifications of your heater to ensure compatibility with the plug's maximum load capacity.

5. Wi-Fi Connectivity

Wi-Fi-enabled smart plugs are ideal because they allow you to control your electric heater from anywhere using a smartphone app or voice assistant. Look for plugs that do not require a hub for operation and can be easily connected to your home's existing Wi-Fi network.

6. Voice Assistant Integration

Voice assistant compatibility is a key feature for seamless control. Ensure that the smart plug works with popular platforms like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple HomeKit. This allows for hands-free operation and integration with your existing smart home system.

7. Compact Design

Because electric heaters can sometimes occupy significant space near outlets, it's important to choose a smart plug with a compact and unobtrusive design. This ensures that the plug doesn't interfere with other outlets or cause clutter around your heater.

Top-Rated Smart Plugs for Electric Heaters

Here are some of the best smart plugs on the market that are ideal for use with electric heaters. Each one offers a variety of useful features to enhance safety, convenience, and energy efficiency.

1. Kasa Smart Plug by TP-Link (HS110)

• Price Range: $15--$25
• Key Features:
  • Energy monitoring and reporting.
  • Scheduling and timer capabilities.
  • Works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Microsoft Cortana.
  • Surge protection.
  • No hub required.
• Why It's Great for Electric Heaters: The Kasa Smart Plug (HS110) offers energy monitoring, making it an ideal choice for tracking the power consumption of your electric heater. Its surge protection ensures that your heater is safe from power spikes. The plug can be controlled via the Kasa app or voice assistants, providing excellent flexibility in managing your heater remotely.

2. Wemo Mini Smart Plug

• Price Range: $20--$30
• Key Features:
  • Energy monitoring and usage reports.
  • Scheduling and timers.
  • Compact design.
  • Works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit.
  • Child-safe design.
• Why It's Great for Electric Heaters: The Wemo Mini Smart Plug is a compact, feature-rich option for electric heaters. With energy monitoring, scheduling, and voice control via Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple HomeKit, this plug offers all the functionality you need to control your heater. The small size ensures it won't take up too much space, and it's safe enough for use in any room.

3. Meross Smart Plug

• Price Range: $15--$25
• Key Features:
  • Energy monitoring.
  • Timer and scheduling functions.
  • Compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit.
  • Surge protection.
  • Remote control via Meross app.
• Why It's Great for Electric Heaters: Meross Smart Plugs are known for their reliability and efficiency. They feature energy monitoring and surge protection, which are essential when using them with electric heaters. With their scheduling and timer capabilities, you can easily automate your heater's operation, ensuring it only runs when needed and turns off to prevent overheating.

4. Amazon Smart Plug

• Price Range: $25--$30
• Key Features:
  • Voice control with Amazon Alexa.
  • Scheduling features via the Alexa app.
  • Compact design.
  • Easy to set up with Alexa devices.
• Why It's Great for Electric Heaters: If you're an Amazon Alexa user, the Amazon Smart Plug is an excellent choice for controlling your electric heater. While it doesn't offer energy monitoring or surge protection, its integration with Alexa allows you to control your heater hands-free, and scheduling features ensure it only runs when needed. The compact design is ideal for smaller spaces.

5. Gosund Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring

• Price Range: $20--$30
• Key Features:
  • Energy usage monitoring.
  • Surge protection.
  • Timer and scheduling functions.
  • Works with Alexa and Google Assistant.
  • Compact and child-friendly design.
• Why It's Great for Electric Heaters: The Gosund Smart Plug offers energy monitoring, surge protection, and a convenient app for remote control. It's perfect for managing electric heaters, as it allows you to track how much energy your heater is using. The scheduling features make it easy to turn off the heater after a set amount of time, ensuring both safety and energy efficiency.

How to Set Up a Smart Plug for Your Electric Heater

Step 1: Choose the Right Smart Plug

Select a smart plug with a high power rating, energy monitoring, and surge protection. Ensure that it's compatible with your electric heater's power requirements.

Step 2: Install the Plug

Plug the smart plug into an outlet, and connect your electric heater to it. Make sure the plug is securely attached and the heater is properly set up.

Step 3: Download the App

Download the app for your chosen smart plug (e.g., Kasa, Wemo, or Meross) and follow the instructions for linking it to your home Wi-Fi network.

Step 4: Set Up Scheduling

Use the app to set up schedules for your electric heater. You can program it to turn on and off at specific times or use timers to control its operation.

Step 5: Monitor Energy Usage

Track your heater's energy consumption through the app. Use this data to adjust the operating time and reduce wasteful energy use.

Step 6: Control via Voice Assistant

If compatible, integrate your smart plug with your voice assistant (Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple HomeKit) to control the heater using voice commands.

Conclusion

Using a smart plug with your electric heater can transform the way you manage your home's heating system. With features like energy monitoring, surge protection, scheduling, and remote control, smart plugs offer convenience, safety, and efficiency. By selecting the right plug for your heater, you can optimize your heating routines, save on energy costs, and ensure your heater operates safely. Whether you're looking to control the temperature from a distance or automate your heater's operation, a smart plug is an easy and affordable solution.