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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsYes. A smart plug can still use electricity when the outlet it controls is off, because its own wireless connection and control electronics may remain powered. An app’s Off command usually describes the outlet’s state—not necessarily the plug’s connection to mains power.
What does “off” mean on a smart plug?
There are two different things that can be off: the outlet controlled by the plug, and the smart plug itself. When you switch the outlet off in an app, the relay may stop power reaching the connected appliance while the plug’s electronics remain active so it can receive commands.
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Manufacturers document distinct states. Amazon separates Networked Standby from Off Mode, while Belkin says app-off leaves its Wemo Insight in standby. In other words, an app command is not proof that the plug itself has stopped drawing power.
How much electricity can a smart plug use in standby?
There is no single figure for all smart plugs. The published examples below refer to different products and states, not a controlled comparison.
#1 Best Overall
- 【Insightful Energy Tracking】Track your plug's energy use with clear and easy-to-understand statistics and intuitive charts, helping you optimize power usage.
- 【Estimate Your Energy Bill】 Enhance energy management by integrating with billing systems for clear cost visualization (both single and periodic readings). Additionally, programmable scheduling allows automatic operation of high-consumption devices during off-peak hours with lower electricity rates, resulting in cost savings.
- 【Smart Charging for Devices】Automatically cuts power once your device reaches the low-battery limit you set, preventing overcharging.
- 【Auto-Shutoff】Prevents electrical overload by automatically shutting off devices that use too much power.
- 【Voice & Remote Control】 With built-in support for both Alexa and Google Assistant, issue simple voice commands to adjust settings, turn devices on or off, or even access specific functions without lifting a finger. Manage Tapo P115 and its connected devices from anywhere with the user-friendly Tapo app.
| Product or standard | Published standby figure | What the figure means |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon Smart Plug | 0.88 W in Networked Standby; 0.23 W in Off Mode | Amazon’s support documentation says the user must press the plug’s side button to enter Off Mode. The page does not state a publication year. Amazon support |
| Salus SP600 | 2.0 W with the relay off | A model-specific manufacturer specification, not an independent test. The technical page does not state a publication year. Salus technical information |
| ENERGY STAR SHEMS Version 1.1 | 1.0 W limit | A standby-power eligibility criterion for smart plugs, smart power strips, or submetering devices included in qualifying SHEMS packages—not a universal limit for consumer smart plugs. The June 2021 specification cites IEC 62301, Ed. 2.0 (2011), with clarifications. ENERGY STAR specification |
The differences are a reminder to check the specific model and state being reported. “Relay off,” “networked standby,” and a separate low-power Off Mode are not interchangeable measurements.
What does standby use add up to?
To convert a continuous draw into yearly energy, multiply watts by hours of use and divide by 1,000. A device drawing 1 W continuously for a 365-day year uses 8.76 kWh (1 × 8,760 ÷ 1,000). This is an arithmetic conversion; your plug’s actual use depends on its documented draw and how long it remains in that state.
Rank #2
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- 【Insightful Energy Tracking】 Monitor your energy consumption with in-depth statistics and clear visuals, helping you optimize power usage.
- 【Estimate Your Energy Bill】 Enhance energy management by integrating with billing systems for clear cost visualization (both single and periodic readings). Additionally, programmable scheduling allows automatic operation of high-consumption devices during off-peak hours with lower electricity rates, resulting in cost savings.
- 【Overcharge Prevention & Power Management】 Automatically cuts off power based on user-set thresholds and durations to prevent overcharging, conserve energy, and protect connected devices from overcurrents by shutting off when power exceeds set limits.
- 【Voice & Remote Control】 With built-in support for both Alexa and Google Assistant, issue simple voice commands to adjust settings, turn devices on or off, or even access specific functions without lifting a finger. Manage Tapo P110M and its connected devices from anywhere with the user-friendly Tapo app.
Whether a smart plug saves money overall depends on the connected appliance, how often the plug cuts its power, the plug’s standby draw, and your electricity price. Without those inputs, there is no reliable blanket claim that controlling an appliance will outweigh the plug’s own consumption.
How can you check a smart plug’s own power use?
- Find the measured state. Check the manufacturer’s documentation for whether the figure applies with the relay off, in networked standby, or in a separate low-power mode. Note whether remote connectivity remains available in that mode.
- Use a meter that measures the plug itself. A suitable plug-in electricity meter can help compare the plug’s draw in different states. Confirm that its specifications cover the low power levels you want to measure; no specific meter’s accuracy is established here.
- Separate the plug’s draw from the appliance’s. Some energy-monitoring smart plugs report energy used by the connected device, not the smart plug’s own electronics. TP-Link describes the Tapo P115 as tracking connected-device energy use, but its product page does not establish low-load accuracy for measuring the plug itself. TP-Link Tapo P115
ENERGY STAR’s 2018 work-group summary notes that advanced smart plugs may provide current-draw feedback. That can be useful for understanding a connected appliance, but it is not by itself a measurement of the smart plug’s own standby consumption. ENERGY STAR work-group summary
Rank #3
- 【Insightful Energy Tracking】Track your plug's energy use with clear and easy-to-understand statistics and intuitive charts, helping you optimize power usage.
- 【Estimate Your Energy Bill】 Enhance energy management by integrating with billing systems for clear cost visualization (both single and periodic readings). Additionally, programmable scheduling allows automatic operation of high-consumption devices during off-peak hours with lower electricity rates, resulting in cost savings.
- 【Smart Charging for Devices】Automatically cuts power once your device reaches the low-battery limit you set, preventing overcharging.
- 【Auto-Shutoff】Prevents electrical overload by automatically shutting off devices that use too much power.
- 【Voice & Remote Control】 With built-in support for both Alexa and Google Assistant, issue simple voice commands to adjust settings, turn devices on or off, or even access specific functions without lifting a finger. Manage Tapo P115 and its connected devices from anywhere with the user-friendly Tapo app.
How do you stop a smart plug from drawing standby power?
Unplugging it is the straightforward way to disconnect the smart plug’s own electronics from mains power. If the model offers a documented low-power Off Mode, use the manufacturer’s instructions; for Amazon Smart Plug, the support page says to press the side button to enter that mode. An app-off command may leave the plug in standby, and a separate low-power state may not preserve remote control.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 【Matter-Compatible Smart Home Integration】Works with Matter-certified platforms such as Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings. Users can manage compatible devices across supported apps within the Matter ecosystem.
- 【Energy Monitoring】Tracks energy usage over time to help you understand consumption patterns and make informed decisions about how your devices are used.
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- 【Compact & Flame Retardant Design】Avoid blocking additional outlets with its compact design, and plug in your WiFi smart plug with confidence thanks to its UL certified flame retardant design and 2-year limited warranty.
- 【App & Voice Control】Control your WiFi smart plug from anywhere, anytime via the free Kasa App or just give voice commands to Siri, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant or Samsung SmartThings. Your favorite smart assistant enables you to have a truly hands-free experience.
Rank #4
- Real-Time Energy Monitoring: Smart plugs track the real-time power, current, and voltage of your plug-in devices on Govee Home App. Supports reviewing data daily / weekly / monthly and up to 1 year to effectively save energy and reduce waste.
- Stable WiFi & Bluetooth Connectivity: Connecting with Govee Home App via WiFi and Bluetooth to access the Smart Plug easily, even away, you can remotely control your home appliances and never come back to a dark home. Note: Do NOT support 5G Wi-Fi.
- Convenient Voice Control: Free hands by using simple voice commands with Alexa and Google Assistant. Just once setting, you can enjoy coffee immediately after waking up and experience a leisurely morning. It's also a caring choice for the elderly.
- Scheduling & Group Control: Smart plugs with timer help create detailed to the minute schedules power your appliances on/off automatically for helping save energy and money. And supports share on the Govee Home App to enjoy the smart life together.
- Safe and Comfortable Smart Home: Govee plug not only fully FCC & ETL certified, but also made of fire-resistant materials. 15A 120V smart outlet is suitable for high-power appliances such as coffee maker, brings you a stable and safe life assistant.
What to check when choosing or comparing plugs
- State and watts: Compare figures for the same operating state, rather than treating relay-off and networked standby as equivalent.
- Remote operation: Confirm whether a low-power mode keeps the plug connected and controllable.
- Measurement purpose: Check whether energy monitoring refers to the connected appliance or to the plug itself.
- Fit: Verify outlet, voltage, and smart-home ecosystem compatibility for your region and setup.
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