Do smart plugs use electricity when off?
Updated June 2026Independently researchedNo paid placement.
Yes, smart plugs do draw a small amount of standby power, typically between 0.5 and 2 watts, to stay connected to Wi‑Fi and listen for commands. While this phantom load is real, in most homes it adds up to just pocket change per year, and the convenience and potential energy savings from fully turning off devices usually far outweigh the tiny ongoing cost.
Do smart plugs use electricity when they're turned off?
The short answer is yes, but it’s a very small amount. Even when a smart plug has switched off the device plugged into it, the plug itself remains powered up internally. It needs to keep its Wi‑Fi radio active and listen for your app or voice commands, which consumes a continuous trickle of electricity, often called standby or vampire power. Most popular smart plugs from reputable brands draw somewhere in the range of 0.5 to 2 watts in this standby state. That’s roughly the same as a small night-light or a phone charger that’s left plugged in with nothing attached. It’s not nothing, but it’s also far from a major concern for a typical household.
How much does that standby power actually cost per year?
At average US electricity rates, a single smart plug that draws 1.5 watts around the clock will cost you somewhere in the ballpark of a couple of dollars per year, less than a typical fast‑food coffee. If you have ten smart plugs, that might push the total to around twenty dollars annually. To put it in perspective: leaving an old gaming console or a desktop computer in sleep mode can cost ten times that amount. So while the standby draw is real, for most households it’s a rounding error on the monthly bill. If you own an energy‑monitoring smart plug, you can check the exact draw for your model; plug it into a power monitor or use a dedicated plug that reports wattage in its app.
How does smart plug standby compare to the phantom loads of your devices?
Many electronics already waste a surprising amount of power when they’re turned “off.” For example, a TV, soundbar, or microwave often keep internal circuits active for instant‑on features or clock displays, some drawing 5, 10, or even 20 watts while idle. A smart plug’s tiny 1‑watt standby is usually smaller than the phantom load of the device it controls. In fact, a smart plug can be a net energy saver: by cutting power to a device that normally idles at 5 watts, you save 4 watts net (5 minus 1 for the plug). Over weeks and months that adds up, especially for always‑on devices like entertainment centers or computer peripherals. The smart plug’s own draw becomes part of a larger energy‑saving strategy, not a waste.
When does the standby draw actually matter?
It matters most when you have a large number of plugs, say twenty or more, especially if they’re all on circuits that run 24/7 (like outlets that are always powered). In that case, the combined standby could start to be noticeable on your bill. It also matters if a smart plug is controlling a device that’s rarely used, like a seasonal decoration or a tool you plug in once a month. For those, you might prefer to just unplug the whole setup. But for a handful of plugs on lamps, fans, or home‑office gear that you turn on and off daily, the convenience of scheduling, voice control, and remote on/off far outweighs the tiny cost. The math shifts only when quantity or infrequency of use tips the balance.
Can you turn off the smart plug at the outlet to save power?
Physically unplugging the smart plug or flipping a switch on the outlet does cut its standby draw to zero, but it also kills its ability to receive any commands. When you plug it back in, it will reconnect to Wi‑Fi and turn on whatever device is attached, which might not be what you wanted. For most uses, that defeats the whole purpose of having a smart plug. There’s an important distinction: a smart plug that is “off” via its own relay (the state where it has cut power to the load) is still using standby power to stay connected. That’s normal and expected. A smart plug that is physically disconnected from the outlet uses zero power but also cannot listen for commands. The choice comes down to whether you value the convenience enough to accept the tiny ongoing draw.
The practical bottom line: is it worth keeping smart plugs plugged in?
For the overwhelming majority of users, yes. The standby power of a smart plug costs pennies per month, while the automation, turning off devices on a schedule, controlling them remotely, or integrating with smart home routines, delivers real energy savings and everyday convenience. If you’re worried about the draw, choose a plug known for low standby consumption (often stated in reviews or specs) and use a power‑monitoring plug to verify. If you have a dozen or more plugs, or if you live off‑grid and count every watt, you might want to selectively unplug the ones that control seldom‑used devices. But for a typical home with a few strategically placed smart plugs, the convenience‑to‑cost math clearly favors keeping them plugged in and letting that tiny Wi‑Fi light stay on.
Frequently asked questions
Will a smart plug noticeably increase my electric bill?
No, not for one or a few plugs. The standby draw of a single plug amounts to roughly a couple of dollars per year, which is a negligible fraction of the average household electric bill.
Do smart plugs use power even when the connected device is off?
Yes, exactly. The smart plug itself remains powered to maintain its Wi‑Fi connection and respond to commands, even after its internal relay has cut electricity to the device plugged into it.
Should I unplug my smart plug when I’m not using it?
Only if you won’t be using it for a long period, like a vacation home that’s empty for months. For daily use, unplugging defeats the purpose of remote and scheduled control, and the small standby cost is justified by the convenience.
How can I find out exactly how much standby power my smart plug uses?
If your smart plug has built‑in energy monitoring, check the app for its reported power draw when the relay is off. Otherwise, you can use a separate plug‑in power meter (like a Kill A Watt) to measure the standby consumption directly.
Do all smart plugs consume the same amount of standby power?
No, it varies by brand, model, and Wi‑Fi chipset. Some budget plugs draw a bit more, while newer ones with efficient radios can be below 0.5 watts. Reading independent reviews or manufacturer specs can help you choose a low‑standby model.
Is it worth using a smart plug if I want to save energy overall?
Often yes. If the device you plug in has a high phantom load, like a TV or game console that idles at 10‑20 watts, the smart plug’s 1‑watt standby is a net savings. It can also help you eliminate wasted energy from forgotten appliances.