The Best Matter-Compatible Outdoor Smart Plugs

With the prices of indoor Matter-compatible smart plugs falling rapidly, you may be tempted to place one outside for tasks like holiday lighting. And, although it may get by for a while underneath well-covered areas, chances are, it won't last more than a few seasons—especially if it gets hit by rain or snow.

To get the job done safely, you'll want to invest in a Matter-enabled outdoor smart plug. For just a few bucks more than their indoor counterparts, you not only get the same smart conveniences, but you'll also gain a little extra peace of mind knowing that your connected devices—and your home—are protected from the elements.

What are Matter-Compatible Outdoor Smart Plugs?

Before we dive into our top picks, let's discuss the benefits that outdoor smart plugs—and Matter—bring to the table. First and foremost, outdoor plugs have various protections added such as moisture seals and UV-resistant and flame-retardant materials that keep them running safely in all sorts of conditions. 

The additional seals and heavy-duty construction found in outdoor plugs are typically tested and given a certification level for their ingress protection. When shopping for a plug you'll likely come across references to a product being IP64 or 65 certified which ultimately means that its enclosure is dust-tight and generally safe from light splashes or rainfall.

Moving over to the smart side of things, Matter-compatible outdoor plugs come with many of the same features as indoor outlets. Standard features include remote app control, scheduling, timers, and compatibility with voice assistants like Alexa, Siri, or the Google Assistant.

Matter further enhances the experience by offering a seamless pairing process and guaranteeing interoperability. With Matter, you'll only need to scan the included QR code to get an outdoor plug up and running, and once connected, you can immediately send remote commands or tie it in with other devices in your favorite ecosystem.

What to Look For in Matter-Compatible Outdoor Smart Plugs

Although outdoor smart plugs are rather simple in nature, there is actually a lot to consider when choosing the best option for your home. When shopping, we believe that focusing on areas such as budget, design, and connectivity will make the decision much quicker and easier.

• Budget: With many Matter-compatible options to choose from, prices can range from as little as $15 and go all the way up to $70. If you just want the basics, then you can certainly get by with cheaper offerings.
• Design: Some outdoor plugs feature multiple receptacles onboard which can make them a bit bulky. Smaller plugs can fit into tiny spaces but you may need more than one unit depending on your outdoor power needs.
• Connectivity: Most outdoor plugs utilize Wi-Fi for their smart home connections. However, having too many Wi-Fi devices on your network can impact performance, so you may be better suited with an alternative technology like Thread.

The Top Matter-Compatible Outdoor Smart Plugs

Now that you have a general idea of what to look for, let's take a look at our recommendations for the top Matter-compatible outdoor smart plugs.

Tapo P400M Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug

The Tapo P400M Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug by TP-Link features not one but two independently controllable 15-amp outlets, perfect for powering holiday lighting displays. This plug is safe to use year-round thanks to IP65 weather resistance and its ability to withstand the harshest of elements with an operating temperature range of -4 to 122 degrees.

In our hands-on review, we were particularly impressed by the P400M's 300-foot Wi-Fi range and rock-solid reliability. The P400M was also incredibly performant, responding to app and voice commands almost instantly, which more than made up for its lack of energy monitoring capabilities.

Kasa EP40M Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug

Also from TP-Link, the Kasa EP40M Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug shares the most important specs from its Tapo cousin. These include the same expansive 300-foot Wi-Fi range and dual 15-amp outlets, but the EP40M takes it up a notch by supporting electrical loads up to 1875 watts versus the Tapo's 1800 watts.

Another major difference between TP-Link's outdoor plugs is that the Kasa EP40M features a slightly lower IP64 weather-resistance rating. However, IP64 is more than capable of handling most outdoor climates—just try to refrain from spraying it with a pressure washer or immersing it completely in water.

Leviton Decora Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug

While Leviton's Decora Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug only sports one 15-amp outlet, it has one major trick up its sleeve: light sensing technology. With a tiny integrated light sensor onboard, Leviton's plug can automatically turn on or off connected lighting or other devices based on the time of day which is handy if you don't want to take the time to set up an automation.

Other highlights include IP65 weather resistance, a -20 to 122-degree operating temperature range, and support for 3/4HP motors. The Decora Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug even works wirelessly with up to 3 Leviton Anywhere Switch Companion Remotes which can be mounted anywhere for smart physical controls.

Minoston Matter Outdoor Smart Plug

If size is high on your list of priorities, then the Minoston Matter Outdoor Smart Plug is the one for you. This ultra-compact plug measures just 3.14x2.2x1.54 inches making it small enough to fit inside outdoor electrical or weatherproofing boxes and its small size is easy to hide out of the way.

Despite its smaller size, Minoston's plug still keeps water and dust out with its IP65 weather-resistance rating. And, this plug can still power most 120-volt outdoor devices with its 15 amp outlet that you can toggle on-device or through your favorite smart home platform.

Eve Energy Outdoor

Available only in European markets, the Eve Energy Outdoor takes a different approach to powering devices outside. That's because instead of being a plug-in unit, the Eve Energy Outdoor actually replaces the entire outlet on the wall by wiring directly to your existing electrical lines.

Eve's outdoor outlet also stands out from the competition with the inclusion of Thread connectivity. With Thread, the Eve Energy Outlet offers performance and reliability on par with Wi-Fi without the need for an account, hub, or connections to the cloud—although you will need a Border Router to get it up and running.

Power the Great Outdoors With The Best Matter-Compatible Outdoor Smart Plugs

Whether you want to put on a light show for your neighbors during the holidays, or just need a simple way to toggle on or off a piece of garden equipment, there's a Matter-compatible outdoor smart plug ready for the job. Our top pick goes to the Tapo P400M, as it provides the best mix of performance, reliability, and features with its two independently controllable outlets—all at an incredibly affordable price.