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Best Smart Socket for a Washing Machine Cycle: 5 Reliable Picks
A smart socket lets a washing machine run on a schedule, finish before the household wakes up, or shut off if a cycle is forgotten. The five picks below cover the budget single-plug route, the compact everyday option, the outdoor-rated two-socket build, and one premium wall socket. Renters who want a plug-in fix and homeowners wiring a dedicated socket both have a fit here. The overview table shows the key differences at a glance, and each review names the buyer it suits.
Overview of the Picks
| Product | Key Spec | Best Use | Price Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| GHome Smart Plug | 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, no hub, ETL/FCC listed | Cheapest scheduling fix | Budget |
| Kasa Smart Plug Ultra Mini 15A | 15A rating, ultra-mini body | Tight outlet behind the machine | Budget |
| SPW Brilliance WiFi Smart Socket | 3 LED sockets, app/Alexa control | Wall-mounted multi-socket setup | Premium |
| EIGHTREE Smart Plug | 15A, remote and timer function | Simple remote-plus-app control | Budget |
| Kasa Outdoor Smart Plug EP40 | IP64 weather resistance, 2 sockets | Garage or utility-room installs | Mid-range |
1. GHome Smart Plug — Best Budget Pick
Type: Plug-in Wi-Fi outlet
Connectivity: 2.4GHz Wi-Fi only, no hub required
Certification: ETL and FCC listed
Voice Control: Alexa and Google Home
Color: White
This is the lowest-cost way to put a washing machine on a timer. The plug talks directly to the home Wi-Fi network on the 2.4GHz band, so no separate hub sits between the socket and the phone. App control covers on/off and scheduling, and Alexa or Google Home adds voice commands for starting a cycle remotely. The ETL and FCC listings give the unit a paper trail that many no-name plugs lack.
It suits renters and first-time smart-home buyers who want one appliance automated without spending much. The single-socket body is the catch: a washer and dryer pair needs two plugs, and the plug occupies the wall outlet fully, so a bulky adapter will not share the space.
GHome Smart Plug — check price on Amazon
Trade-off: The low price buys a basic enclosure and a single switched socket, so buyers with two appliances should plan on buying twice.
2. Kasa Smart Plug Ultra Mini 15A — Best for Tight Outlets
Type: Plug-in Wi-Fi outlet, ultra-mini body
Connectivity: 2.4GHz Wi-Fi only, no hub required
Amperage: 15A
Voice Control: Alexa and Google Home
Color: White
The ultra-mini housing is the point of this plug. It sits close to the wall, which matters when the washer’s cord has to bend behind the machine or when the outlet is boxed in by a cabinet. The 15A rating matches what a standard household circuit delivers, so a washing machine’s draw stays within the plug’s stated capacity. Setup runs through the Kasa app on 2.4GHz Wi-Fi with no hub.
It fits buyers with a shallow gap behind the appliance and anyone who wants the plug to disappear rather than protrude. The trade-off is that the compact shell leaves little room for a second plug alongside it, and the single-pack format means a washer-plus-dryer setup needs two purchases.
Kasa Smart Plug Ultra Mini 15A — check price on Amazon
Trade-off: The mini footprint comes at the cost of shared-outlet flexibility, and the unit is sold as a single plug.
3. SPW Brilliance WiFi Smart Socket — Best Wall-Mounted Option
Type: Wall-mounted smart socket with LED sockets
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, app control, Alexa
Sockets: 3
Color: White
This is the outlier of the group: a socket rather than a plug adapter. Three switched LED sockets sit in one faceplate, which suits a utility wall where the washer, a dryer, and a light or iron all need control from one place. App control and Alexa handle scheduling and voice commands, and the LED indicators show which socket is live at a glance.
It suits homeowners replacing a wall outlet rather than renters, and it makes sense where several appliances cluster on one wall. The premium price is the main caution: this costs several times a basic plug, so a buyer automating one washing machine alone is paying for sockets that will sit unused.
SPW Brilliance WiFi Smart Socket — check price on Amazon
Trade-off: The multi-socket wall format carries a premium price and installation effort that a single-appliance buyer does not need.
4. EIGHTREE Smart Plug — Best for Remote and Timer Control
Type: Plug-in Wi-Fi outlet
Connectivity: 2.4GHz Wi-Fi only, no hub required
Amperage: 15A
Control: Remote control and timer function
Voice Control: Alexa and Google Home
Color: White
The EIGHTREE plug puts remote control and a timer front and center. A washing machine can be set to start at a chosen hour and switched off from a phone, which covers the two jobs most households want from a smart socket. The 15A rating and 2.4GHz Wi-Fi setup keep it in the same practical class as the other budget picks, with Alexa and Google Home support for voice.
It suits buyers who want scheduling and a manual-feeling timer without a hub or a subscription. The single-pack format and plain white body are the limits: there is no second socket for a dryer, and the plug is a functional rather than a decorative piece for a visible wall.
EIGHTREE Smart Plug — check price on Amazon
Trade-off: The single-socket design and basic finish keep the price low but leave no room for a second appliance on the same outlet.
5. Kasa Outdoor Smart Plug EP40 — Best Two-Socket Build
Type: Outdoor smart plug, two sockets
Weather Resistance: IP64
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, no hub required
Certification: ETL certified
Voice Control: Alexa and Google Home
Color: Black
The EP40 is built for damp, dusty spots, and that is exactly what a garage or utility room can be. IP64 weather resistance covers splashes and dust, and the two sockets let a washer and a dryer share one smart unit. ETL certification and Alexa/Google Home support round out a plug that is sturdier than the budget picks. The black housing signals its outdoor role.
It suits buyers whose washing machine sits in a garage, basement, or covered utility area rather than a dry indoor laundry room. The caution is size and price: the weatherproof body is bulkier than a mini plug and costs more, so a machine in a dry indoor closet gains nothing from the extra sealing.
Kasa Outdoor Smart Plug EP40 — check price on Amazon
Trade-off: The weatherproof two-socket build is larger and pricier than an indoor mini plug, which is money wasted in a dry laundry closet.
Before You Buy
- Amperage: Match the plug’s rating to the circuit; 15A units are the common standard for household appliance outlets.
- Wi-Fi band: Every pick here runs on 2.4GHz only, so the router must broadcast that band where the machine sits.
- Socket count: A washer alone needs one socket; a washer and dryer pair needs two, which rules out the single-plug picks.
- Location: A damp garage or utility room calls for the IP64-rated unit; a dry indoor closet does not.
- Installation type: Plug-in adapters suit renters, while the wall-mounted socket suits owners willing to replace an outlet.
- Hub requirement: None of these need a hub, but each brand’s app must be installed and the plug paired before scheduling works.
- Certification: ETL or FCC listing is worth checking on any plug that will run unattended.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Can a smart socket handle a washing machine’s power draw?
A 15A-rated plug matches a standard household appliance circuit, which is why the amperage rating is the first thing to check before buying. -
Does a smart plug need a hub to schedule a wash cycle?
No. Every pick in this list connects straight to 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and runs through its own app without a separate hub. -
Will a smart socket work if the Wi-Fi drops?
Scheduling stored on the plug generally keeps running, but remote app control and voice commands need the network back. -
Is an outdoor-rated plug necessary for a garage laundry setup?
In a damp or dusty garage, the IP64 rating on the Kasa EP40 is the safer choice; a dry indoor closet does not need it. -
Can one smart plug run both a washer and a dryer?
Only a two-socket unit like the Kasa EP40 can, and only if both appliances are within its rated capacity. -
What happens to a cycle if the plug is switched off mid-wash?
The machine loses power immediately, so scheduling should be set to finish after the cycle ends rather than cutting it short.
Bottom Line
For most households, the Kasa Smart Plug Ultra Mini 15A is the best smart socket for a washing machine cycle: it fits behind the machine, carries a 15A rating, and needs no hub. Buyers with a washer and dryer pair in a damp garage should step up to the Kasa Outdoor Smart Plug EP40 instead.
