Kasa Apple HomeKit Outdoor Smart Plug, EP40A, 2 Sockets, No Hub Required

Why it's worth it

The Kasa EP40A gives you two independently controlled outdoor outlets in one weather-sealed housing, each rated to 15A. It's IP64-sealed against dust and splashes from any direction, and it works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri without a hub.

Two outlets that run separate schedules is the feature that matters most for holiday lights. Your roofline probably wants to come on at dusk and shut off at midnight. The inflatable in the yard probably shouldn't run that long. With the EP40A, that's two schedules on one plug, in one app, from one outdoor receptacle. Everything else here either gives you one outlet or ties both outlets to the same timer.

The IP64 rating is the other reason this one wins. IP64 means dust-tight and protected against water splashed from any direction, so the EP40A can live somewhere rain, sprinklers, and morning dew actually reach it. Reviewers at CNET have drawn the line in exactly that place — IP44 is fine under a covered porch, but IP64 or better is what you want anywhere exposed. Most of a holiday display is exposed.

From our review of 8 outdoor smart plugs for christmas lights

What we like

• +Two outlets that run separate schedules is the feature that matters most for holiday lights
• +The IP64 rating is the other reason this one wins
• +TP-Link rates the plug's Wi-Fi for up to 300 feet of range, which is the spec that quietly decides whether your yard schedule…
• +Energy monitoring is built in, showing live wattage and cumulative kWh in the Kasa app

What to know

• –Setup can be genuinely rough
• –The plug body sits at a 90-degree angle, and that shape fights with recessed in-use weatherproof outlet boxes