Shopping for the best smart outlets for Google Home means choosing between simple plug-in control, a hub-dependent Z-Wave connection, and permanent in-wall hardware. Your existing equipment and willingness to replace a receptacle should make that decision much easier.
Pros
- No hub required
- Remote on/off control through My Leviton
- Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri support
- Matter and SmartThings compatibility
Cons
- Requires 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi
- Limited to 120V outlets
Pros
- Four smart outlets in a compact 2-in-1 design
- Independent control for each socket
- WiFi and Bluetooth app control
- Works with Alexa and Google Assistant
Cons
- Does not support 5G WiFi
- Requires a Govee Home App account
Pros
- 800 Series chip with S2 security
- Built-in repeater extends Z-Wave coverage
- 15A grounded outlet for small appliances
- Scheduling and scene automation support
Cons
- Requires a compatible Z-Wave hub
- Cannot connect directly with Echo Plus
Pros
- Two independently controlled outlets
- Works with Alexa and Google Assistant
- No hub required
- UL and cUL certified
Cons
- Requires in-wall installation
- 2.4GHz Wi-Fi only
Pros
- No hub required
- Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri support
- Sunrise and sunset scheduling
- Vacation randomization and auto-shutoff
Cons
- Requires Wi-Fi and the My Leviton app
- Wireless companion switch sold separately
Pros
- WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity
- Alexa and Google Assistant support
- Group control and multiple timers
- ETL and FCC certified
Cons
- Does not support 5G WiFi
- Govee Home App account required
Start With the Connection You Already Use
Wi-Fi models are the most direct option if you want a plug that connects through an app and responds to Google Assistant without adding a separate hub. The Leviton and Govee choices use app-based control, while the Govee models also use Bluetooth during wireless control. Govee notes that its plugs do not support 5G Wi-Fi, so your network must provide a compatible 2.4 GHz connection.
The Minoston Smart Plug, Mini Plug-in Z-Wave 800 is a different proposition. It requires a Z-Wave hub for setup and Google Assistant control, but it adds a built-in repeater and supports SmartStart and S2 authenticated security. That makes it more suitable for a home already organized around Z-Wave equipment than for someone seeking the fewest setup steps.
Pro Tip: Check your router before ordering a Wi-Fi plug. A model that requires 2.4 GHz service will not connect through a 5G Wi-Fi network.
For broader automation ideas, see our coverage of Z-Wave smoke detectors and other connected safety equipment before deciding whether a hub belongs in your setup.
Plug-In Flexibility Versus In-Wall Control
Plug-in products are useful when you rent, move furniture often, or want to automate a lamp without electrical work. The Leviton Decora Smart Plug, Wi-Fi 2nd Gen adds scheduling, sunrise and sunset routines, and compatibility with Google Assistant, Alexa, Apple Home, SmartThings, and Sonos.
An in-wall outlet creates a cleaner appearance, but installation is a more involved project than inserting a plug. The ELEGRP Smart in-Wall Outlet has two independently controlled sockets, tamper resistance, and UL and cUL certification. It fits standard U.S. wall boxes, but you should confirm the electrical box and wiring situation before replacing a receptacle.
Before You Mount It: Never open or replace a wall receptacle unless the circuit is safely shut off and the work is appropriate for your electrical experience. A plug-in model avoids that installation risk.
| Device type | Key distinction | Best placement |
|---|---|---|
| Plug-in Wi-Fi | No hub required | Lamps and appliances |
| Plug-in Z-Wave | Hub required | Existing Z-Wave homes |
| In-wall outlet | Permanent installation | Clean wall control |
The Smart Plugs & Outlets category can help you keep plug-in and receptacle options organized as you plan room by room. Also check whether the outlet location leaves enough space for the connected appliance and any neighboring plug.
Match Outlet Capacity to the Appliance
These products are intended for lamps, electronics, and small appliances, but their listed load details are not identical in presentation. Leviton lists 15A general use, 5A LED/CFL, 1500W incandescent or halogen, and motor loads up to 3/4 horsepower. Minoston lists a 15A, 125 VAC grounded receptacle, while the Govee single-plug pack lists 15A and 120V.
Use scheduling for lamps, fans, and other suitable loads rather than assuming every connected device belongs on a smart outlet. The Leviton Decora Smart Outlet, 15A, Wi-Fi 2nd Gen adds auto-shutoff and vacation randomization, which can be useful when those routines matter more than a compact plug-in format.
Expert Examined
From Ray Okafor
I keep smart outlets away from appliances whose controls behave unpredictably after power returns. The mistake I see is choosing a plug for convenience without checking the appliance’s own operating instructions first.
Read more about Ray OkaforCertification is another useful filter, but it does not replace correct installation or load matching. The Govee products are listed as ETL certified, the ELEGRP outlet is UL and cUL certified, and the Minoston device is FCC and ETL listed. UL Solutions explains the role of safety certification in electrical products, but you still need to follow the product instructions.
Which Outlet Fits Your Home
I would point renters and anyone automating one or two lamps to the Leviton Decora Smart Plug, Wi-Fi 2nd Gen, using its actual product link here: Leviton Decora Smart Plug, Wi-Fi 2nd Gen. It needs no hub, supports Google Assistant, and offers schedules plus sunrise and sunset control through My Leviton.
For several devices sharing one outlet, I would choose the Govee Dual Smart Plug 4 Pack. Its two independently controlled sockets occupy one normal vertical outlet position, expanding a two-socket fixture into four smart outlets across the device’s design. It is a practical choice for grouped lamps or electronics when 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi is available.
I would reserve the Minoston Smart Plug, Mini Plug-in Z-Wave 800 for a home that already has a compatible Z-Wave hub. Its repeater, longer-range support when the hub supports Long Range, schedules, and Google Assistant compatibility through that hub make more sense there than in a hub-free setup.
The Bottom Line
The most common mistake is buying a smart outlet based only on Google Assistant compatibility. Hub requirements, 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, in-wall installation, socket layout, and appliance load can matter just as much.
If you only do one thing first, identify the outlet location and the device it will control. Then choose a no-hub plug, a Z-Wave model for an existing hub, or an in-wall receptacle only when its installation and load requirements fit.
FAQs
The listed Leviton, Govee, ELEGRP, and Minoston products support Google Assistant in the ways described by their specifications. Minoston requires a compatible Z-Wave hub, while the Wi-Fi models use their companion apps and compatible network connections. Choose Wi-Fi when you want no separate hub and your network supports the required connection. Choose Z-Wave when you already use a compatible hub and want its repeater, scheduling, and Z-Wave automation features. An in-wall outlet requires electrical work and must fit the wall box and wiring safely. Shut off the circuit before any work, and use a qualified electrician when you are not comfortable identifying or handling the wiring. ETL and UL marks indicate evaluation or listing under applicable safety requirements by recognized certification organizations. They do not mean every appliance is suitable for the outlet, so follow the product’s load limits and instructions.Do smart outlets work with Google Home?
Should I choose a Wi-Fi or Z-Wave smart outlet?
Can I install an in-wall smart outlet myself?
What does ETL or UL certification mean?
Sources
- UL Solutions electrical product safety information. www.ul.com
- US Consumer Product Safety Commission. www.cpsc.gov
- NFPA electrical safety resources. www.nfpa.org