Smart Power Strips: Individual Outlet Control for Entertainment Centers
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Behind every entertainment center is a tangle of power cables feeding devices you rarely use simultaneously. The TV, sound bar, gaming console, streaming stick, and receiver all draw standby power 24/7 even when turned off. A smart power strip lets you control each outlet independently, so you can cut standby power to everything except the router and streaming stick, then power up the full system with a single scene command.
Why Smart Power Strips Beat Individual Smart Plugs
You could put a smart plug on each device, but a 6-outlet smart power strip costs $35 versus $60 for six individual smart plugs. It uses one WiFi connection instead of six (reducing network strain), takes up less space, and includes surge protection that individual plugs lack. For any location where 3+ devices share a power source, a smart power strip is the right tool.
TP-Link Kasa KP303: 3 individually controlled outlets + 2 always-on, WiFi, energy monitoring per outlet, $30
Meross MSS425F: 4 individually controlled outlets + 4 USB ports, WiFi, surge protection, $28
Eve Energy Strip: 3 individually controlled outlets, Thread/HomeKit, local processing, $100
Zooz ZEN20: 5 individually controlled outlets, Z-Wave, Home Assistant compatible, $45
Best Use Cases
Sense Energy Monitor (Standard)
Whole-home electricity tracking, ML-based device disaggregation, Alexa-ready, the standard smart energy monitor up to 200A.
See on Amazon →Entertainment center: TV on outlet 1, sound bar on outlet 2, gaming console on outlet 3. Create a "TV Time" scene that powers on outlets 1-2 and a "Gaming" scene that powers on outlets 1-3. Create an "All Off" automation for bedtime that kills all three outlets, eliminating $5-10/month in standby power draw.
Home office desk: Monitor on outlet 1, desk lamp on outlet 2, charger on outlet 3. Power everything on when motion is detected at the desk and off after 30 minutes of no motion. The energy monitoring shows exactly how much your work setup costs to run daily.
Workshop/garage: Different tools on different outlets, all protected by the built-in surge protector. Schedule all outlets off at midnight to prevent any tool from running unattended overnight.
Smart power strips are unsexy and rarely mentioned in smart home guides, but they are one of the most practical automation tools available. They reduce standby power waste, simplify multi-device control, and cost less than individual plugs. Put one behind your entertainment center this week and you will wonder why you did not do it years ago.
⚡Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Smart home installations may involve electrical wiring and must comply with local building codes. Electrical work should only be performed by a licensed electrician.
Published by the SmartHome Automate editorial team. Published July 5, 2026.
Editorial responsibility: see Imprint.
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