Eightree vs Antela vs Shelly vs SwitchBot vs Tapo: Smart Plug Showdown

Smart plugs5 products

Quick verdict

The 'Will It Stay Connected' Stakes

For pure reliability and local control, go for the Shelly Plug M Gen3. If you want the simplest setup for beginners, the Tapo P115 is the clear winner that won't clutter your power strip.

Side by side

FeaturePhoto of Eightree WLAN SteckdoseEightree WLAN SteckdosePhoto of Antela WLAN Smart SteckdoseAntela WLAN Smart SteckdosePhoto of Shelly Plug M Gen3Shelly Plug M Gen3Photo of SwitchBot Plug MiniSwitchBot Plug MiniPhoto of Tapo P115Tapo P115
Price€29.93€29.91€19.90€19.80€14.90
Max CurrentMost support 16A, but check your load if you're pushing heavy appliances.16A (winner)16A13A16A16A
CompactnessEightree wins the tight squeeze contest for crowded power strips.4.4 x 4.4 cm (winner)5.5 x 5.5 x 8.2 cm4.6 x 4.6 cm5.3 x 5.3 x 8.6 cm4.9 x 4.9 x 6.0 cm
ConnectivityShelly offers the most robust protocol support for future-proofing.WLAN 2.4GHzWLAN 2.4GHzWLAN, Bluetooth, Matter (winner)WLAN, Bluetooth, MatterWLAN 2.4GHz

Product by product

Eightree WLAN Steckdose

Budget-conscious multi-pack buyers

A functional, no-frills option that gets the job done. It is compact, but don't expect to install custom firmware.

What We Liked 👍

  • Extremely compact form factor
  • Solid energy monitoring stats

What Could Be Better 👎

  • No Tasmota support
  • Basic build quality

Antela WLAN Smart Steckdose

Basic Smart Life app users

A standard Wi-Fi plug that works well if you are already in the Tuya ecosystem. It is reliable but takes up more space than competitors.

What We Liked 👍

  • Simple Smart Life integration
  • Reliable scheduling features

What Could Be Better 👎

  • Bulky physical design
  • Basic plastic construction

Shelly Plug M Gen3Our pick

Serious smart home power users

The gold standard for those who want local control and advanced automation. Its Matter support is a welcome addition to a tech-heavy home.

What We Liked 👍

  • Excellent local control options
  • Future-proof Matter support

What Could Be Better 👎

  • Lower 13A capacity
  • Requires some technical setup

SwitchBot Plug Mini

Apple Home and Matter fans

Great if you need Matter support to bridge different platforms. It's a bit pricey for a single plug but feels premium.

What We Liked 👍

  • Easy Matter integration
  • Solid Bluetooth backup connectivity

What Could Be Better 👎

  • Higher cost per unit
  • App dependency for energy stats

Tapo P115Best value

Reliability seekers

Tapo consistently delivers the most stable Wi-Fi experience in this class. It is small, fast, and the app actually works well.

What We Liked 👍

  • Excellent app stability
  • Compact and non-obstructive

What Could Be Better 👎

  • Tapo ecosystem lock-in

Marketing Fluff vs Reality

Every single one of these plugs promises to change your life by turning your toaster on remotely. The reality? You will use the app once, set a schedule, and then forget the app exists until your Wi-Fi drops and the plug goes offline. The spec sheets scream 16A, but pay attention to the build; some of these feel like they'll melt if you actually pull that much power.

When it comes to connectivity, Shelly and SwitchBot are playing 4D chess with Matter, while the others are happy to just exist on your 2.4GHz network. If your router is already struggling, adding four 'budget' plugs will only make your network heartbeat skip.

What Actually Matters

If you want the best integration and 'nerd cred,' buy the Shelly Plug M Gen3. It is engineered for people who want their home to respond to logic, not just a timer. If you want something that just works without a PhD, grab the Tapo P115. It's compact enough to not block your entire wall and the app is significantly less painful than the generic Tuya-based alternatives.

Choose Your Fighter

Buy the Shelly Plug M Gen3 if you care about local reliability and advanced triggers. It is the only one here that feels like it was built for the long haul.

Grab the Tapo P115 if you just want a reliable plug that fits in your wall and plays nice with Alexa. For the bulk bargain hunters, the Eightree 4-pack is adequate, provided you aren't trying to run a heavy-duty workshop off them.

Prices on amazon.de as of October 26, 2026. Prices may change.

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  • Smart Home
  • Energy Monitoring
  • Wi-Fi
  • Automation