If you're looking to add smart control to ordinary appliances without spending a fortune, the Meross MSS210 smart plug is one of the most compelling options available in the UK right now. Priced at around £8.99 per plug — and often cheaper when bought in multipacks — it punches well above its weight in terms of features and platform compatibility.
What Is the Meross MSS210?
The MSS210 is a UK-standard 13A smart plug that connects directly to your home's 2.4GHz WiFi network. No hub required — just plug it in, open the Meross app, and it's online within a couple of minutes. Meross positions this as an entry-level smart plug, but the feature set rivals devices costing two or three times as much.
The compact design is one of its strongest practical selling points: the plug sits flush enough against the wall socket that the second outlet on a double socket remains accessible. That's not always a given with budget smart plugs, where bulky designs can monopolise an entire double socket.
Setup and App Experience
Setup follows the familiar WiFi provisioning pattern — download the Meross app (available on iOS and Android), create an account, and follow the in-app pairing process. The process typically takes under three minutes on a stable 2.4GHz network. There is no subscription required for any core functionality, which is increasingly rare as smart home brands look for recurring revenue.
Within the app you can set schedules, create countdown timers, and group multiple plugs together for simultaneous control. The scheduling interface is straightforward, allowing you to automate things like a fan coming on in the afternoon or a lamp switching off at midnight without needing a separate automation platform.
Energy Monitoring
One of the standout features of the MSS210 is built-in energy monitoring. The plug tracks power consumption in real time, showing wattage draw and accumulating kWh data over time. This is genuinely useful for understanding which appliances are costing you money — something that matters more than ever given UK energy prices.
You can use the energy data to identify devices left on standby or to work out whether an old appliance is worth replacing with a more efficient model. It won't replace a whole-home energy monitor, but for individual circuits it's a practical tool that you'd normally only find on more expensive plugs.
Voice Assistant and Smart Home Compatibility
The MSS210 works with all four of the major smart home platforms: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, and Samsung SmartThings. HomeKit support in particular is notable at this price point — many budget plugs skip it entirely because the certification process is costly. With HomeKit you get Siri voice control and access to Apple's Home app, including automations and remote access via a HomePod or Apple TV as a home hub.
For those building a broader smart home setup, the Meross plug integrates well alongside other devices. Our guide to the best smart plugs in the UK covers how the MSS210 stacks up against other options at various price points, while our best smart bulbs UK guide is worth reading if you're equipping a whole room.
Build Quality and Safety
The MSS210 carries the required CE and UKCA markings for the UK market and is rated at 13A / 2990W — sufficient for most household appliances including kettles and heaters, though you should always check the wattage of any high-draw appliance before using a smart plug with it. The plug feels solid in hand; the physical button on the front is satisfying to press and doubles as a manual override if the WiFi drops.
One minor caveat: like most budget WiFi plugs, it only supports 2.4GHz — not 5GHz. That's standard for IoT devices and shouldn't cause problems in most homes, but if your router's 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands share the same SSID you may need to temporarily separate them during setup.
How Does It Compare to the Competition?
The Meross MSS210 sits in a competitive bracket alongside plugs from TP-Link Kasa and Amazon's own smart plug range. TP-Link Kasa plugs are well-regarded — see our TP-Link Kasa review for a sense of that ecosystem — but they lack Apple HomeKit support, which is a meaningful difference if you're invested in the Apple ecosystem.
Amazon's own plug is often cheaper but locks you into Alexa. The Meross MSS210 wins on platform breadth: four ecosystems for under £9 is difficult to beat.
Verdict
The Meross MSS210 is an easy recommendation for UK buyers who want a capable, no-fuss smart plug without paying a premium. Energy monitoring, HomeKit support, no hub, no subscription, and a compact design that doesn't hog the socket — at this price, it's hard to fault. Multipacks bring the per-unit cost down further, making it a cost-effective way to smarten up multiple rooms at once.
Buy if: you want HomeKit support on a budget, or you want energy monitoring to keep an eye on consumption.
Skip if: you need a 5GHz connection, or you want local-only control without any cloud dependency.
Related: best smart plugs UK, Shelly Plug S review UK, and smart home energy saving tips.
