Which smart power strip is best? You may not be aware of it, but all the devices you have plugged in around your home draw power as long as they’re connected to it— even if they’re turned off. This effect goes by a few names, such as “phantom draw” or “vampire power,” but the effect is the same — your energy bill is higher than it should be. Smart power strips detect when a device is off and cut its power so you use only the electricity you need. What to know before you buy a smart power strip Power monitoring method Smart power strips use various methods to control the flow of energy. Timer strips are programable to trigger at certain times, such as triggering a lamp at a certain time of night. Mastered strips have a main outlet that triggers the other strips to match whether it’s off or on. Motion strips turn off and on based on motion in the room. Remote strips use apps on your phone to be switched off and on. Voice strips use compatible smart assistants such as Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa to be controlled by, well, voice. Power strip vs.