In the context of digital intelligence, smart learning tools have become powerful assistant for college students in their English learning process. This study focuses on the application of smart learning tools in college students’ English learning and the factors affecting their English learning efficiency, which aims to explore the path of smart learning tools empowering college students to improve their English learning efficiency. After two semesters of empirical research and data analysis of non-English majors in the host university, this study found that the seamless access and personalized customization of smart learning tools not only enhanced the learners’ autonomous and collaborative learning ability, but also had a positive contribution to the improvement of the efficiency of English learning in university by virtue of its convenience and rich learning resources. However, the relatively weak self-control ability of college students, the need to improve teachers’ concepts and digital literacy and the lack of intelligent learning environment largely affect the efficiency of English learning. To address these issues, this study puts forward suggestions to help students use smart learning tools in a scientific and rational way from the perspectives of college students, teachers and smart learning environment in colleges to maximize the efficiency of English learning.