Electric bills rarely feel negotiable, but the devices that drive them often run on standby power or outdated schedules most people never notice. Energy-monitoring smart plugs and whole-home meters have become accessible enough that renters and homeowners alike can now see exactly what their appliances draw, set timers to kill phantom loads, and decide what deserves an upgrade.
How we choose
This article highlights eight useful products that span plug-level convenience to panel-level precision: Wi-Fi and Thread smart plugs from Kasa, Tapo, Eve, meross, and Aqara; outlet bundles from Emporia; and whole-home monitors from Emporia and Refoss. Each serves a different living situation, technical comfort level, and budget.
Our 8 Picks
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Kasa SmartPlug Mini 15A, EP25P2, Apple HomeKit Supported | Smart Outlet Works with Siri, Alexa & Google Home, UL Certified, App Control, Scheduling, Timer, 2.4GHz WiFi, No Hub Required
What it is
A Wi-Fi smart plug with energy monitoring, Apple HomeKit support, and a 15-amp max load.
Why it's worth it
Because it works with Apple HomeKit as well as Alexa and Google, it is a good fit for households where Siri is the main assistant but family members use different platforms. The Kasa app displays real-time and historical consumption for whatever is plugged in, and the 15A rating covers most household plug-in appliances. This is a straightforward way to put standby devices on a schedule without adding a separate hub.
Caveat
Needs a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network; it will not connect to 5GHz-only routers.
Tapo Smart Plug, Matter Compatible, Energy Monitoring, P110M(2-Pack), 15A | Works with Alexa, Google Home & Samsung SmartThings, Energy Monitoring, UL Certified, 2.4G Wi-Fi Only
What it is
A two-pack of Matter-certified Wi-Fi smart plugs with energy monitoring and a 15A rating.
Why it's worth it
With Matter certification, this two-pack is well suited to a household that mixes Alexa, Google, SmartThings, and future Matter-compatible systems. It tracks energy use per outlet, and the Tapo app can display bill estimates and usage summaries to help decide what to switch off. The 15A/1800W rating covers typical plug-in appliances up to that limit. The pack is a compact way to add two monitored outlets at once.
Caveat
Only works on 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, so a dual-band router must be set to allow it.
EMPORIA Energy Monitoring Smart Plug, WiFi Smart Outlet Plug Works with Alexa and Google Home - 15a WiFi Outlet with Timer, Mobile App, Home Energy Monitor, Scheduling - 2.4ghz WiFi Only (4 Pack)
What it is
A four-pack of Wi-Fi smart plugs that track real-time energy use and support scheduling through the Emporia app.
Why it's worth it
This four-pack is a good fit for households that want to cover several outlets at once without a large investment. Each plug shows watts and dollar usage in the Emporia app, so the standby cost of a TV, kettle, or older fridge is visible in one place. You can set schedules and timers for individual plugs, and voice control works with Alexa and Google Home.
Caveat
Requires 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, and each plug needs to be added through the Emporia app.
EMPORIA Vue 3 Home Energy Monitor + 1 Smart Plug Bundle - Whole Home Electricity Usage Tracking & Real-Time Control - Supports Solar Net Metering - Works with iOS, Android, Alexa
What it is
A bundle that pairs the Emporia Vue 3 whole-home energy monitor with one Wi-Fi smart plug for panel-level and outlet-level tracking.
Why it's worth it
This bundle is well suited to someone who wants whole-home data and one controllable plug before expanding. The Vue 3 installs in the electrical panel to track total usage, while the included smart plug adds outlet-level control for a single device. Because it supports solar net metering, it also works for households with panels who want to see generation and consumption together. It is a practical way to start measuring from both the panel and a single socket.
Caveat
The monitor has to be installed in your electrical panel, so you may want a licensed electrician.
Refoss Smart Home Energy Monitor with 16 60A Circuit Sensor, Local Control | Real-Time Power Usage Monitor with Native Open API, Home Assistant, Electricity Cost Tracking, Solar Metering, ETL Certified
What it is
A clamp-based whole-home energy monitor with 16 circuit-level CT sensors that tracks usage and cost from the electrical panel.
Why it's worth it
This monitor is a good fit for a household that wants circuit-level numbers rather than just a whole-house total. With 16 60A sensors, it can show what the tumble dryer, water heater, or second fridge draws individually, and the Refoss app tracks cost by circuit. The built-in local web UI, Open API, and Home Assistant support mean data can stay on your network if you prefer. It also handles solar metering, useful if the next step is timing heavy loads to cheaper solar hours.
Caveat
Installation is inside the electrical panel and is not a simple plug-and-play setup.
Eve Energy (Matter) 2-Pack - Smart Plug & Power Meter | app/voice control, automate lights/appliances, for Alexa/Apple/Google/SmartThings/Home Assistant, Thread Border Router required
What it is
A Matter-over-Thread smart plug and power meter in a two-pack that works across Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home, and SmartThings.
Why it's worth it
This two-pack is well suited to smart homes already built around Thread border routers such as HomePod mini or Apple TV 4K, because it uses Matter over Thread rather than Wi-Fi. Each Eve Energy unit works as a smart plug and power meter, and the app supports presence-based control or schedules for lights and appliances. Eve states there is no cloud, no registration, and no tracking, so it suits households cautious about data privacy. You can control it through Apple Home, Alexa, Google, or SmartThings.
Caveat
Requires a Thread border router from one of the supported ecosystems before it will pair.
meross Matter Smart Plug, Energy Monitoring, Standby Killer, FFS Easy Setup | App & Voice Control Wi-Fi Outlet Support HomeKit, Alexa, Google Home with Schedule Timer, 100% Privacy, 15A/1800W (4 Pack)
What it is
A four-pack of Matter Wi-Fi smart plugs with energy monitoring, app and voice control, and a 15A/1800W rating.
Why it's worth it
This four-pack gives a household several energy-monitoring outlets for one price, and the Matter support means each plug can be controlled through Apple Home, Alexa, Google, or SmartThings. The Meross app shows live and historical power consumption, and the brand calls the standby-cutting scheduling a Standby Killer. It also supports Amazon Echo Frustration Free Setup, which is convenient if you already use Echo devices. The 15A/1800W rating covers typical plug-in appliances up to that limit.
Caveat
Requires 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, and Matter control may need a compatible hub or phone version.
Aqara Zigbee Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring, Overload Protection | Scheduling and Voice Control, 15A Smart Outlet Compatible with Alexa Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit Compatible
What it is
A Zigbee smart plug with energy monitoring and overload protection that requires an Aqara Zigbee hub.
Why it's worth it
This plug is a good fit for households already using an Aqara Zigbee hub, since it adds energy monitoring and overload protection without needing its own Wi-Fi stack. It is rated for 15A, so it can be used with high-power appliances such as window air conditioners and space heaters, and the Aqara Home app supports schedules, timers, and scenes. Through the hub it can appear in Apple Home, Alexa, or Google Assistant setups. The energy monitoring reports consumption of the connected appliance to help decide what to automate.
Caveat
Needs an Aqara Zigbee hub, which is sold separately.
How to choose
How to choose the right energy-monitoring smart plugs and meters that actually cut a household bill
Takeaway
The right energy monitor depends less on finding a single superior device and more on matching granularity, ecosystem, and installation effort to your actual household. Start small with a plug or two to build awareness, or go straight to panel-level tracking if you are optimizing solar use or hunting down a large hidden load. Either path turns invisible waste into actionable numbers.
