For energy monitoring
The Best Smart Plugs for Energy Monitoring (2027)
The best energy-monitoring smart plugs for 2027: find vampire loads, cost appliances, and build done-alerts.
The short answer
The Emporia Energy Monitoring Plug is the best metering plug for 2027. The Kasa EP25 is the best mainstream alternative.
Our top picks at a glance
- Emporia Energy Monitoring Smart PlugThe plug for energy nerds: detailed consumption graphs and Emporia Vue pairing.Best data depth
- TP-Link Kasa EP25Kasa reliability with per-plug energy monitoring and Matter-era polish.Best mainstream meter
- SONOFF S31The tinkerers metering plug: overload protection and a huge automation community.Best budget meter
- TP-Link Tapo P110M MatterMatter plus energy monitoring in TP-Link value Tapo line.Best Matter plug
- SwitchBot Plug MiniA Matter-ready mini plug with energy stats, from the retrofit automation brand.Best mini with metering
- Eve Energy (Matter) 2-PackMatter over Thread metering plug with local-only data and an honest 15A relay.Best privacy-first meter
What owners report
Synthesized from recurring themes in long-term owner feedback.
Most praised
- Watching real watts, amps and cost estimates turns standby hunting into a quick evening project
- Plugs that remember state and keep metering after an outage give a trustworthy picture over time
Common complaints
- How much energy history an owner can actually see depends heavily on which platform app they open
- Some metering plugs are bulky enough to block neighboring outlets on a strip
The picks, ranked
Every product in this lineup was picked for this use case, ranked with our strongest choices first. If a product from the wider category does not genuinely fit this scenario, it is not listed here.
| # | Product | Award | Load rating | Energy monitoring | Protocol | Input | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emporia Energy Monitoring Smart Plug | Best data depth | 15A / 1800W resistive, 1 HP motor | Yes, detailed real-time metering | Wi-Fi 2.4GHz | 120V | Single outlet, metering body |
| 2 | TP-Link Kasa EP25 | Best mainstream meter | 15A / 1800W resistive max | Yes, real-time and history | Wi-Fi 2.4GHz | 120V, North American plug | Single outlet, side profile |
| 3 | SONOFF S31 | Best budget meter | 15A / 1800W max | Yes (S31; S31 Lite: No) | Wi-Fi 2.4GHz | 120V | Single outlet, compact |
| 4 | TP-Link Tapo P110M Matter | Best Matter plug | 15A / 1800W resistive max (US model) | Yes | Matter over Wi-Fi 2.4GHz | 120V | Mini single outlet |
| 5 | SwitchBot Plug Mini | Best mini with metering | 15A / 1800W max | Yes | Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Bluetooth; Matter via hub | 120V | Mini single outlet |
| 6 | Eve Energy (Matter) 2-Pack | Best privacy-first meter | 15A / 1800W max, 120V | Yes, Eve app and SmartThings | Matter over Thread | - | - |
Best data depth
Emporia Energy Monitoring Smart Plug
The plug for energy nerds: detailed consumption graphs and Emporia Vue pairing.
Second-level graphs and real electrical measurements make Emporia the analyst pick. Pair it with a Vue panel monitor and plug data joins whole-home context.
Strengths
- Granular energy graphs down to seconds in the Emporia app
- Pairs with Emporia Vue whole-home monitoring
- Plugs report voltage, amps, and watts, not estimates
- Solid 15A rating for appliance duty
Limitations
- App is data-first; simple automations are secondary
- No Matter or Thread
- Physically larger than mini plugs
| Load rating | 15A / 1800W resistive, 1 HP motor |
|---|---|
| Energy monitoring | Yes, detailed real-time metering |
| Protocol | Wi-Fi 2.4GHz |
| Input | 120V |
| Form | Single outlet, metering body |
Best for: Owners hunting vampire loads and appliance running costs.
Skip if: You only need on and off; cheaper plugs switch just as well.
Best mainstream meter
TP-Link Kasa EP25
Kasa reliability with per-plug energy monitoring and Matter-era polish.
The EP25 hides solid metering inside the friendliest app here. Most owners need weekly totals and live watts, and Kasa presents both without a spreadsheet mindset.
Strengths
- Energy monitoring with usage history in the Kasa app
- 15A resistive rating covers heaters and window AC units within rating
- Away mode and schedules run reliably
- Works with Alexa, Google, and SmartThings
Limitations
- Body covers part of the second outlet on some receptacles
- No Thread radio; Wi-Fi only
- HomeKit support is via Matter on newer revisions, check packaging
| Load rating | 15A / 1800W resistive max |
|---|---|
| Energy monitoring | Yes, real-time and history |
| Protocol | Wi-Fi 2.4GHz |
| Input | 120V, North American plug |
| Form | Single outlet, side profile |
Best for: Buyers who want energy data inside the dependable Kasa app.
Skip if: You need a compact plug that leaves the second outlet fully clear in tight strips.
Best budget meter
SONOFF S31
The tinkerers metering plug: overload protection and a huge automation community.
Accurate metering plus settable overload cutoffs at the lowest price. The S31 is the plug tinkerers buy in fours to instrument a home.
Strengths
- Accurate energy monitoring at a budget price
- Overload protection shuts off beyond set thresholds
- Works with Alexa, Google, and the eWeLink ecosystem
- Long community history means automations are well documented
Limitations
- eWeLink app polish trails Kasa and Tapo
- No Matter on the classic S31
- Check the Lite variant: it drops energy monitoring
| Load rating | 15A / 1800W max |
|---|---|
| Energy monitoring | Yes (S31; S31 Lite: No) |
| Protocol | Wi-Fi 2.4GHz |
| Input | 120V |
| Form | Single outlet, compact |
Best for: Home Assistant tinkerers and budget energy monitoring.
Skip if: You want a set-and-forget consumer app experience.
Best Matter plug
TP-Link Tapo P110M Matter
Matter plus energy monitoring in TP-Link value Tapo line.
Tapo brings metering to Matter homes: the P110M reports consumption with cost estimates in the Tapo app while answering in Apple, Google, Alexa, or SmartThings, and its mini body leaves the second socket open.
Strengths
- Matter over Wi-Fi works across Apple, Google, Alexa, SmartThings
- Energy monitoring with cost estimates in Tapo app
- Compact design leaves the second socket accessible
- Charge-guard and auto-off features protect batteries and heaters
Limitations
- Tapo and Kasa remain separate apps in many regions
- Matter setup can be finicky on mixed networks
- 15A rating is for resistive loads, derate motors
| Load rating | 15A / 1800W resistive max (US model) |
|---|---|
| Energy monitoring | Yes |
| Protocol | Matter over Wi-Fi 2.4GHz |
| Input | 120V |
| Form | Mini single outlet |
Best for: Matter builders who still want per-device energy data.
Skip if: You are deep in the Kasa app and do not want a second TP-Link app.
Best mini with metering
SwitchBot Plug Mini
A Matter-ready mini plug with energy stats, from the retrofit automation brand.
The Plug Mini tracks energy use in the SwitchBot app in a body small enough for tight strips, and its delayed-off timers suit the chargers and small loads that quietly sip standby power all day.
Strengths
- Energy consumption tracking in the SwitchBot app
- Matter support via SwitchBot Hub on current setups
- Delayed-off and countdown timers for chargers
- Compact mini footprint
Limitations
- Some advanced features need a SwitchBot Hub
- 15A rating; check motor loads carefully
- App experience is best inside the SwitchBot family
| Load rating | 15A / 1800W max |
|---|---|
| Energy monitoring | Yes |
| Protocol | Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Bluetooth; Matter via hub |
| Input | 120V |
| Form | Mini single outlet |
Best for: SwitchBot households extending Bot and curtain automations to outlets.
Skip if: You want the absolute cheapest plug; SwitchBot charges for ecosystem extras.
Best privacy-first meter
Eve Energy (Matter) 2-Pack
Matter over Thread metering plug with local-only data and an honest 15A relay.
Eve meters consumption while keeping the data local over Thread, with no cloud account in the loop. SmartThings and the Eve app expose the numbers, and the 15A relay means the plug measuring your heater can also switch it.
Strengths
- Energy consumption tracking in the Eve app and SmartThings Energy
- Matter over Thread works across Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home, and SmartThings
- 15A / 1800W North American rating with UL and cULus listing
- Local communication with no Eve account and no cloud tracking
Limitations
- Requires a Thread border router and a Matter controller hub to join at all
- Energy detail exposure varies by platform; full history lives in the Eve app
- This listing is a two-pack only, with no single-plug option
| Load rating | 15A / 1800W max, 120V |
|---|---|
| Energy monitoring | Yes, Eve app and SmartThings |
| Protocol | Matter over Thread |
| Model | 20EBU4101 (US) |
| Dimensions | 2.36 x 2.76 x 1.52 in |
| Certification | UL / cULus listed |
Sources: Amazon, Desertcart, CamelCamelCamel, Eve Systems
Best for: Privacy-first Apple and SmartThings homes that want metering without a cloud account.
Skip if: You have no Thread border router in the home; this plug speaks Thread, not Wi-Fi.
Questions, answered
What is a vampire load?
Power a device draws while nominally off: TVs, game consoles, and chargers are classic offenders. A metering plug finds them in a day of logging.
Can a plug tell me when laundry is done?
Yes. Watch the washer wattage fall to near zero for a set period, then trigger an alert. Kasa, Emporia, and Home Assistant setups all support this pattern.
How accurate are plug meters?
Good plugs like Emporia and SONOFF land within a few percent of a reference meter, plenty for cost decisions. Treat single-decimal app totals as estimates, not billing data.
Do I need metering on every plug?
No. Meter the suspects: heaters, freezers, entertainment centers, and office gear. Lamp plugs can be cheap switchers like Wyze or Gosund.