Smart plugs with energy monitoring are one of the fastest ways to see what’s wasting power in your home.
They measure watts and kWh, let you schedule devices, and feed data to apps or home hubs.
Pick a plug that matches your smart-home standard, safety needs, and the accuracy you want.
Below are top picks, comparisons, and practical advice to help you choose.
Why energy-monitoring plugs matter
Energy-monitoring plugs show real-time power and historical use.
That data identifies phantom loads, helps tune schedules, and can reveal inefficient appliances.
Some plugs report to cloud services; others keep data locally or expose it to Matter/Thread ecosystems. (kasasmart.com)
Top smart plugs with energy monitoring (shortlist)
- TP-Link Kasa KP115 — Wi-Fi plug with per-device energy readouts, schedules, and broad voice/hub support. (kasasmart.com)
- Shelly Plug S (Gen3 / MTR) — Compact Wi-Fi/Matter-capable plug with high wattage rating and local APIs for advanced users. (Shelly Europe)
- Meross Smart Plug (energy-monitoring model) — Affordable Wi-Fi plug with energy tracking and HomeKit/assistant compatibility in many regions. (Meross)
- Aeotec Smart Switch 7 — Z-Wave smart switch with high-accuracy metering aimed at Z-Wave systems and home controllers. (Aeotec)
- Eve Energy — Focused on Matter/Thread and Apple ecosystem users; emphasizes privacy and local control. (Eve)
- Wemo Insight (legacy) — Longstanding energy-monitoring plug. Note: Belkin/Wemo has announced discontinuations affecting some older devices. (Belkin US)
Comparison table: features at a glance
| Model | Protocol | Energy Monitoring | Hub Required | Max Load (typical) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TP-Link Kasa KP115 | Wi-Fi | Yes | No | ~15 A / 1800 W | Works with Alexa/Google/SmartThings. (kasasmart.com) |
| Shelly Plug S MTR Gen3 | Wi-Fi / Matter | Yes | No (Matter optional) | 12 A / up to 2500 W | Small footprint; Matter support advertised. (Shelly Europe) |
| Meross Smart Plug (energy) | Wi-Fi | Yes | No | 13–16 A variants | Budget-friendly; HomeKit options exist. (Meross) |
| Aeotec Smart Switch 7 | Z-Wave | Yes (99% accuracy claim) | Z-Wave hub | 15 A / 1800 W | High-accuracy metering for Z-Wave ecosystems. (Aeotec) |
| Eve Energy | Thread/Matter | Yes (Matter energy reporting) | Thread border router for some features | Varies by region | Best where Thread/Matter local control matters. (Eve) |
| Wemo Insight | Wi-Fi | Yes | No | ~15 A | Legacy product; check support status before buying. (Belkin US) |
Accuracy and protocols: what to watch for
Not all plugs measure power the same way.
Z-Wave mains devices like Aeotec often advertise high accuracy percentages. (Aeotec)
Wi-Fi plugs can be accurate enough for household decisions, but expect variance between brands. (kasasmart.com)
If you need billing-grade precision, choose a device with an explicit accuracy spec or use a dedicated submeter.
Matter, Thread, and interoperability
Matter is changing how plugs integrate across ecosystems.
Some vendors (Shelly, Eve) supply Matter-capable plugs that let you manage energy data in any Matter-supporting hub. (Shelly Europe)
If you want local control and cross-brand automations, prefer a Matter-capable plug or one with a reliable local API. (The Verge)
Installation and safety tips
- Check the plug’s max continuous current rating before connecting heaters or heavy appliances. Some plugs support up to 15 A, others more. (kb.shelly.cloud)
- Prefer plugs with UL/ETL certification in North America or equivalent regional safety marks.
- For high-draw devices (space heaters, ovens), use a hardwired smart relay or whole-home energy monitor instead of a consumer plug.
- If you value privacy, pick devices that offer local mode or Matter/Thread local control rather than cloud-only solutions. (The Verge)
How to use energy data effectively
- Run a 24–72 hour baseline to see typical standby and active loads.
- Sort devices by total kWh, not just peak watts, to find long-term offenders.
- Combine smart plugs with schedules and presence detection to eliminate phantom loads automatically.
- Use cost-per-kWh settings in the app to translate kWh into dollars. That makes savings obvious.
Best picks by use case
- Best for Matter/home hub users: Eve Energy or Shelly Plug S (Matter models). They play nicely in cross-vendor setups and favor local control. (Eve)
- Best budget option: Meross energy-monitoring plugs. Affordable and feature-rich for basic tracking. (Meross)
- Best for accuracy/advanced hubs: Aeotec Smart Switch 7 for Z-Wave controllers that need precise metering. (Aeotec)
- Best legacy choice if you already own one: Wemo Insight — but verify ongoing support for your model before depending on cloud features. (Tom’s Guide)
Quick checklist before you buy
- Does it meet your country’s electrical standards?
- Is the maximum load enough for the device you plan to monitor?
- Do you need Matter/Thread or will Wi-Fi suffice?
- Will you rely on cloud services, or do you prefer local control?
- Does the vendor provide exportable data or integrations with Home Assistant, SmartThings, or your energy dashboard? (Shelly Europe)
Final notes (actionable)
Smart plugs save money when used with intention.
Start by monitoring the highest-usage devices for a week.
Then add schedules and automations to cut waste.