Last updated: September 2026
You cannot cut what you cannot see. That is the whole case for energy monitoring, and it is why the best smart plugs with energy monitoring are some of the most useful gadgets in a smart home. Plug a device in, and instead of guessing, you see exactly how many watts it pulls right now and how many kilowatt-hours it burns through over a month.
That data is how you catch the quiet money drains: the old fridge in the garage, the entertainment center that sips power all night, the space heater that costs more than you think (see what a space heater costs to run). Standby power alone can account for 5 to 10% of home electricity use, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Below are seven energy monitoring plugs worth buying in 2026, covering every budget and ecosystem, plus a quick guide to what actually matters when you choose one.
What Energy Monitoring Actually Tells You
A good energy monitor plug reports three things: real-time wattage (what the device is drawing this second), cumulative kilowatt-hours over time, and usually an estimated cost based on your rate. Put together, that is enough to find your “energy vampires,” the devices that draw standby power around the clock even when they look off. (New to these? Our guide to what a smart plug is covers the basics.)
Two honest points before you buy. First, accuracy: these are not billing-grade meters. The good ones land within about 3 to 5% of a dedicated meter, which is plenty to spot a high-draw appliance or compare two devices, but not exact to the penny.
Second, and this is the part most guides skip: where the energy data actually shows up varies a lot. “Works with Matter” or “works with Alexa” usually means on/off control, not a full energy dashboard. In practice, the detailed numbers often live only in the maker’s own app. TP-Link’s energy data appears in Kasa or Tapo (and in SmartThings once you link the account), but not in the Google Home, Alexa, or Apple Home dashboards. Emporia keeps its data in the Emporia app, with Alexa and Google limited to on/off. SONOFF exposes usage in its eWeLink app and the Alexa Energy Dashboard. Shelly shows a Power Meter in SmartThings but only on/off in Google. If energy data is the reason you are buying, favor the native app first and treat cross-platform support as a bonus.
Quick Recommendations
- Best overall: Kasa KP125M for Matter support and reliable data.
- Best value and accuracy: Tapo P110M for the closest readings at a low price.
- Best budget: SONOFF S31 for the cheapest real energy plug, with an Alexa dashboard.
- Best detailed data: Emporia Smart Plug for per-second graphs.
- Best for power users: Shelly Plug US Gen4 for local control and scripting.
- Best for Apple Home: Eve Energy for private, local energy tracking.
- Best for heavy appliances: Zooz ZEN15 for fridges, AC units, and pumps.
At-a-Glance Comparison
| Product | Connection | Energy data shows in | Approx. price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kasa KP125M | Matter (Wi-Fi) | Kasa app, SmartThings | ~$15 (2-pk) | Best overall |
| Tapo P110M | Matter (Wi-Fi) | Tapo app, SmartThings | ~$9 (4-pk) | Best value / accuracy |
| SONOFF S31 | Wi-Fi | eWeLink app, Alexa dashboard | ~$11 | Best budget |
| Emporia Smart Plug | Wi-Fi | Emporia app only | ~$9 (4-pk) | Most detailed data |
| Shelly Plug US Gen4 | Matter (Wi-Fi / Zigbee) | Shelly app, SmartThings | ~$25 | Power users / local control |
| Eve Energy | Matter over Thread | Apple Home, Eve app | ~$44 | Apple Home / premium |
| Zooz ZEN15 | Z-Wave (hub required) | SmartThings, Hubitat, Home Assistant | ~$49 | Heavy appliances |
Compatibility Matrix
Every “works with” claim below is about control. The energy data usually lives where the last column says, and only some of it reaches Apple Home, the Alexa Energy Dashboard, or SmartThings. Watch the load column too. Every cell was verified against manufacturer documentation and current listings.
| Product | Matter | Apple Home | Alexa | Google Home | Energy data in | Max load |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kasa KP125M | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Kasa app, SmartThings | 15A / 1800W |
| Tapo P110M | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Tapo app, SmartThings | 15A |
| SONOFF S31 | No | No | Yes (Energy Dashboard) | Yes (control) | eWeLink app, Alexa Dashboard | 15A |
| Emporia Smart Plug | No | No | Yes (control) | Yes (control) | Emporia app only | 10A continuous / 15A peak |
| Shelly Plug US Gen4 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Shelly app, SmartThings | 15A / 1800W |
| Eve Energy | Yes (Thread) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Apple Home, Eve app | 15A |
| Zooz ZEN15 800LR | No (Z-Wave) | No | Via hub | Via hub | SmartThings, Hubitat, Home Assistant | 15A / 1800W, high inrush |
Quick read: if you want energy numbers inside a specific app, match the plug to the “Energy data in” column rather than trusting the Matter or Google Home logo. For heavy appliances, the Zooz ZEN15 is the one built for high inrush, while the Emporia caps at 10A continuous.
The Best Smart Plugs with Energy Monitoring
TP-Link Kasa KP125M — Best Overall
For most people, the Kasa KP125M is the smart plug that monitors power usage without any fuss. It is Matter-certified, reliable, and cheap, which is a hard combination to beat.
Best for: Anyone who wants a dependable, future-proof energy monitor plug that works everywhere.
What stands out in real use
The KP125M just works, which is the whole point. Setup is quick, the Kasa app is one of the cleaner smart home apps, and because it is Matter-certified it drops into Alexa, Google Home, and Apple Home without locking you into one platform. Local control means automations still fire even if your internet hiccups.
Energy monitoring and accuracy
It reports real-time watts, daily and historical kilowatt-hours (TP-Link’s community cites up to 12 months of history), and runtime per device. Readings sit in the typical 3 to 5% range against a dedicated meter, which is fine for spotting waste and comparing devices. One caveat: that energy data shows in the Kasa app and in SmartThings after linking, not in the Google Home, Alexa, or Apple Home dashboards.
Key specs
- Matter-certified, works with Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home, SmartThings
- Real-time wattage plus daily and historical kWh
- Local control via Matter
- 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, no hub required
Pros
- Matter plus local control at a low price
- Reliable with a polished app
- Broad ecosystem support
- Compact and easy to set up
Cons
- Energy data lives in Kasa/SmartThings, not Google or Apple dashboards
- 2.4GHz Wi-Fi rather than Thread
- Data is useful but not billing-grade
Compatibility notes
Because it speaks Matter, you can add it to almost any modern smart home app for control. It uses 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, so keep your phone on the right band during setup.
Price: ~$15 per unit (2-pack ~$30)
TP-Link Tapo P110M — Best Value and Most Accurate
The Tapo P110M is the value champion. It is the Matter version of the popular P110, and in independent testing it returned some of the most accurate readings of any plug here.
Best for: Buyers who want the closest-to-real readings without paying a premium.
What stands out in real use
Tapo is TP-Link’s budget-friendly line, and the P110M shows why it is so popular. You get Matter support, a clean app, real-time monitoring, and bill estimates, all at a price that undercuts most rivals. It is the easy recommendation if accuracy matters to you.
Energy monitoring and accuracy
This is the standout. In independent testing, the P110M tracked typically within about 3% of professional metering equipment, which is excellent for a plug at this price. You get live wattage, kWh history, and an estimated cost based on your rate, all in the Tapo app (and SmartThings once linked).
Key specs
- Matter-certified, works with Alexa, Google, Apple Home, SmartThings
- Real-time wattage, kWh history, and bill estimation
- Roughly 3% accuracy in independent testing
- 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, no hub required
Pros
- Among the most accurate plugs in independent testing
- Matter support at a low price
- Helpful bill estimates
- Strong, easy-to-read app
Cons
- Energy data lives in the Tapo app, not Google or Apple dashboards
- 2.4GHz Wi-Fi only
- Single-plug value is good but not the cheapest
Compatibility notes
Matter support means it works across the major ecosystems for control. As with other TP-Link plugs, set it up on a 2.4GHz network.
Price: ~$9 per unit (4-pack ~$36)
SONOFF S31 — Best Budget
If you want the cheapest credible electricity monitor plug, the SONOFF S31 is it, often around eleven dollars. Just make sure you get the S31, not the cheaper S31 Lite, which drops the energy monitoring.
Best for: Budget buyers, especially Alexa households that want energy data without spending much.
What stands out in real use
The S31 punches well above its price. It tracks real-time power and stores about 100 days of history with a monthly bill forecast in the eWeLink app. Its trick is Alexa: eWeLink documents the S31 in the Alexa Energy Dashboard, so your usage shows up alongside Alexa’s other energy data, which most budget plugs cannot claim.
Energy monitoring and accuracy
You get live wattage, kWh history, overload protection, and a bill forecast. The data lives in the eWeLink app and the Alexa Energy Dashboard. eWeLink’s deeper billing dashboard on the web sits behind a paid Advanced Plan, so treat that as optional.
Key specs
- Works with Alexa and Google Home (no Matter or Apple Home)
- Real-time power, ~100 days of history, monthly bill forecast
- 15A rated, ETL certified
- 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, no hub required
Pros
- The cheapest genuine energy plug here
- Energy data in the Alexa Energy Dashboard
- Reliable, widely sold hardware
- 100-day history and bill forecast
Cons
- No Matter and no Apple Home
- Google Home gets control, not rich energy data
- The advanced web billing dashboard needs a paid plan
Compatibility notes
Set it up in the eWeLink app, then link to Alexa for the Energy Dashboard or to Google Home for voice control. Confirm you are buying the S31, not the S31 Lite.
Price: ~$11
Emporia Smart Plug — Best for Detailed Real-Time Data
If you are the type who actually wants to watch the numbers, the Emporia is the power monitor plug for you. It logs wattage every second and graphs it live.
Best for: Energy enthusiasts who want granular, second-by-second data, not just totals.
What stands out in real use
Most plugs give you a number; Emporia gives you a chart. It records wattage every second and plots it in real time, so you can literally watch a refrigerator compressor kick on or see exactly how much a TV draws in standby. If you already use Emporia’s whole-home energy monitor, these plugs slot right into the same app and ecosystem. The one load these plugs cannot handle is your car, since EV charging runs on a 240-volt circuit; for that, see our guide to the best smart home EV chargers.
Energy monitoring and accuracy
The per-second logging is the differentiator. You can switch between watts, kWh, cost, and even carbon, and drill from a yearly view down to the minute. The trade-off is exposure: the detailed data lives in the Emporia app only, and Alexa and Google get basic on/off control, not energy readouts. Note the 10A continuous limit (15A peak), which rules out sustained heavy loads.
Key specs
- Works with Alexa and Google Home for control
- Per-second wattage logging, cost and carbon views
- Integrates with Emporia whole-home energy monitoring
- 15A peak / 10A continuous, 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, no hub
Pros
- The most detailed real-time data here
- Great for diagnosing cycling appliances
- Pairs with Emporia whole-home monitoring
- Affordable per plug
Cons
- Energy data is in the Emporia app only
- No Matter or Apple Home
- 10A continuous limit rules out heavy loads
Compatibility notes
Emporia sticks to Alexa and Google Home for control. It is most powerful if you also use, or plan to add, Emporia’s whole-home monitor.
Price: ~$9 per unit (4-pack ~$35)
Shelly Plug US Gen4 — Best for Power Users
If you want to do things with your energy data, not just look at it, the Shelly Plug US Gen4 is the pick. It pairs energy monitoring with local control, scripting, and a built-in web interface, all for around twenty-five dollars.
Best for: Tinkerers, Home Assistant users, and anyone who values local control over pure simplicity.
What stands out in real use
Shelly is the enthusiast favorite. The Gen4 adds Matter to Shelly’s usual toolkit: real-time power metering, local actions, schedules, scenes, and even scripting through a built-in web interface. It speaks Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Zigbee, so it slots into almost any setup, and it shines in Home Assistant where you get full local telemetry.
Energy monitoring and accuracy
You get real-time power and energy tracking in the Shelly app or web interface, with the data also exposed as a Power Meter in SmartThings. As Shelly is unusually transparent about, Google Home gets on/off and Alexa gets power control, so the richest data is in Shelly’s own tools and SmartThings.
Key specs
- Matter-certified; also Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Zigbee
- Real-time power metering with local actions and scripting
- Works with Google, Alexa, Apple Home, SmartThings, Home Assistant
- 15A / 1800W rated, no Shelly hub required
Pros
- Local control, scripting, and a web interface
- Multi-protocol, including Matter and Zigbee
- Power Meter telemetry in SmartThings
- Strong value for the feature set
Cons
- More technical than a plug-and-play plug
- Energy detail varies by platform (best in Shelly and SmartThings)
- Overkill if you just want a simple remote switch
Compatibility notes
Set it up in the Shelly app or add it over Matter. Home Assistant and SmartThings get the most out of its energy data; other platforms mainly get control.
Price: ~$25
Eve Energy — Best for Apple Home
The Eve Energy is the premium pick, and it is the obvious choice for Apple Home users. It runs Matter over Thread, keeps everything local, and shows energy data right inside the Home app.
Best for: Apple Home and Thread households that want private, local energy tracking.
What stands out in real use
Eve Energy does things differently. It uses Thread rather than Wi-Fi, which means fast, local response and no cloud account at all, so no data leaves your home. Energy readings show up natively in Apple Home, and the build quality and small footprint feel a step above the budget plugs.
Energy monitoring and accuracy
You get real-time wattage, cumulative kWh, and estimated cost, with history you can view and export. Eve has been unusually good about cross-platform Matter energy reporting: its Android app, built on Google’s Home APIs, now shows power and cost too, and energy features are documented on SmartThings and Home Assistant as well.
Key specs
- Matter over Thread, works with Apple Home, Alexa, Google, SmartThings
- Real-time wattage, kWh, and exportable history
- Fully local, no account required
- Requires a Thread border router (HomePod mini, Apple TV, etc.)
Pros
- Native energy data in Apple Home
- Fully local and private over Thread
- Strong cross-platform Matter energy reporting
- Premium build, small footprint
Cons
- The most expensive single plug here
- Needs a Thread border router
- Overkill if you are not on Apple Home or Thread
Compatibility notes
You need a Thread border router (such as a HomePod mini or a recent Apple TV) to get the most out of it. Once that is in place, it is the smoothest option for Apple households. For more Apple-focused options, see our guide to HomeKit energy monitor plugs.
Price: ~$44
Zooz ZEN15 — Best for Heavy Appliances
Most plugs here are built for lamps, TVs, and chargers. The Zooz ZEN15 is the specialist for the heavy stuff: refrigerators, window AC units, dehumidifiers, sump pumps, and gas dryers, with energy monitoring built for high inrush current.
Best for: Tracking heavy 120V appliances, if you already run a Z-Wave hub.
What stands out in real use
The ZEN15 is purpose-built for demanding loads. It reports power, energy, current, and voltage, handles the inrush spike that trips lighter plugs, and recovers gracefully after a power failure. The catch is that it is a Z-Wave device with no first-party consumer app, so all the value comes through a hub.
Energy monitoring and accuracy
You get live and historical readings in watts, kWh, amps, and volts, surfaced through your hub. Energy monitoring works on open platforms like SmartThings (with the custom driver), Hubitat, Home Assistant, and HomeSeer; some simpler alarm-style hubs expose only on/off.
Key specs
- Z-Wave (Long Range on the current 800LR version), hub required
- Monitors W, kWh, A, and V, with power-failure recovery
- Built for high inrush loads (15A / 1800W, 1 HP)
- Indoor only
Pros
- Built for heavy appliances and high inrush
- Detailed W/kWh/A/V reporting
- Reliable Z-Wave range and recovery
- Works with SmartThings, Hubitat, Home Assistant
Cons
- Requires a Z-Wave hub
- No simple first-party app
- Bulky and not for beginners
Compatibility notes
You need a Z-Wave hub (SmartThings, Hubitat, Home Assistant, or HomeSeer) to use it. If you do not already run Z-Wave, this is more device than most people need.
Price: ~$49
How to Choose an Energy Monitoring Smart Plug
A few questions make the choice simple.
Decide what you want from the data. If you just want to catch one or two energy vampires, almost any plug here will do. If you want to track usage continuously or diagnose a cycling appliance, lean toward the detailed picks like Emporia or a power-user plug like Shelly.
Check where the energy data shows up. This matters more than the Matter logo. The detailed numbers usually live in the maker’s app, and only some make it to SmartThings, the Alexa Energy Dashboard, or Apple Home. If you want everything in one dashboard, match the plug to the app you actually use rather than assuming Matter or Google Home will surface it.
Weigh accuracy against price. The Tapo P110M and Eve Energy are the most accurate, and the budget SONOFF S31 is close enough for most people. None of these replace a billing-grade meter, so match the precision to how seriously you will use the numbers.
Match your ecosystem. If you want one plug to work everywhere for control, pick a Matter model (Kasa KP125M, Tapo P110M, Shelly Gen4, or Eve Energy). For a deeper look at cross-ecosystem options, see our roundup of the best Matter smart plugs. Apple Home users are best served by the Eve Energy and its Thread connection.
Mind the load. Watch the wattage rating for big appliances (our guide on using a smart plug with appliances covers what is safe). For a fridge, AC unit, or pump, the Zooz ZEN15 is the one built for high inrush, while the Emporia tops out at 10A continuous. Push the Emporia past its 15A peak and it switches itself off for 24 hours, one of the less obvious reasons a smart plug turns off by itself.
Final Recommendations
For most people, the Kasa KP125M is the best smart plug with energy monitoring, thanks to its Matter support, reliability, and low price. If accuracy is your priority, the Tapo P110M is the most precise pick for the money, and the SONOFF S31 is the cheapest way to start, with a handy Alexa Energy Dashboard.
For granular, second-by-second data, the Emporia Smart Plug is in a class of its own, the Shelly Plug US Gen4 is the pick for tinkerers who want local control and scripting, and the Eve Energy is the clear choice for Apple Home users who want private, local tracking. If your goal is monitoring a fridge or AC unit, the Zooz ZEN15 is the heavy-duty answer. Pick the one that matches your ecosystem and how closely you plan to watch the numbers, and you will finally see where your power, and your money, actually goes.
Do energy monitoring smart plugs actually save money?
Not on their own. They show you exactly what each device draws, which lets you find energy vampires, decide what to unplug or automate off, and verify the savings. The plug measures; the savings come from acting on what you see.
How accurate are smart plug energy monitors?
The best plugs land within about 3 to 5% of a dedicated meter, and the Tapo P110M measured within roughly 3% in independent testing. That is accurate enough to spot high-draw devices and compare them, but these are not billing-grade meters.
Will the energy data show up in Google Home or Apple Home?
Usually not as a full dashboard. With most plugs the detailed numbers live in the maker’s app, and only some reach SmartThings, the Alexa Energy Dashboard, or Apple Home. Favor the native app first and treat cross-platform support as a control bonus.
Which energy monitoring plugs work with Matter?
The Kasa KP125M, Tapo P110M, Shelly Plug US Gen4, and Eve Energy are Matter-certified. The SONOFF S31 and Emporia are Wi-Fi only, and the Zooz ZEN15 uses Z-Wave and needs a hub.
What is the cheapest smart plug with energy monitoring?
The SONOFF S31 at around eleven dollars, as long as you get the S31 and not the S31 Lite, which drops energy monitoring. It also shows usage in the Alexa Energy Dashboard, which is rare at this price.
Can a smart plug measure a large appliance like a fridge or AC unit?
Yes, but mind the limits. Most plugs are fine for fridges and TVs within their wattage rating, but for heavy loads with high inrush, the Zooz ZEN15 is purpose-built. Avoid sustained loads above a plug’s continuous rating, such as the Emporia’s 10A limit.
Written by Evan Mercer
Founder & Lead Researcher, Smart Home Matrix
Evan digs through spec sheets, firmware changelogs, and thousands of owner reviews so you don’t have to. Every guide starts with a compatibility check and ends with picks he would install in his own home. Read more about Evan and this site, or see exactly how we choose products.