We tested the top smart home devices that actually cut your utility bills — energy monitors, smart irrigation controllers, and efficient air purifiers. Our picks help you track vampire power, automate watering, and save electricity year-round.
your utility bills keep creeping up, and you're not sure where the energy is going. You're not alone — "vampire power" from devices that stay on standby can account for 5–10% of your home's electricity use.1 The good news? A handful of smart home devices can identify those hidden drains, automate savings, and even cut water waste without you lifting a finger.
we looked at the most effective energy-saving smart home gear for 2024, focusing on three categories that deliver real, measurable results: energy monitoring, smart irrigation, and efficient air quality management. Here's what we found.
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if you want to know exactly where your electricity is going, start with a whole-home energy monitor. The Emporia Classic clamps onto your main breaker panel and tracks each circuit in real time, sending the data straight to your phone.1 It's the most direct way to spot vampire loads — that second fridge in the garage, the old entertainment center that draws power even when off — and decide what to unplug or replace.
watering your lawn is one of the biggest outdoor energy and water expenses. The Rachio 3 replaces your old sprinkler controller and uses local weather data to skip watering when it's rained or adjust schedules based on forecasted temperatures.2 It's the gold standard for weather-based automation — you set it up once, and it adapts day by day.
the Orbit B-hyve offers similar weather-smart scheduling at a lower price point. It's a solid choice if you want the core features — rain skip, remote control, scheduling from your phone — without the premium price tag.2
for the tightest budgets, the Wyze Smart Sprinkler Controller gets you basic scheduling and remote on/off control. It's less sophisticated than Rachio or Orbit, but it's a reliable way to stop watering manually and start saving water immediately.2
air purifiers can be energy hogs if they run at full speed 24/7. The Blueair 311i Max solves this with an auto mode that adjusts fan speed based on real-time air quality readings. When the air is clean, it runs quietly at low power; when it detects pollutants, it ramps up only as needed.3 That means cleaner air without a spike in your electricity bill.
| Device | Category | Key Feature | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emporia Classic | Energy Monitor | Per-circuit tracking | Identifying vampire loads |
| Rachio 3 | Smart Irrigation | Weather-based scheduling | Maximum water automation |
| Orbit B-hyve | Smart Irrigation | Rain skip + scheduling | Budget weather-smart watering |
| Wyze Sprinkler | Smart Irrigation | Basic remote control | Entry-level water savings |
| Blueair 311i Max | Air Purifier | Auto-mode fan adjustment | Low-power air cleaning |
vampire power — the energy devices draw when they're off but still plugged in — is the silent killer of efficiency. An energy monitor like the Emporia Classic makes it visible, giving you the data to act.1
weather-based automation for irrigation does something similar for water: instead of watering on a fixed schedule regardless of conditions, smart controllers like the Rachio 3 and Orbit B-hyve adjust in real time. That's not just convenient — it's the single biggest water-saving change most households can make.2
and for indoor air quality, choosing a purifier with intelligent auto-mode (like the Blueair 311i Max) means you're not paying to scrub air that's already clean.3
you don't need a full smart home overhaul to start saving. Pick one category — energy monitoring, smart irrigation, or efficient air quality — and start there. The Emporia Classic is our top recommendation if you want data-driven savings. The Rachio 3 is the best pick if outdoor water is your biggest bill. And the Blueair 311i Max proves that clean air and low energy use don't have to be a trade-off.
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