Stop paying for electricity you're not using. We tested the top energy-monitoring smart plugs to find which ones actually help you track vampire loads, understand your usage patterns, and save on utility bills. Our picks range from the all-around TP-Link Kasa EP25 to the premium Eve Energy and the budget-friendly Meross Matter plug.
Most of us have a handful of devices that sip power 24/7 — phone chargers left plugged in, entertainment centers on standby, old electronics that hum along even when "off." These so-called vampire loads can add $100–$200 a year to the average household's electricity bill. An energy-monitoring smart plug puts real numbers to that waste, showing you exactly how many kilowatt-hours (kWh) each device consumes and, in some cases, what it costs you.1
The good news: you don't need to rewire your home or buy expensive gear. A $15–$40 smart plug that clips between your wall outlet and your appliance can give you per-device breakdowns right in your phone. The better news: many of these plugs double as regular smart switches, so you can set schedules, timers, and automation rules to cut power automatically when you're not using something.2
We looked at accuracy, ease of setup, ecosystem compatibility, and value to find the best energy-monitoring smart plugs available right now.
Best for: Most people who want reliable energy monitoring without breaking the bank.
The TP-Link Kasa EP25 (also sold as the KP125M in some markets) is the smart plug we keep coming back to. It offers real-time energy monitoring in kWh, letting you see exactly what each connected device is drawing — from a space heater's peak pull to a phone charger's idle trickle.2 The Kasa app is straightforward: plug it in, connect to Wi-Fi, and you're looking at live and historical usage data in under two minutes.
It also includes an Away Mode that randomizes your lights to look like someone's home, plus scheduling and timer functions. At its price point, there's nothing else that matches the combination of features, reliability, and app polish.2
Best for: Apple Home users who want the most accurate energy data and cost tracking.
The Eve Energy plug is widely considered the most accurate consumer energy monitor you can buy.1 It uses Thread technology (part of the Matter standard) for faster, more reliable communication than standard Wi-Fi — and it doesn't clog your network. What sets it apart is its ability to calculate total cost if you enter your electricity rate in the Eve app. Instead of just showing kWh, it tells you: "This device cost you $4.32 this month."1
Setup is seamless if you're in the Apple Home ecosystem (scan a HomeKit code), and it also works with Matter-compatible platforms.
Best for: Replacing a whole power strip with six independently monitored outlets.
The Kasa HS300 is a six-outlet smart power strip where each outlet monitors energy independently.2 That means you can plug your TV, soundbar, game console, streaming box, lamp, and phone charger into one strip and see separate usage data for every single device. It also includes two always-on USB ports for charging phones and tablets without eating into your monitored outlets.
Best for: Getting started with Matter on a budget.
The Meross MSS315 is one of the most affordable Matter-compatible smart plugs with energy monitoring. It provides daily energy stats right in the Meross app, and because it supports Matter, it can be controlled from Apple Home, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings, and Alexa without needing separate bridges or skills.3
| Feature | TP-Link Kasa EP25 | Eve Energy | TP-Link Kasa HS300 | Meross MSS315 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi | Thread | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi (Matter) |
| Monitoring depth | Real-time kWh | kWh + cost | Per-outlet kWh | Daily stats |
| Ecosystem | Alexa, Google | HomeKit, Matter | Alexa, Google | Matter (all) |
| Price tier | $ | $$ | $$ | $ |
We focused on three things: accuracy, ease of setup, and ecosystem flexibility.
Accuracy matters because the whole point is knowing what you're spending. The Eve Energy is the gold standard here, but the Kasa and Meross plugs are close enough for most people's needs.1
Setup should be painless. Every plug on this list can go from box to monitoring in under five minutes. No wiring, no hubs (unless you want Thread for Eve), just plug, scan, and go.
Matter is the future. The smart home industry is converging on Matter as the common language for devices. The Meross MSS315 and the Matter version of the Kasa EP25 (KP125M) are future-proof choices that work across platforms without vendor lock-in.3
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