Best of · Plugs & power
Best smart plugs with energy monitoring (2026): find your real power hogs
A $15 plug can tell you what your dehumidifier, gaming PC, or garage fridge really costs per month. These are the ones with accurate, usable data.
Our pick: Kasa KP125M for most people; Eve Energy for Thread and Apple Home
Kasa
KP125M
8.9~$15 each
Matter plus energy monitoring with cost estimates in the app.
Pros
- • Live watts, daily kWh, monthly cost
- • Matter
- • Home Assistant integration
Cons
- • Energy data shown in the Kasa/Tapo app, not always in Matter controllers
Eve
Eve Energy
8.7~$40
The best energy history and local-only operation, over Thread.
Pros
- • Detailed history in the Eve app
- • No cloud account
- • Thread mesh router
Cons
- • Price
- • Needs a Thread border router
Kasa
Smart Plug Slim with Energy Monitoring (EP25)
8.4~$15 each
Native Apple HomeKit plus energy monitoring.
Pros
- • HomeKit native
- • Energy data
- • Compact
Cons
- • Not Matter
Emporia
Emporia Smart Plug
8.0Budget
Best if you also run an Emporia whole-home energy monitor.
Pros
- • Feeds into the Emporia energy dashboard
- • Inexpensive
Cons
- • Best value only inside Emporia’s ecosystem
A smart plug with energy monitoring measures exactly what a device draws, in live watts and in kWh over days and months, and most apps turn that into dollars from your utility rate. It is the cheapest way to find the gadget quietly costing $10 a month.
| Plug | Protocol | Energy data | Ecosystems | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kasa KP125M | Wi-Fi + Matter | Watts, kWh, cost estimate (app) | Apple, Alexa, Google, SmartThings | ~$15 |
| Eve Energy | Thread + Matter | Watts, kWh, history (Eve app) | Apple, Alexa, Google, SmartThings | ~$40 |
| Kasa EP25 | Wi-Fi | Watts, kWh | HomeKit, Alexa, Google | ~$15 |
| Tapo P115 | Wi-Fi | Watts, kWh | Alexa, Google | ~$12 |
| Govee Smart Plug Pro | Wi-Fi | Watts, kWh | Alexa, Google | Budget |
| IKEA GRILLPLATS | Thread + Matter | Energy consumption | Matter controllers | Budget |
Best overall: Kasa KP125M
The KP125M tracks live power, daily usage, and estimated monthly cost in the Kasa or Tapo app, and it’s also a full Matter plug. Note that on/off control works in every Matter app, but detailed energy graphs mostly stay in TP-Link’s app or Home Assistant.
Best for Apple and Thread homes: Eve Energy
Eve’s app has the most useful energy history of any plug we compared, with projected annual cost and per-period comparisons, and it works without an account. Over Thread it also strengthens your mesh for battery sensors.
What to measure first
- Dehumidifiers and window ACs: often the biggest plug-in loads in summer.
- Second fridges and chest freezers in garages.
- Gaming PCs and consoles left in standby or rest mode.
- Entertainment centers: TVs, soundbars, and set-top boxes all draw standby power.
Accuracy notes
Consumer plugs are accurate enough to compare devices and spot waste, typically within a few percent. They are not billing-grade meters. For whole-home data, pair a few plugs with a panel monitor, or use your utility’s smart meter data.
Questions we get
Can a smart plug measure power consumption?
Yes, if it has an energy-monitoring chip. Plugs like the Kasa KP125M, Kasa EP25, Eve Energy, and Tapo P115 report live watts, voltage, and cumulative kWh. Basic plugs like the Tapo P125M and Amazon Smart Plug do not.
Do smart plugs actually save energy?
Only if you act on what they show you. Cutting standby power to an entertainment center or a forgotten garage fridge can save real money. The plug itself draws about a watt or less.
Can I use an energy monitoring smart plug with Home Assistant?
Yes. The TP-Link (Kasa/Tapo) integration exposes power and energy sensors locally. Eve Energy works over Matter/Thread, and Shelly plugs are popular for fully local monitoring.
What runs your electric bill up the most?
Heating and cooling, water heating, and dryers dominate most US bills. Smart plugs can’t monitor 240 V appliances, but they’re great for dehumidifiers, window ACs, space fans, PCs, and second fridges.