With the ever skyrocketing cost of electricity shooting up, we all need to rethink our usage at home. With every additional electronic or appliance, there is an increase in your monthly bills. So what are the first steps to seeing that you are cutting down on your electricity bills? One of the best ways to cut down on those bills is to monitor and have a better understanding of how you use electricity at home. And when it comes to that, you should get a good energy monitor device. In this guide we will go through some of the best home energy monitor systems you can get online. Our picks and reviews are based on hours of research and findings.
Best Pick – Sense Energy Monitor
Accurate, Convenient & Very Reliable
Our overall pick for the best home energy monitor systems is the Sense Energy Monitor. Coming from a brand that has been in the industry for long, you can only expect the best. the monitor has stood the test of time, and is loved by many users for its accuracy and sophistication. It is easy to install, operate and can be easily synced with smart devices for better tracking and monitoring.
Best Home Energy Monitors 2022
After carefully going through dozens of home solar and energy monitor systems, we have finally come up with some that we handpicked. Below is the countdown and reviews.
9. Aeotec Smart Switch 6 Wireless Control Plug for Home Security Automation
Price: Low price tag.
Special features: Universal compatibility, Sleek 7 minimal design, Surge protection.
Dimensions: 2.20 x 2.20 x 1.96 inches.
AEOTIC smart switch is an ingeniously designed plug system that is very crucial in smart home automation. It comes in a sleek and minimal design yet still very powerful. It seamlessly integrated with some of the latest tech devices and systems such as Samsung SmartThings, Webee, Wink-hub, Home assistant among many others.
For better safety, the system comes with surge protection, and a signal repeater. If you need a system to help you keep track of your smart devices, then the sophisticated features and capabilities of this Z-wave outlet will help you better get details on your connected appliances and electric devices.
Pros and Cons
- It is inexpensive.
- It is lightweight, sleek and compact yet still very powerful.
- Might be a problem for beginners to connect.
8. Blue Line Innovations Monitor – BLI 28000ER
Price: Low price tag.
Special features: Energy cloud platform, small & compact design.
Dimensions: 8.5 x 8.5 x 3 inches.
The blue line power cost monitor comes in a sleek and compact design. It is simple to install, operate and read which has made it a favorite to hundreds of users. The device has been made with capabilities of recording and displaying real time power usage and giving users a cost estimate to what they are consuming.
It has been lauded for its accuracy and precise readings which helps users make better informed decisions. The device has an energy cloud platform that one can integrate or opt to use the application which allows one to take readings anywhere and anytime.
Pros and Cons
- It is small, compact and easy to install.
- It delivers accurate and precise readings.
- Some people feel that it is a bit flimsy and could use some quality upgrades.
7. Efergy E2 Wireless Electricity Monitor
Price: Fairly priced.
Special features: 4 tariff settings, Interactive LCD screen.
Dimensions: 8.1 x 7.7 x 2.3 inches.
Efergy is a top rated brand in the energy sector and offers users with some advanced devices. Their handy E2 wireless electricity monitor ranks among the best in the market. It is very easy to install and comes with a user-friendly interface and easy to use controls.
With this power monitor, you can connect any device to track and see how much power they are consuming. It comes with 4 tariff settings and users can track hourly, daily, weekly, monthly as well as average power usage data. If you are serious about understanding your home energy consumption, but don’t want to break the bank, then this is a good investment worth considering.
Pros and Cons
- It offers detailed and accurate readings.
- Easy to install and set up.
- The software needs upgrading for better performance.
6. BALDR US Electricity Monitor
Price: Low price tag.
Special features: Large LCD display, Compact design, Battery backup.
Dimensions: 5.72 x 2.91 x 1.33 inches.
BALDR US Electricity Monitor is yet another great addition that is worth checking out. It has a large, interactive display that makes it easy to read and get the needed data readings. It is very easy to install, read and interpret the readings on the monitor.
Unlike most in the market, this power monitor lets you monitor one appliance or electronic device at a time. It is ideal if you are unsure and want to clear your doubts about the consumption of a particular appliance. The perk to that is that it is very affordable and you can get several to use on each appliance.
Pros and Cons
- Large LCD display with simple readings.
- It is very affordable.
- You have to plug in one appliance at a time.
5. Eyedro Home Solar & Energy Monitor
Price: Fairly priced.
Special features: Universal compatibility, Online cloud portal, 2 X 200A sensors.
Dimensions: 7 x 6.5 x 2.6 inches.
The Eyedro power monitor lets you record and get energy data from your home electric and solar power consumption in real time. It also offers statistical insights to users through their online platform which is free for users. The device comes with advanced inbuilt features that ensures accuracy and preciseness in the reading and analysis.
Being able to track, react and get detailed insights on electricity usage is very crucial in saving money by cutting down on electricity bills, and Eyedro does just that. It is one of the most powerful and dependable power monitoring devices that one can have in their home.
Pros and Cons
- It has a sophisticated array of features.
- It boasts being among the most accurate energy monitoring systems.
- Their tech support isn’t the best.
4. Emporia Vue Smart Home Energy Monitor
Price: Low price tag.
Special features: 3-phase option, 16 sensors, Expansion module.
Dimensions: 3.5 x 1.25 x 2.25 inches.
Emporia Vue needs no introduction. Their wide range of electric devices have earned Emporia Vue a commendable reputation. The monitor installs fast and easily. It comes with a smartphone app which lets the user easily keep track of their energy consumption and spending wherever they are. One can also set specific triggers and alerts which can be sent to their phone. The monitor offers an expansion module and comes with 16 advanced sensors.
It is a good quality energy monitor which eliminates guesswork and helps take accurate readings of energy consumption to make informed decision on your monthly electricity bill.
Pros and Cons
- It has a user-friendly interface and application.
- Installing and setting it up is very easy.
- The web access isn’t the best.
3. Excelvan TS-836A Plug Power Meter Energy Voltage Amps Electricity Usage Monitor
Price: Low price tag.
Special features: Multiple parameter readings, Automatic cost forecast.
Dimensions: 6.1 x 2.76 x 1.77 inches.
This simple and compact Excelvan power meter voltage usage monitor is designed to allow tracking of standby power and energy consumption and later give users a forecast on what they can expect in their monthly bill. It is pretty accurate and despite being a single unit monitor, it is very affordable and one can get more for specific appliances.
It is very easy to setup and operate the motor. The monitor offers various parameter measurements including Voltage, Current, Wattage, Energy, Frequency, Time days cost among others. If you are in need of s simple but detailed energy monitor, then you will be amazed at how much you can save with this small monitor.
Pros and Cons
- It is easy to setup and operate.
- The monitor is accurate yet still very affordable.
- It has a short extension cord.
2. Poniie PN2000 Plug-in Kilowatt Electricity Usage Monitor
Price: Low price tag.
Special features: Backlight & LCD display, high precision current sensor.
Dimensions: 2.32 x 2.19 x 4.72 inches.
Poniie PN2000is a simple and affordable plug-in electricity usage monitor that has demonstrated excellent performance. It is designed with a sleek design and has a large LCD display which is backlit and visible even when lighting is limited. The energy monitor might appear to be very simple at first, but it comes with advanced high precision sensors which makes it very sensitive and accurate in tracking and recording energy consumption.
It offers multiple reading parameters which makes it easy to predict and do accurate calculations on consumption. Coming across an affordable yet effective energy monitoring system like this isn’t easy.
Pros and Cons
- It is sleek, compact and easy to install.
- The monitor has multiple parameters and is very accurate.
- The manual could be more straightforward.
1. Sense Home Energy Monitor
Price: Modestly priced.
Special features: Universal integration, Sleek design, High performance sensors.
Dimensions: 7.9 x 7.6 x 7.4 inches.
Ranking top in our list of the best home energy monitor systems is the Sense energy monitor. The monitor offers universal synchronization which ensures that one can get all their energy consumption data even on their smartphones. It syncs with iOS, Android, and web apps. the energy monitor has been tested and proven to meet rigorous safety standards which is a plus as most don’t always pass these standards.
It is not the cheapest, but the number of features and sophistication that this energy monitor comes with justifies the price tag. Simply, it is the best home energy monitor that one can get from the market.
Pros and Cons
- Installing it is easy.
- Comes with a high customer satisfaction rating.
- Accurate and very reliable.
- Pricier than most in the market.
Choosing The Best Home Energy Monitors
Here are some of the most important things that one should consider when choosing the right home energy monitor to buy.
Monitor Compatibility
Not all monitors are made the same. This means that you need to do a lot of homework to find out the right one that you should get for your home. Some are designed to specifically cater for Single Phase, Dual/Split Phase or Three Phase. This means that getting just any energy monitor will not work. If unsure, then always seek the assistance of a professional electrician.
Features & Integrations
As aforementioned, home energy monitors, just like any other smart home device are made differently using different technologies. The features and integrations that the system you are getting offers can make a very big difference. Make sure that you can integrate the monitor with your smart devices like smartphone and that you are getting all the features and capabilities you need.
Ease Of Use
Installation can be a problem to most of us, but since you can simply hire an electrician for a one-time job, you can forget about that. However, when it comes to your daily usage, you have to make sure that the interface, features and everything else that comes with the motor is user-friendly and that you can easily do whatever you need to.
Cost
Depending on the features and capabilities of a home energy monitor, the cost varies. Although it doesn’t necessarily mean that the more the features the pricier the monitor, it seems to be the reality for most of these devices. Be sure to take your time to do a research and figure out the right one without overspending or sacrificing on some important features.
Final Verdict
The cost of electricity is always moving in one direction, upwards. As most people are getting concerned and looking for ways to cut down on those bills,m it is always important to have a home energy monitor system in place. Shared in this guide are some of the best home energy monitor systems worth investing in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a home energy monitor?
A: A home energy monitor is an electrical device that is attached to the home’s electrical panel to help monitor and offer data on day to day electric usage.
Q: How do you install a home energy monitor?
A: Installation and setting up of a home energy monitoring system depends on how the monitor is made. However, they are all installed onto the consumer unit panel or the household panel, depending on the infrastructure. It is however recommended that you hire a professional electrician to have it well installed.
Q: Does an energy home monitor really save energy?
A: Having a good understanding of how your home electricity meter runs and knowing what appliances uses more energy is just the first step but crucial way to make an informed decision on how to cut down on the energy costs. It is really beneficial and worth getting.
Q: Can a home energy monitor track daily appliance usage?
A: Depending on the home energy monitor you get, there is a wide range of features that one can have access to. And with technology advancement, these home energy monitors can be synced with mobile apps and other softwares to track and offer detailed unit energy usage.
