Today, more than ever, the need to control and monitor your home’s energy is greater than ever, and with this comes an enormous need to invest in the best energy monitoring gadgets around. Unfortunately, just knowing that you have many options isn’t enough for you to determine which of your smart gadgets is the culprit behind your current energy inefficiencies. There is also a risk of buying the wrong smart plug from the surprisingly large smart plugs variety out there, which is why an unbiased review of these gadgets is critical for you. This is that review, and in it, we’ll take a look at everything you need to know about the best smart plugs that offer energy monitoring functions.
So, let’s jump straight into the details!
Contents
Comparison Table for the Best Smart Plugs with Energy Monitoring
Best Smart Plugs with Energy Monitoring | Best For | Check on Amazon |
|---|---|---|
TopGreener Heavy-Duty Smart Wi-Fi Plug | Best Overall Energy-Efficient Smart Plug | |
BN-LINK WiFi Heavy Duty Smart Plug Outlet | Best Energy Monitoring Smart Plug with A Timer Function | |
Samsung SmartThings WiFi Smart Plug | Best Smart Plug for Samsung SmartThings | |
Meross Smart Plug Mini | Best Mini Plug with Energy Monitoring | |
Eufy Smart Plug Mini by Anker | Best Mid-Range Mini Smart Plug |
Best Smart Plugs with Energy Monitoring
TopGreener Heavy-Duty Smart Wi-Fi Plug – Best Overall Energy-Efficient Smart Plug
It is a 15A smart plug with a 1800W power capacity. You may also like its heavy-duty design, along with the super-easy controls made possible by Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
Pros
- Offers advanced scene control
- Easy to use
- Handles most of your heavy-duty appliances
- 2.4GHz WiFi connectivity needed for setup
- Easy energy monitoring
- Voice control with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
- No hub needed
Cons
- Chunky and blocks out the other outlet
BN-LINK WiFi Heavy Duty Smart Plug Outlet – Best Energy Monitoring Smart Plug with A Timer Function
With no requirement for a hub and the incorporation of a timer function, this smart plug is one of the best smart plugs for energy monitoring.
It is compatible with both Alexa and the Google Assistant and runs on the 2.4GHz network, which means that it’s quite easy to use and manage. The digital assistants allow for hands-free operation, making them ideal for use in smart homes that already rely on either of these smart assistants.
Our favorite features from this smart plug include the flexible scheduling option it offers and also the fact that it works for your heavy appliances too. The countdown timer is also a great function that allows for easy turning off of the connected appliances automatically.
Pros
- Stackable, slim, and compact, allowing for the use of the two wall outlets easily.
- Offers hands-free use and control
- Simple design
- APP remote control
- Easy installation and use
- It can be used with heavy-duty appliances too
Cons
- It’s only compatible with the 2.4GHz WiFi network
- Must be connected to your WiFi to work remotely.
Samsung SmartThings WiFi Smart Plug – Best Smart Plug for Samsung SmartThings
If you are looking for a smart plug that will work with your SmartThings setup seamlessly, this Samsung smart plug would be the best option for you. The SmartThings hub allows you to easily monitor all the aspects of your home and the performance of the connected smart devices, and this plug ensures that you have the best level of control of your plugged-in devices while monitoring their energy usage. This hub allows control of at least 200 devices, which makes it one of the best smart home hubs for you.
The smart plug is responsive to Alexa, allowing for easier control, and you can easily monitor its energy usage. This plug will turn your home into a smarter home almost instantly because it’s compatible with pretty much all of your smart appliances, and its control is enhanced by the fact that it takes voice commands rather easily. Besides Alexa, it also takes commands through Google Assistant or Bixby. Using any of these commands, your lights, fans, thermostat, etc., will be switched on/off with ease.
Its design is also impressive as it is stackable, which means that it is a great space saver and it will not block the other outlet. Also, you can use it with heavy-duty appliances with a maximum load of 1800W and a rating of 15A.
Pros
- Offers great energy monitoring capabilities
- Works great and integrates with Samsung SmartThings seamlessly
- Easy installation, setup, and use
- Great app and voice control
- Works with Alexa, Bixby, Google Assistant
- No hub necessary for control or management
- Compact, stackable design
- Durable
- Allows for easy scheduling
- Enhances the energy efficiency of your devices
- Works with heavy-duty appliances too
- Affordable
Cons
- It only works with the 2.4GHz WiFi network
Meross Smart Plug Mini – Best Mini Plug with Energy Monitoring
This smart plug takes the top spot for the most connected smart plug on the market. It offers energy monitoring and also boasts the best remote control functions thanks to its compatibility with ecosystems such as the Apple HomeKit, Alexa, Nest Hub, Siri, Google Assistant, and SmartThings, among others.
It features a compact size that means it will only fit in one outlet without blocking the other outlet – a win in our books. The other impressive feature of this smart plug is its scheduling function that ensures automatic switching of the appliances and gadgets on and off remotely and also whenever they are not in use. It also allows for more energy savings by allowing you to schedule lights to be switched off or on at specific times and only when needed.
The plug is made of durable materials that are flame retardant, and since you could use it for your heavy appliances, too, your safety is guaranteed.
Pros
- Nice, compact design that doesn’t block the other outlet
- Setup is super-easy
- Can be controlled remotely, easily
- Great functions for voice control
- Dependable, safe design
- Allows scheduling
- Energy monitoring
Cons
- No ZigBee integration
Eufy Smart Plug Mini by Anker – Best Mid-Range Mini Smart Plug
This is a popular range of smart home products, and the reason for its popularity has to do with its affordability and the simple design that allows for ease of use. The compact design allows for complete use of the second outlet.
This smart plug offers excellent energy monitoring performance, and though it doesn’t give a live overview of each device’s power consumption, you will receive reports on daily power consumption, as well as seven-day energy trends. These data sets should be good for you.
It is a WiFi-enabled gadget that can be voice-controlled easily with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Using these control options, you can set schedules easily. It also features a countdown timer which enhances its use and control of energy consumption, as well as the Away mode that gives you remote control while also making sure that your home seems occupied even when you’re away.
Pros
- Great compatibility for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
- Away mode works seamlessly.
- Energy monitoring, with great tracking of weekly energy usage
- You don’t need a hub for its use and management
- Compact, small design
- Features a countdown timer
Cons
- Durability issues
Buying Guide for best smart plug with energy monitoring functions
A smart plug is, without a doubt, one of the most underrated gadgets in and for a smart home. Though not the flashiest smart gadget, this small plug will automate your dumbest gadgets by adding them to your smart home ecosystem in a jiffy. In addition to enhancing the intelligence of your home, these gadgets also ensure energy monitoring, which would help you in making your home more efficient.
You only need to find the best/ right smart plug for your home.
Here are the things you need to look out for:
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Compatibility
If you already have some smart gadgets connected to a hub, those gadgets are likely working with the help of one of the major voice assistants. This means that you must find smart plugs that are configured for the voice assistant that you already use – maybe Alexa or Google Assistant. Even if this is the first time that you are getting a smart plug, you need to check which voice assistant the plugs work with – not all smart plugs have multi-ecosystem compatibility. In other words, they don’t all work with one type of voice assistant.
Keep in mind that device-system compatibility is vital for the control of your devices via voice commands, and they will also allow for easy incorporation of the plugs into the rest of your smart home system.
The good news is that you’ll have numerous options when using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
Types of smart plugs
There are 4 main types of smart plugs – indoor, outdoor, compact, and power bar plugs.
- The indoor smart plug is suited for indoor use, as the name suggests, and they often feature a lower profile and almost always available in white for easy blending with the wall sockets. They feature at least one 3-prong attachment on the face and are plugged into the wall directly.
- Outdoor smart plugs are built for outdoor use, and they are built to withstand debris and weather changes. And though not waterproof, they are resistant to precipitation. They aren’t susceptible to contraction and expansion from weather changes because the internal circuitry is very well protected and always stays in place. The only catch is that their connection to WiFi isn’t the easiest and works better when close to the router.
- The compact smart plugs, on the other hand, are low-profile smart plugs that easily plug into the wall outlets as they are petite and lightweight. If you need a smart plug for multiple appliances, the compact plug would be an excellent option for you. These plugs are also popular because of their compatibility with the 2.4GHz networks. So, as long as you keep them well protected, these plugs are among the most energy-efficient smart plugs.
- Last on the list is the power bar smart plug. Though uncommon, it works like the other plugs but with multiple points of attachment. They are also called power strips, and most of them are designed to offer surge protection for your devices. As a result, they are more suitable for use in homes with older electrical setups.
Check the features of the smart plug
These include:
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Energy Monitoring
This has to be your number 1 consideration when looking for the best smart plug. The right plug should monitor your electricity consumption (in kWh, Kilowatt-hours) for each device per day, weekly or monthly. Once the plug connects to your smart home hub, this information would be displayed in the corresponding app, whether it works with Alexa or Google Assistant. In case of concerns over the high energy consumption across your devices or the inherent need to keep your power bills down, these energy monitoring features will come in handy. Like your finances and the budgets created over the years, you can only control your finances after establishing where every unit goes.
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Scenes and Scheduling
The next feature you need to look for in the smart plug is the option to customize settings through the use of Scenes and the Scheduling apps. The effectiveness of the smart plug will be seen when it comes to the use of lamps, fans, coffee makers, TVs, thermostats, etc.
The right smart plug would allow you to create schedules and routines by either switching on your coffee maker and having your coffee ready at a specific time in the morning or shutting down all necessary devices at bedtime. This is often made possible by the smart plugs that allow for scheduling, especially for repetitive tasks, for example, the ones that can be scheduled for sunrise and sunset. Such plugs are capable of adjusting time as needed all year long.
And if your smart plugs with Alexa or Google Assistant, you could also incorporate the use of Scenes or routines by simply triggering specific but simple phrases such as Alexa, Movie Time. You will notice that this command will dim the TV or close the shutters.
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Away Modes
This is easily one of the best and the most practical uses of smart plugs. It’s also a feature that is used often – we are human after all, and we need help when away or if you forget to switch off the iron in the morning.
With the Away Mode, you can easily set the date and specific time ranged within which the Away function would operate. As long it’s connected, the plug will easily turn on or off to simulate an occupied home, even when you are thousands of miles away. Since you also have remote access to your home from the apps/ hub, you will have greater peace of mind with the smart plugs.
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Smart Plugs Design
Besides compatibility with digital assistants, you also need to check the design of the smart plug and its suitability for use in your home. Most of the models of smart plugs are already bulkier than you’d like, and in most cases, an online photo won’t tell you if the shape of that top-rated smart plug would work well for your outlets or not. For instance, will the smart plug you are interested in fitting in one outlet and allow you to use the other outlet for regular plugs or another smart plug without blocking any of the adjacent outlets? Is that small-looking plug designed perfectly and would accommodate another plug? In other words, is the smart plug conveniently designed to save space? You wouldn’t want to end up with a smart plug that blocks the view and use of the other outlet.
FAQs
What is a smart plug?
A smart plug is a plug that looks just like the ordinary plug that goes on the socket, but unlike the traditional plugs, smart plugs connect to your home WiFi, making the connected device smarter. By this, we mean that the plugged-in device could be controlled remotely with ease.
What are some of the things you could use with a smart plug?
Besides energy monitoring energy usage, the best smart plugs with pretty much everything, from the trickle chargers – using USB, to running controls for the smaller appliances. You can easily connect and control more devices using your voice or from the app.
Can you use a heater with the smart plug?
Yes. Generally, you could use your heater in the smart plug, but you need to first check the wattage rating for safety.
Conclusion
These are the smartest buys for the best energy monitoring smart plugs. So, if you have been struggling with the rising energy costs in your home and need to make sense of things, these smart plugs would go a long way in tracking energy usage and testing out the devices to determine the ones that could be drawing a lot more power than you think they should.
Robinson Wright
Robinson Wright is a home automation specialist and has helped many modern home developers pick the right gadgets for home automation. According to Wright, most people struggle with particular areas in their home, some would want improved security especially when away from home for a couple of days and others will want to improve power consumption. Homeowner's needs can be fulfilled by investing in smart home gadgets but most importantly is that one must know the functionality that they desire to achieve and then choose a product and technology that would fulfill the need. Robinson Wright runs an appliance enterprise and when not in the field working with his clients, he loves spending time in his workshop testing out the new technologies.