Home Energy Monitoring Devices: 12 Top Picks for 2025

Electric rates are climbing, time-of-use plans are spreading, and more homes now juggle EVs, heat pumps, and solar. Yet your utility bill still shows a single monthly total—no clues about where the kWh actually go. Home energy monitoring devices turn that blind spot into clear, real-time insight. They pinpoint always-on “phantom” loads, reveal which circuits or appliances cost the most to run, help you shift usage to cheaper hours, and verify that upgrades—like smarter schedules or better ventilation—are paying off.

In this guide, we compare 12 top picks for 2025 across whole-home, circuit-level, appliance-recognition, smart meter–reader, and smart-panel options. For each, you’ll get what it is, how it works, standout features, ideal users, plus current pricing and where to buy. We’ll cover integrations (Home Assistant, Z-Wave, Alexa), solar and battery support, generator tie-ins, installation complexity (DIY vs. electrician), and data privacy/local control. By the end, you’ll know exactly which monitor fits your goals, wiring, and budget. First up: Sense, the leader in appliance recognition.

1. Sense home energy monitor (best for appliance recognition)

Among home energy monitoring devices, Sense is the go-to pick if you want the app to figure out “what’s on” without you labeling every circuit. It turns your panel into a live feed of device-level activity so you can chase costs, not guesses.

What it is

Sense is a whole-home energy monitor that installs at your electrical panel and focuses on automatic appliance recognition. Its mobile app surfaces real-time usage, on/off events, and month-over-month trends, helping you spot waste and verify savings quickly.

How it works

Sensors clamp onto your service mains to read your home’s electrical current. Sense analyzes those waveforms and uses machine learning to learn appliance “signatures.” Discovery happens over weeks to months and isn’t perfect—smaller or similar heating devices can be harder to identify—but it delivers granular insights with minimal setup.

Notable features

Sense stands out for turning raw usage into clear, actionable insights with very little tinkering. Expect polished notifications, cost views, and helpful context that encourage smarter habits.

• Automatic appliance recognition: Learns device signatures and shows what’s on in near real time.
• Real-time usage and costs: Track consumption and see month‑over‑month statistics, including dollars.
• Smart alerts: Get notifications when devices turn on/off or behave abnormally.
• Smart home tie-ins: Works with select smart plugs, smart bulbs, and Alexa for added visibility and control.
• Low-effort insights: Whole‑home clarity without mapping every circuit manually.

Who it’s for

Homeowners who want device-level insights with minimal configuration, especially those motivated by behavior-based savings. Great for anyone on time-of-use rates who needs timely prompts to shift loads to cheaper hours.

Pricing and where to buy

Sense typically runs about $300 from major retailers such as Amazon and other national outlets. While marketed as DIY, installation involves your electrical panel; hiring a licensed electrician is recommended for safety and a clean setup.

2. Emporia Vue 3 energy monitor (best budget circuit-level monitoring)

If you want actionable circuit-by-circuit data without a premium price, Emporia’s Vue 3 hits the sweet spot. It starts as a whole-home monitor and scales up with add-on sensors, giving you a clear picture of where your kWh go—and tools to time-shift loads for cheaper rates.

What it is

Vue 3 is a budget-friendly whole-home energy monitor that can expand to circuit-level tracking. Paired with the Emporia app, it shows live usage, costs, historical charts, and alerts, and it plays nicely with Emporia’s broader ecosystem.

How it works

Clamp sensors install on your main power feeds for a whole-home view. Add 8 or 16 optional circuit sensors to track specific breakers—label them in the app (dryer, kitchen, EV charger, heat pump) and watch real-time and trend data per circuit. Emporia smart plugs add finer appliance-level detail. When paired with the Emporia EV charger, you can sync charging with time-of-use rates or even prioritize excess solar.

Notable features

• Scalable circuit monitoring: Start whole-home; add circuits for granular insights.
• Clear, data-rich app: Real-time power, cost views, charts, and unusual-usage alerts.
• Smart plug support: More granular monitoring for plug-in devices.
• Ecosystem benefits: Works with Emporia’s EV charger to optimize TOU and solar-aware charging.
• Practical labeling: Name circuits for quick, intuitive tracking.

Who it’s for

Cost-conscious homeowners who want circuit-level clarity to cut bills and shift usage. Great for TOU rate plans, EV owners pairing with Emporia’s charger, and anyone who prefers clear, labeled circuit data over algorithmic device detection. As with any panel work, consider hiring a licensed electrician.

Pricing and where to buy

The basic Vue 3 runs about $100; kits with 8 and 16 circuit sensors are roughly $150 and $200. Widely available via major retailers and Emporia’s store.

3. Schneider Electric Wiser Energy monitor (best for Square D panels)

If you like Sense-style automatic device detection but want to stay in the Schneider/Square D ecosystem, Wiser Energy is the fit. Developed in partnership with Sense, it delivers familiar, appliance-level insights with Schneider’s own Wiser app and support.

What it is

Wiser Energy is Schneider Electric’s whole-home energy monitor. Formerly tied to the Sense app, it now uses Schneider’s Wiser app to show real-time usage, on/off events, savings tracking, energy goals, and recommended actions.

How it works

Clamp sensors install inside your electrical panel on the service mains. The system analyzes your home’s electrical signals and, over time, automatically identifies appliances. Results improve as the monitor learns your household’s usage patterns.

Notable features

You get the core strengths of leading home energy monitoring devices—automatic detection and clear cost/usage views—wrapped in Schneider’s app experience.

• Automatic appliance recognition: Learns what’s running without manual circuit labeling.
• Wiser app experience: Real-time usage, device on/off notifications, savings tracking, and energy goals.
• Recommendations: In‑app tips and suggested actions to cut waste and lower bills.
• Brand alignment: A natural choice for Schneider/Square D households seeking a single-vendor path.

Who it’s for

Homeowners with Square D panels or Schneider gear who want appliance-level insights and a polished, branded app. Solid for those on time-of-use rates who benefit from timely on/off alerts and goal tracking. Because installation involves your panel, consider hiring a licensed electrician.

Pricing and where to buy

Schneider’s monitor is typically listed at over $330 at major retailers (e.g., Home Depot) and electrical supply outlets. Availability is broad; pricing varies by seller and kit configuration.

4. Eyedro home electricity monitor (best for simple, solar-friendly monitoring)

Eyedro is a straightforward pick if you want clear whole-home usage without machine-learning device detection. It’s known for being affordable and for playing nicely with solar setups, so you can keep tabs on consumption and generation without overcomplicating your system.

What it is

Eyedro offers an easy, budget-friendly home electricity monitor that shows live and historical usage at the whole-home level. It’s designed to take the surprise out of your bill by making your daily and hourly consumption visible—and it’s often chosen by solar owners for basic production tracking.

How it works

A compact monitoring unit installs near your electrical panel, with current sensors that clamp around your service mains to read total household power. For solar homes, compatible models and sensors can be used to monitor your solar feed so you can compare production and consumption. Data is viewable in an app/portal for at-a-glance insight.

Notable features

While it skips appliance-level identification, Eyedro focuses on dependable, uncomplicated whole-home and solar-friendly monitoring.

• Simple whole-home view: Clean visibility into how much electricity you’re using.
• Solar-friendly options: Integrates well with solar installations for production tracking.
• Budget-focused: A cost-effective way to monitor and trend your usage.
• No appliance recognition: Keeps things simple without device-level guesses.

Who it’s for

Homeowners who want an affordable, low-fuss monitor to track whole-home usage—and especially those with solar who want basic production visibility. Ideal if you prefer clarity over complexity and don’t need circuit mapping or AI appliance detection.

Pricing and where to buy

Eyedro’s home energy monitor is about $150. You can buy directly from the manufacturer or major retailers. It’s often marketed as DIY, but because installation involves your electrical panel, hiring a licensed electrician is the safer route.

5. Leviton whole home energy monitor (LWHEM-2) (best for Leviton load center integration)

If your home runs on a Leviton Load Center, Leviton’s LWHEM-2 is the most seamless way to add whole‑home visibility. It’s built to live with Leviton hardware, delivering clean installation and real‑time consumption data without bolting on a mismatched solution.

What it is

The Leviton LWHEM-2 is a whole-home energy monitor that ships with one pair of current transformers (CTs) for monitoring your main service. Designed as the “smart” complement to Leviton panels, it provides real-time energy consumption data and an at-a-glance view of household usage.

How it works

Install the CTs on the service mains in your electrical panel and mount the compact monitor nearby. The unit measures total power draw and reports it to Leviton’s monitoring interface for live usage, trends, and basic insights. Because it ties into the panel, installation should be performed by a licensed electrician.

Notable features

• Tight Leviton integration: Purpose-built for Leviton Load Centers for a clean, manufacturer‑matched setup.
• Whole-home insight: One CT pair reads your total household consumption in real time.
• Straightforward monitoring: Focuses on dependable visibility rather than AI device detection.
• Pro-friendly hardware: A familiar choice for electricians standardizing on Leviton gear.

Who it’s for

Homeowners with an existing Leviton Load Center—or planning one—who want a first‑party whole‑home monitor from the same brand. It’s ideal if you value neat installs, reliable data, and a single-vendor ecosystem over AI-driven appliance recognition.

Pricing and where to buy

Pricing varies by retailer and kit configuration. The LWHEM-2 is commonly available through Leviton distributors, electrical supply houses, and major retailers. Budget for professional installation since work inside the electrical panel is required.

6. Shelly 3EM and Shelly EM (best for Home Assistant and DIYers)

If you want flexible, DIY-friendly home energy monitoring devices that play nicely with smart home platforms, Shelly’s EM line hits the mark. The Shelly EM targets single-service monitoring, while the Shelly 3EM covers multi-phase or multi-feed scenarios, giving tinkers and power users a practical path to real-time data and automations.

What it is

Shelly EM and 3EM are compact, panel-installed energy monitors that use clamp-on current transformers (CTs) to track electricity usage. They’re widely embraced by the Home Assistant community thanks to straightforward local connectivity and a web-based interface for configuration and viewing.

How it works

CTs clamp around your mains (or designated feeds) to measure current. The monitor reports power data over your home network for live and historical views in an app or dashboard. Because installation occurs inside the electrical panel, using a licensed electrician is the safest approach—even for skilled DIYers.

Notable features

Shelly’s appeal is about control, flexibility, and integrations—without locking you into a single ecosystem.

• DIY-friendly setup: Compact hardware, intuitive web UI, and clear device status.
• Local connectivity options: View and use data on your local network without relying on a cloud-only workflow.
• Smart home integrations: Popular with Home Assistant users for building automations driven by real-time power.
• Granularity by model: EM for single-service monitoring; 3EM for multi-phase/multi-feed visibility.
• Real-time and historical data: Track live usage and trends to spot baseloads and verify savings.

Who it’s for

Power users who want local access, smart home automations, and hands-on control of their data. Ideal for Home Assistant enthusiasts and DIYers who prefer building rules and dashboards around precise, real-time power signals. If you’re not comfortable inside a panel, bring in an electrician.

Pricing and where to buy

Pricing varies by model and CT kit. Shelly EM and 3EM are commonly available from smart home retailers, electrical distributors, and major online marketplaces. Plan for professional installation if you’re not experienced with panel work.

7. IoTaWatt power monitor (best open-source, local-first system)

IoTaWatt is a community-favorite among DIYers looking for deep insight without handing their data to a cloud. Frequently recommended in smart home forums alongside Sense, Emporia, and Eyedro, it’s a flexible, local-first way to monitor whole-home and multi-circuit usage with lots of naming and analysis control.

What it is

IoTaWatt is a whole-home power monitor designed for enthusiasts who want transparent, local data and a configurable setup. It’s often chosen by tinkerers who prefer an open, community-driven approach over closed, app-only ecosystems.

How it works

Clamp current sensors install in your electrical panel on the mains and any circuits you want to track. IoTaWatt measures those feeds and serves real-time and historical data over your local network, so you can view usage, spot baseloads, and verify changes without relying on a remote service. Because installation happens inside the panel, using a licensed electrician is the safest route.

Notable features

• Local-first monitoring: Access live and historical data on your network without a required cloud.
• Open, community-driven: Transparent design and active user community for tips, templates, and problem-solving.
• Flexible circuit mapping: Label circuits (dryer, EV, kitchen) and compare trends to target the biggest wins.
• Data-friendly: Export and analyze your numbers to validate TOU shifting, solar self-consumption, or efficiency upgrades.
• DIY control: Configure what you track and how you visualize it.

Who it’s for

Power users and data geeks who want control, local access, and extensibility—especially Home Assistant and automation enthusiasts who prefer building dashboards and rules around precise circuit data. Also a good fit for solar owners who want to compare production and consumption locally.

Pricing and where to buy

Pricing varies by configuration and number of sensors. IoTaWatt is available from the manufacturer and specialty retailers. Budget for professional installation if you’re not experienced working inside an electrical panel.

8. Span smart panel (best all-in-one panel with load control)

When you’re planning serious electrification—EVs, heat pumps, solar, or batteries—a smart panel can replace bolt‑on monitors with a single, integrated system. A smart panel like Span bakes circuit‑level insights into the hardware, giving you a cleaner install and a foundation for smarter control.

What it is

Span is a smart electrical panel that provides built‑in, circuit‑level energy monitoring. Instead of adding clamps and gateways to an existing panel, Span serves as the panel and the monitor, delivering live usage and historical insights across every breaker.

How it works

Because the monitoring is integrated into the panel itself, each circuit’s power is measured and reported for real‑time and trend analysis. As EnergySage notes, a smart panel like Span delivers monitoring and insights at the circuit level—data you can use to find baseloads, shift usage to cheaper hours, and verify savings.

Notable features

Span’s appeal is the all‑in‑one approach: monitoring is native, wiring is tidy, and the system is designed to support broader home energy goals.

• Built‑in circuit monitoring: Per‑circuit visibility without add‑on sensors.
• Actionable insights: Real‑time and historical views to target waste and confirm changes.
• Smart‑panel convenience: Cleaner install versus retrofitting separate home energy monitoring devices.
• HEMS‑ready mindset: Pairs naturally with control workflows typical of home energy management systems.

Who it’s for

Homeowners planning a panel upgrade or major electrification who want monitoring baked in from day one. Ideal for prosumers on time‑of‑use rates who need precise circuit data to schedule loads and track outcomes, and for those who prefer a single‑vendor, integrated solution.

Pricing and where to buy

Pricing varies by configuration and installer. Span panels are typically purchased and professionally installed by licensed electricians and are commonly offered through solar, storage, and electrification contractors. Because this replaces your panel, professional installation is required.

9. Generac PWRview home energy monitor (best for generator and battery owners)

If backup power and storage are part of your plan, Generac’s PWRview gives you a single pane of glass to see home consumption alongside what your generator or battery is doing. It’s a natural fit for households that care about both savings and resilience.

What it is

PWRview is Generac’s home energy monitoring platform. It powers monitoring for Generac solar-plus-battery systems and can be configured as a whole‑home monitor, delivering clear visibility into usage, net grid import/export, and backup readiness.

How it works

Current transformers (CTs) clamp on your service mains for whole‑home usage; additional CTs can monitor solar feeds. In Generac battery setups, PWRview taps the inverter/battery to report state of charge, charge/discharge power, and net flow. With compatible generator hardware, it can reflect load and backup events in the same app. Installation inside the electrical panel should be done by a licensed electrician.

Notable features

PWRview focuses on tying everyday usage to your backup and storage picture, so you can optimize when you pull from the grid, your battery, or your generator.

• Unified dashboard: See consumption, solar production, battery status, and net export/import together.
• Backup awareness: Track outage events and backup performance with generator or battery systems.
• Cost and usage insights: Real‑time power and trend views to target baseloads and shift flexible loads.
• Solar/battery synergy: Understand when to self‑consume solar vs. charge the battery or export.
• Alerts: Get notified about unusual usage or system events to prevent bill or runtime surprises.

Who it’s for

Owners of Generac standby generators or Generac solar‑plus‑storage who want an integrated view of home usage and backup assets. Also great for resilience‑minded households on time‑of‑use rates who need clear guidance on when to run or charge.

Pricing and where to buy

Pricing varies by configuration and is often bundled with Generac battery or generator installations. Purchase and installation are typically handled through authorized Generac dealers and licensed electricians; expect professional setup when panel work or system integration is involved.

10. Smappee Infinity (best for advanced analytics and prosumers)

If you want more than a quick snapshot—think long‑term trends, circuit visibility, and solar‑aware insights—Smappee Infinity is a platform built for depth. It’s geared toward homeowners who treat energy like a controllable asset, using data to shift loads, validate savings, and maximize self‑consumption when they add solar or storage.

What it is

Smappee Infinity is a premium whole‑home energy monitoring platform designed to deliver detailed, configurable insight. Depending on the configuration, it can provide whole‑home, circuit‑level, and solar‑ready monitoring so you can see where energy goes and when it’s cheapest to use.

How it works

Current sensors are installed in or near your electrical panel to measure mains and, optionally, individual circuits; additional sensors can be used to track solar production. Data flows to a dashboard/app for real‑time and historical analysis, with the kind of actionable context EnergySage highlights—alerts, goals, and suggestions that encourage smarter habits. Because installation involves your panel, a licensed electrician is recommended.

Notable features

Smappee Infinity emphasizes granular insight and configurability for households that want advanced analytics rather than a basic whole‑home total.

• Advanced analytics: Deep, long‑term trend views to pinpoint baseloads and verify improvements.
• Circuit‑level options: Configure circuit monitoring to see which breakers drive costs.
• Solar‑ready monitoring: Track production alongside consumption to optimize usage.
• Alerts and goals: Get notified about unusual loads and track progress toward targets.
• Cost and TOU awareness: Where supported, enter tariffs to see real‑time cost impacts.

Who it’s for

Prosumers, solar owners, and data‑driven households on time‑of‑use rates who want configurable, circuit‑level insight and robust analytics to guide scheduling, automation, and investment decisions.

Pricing and where to buy

Pricing varies by configuration, number of sensors, and installer. Smappee Infinity is typically sourced through professional channels; plan for licensed electrician installation and request quotes for an accurate total.

11. Aeotec Home Energy Meter (Z-Wave) (best for smart home automation)

If you want your energy data to actually drive automations—like pausing heavy loads during peak rates or turning on ventilation when usage spikes—Aeotec’s Z‑Wave Home Energy Meter is a smart, hub-friendly pick. It turns whole‑home power readings into reliable triggers your smart home can act on.

What it is

Aeotec’s Home Energy Meter is a Z‑Wave–based, whole‑home monitor that reports real-time power and cumulative energy to your smart hub. It’s designed for automation-first households that prefer local control and low-latency signals over cloud-only dashboards.

How it works

Clamp sensors go around your service mains in the electrical panel. The meter pairs to your Z‑Wave hub, which collects and displays live watts and historical kWh, and lets you build routines based on thresholds, schedules, or tariff windows. Because installation happens inside the panel, hiring a licensed electrician is the safest route.

Notable features

• Z‑Wave native: Integrates with popular Z‑Wave hubs for local, fast automations.
• Automation-ready signals: Use live wattage or kWh thresholds to drive scenes and load‑shedding rules.
• TOU-friendly routines: Create peak/off‑peak schedules that shift flexible loads automatically.
• Local-first option: Keep core functionality running on your home network without depending on a vendor cloud.
• Whole‑home clarity: Track baseloads and verify that schedule or equipment changes are working.

Who it’s for

Homeowners already running a Z‑Wave hub who want their home energy monitoring devices to power real automations. Ideal if you value local control, fast triggers, and straightforward whole‑home visibility more than AI appliance detection.

Pricing and where to buy

Pricing varies by model and retailer. The Aeotec Home Energy Meter is widely available through smart home retailers and major online marketplaces. Budget for professional installation since clamp sensors are installed inside the electrical panel.

12. Emporia Vue Utility Connect (best smart meter reader, no panel work)

Want real-time insights without opening your electrical panel? Emporia’s Vue Utility Connect taps your utility smart meter for live usage data—no clamps, no wiring, and no electrician—making it one of the easiest home energy monitoring devices to deploy.

What it is

Vue Utility Connect is a compact, plug‑in monitor that reads your utility smart meter wirelessly. It delivers near‑real‑time household consumption data in the Emporia app so you can spot baseloads, track cost, and time-shift usage—without touching your breaker box.

How it works

Most modern smart meters broadcast usage via a homeowner network your utility can enable. After your utility approves/activates access, the Vue Utility Connect pairs to the meter, then streams consumption (and, in many territories, net usage if you have solar) to your phone. Because it relies on utility support, availability and data refresh rates vary by region.

Notable features

It focuses on simplicity and speed to actionable visibility, ideal when panel work isn’t an option.

• No panel work: Plug‑in setup; no CT clamps or wiring.
• Smart‑meter powered: Uses your meter’s wireless channel once utility HAN access is enabled.
• Near‑real‑time data: See live usage and trends to chase “always‑on” loads.
• Solar‑aware in many areas: View net import/export where the meter provides it.
• Budget‑friendly entry: Lower cost than panel‑installed monitors.

Who it’s for

Renters, condo/apartment residents, and homeowners who can’t or don’t want to open the electrical panel. Also great for TOU customers who need quick feedback to shift laundry, EV charging, and other flexible loads to off‑peak hours. Check with your utility for smart‑meter compatibility and HAN activation requirements.

Pricing and where to buy

Typically priced well below panel‑based monitors. Available from Emporia and major online retailers. Because performance depends on your utility’s smart‑meter program, confirm compatibility and request HAN activation before purchasing.

Final thoughts

Choose the monitor that matches your goal. If you want the app to tell you what’s on, pick automatic appliance recognition. If you need budget clarity, go circuit‑level. Prefer local control? Go Shelly or IoTaWatt. Solar, storage, or generators call for platforms that unify production and backup. No panel work? Use a smart‑meter reader. Planning a panel upgrade? A smart panel bakes it all in. Then act: find baseloads, shift loads to cheaper hours, and verify savings.

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