Our Top Products Picks
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 Emporia Vue 3 Home Energy Monitor - Smart Home Automation Module and Real Time Electricity Usage Monitor, Power Consumption Meter, Solar and Net Metering for UL Certified Safe Energy MonitoringSAFETY YOU CAN TRUST WITH UL CERTIFICATION: With Emporia Energy, your home energy monitoring is safe, reliable, and certified. The Emporia Vue is UL Listed, meaning it has met rigorous safety standards for electrical products in the U.S. and Canada. This certification ensures that every component has been thoroughly tested to prevent hazards, such as overheating, short-circuiting, or fire, offering you peace of mind as you manage your home’s energy consumption. INSTALLS IN CIRCUIT PANEL of most homes with clamp-on sensors. Supports Single phase, Single-split phase, and 2-wire systems. 3-wire systems; 3-phase, 4-wire Wye systems with earthed (TN or TT) neutral (no-Delta) are supported with an additional 200A sensor (sold separately). 24/7 ENERGY MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING: Automate, manage and control your home's real power anywhere, anytime to prevent costly repairs, conserve energy, and save costs. Monitor solar / net metering. PROTECTED BY A 1-YEAR WARRANTY. LOWER YOUR ELECTRIC BILL: Configure settings in the Emporia Energy App to automate energy management for time of use, peak demand, excess solar, and rewards programs. You can even see live reporting and invaluable savings opportunities instantly. Gauge real-time spending and get actionable notifications and automated energy management to help you reduce costs. REAL-TIME ENERGY DATA: REQUIRES 2.4 GHz WIFI WITH AN INTERNET CONNECTION to monitor energy use with iPhone / Android / Web app. Vue sensors collect energy data and are accurate from ±2%. The Vue is UL and CE Listed for your safety. 1 second data is only available in the app (when actively open) and retained 3 hours. Minute and hour data are retained in the cloud. 1 minute data is retained 7 days, 1 hour data is retained indefinitely. Export cloud data whenever you want in the app. APPLIANCE MONITORING WITHOUT GUESSWORK: Comes with sixteen branch (50A) sensors to accurately monitor your critical loads like air conditioner, furnace, water heater, washer, dryer, range, etc. New and improved screw terminals / ports allow CT wires to be trimmed to reduce panel clutter. | |
 Eyedro Home Energy Monitor – Real-Time Electricity Usage Monitor with Solar Net Metering – Whole House Power Consumption Monitor – WiFi/Ethernet Smart Energy Meter with Reports & History, 2 SensorsEyedro Take Control of Your Power Use in Real Time: The Eyedro Home Energy Monitor gives you instant insight into how much electricity your home consumes and produces — empowering you to save money and optimize energy efficiency. Works as a whole home energy monitor or solar meter, giving clear, accurate data on your power usage 24/7. Track, React, Save – Identify energy waste, lower utility bills, and make smarter choices with real-time tracking through the MyEyedro cloud. Whether you’re living off-grid, managing a smart home, or just want to monitor costs, this smart energy monitoring system helps you visualize your consumption in dollars, watts, amps, and volts. Smart, Precise, and Easy to Use: Includes two 200A sensors, Ethernet cable, power adapter, and access to the MyEyedro cloud (no subscription). Compatible with WiFi or wired Ethernet, and supports solar, grid, or net metering. Track usage across devices, appliances, or circuits. Built to meet North American safety standards. Compatible with 2.4 GHz WiFi. Ideal for Homeowners, Smart Homes & Solar Users: Perfect for energy-conscious households, DIY enthusiasts, and off-grid living. The perfect electricity monitor to identify “energy hogs” and optimize your entire power system. Eyedro – Real Data, Real Savings: Trusted by homeowners and professionals for over a decade, Eyedro is dedicated to making energy monitoring simple and effective. Our mission: help you reduce waste, save money, and take control of your electricity with reliable, easy-to-use technology built to last. ***Note: a single EYEDRO-HOME can be used to monitor either grid energy or solar, or for net metering (not all at the same time). To break out the grid energy usage from the solar generation there are needed 2 x EYEDRO-HOME (there is a Net Meter plugin in the MyEyedro software that requires 2 meters to activate). NEED HELP? Reach out to Eyedro's Technical Support Team for assistance with the setup of your Eyedro device. | |
 Smart Home Energy Monitor Supports Home Assistant, Real-Time Accurate Energy Consumption Tracking, Electricity Usage Monitor with 16x60A Circuit Sensors, 36-Month History, Solar Metering, 2.4G✨NEW✨ Feature Release (25.07.30): 1.Merge channels; 2.Export hourly-level energy data; 3.Access the new energy statistics page; 4.Invert CT readings directly via Device Settings → Circuit Factor (no physical flipping needed!). Update to the latest Refoss app and firmware to enable all features. Refoss Smart Home Energy Monitor: Supports 2 main circuit sensors (up to 200A each) and 16 branch circuit sensors (up to 60A each) with an easy-to-install clamp-on design. Compatible with single-phase 2-wire systems, single-split phase 3-wire systems, and 3-phase 4-wire Wye systems with earthed (TN or TT) neutral (no Delta). Easily installs in most home circuit panels and includes a 2-year warranty. Attention: Take care in accessing the included current transformer and avoid bumping it to prevent damage. 24/7 Energy Monitoring: With the Refoss app, you can track your home’s energy usage anytime, anywhere. Easily monitor the power, current, voltage, and power factor of major appliances like air conditioners, stoves, and water heaters. Quickly identify which devices are running efficiently and which ones might be wasting electricity. According to statistics, many users save an average of 10%-20% on their energy bills by optimizing appliance usage. Zero Feed In Automation: The EM16 is a smart meter designed for solar owners, linking with Home Assistant to automate your zero feed-in strategy. Ideal for homes with solar panels, it detects solar surplus (like midday sun peaks) and automatically powers high-energy appliances - such as activating your washing machine, EV charger, or water heater - to consume excess solar energy onsite. This prevents low-value electricity feed-ins to the grid, maximizing your solar investment returns and slashing utility bills. Comprehensive Energy Data: The power monitor provides 98% accuracy and stores up to 3 years of detailed electricity usage data. With clear minute, hour, day, month, and year consumption and cost charts, you can easily understand your energy use. Ideal for homeowners adjusting appliance usage to save on bills or businesses tracking long-term energy savings and emission reductions. Historical data can also be exported for further analysis, making every electricity expense transparent. Smart Consumption Alerts: You can set personalized usage targets for each circuit. Once the system detects an unusual energy spike—such as a sudden increase in power consumption by an appliance that exceeds the normal range—you will immediately receive a detailed alert notification. This allows you to take prompt action, such as checking if there is a malfunction with the device or adjusting your usage habits, thereby optimizing appliance usage across different times of the day. Compatible with Home Assistant: EM16 Wi-Fi Energy Monitor is now compatible with Home Assistant! Simply update the firmware in the Refoss app to seamlessly integrate your energy management system with your smart home platform, enabling centralized control and automation. Additionally, all data is stored locally, ensuring your privacy is protected without cloud processing. API is not supported. | |
 Smart Home Energy Monitor with 2 x 120A CTs, Real-Time Electricity Usage Monitor, Bi-Directional Power Tracking, Supports Single-Phase 3-Wire System, 2.4GHz Wi-Fi (WiFi Version)【Precise Real-Time Energy Monitoring】Provides highly accurate real-time electricity tracking, including voltage, current, power, and total energy consumption, helping you stay informed about your home’s energy usage. 【Bi-Directional Power Monitoring for Solar Systems】Designed for solar and battery storage systems, this energy monitor accurately measures both household energy consumption and power export to the grid with Class 1 accuracy. 【Quick & Easy Installation】Features pluggable terminals and compact split-core CTs for a hassle-free setup, eliminating the need for complex wiring and making installation effortless. 【Smart App & Home Automation Integration】Compatible with the Smart Life app, offering advanced features like real-time data analysis, bi-directional monitoring, alerts, and customizable automation scenes for seamless smart home integration. 【Optimized for Home Energy Management】Supports HEMS (Home Energy Management System) with Dynamic Load Balancing (DLB) and zero grid export mode, maximizing energy efficiency and reducing electricity costs. |
It is a fundamental rule of engineering: you cannot manage what you do not measure. In 2026, with residential electricity rates averaging nearly $0.20 per kWh nationwide and grid volatility becoming a weekly headline, flying blind on your energy usage isn't just inefficient—it's expensive.
I have spent the last decade testing everything from simple plug-in kill-a-watt meters to complex, whole-home CT clamp systems. Today, we are looking at the latest entrant that promises to bridge the gap between granular data and actionable behavioral change: the Emporia Vue Gen 4 (2026 Edition).
While software solutions like those discussed in our Home Energy Management: The Engineer’s Guide to Efficiency and Conservation are a great starting point, hardware monitors like the Vue Gen 4 offer the surgical precision needed to truly dissect your utility bill. Does the new AI-driven load detection live up to the hype, or is it just another gadget for the breaker box? Let's open the panel and find out.
Bottom Line Up Front (TL;DR)
If you are short on time, here is the engineer's summary:
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The Good: The Gen 4 features the fastest real-time reporting I've seen in 2026 (sub-second latency). The new AI 'Device Signature' engine is significantly better at identifying distinct appliances without needing dedicated circuit sensors for every breaker. Native Matter integration finally makes it seamless with modern smart homes.
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The Bad: Installation still requires opening your breaker panel, which isn't for everyone. The mobile app UI is dense with data, which might overwhelm non-technical users.
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The Verdict: For homeowners serious about cutting waste and identifying 'vampire loads,' this is the best home energy monitor review candidate for ROI this year. It pays for itself in about 8 months for the average home.
Design and Installation: Inside the Breaker Box
Let’s get technical about the install. Like its predecessors, the Emporia Vue Gen 4 installs directly inside your electrical panel. If you are not comfortable working around live 240V mains, hire an electrician. As an electrical engineer, I appreciate the build quality improvements in the 2026 model.
The Hardware:
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Main Unit: The hub is 30% smaller than the 2024 Gen 3, fitting easily into crowded panels.
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CT Clamps: The Current Transformers (CTs) are slimmer. The Gen 4 includes two 200A main clamps and sixteen 50A circuit clamps. The new 'Flex-Click' mechanism on the 50A clamps is a massive upgrade, making it easier to snap onto tight wires without forcing them.
The Setup Process: Installation took me about 45 minutes. The process involves clamping the main sensors around your service entrance cables and the smaller sensors around specific circuits (AC, Dryer, Water Heater). The unit draws power via a dedicated breaker or a wire-tap pigtail.
Once powered up, the WiFi antenna (now integrated rather than external) grabbed my mesh network signal immediately. This has been a pain point in previous years, but the 2026 radio chipset seems much more robust against the interference typically found inside a metal breaker box.
Performance: Real-Time Energy Tracking in Action
This is where the rubber meets the road. A home energy monitor review is useless if the data lags.
Latency Tests: I ran a stress test by toggling my high-draw appliances. I flipped on the microwave; the app registered the spike in 0.8 seconds. I turned on the EV charger; the graph jumped instantly. This sub-second response time is critical. It allows you to walk around your house, turning switches on and off, and instantly seeing the wattage impact on your phone.
Accuracy: I compared the Vue Gen 4's readings against my utility's smart meter and a calibrated Fluke multimeter.
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Utility Meter Variance: < 0.5% over a 7-day period.
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Voltage Reading: Spot on at 120.4V.
For 2026, Emporia has also introduced 'Voltage Sag Detection,' which alerts you if your grid supply drops below safe thresholds—a feature I didn't know I needed until it caught a brownout last Tuesday.
AI Detection and Finding Vampire Loads
The 'Holy Grail' of energy monitoring is automatic appliance detection—knowing that the 400W spike is the fridge defrost cycle without putting a sensor on that specific breaker.
Previous generations struggled here. The Gen 4 uses a new onboard NPU (Neural Processing Unit) for edge computing.
The Vampire Hunt: Using the detect energy waste features, I audited my home office. The system flagged a 'Always On' baseline of 240 watts. That is roughly $400 a year in wasted electricity!
Drilling down, the Gen 4 helped me isolate:
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An old laser printer in 'sleep' mode drawing 45W.
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A surround sound receiver drawing 30W while 'off'.
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A garage freezer with a failing compressor seal (cycling too frequently).
By addressing these phantom loads, I dropped my baseline to 85 watts. This capability alone justifies the hardware cost.
Smart Home Tech Integration: The Matter Era
In 2026, a siloed device is a dead device. The Vue Gen 4 finally supports the Matter standard natively.
Automation Potential: I set up an automation through my home hub: If solar production exceeds 4kW AND home consumption is below 1kW -> Turn on the Water Heater.
This is the difference between passive monitoring and active management. The Vue Gen 4 acts as the brain, triggering other smart home tech devices to use energy when it's cheapest or cleanest. It also integrates flawlessly with 2026-era bidirectional EV chargers, letting you visualize the car battery not just as a load, but as a home backup source.
Software and Education Tools
The app has received a major overhaul this year. It moves beyond raw graphs to provide genuine education tools for the homeowner.
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Rate Plan Optimization: You can input your specific 2026 utility rate plan (Time-of-Use). The app now predicts your bill with frightening accuracy and suggests when to run heavy loads to save money.
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Carbon Tracking: For the eco-conscious, it converts kWh into pounds of CO2 based on your local grid's real-time mix.
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Goal Setting: You can set a budget (e.g., "Keep bill under $150") and the app will push notifications if you are pacing to exceed it by week two.
My only critique is the density. The dashboard can look like a stock trading terminal. For engineers like me, it's heaven. For my neighbor, it might be intimidating.
Comparison: Vue Gen 4 vs. Sense AI 2026
The main competitor this year is the Sense AI 2026. Here is how they stack up:
| Feature | Emporia Vue Gen 4 | Sense AI 2026 |
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| Installation | Invasive (Breaker Panel) | Easy (Clamp on Mains) |
| Accuracy | 99.5% (Circuit Level) | 92% (AI Guessing) |
| Price | $199 (Base Kit) | $349 |
| Data Speed | <1 Second | ~2 Seconds |
| Best For | Data Geeks & Precision | Ease of Use |
While Sense has improved their machine learning, nothing beats the physics of actually clamping the specific circuit wire. If you want to know exactly what the AC is doing, Emporia wins.
Verdict: Who Should Buy This?
The Emporia Vue Gen 4 is, without a doubt, the most powerful consumer-grade electricity usage monitor on the market in 2026. It bridges the gap between professional energy auditing tools and smart home conveniences.
Buy this if:
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You have a Time-of-Use electricity plan and need to shift loads.
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You suspect you have failing appliances or high phantom loads.
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You own an EV or Solar setup and need granular visibility.
Skip this if:
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You rent an apartment (you likely cannot open the panel).
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You want a "set it and forget it" device without any configuration.
For most homeowners, this device transforms the electricity bill from a monthly mystery into a manageable expense.
Reducing your carbon footprint and your utility bill requires more than just good intentions; it requires good data. The Emporia Vue Gen 4 provides that data in spades. It is a rugged, precise, and incredibly insightful tool that fits perfectly into a modern sustainable home strategy.
If you are ready to take control of your home's consumption, this monitor is the first piece of hardware I would recommend buying. Once you have the data, you can start applying the broader strategies we discuss in our comprehensive Home Energy Management: The Engineer’s Guide to Efficiency and Conservation.