Best Energy Monitor Plugs UK (2026): Top 5 We'd Buy
Find out what your heater, heated airer or dehumidifier really costs to run, with a smart plug or a simple plug-in meter
Quick answer
- Best overallTapo P110 Two-Pack – easy app and huge number of reviews
- Best without an appMECHEER Plug-In Power Meter – shows watts, kWh and cost on a screen
- Best for Matter and Apple HomeTapo P110M – Matter plug with energy monitoring
- Best multi-packEIGHTREE ET31 Four-Pack – four plugs for checking several appliances
- Best compact budget plugSONOFF S60TPG – small, cheap and states 3250W max
The best energy monitor plug UK homes can buy, for most people, is the Tapo P110 two-pack. Each plug shows how much electricity an appliance uses in the Tapo app, works with Alexa and Google, and was the number one smart plug on Amazon UK when we checked. If you do not want an app, the MECHEER plug-in power meter shows the figures on its own screen.
An energy monitor plug sits between the wall socket and an appliance and measures what it actually uses. That matters with heaters, because a thermostat switches them on and off, so the real cost is often lower than the label suggests. For a quick estimate before you buy anything, try our heating cost calculator. To compare heaters, see our best fan heater UK and best oil-filled radiators UK guides, and for drying laundry, our best heated clothes airers UK picks. One warning: big 3kW appliances can be over some plugs' limits, so check the load first. We have not tested these ourselves.
26.32p
Average price cap electricity unit rate per kWh, 1 October to 31 December 2026 (England, Scotland and Wales)
Source: Ofgem
Editor's Choice
Tapo P110 Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring (2-Pack)
Our top pick for most homes. The app is easy, you get two plugs at a low price, and it was the best selling smart plug on Amazon UK when we checked.
Diagnose your problem
How to Choose an Energy Monitor Plug
Four quick questions to find the right one.
Problem
Do you want an app, or a screen on the plug?
Smart plugs show usage on your phone. A plug-in meter has its own display.
Problem
Which smart home system do you use?
Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home or none at all.
Recommendation
Alexa or Google: any of the smart plugs here. Apple Home or another Matter system: the Tapo P110M. Its listing says Matter energy data currently shows in SmartThings and Home Assistant only, so use the Tapo app for energy figures.
Products
Problem
How many appliances do you want to check?
One heater this winter, or several things around the house?
Recommendation
One or two: the Tapo P110 two-pack or a single SONOFF S60TPG. Several at once: the EIGHTREE four-pack works out cheapest per plug, but it needs 2.4GHz Wi-Fi.
Products
Problem
Will you plug a heater into it?
Check the wattage on your heater’s label or listing first.
Quick Picks
The right energy monitor plug for each kind of home
Our Top 5 Picks
Compare all
Tapo
Tapo P110 Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring (2-Pack)
“Our top pick for most homes. The app is easy, you get two plugs at a low price, and it was the best selling smart plug on Amazon UK when we checked.”
Best for
Most homes that want to check what heaters, airers and dehumidifiers cost
Skip it if
You want to monitor a 3kW appliance, or you do not want another app.
Pros
- +Number one in smart plugs on Amazon UK when we checked
- +Two plugs in the pack
- +Works with Alexa and Google Assistant
- +Schedules, timers and sharing with family
Cons
- −Spec table says 2860W, so not for 3kW appliances on full
- −Avoid motors or compressors over 1/6HP, such as air conditioners (listing says)
- −Not for EV charging
All specifications
| App | Tapo |
| Max Load (listing) | 13A, 2860W in spec table |
| Works With | Alexa, Google |
| In the Box | 2 plugs |
MECHEER
MECHEER Plug-In Power Meter with LCD Display
“The best choice if you just want to read the numbers without an app. Plug it in, set your price per kWh and leave it running.”
Best for
Anyone who wants energy figures without a smartphone app
Skip it if
You want to switch things on and off from your phone or set schedules.
Pros
- +No app, no Wi-Fi, no account
- +Shows kWh and cost on its own screen
- +Overload alarm you can set
- +UKCA marked (listing says), 2-year warranty
Cons
- −Cannot switch appliances on or off remotely
- −Default overload alarm is 3680W, and the listing tells you to set it to 2900W before use
- −You have to bend down to read it at the socket
All specifications
| App | None (screen on plug) |
| Max Load (listing) | Set alarm to 2900W |
| Works With | Any UK socket |
| In the Box | 1 meter |
Tapo
Tapo P110M Matter Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring
“The pick for Apple Home or Matter homes. Use the Tapo app for the energy figures, and your smart home app for switching.”
Best for
Apple Home and other Matter smart homes
Skip it if
You only use Alexa or Google, as the P110 two-pack is better value.
Pros
- +Matter certified, so it works with Apple Home via a Matter hub
- +Energy monitoring and bill estimates in the Tapo app
- +Flame-retardant casing (listing says)
- +2-year manufacturer warranty (listing says)
Cons
- −Matter energy data only shows in SmartThings and Home Assistant for now (listing says)
- −Single plug only
- −Fewer reviews than the P110
All specifications
| App | Tapo, or Matter apps |
| Max Load (listing) | 13A |
| Works With | Alexa, Google, Apple Home |
| In the Box | 1 plug |
EIGHTREE
EIGHTREE ET31 Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring (4-Pack)
“The cheapest way to check several appliances at once. Make sure your router has a 2.4GHz network before you buy.”
Best for
Checking several appliances around the house at once
Skip it if
You only need one plug, or your Wi-Fi is 5GHz only.
Pros
- +Four plugs, the lowest price per plug here
- +Real-time energy graphs in the app
- +Works with Alexa and Google Assistant
- +2-year warranty (listing says)
Cons
- −2.4GHz Wi-Fi only
- −Uses the Smart Life app rather than a big-brand app
- −Listing does not state a wattage limit beyond 13A
All specifications
| App | Smart Life |
| Max Load (listing) | 13A |
| Works With | Alexa, Google |
| In the Box | 4 plugs |
SONOFF
SONOFF S60TPG Wi-Fi Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring
“A small, cheap single plug with a clearly stated 3250W limit. Best for people happy with a less polished app.”
Best for
A cheap single plug for one appliance
Skip it if
You want the simplest app, or you have 5GHz Wi-Fi only.
Pros
- +States a 3250W maximum load
- +Compact at 58 x 58 x 42mm (listing says)
- +Low price
- +Smart scenes with other SONOFF sensors
Cons
- −eWeLink app only
- −2.4GHz Wi-Fi only
- −Far fewer reviews than the Tapo plugs
All specifications
| App | eWeLink |
| Max Load (listing) | 13A, 3250W |
| Works With | Alexa, Google |
| In the Box | 1 plug |
Compare All Products
Side-by-side specs for quick decision-making
Swipe to compare →
| Product | App | Max Load (listing) | Works With | In the Box | Price | Best For | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Tapo | 13A, 2860W in spec table | Alexa, Google | 2 plugs | £14–£16 | Most homes that want to check what heaters, airers and dehumidifiers cost | View |
 MECHEER Plug-In Power Meter with LCD DisplayBest Without an App | None (screen on plug) | Set alarm to 2900W | Any UK socket | 1 meter | £10–£12 | Anyone who wants energy figures without a smartphone app | View |
 Tapo P110M Matter Smart Plug with Energy MonitoringBest for Matter and Apple Home | Tapo, or Matter apps | 13A | Alexa, Google, Apple Home | 1 plug | £8–£10 | Apple Home and other Matter smart homes | View |
 EIGHTREE ET31 Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring (4-Pack)Best Multi-Pack | Smart Life | 13A | Alexa, Google | 4 plugs | £22–£25 | Checking several appliances around the house at once | View |
 SONOFF S60TPG Wi-Fi Smart Plug with Energy MonitoringBest Compact Budget Plug | eWeLink | 13A, 3250W | Alexa, Google | 1 plug | £8–£10 | A cheap single plug for one appliance | View |
Check the Load Before You Plug In a Heater
Every plug here is sold as a 13A plug, but the stated wattage limits differ: the Tapo P110 spec table says 2860W, SONOFF says 3250W, and MECHEER tells you to set its overload alarm to 2900W. Check your appliance’s wattage is below the plug’s limit. Plug the monitor straight into a wall socket, not an extension lead. Many heater manuals warn against using a timer or any device that switches the heater on automatically, so if yours says that, use the plug to measure only, not to switch the heater on remotely.
Research Methodology
How We Chose These Products
We have not tested these ourselves. This is desk research, so we have not measured how accurate these plugs are.
We read Amazon UK listings for energy monitoring smart plugs and plug-in power meters, the Amazon UK best seller list for smart plugs, maker specs and verified UK buyer reviews about setup, app reliability and readings. We gave extra weight to plugs whose listings state a clear maximum load. Prices and ratings are from Amazon UK on the day we checked. We never make up prices or test results.
Selection Criteria
Energy Data
30% weightShows watts, kWh and cost clearly in the app or on screen
Buyer Reviews
25% weightStar rating, number of reviews and complaints about setup or dropped Wi-Fi
Clear Load Limit
20% weightDoes the listing say how much power it can safely handle?
Value for Money
15% weightPrice per plug, including multi-packs
Smart Home Support
10% weightWorks with Alexa, Google, Apple Home or Matter, or needs no app at all
Important Limitations
- •We have not tested these ourselves, including how accurate the readings are
- •Load limits and features are maker claims from the listings
- •Smart home support can change with app and firmware updates
- •Star ratings and review counts change over time
- •Price bands are rough, so always check the current Amazon UK price
Research last conducted: · Price bands checked:
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about energy monitor plugs in the UK
For most people, we pick the Tapo P110 two-pack. It shows energy use in an easy app, works with Alexa and Google, and was the best selling smart plug on Amazon UK when we checked. For no app, choose the MECHEER power meter. For Apple Home, choose the Tapo P110M, and for several appliances, the EIGHTREE four-pack.
You plug it into a wall socket and plug the appliance into it. It measures how much power the appliance draws in watts and how much energy it uses over time in kWh. Enter your unit rate in the app or on the meter and it estimates the cost.
Multiply the heater’s power in kW by your unit rate. At the Ofgem price cap average of 26.32p per kWh for October to December 2026, a 2kW heater costs about 53p an hour on full. A thermostat switches it on and off, so the real cost is usually lower. A monitor plug measures the real figure, and our heating cost calculator, linked above, gives a quick estimate.
Only if the heater’s wattage is below the plug’s stated limit. The Tapo P110 spec table says 2860W, so a 3kW heater on full is too much for it. Plug straight into a wall socket, not an extension lead. Many heater manuals warn against devices that switch a heater on automatically, so check yours and use the plug to measure only if it says that.
We have not tested their accuracy, and the listings here do not give an accuracy figure. They are good for comparing appliances and spotting the ones that cost the most. Your smart meter and energy bill are the true record of what you pay.
They do different jobs. A smart meter in-home display shows what your whole home is using. A monitor plug shows what one appliance uses, so you can see exactly what that heater, dehumidifier or airer costs.
The EIGHTREE and SONOFF listings say 2.4GHz only. Most UK broadband routers broadcast both 2.4GHz and 5GHz, so this is usually fine, but you may need to connect your phone to the 2.4GHz network during setup. The MECHEER meter has no Wi-Fi at all.
Anything above the plug’s stated limit. Tapo also says to avoid appliances with a motor or compressor over 1/6HP, such as an air conditioner, and that EV charging is not supported. Always follow the appliance maker’s instructions too.
Yes, a smart plug uses a small amount of power to stay connected to Wi-Fi. None of the listings here state how much, so we cannot give a figure. The MECHEER meter has a screen but no Wi-Fi.
Anything that runs for hours or heats up, within the plug’s limit. Good examples are portable heaters, dehumidifiers, heated clothes airers, electric blankets, home office kit and TVs left on standby. Seeing the real cost helps you decide what to run less.
Ready to see what your appliances really cost?
Our top pick, the Tapo P110 two-pack, shows energy use in an easy app and works with Alexa and Google.
View Our Top Pick on Amazon UKDisclosure & Editorial Policy
Amazon Affiliate: TopMagpie is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Programme. We earn from qualifying purchases. This doesn't affect our editorial choices or the prices you pay.
No Lab Testing: We have not laboratory-tested these products. Recommendations are based on spec analysis, reviews, and editorial judgement.
Prices: Approximate bands, checked . Amazon prices change frequently – always verify the current price before purchasing. We do not invent live prices.
Data Source: The 26.32p figure is from the Ofgem. Actual results vary based on your specific situation.
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