Best Energy Monitors for UK Homes
If your electricity bill feels like a mystery, an energy monitor turns it into something you can see and act on. It shows what your appliances are actually using and costing, so you can find the quiet money-drainers — the old fridge, the always-on devices, the tumble dryer — and change how you use them.
For a flat, the most practical options plug straight in and need no installation, which makes them ideal for renters. This guide covers plug-in meters, smart plugs that track energy, and the free display that comes with a smart meter.
QUICK ANSWER
An energy monitor shows what your electricity is costing so you can spot the appliances draining money. A plug-in monitor measures one device; a smart plug with energy monitoring adds app tracking and remote control; and if you have a smart meter, your free in-home display shows whole-home use.
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Who this guide is for
Anyone wanting to understand and cut their electricity use — especially renters who need no-installation options.
Our picks at a glance
| Pick | Best for |
|---|---|
| Tapo P110 Smart Plug (Energy Monitoring) | Tracking and controlling one appliance from your phone |
| KETOTEK Plug-In Power Meter | A quick readout of one device’s cost |
| LOWENERGIE Plug-In Energy Monitor | The cheapest way to measure an appliance |
Our picks in detail
BEST SMART PLUG MONITOR — Tapo P110 Smart Plug (Energy Monitoring)
Best for: Tracking and controlling one appliance from your phone
A cheap smart plug that measures an appliance’s energy use in the app and lets you schedule or switch it off remotely — perfect for finding and cutting standby waste.
Pros: App energy tracking, remote control, scheduling, very cheap.
Cons: Monitors one socket at a time.
BEST PLUG-IN MONITOR — KETOTEK Plug-In Power Meter
Best for: A quick readout of one device’s cost
Plugs between the socket and an appliance and shows its wattage, usage and running cost on a backlit display — no app needed.
Pros: Clear display, shows cost, no app required.
Cons: One appliance at a time; no remote control.
BEST BUDGET — LOWENERGIE Plug-In Energy Monitor
Best for: The cheapest way to measure an appliance
A simple, low-cost plug-in meter for spot-checking what a device uses.
Pros: Very cheap, simple, effective.
Cons: Basic; single socket.
Prices and availability on Amazon are accurate as of the date of publication and are subject to change.
How to choose
- Plug-in vs smart plug: plug-in meters just display; smart plugs add app tracking and remote control.
- Whole-home view: if you have a smart meter, your supplier’s free in-home display shows total use.
- Find the vampires: use it to spot always-on and standby devices.
- Renters: plug-in types and smart plugs need no installation.
- Cost setting: enter your electricity rate so it shows real money.
- Act on it: a monitor only saves money if you change how you use the worst offenders.
Common questions
How does an energy monitor work?
A plug-in monitor sits between the socket and an appliance and measures the electricity it draws, showing usage and cost. A smart plug does the same but reports to an app; a smart-meter display shows your whole home’s use.
Will an energy monitor save me money?
Not by itself — it saves money by showing which appliances cost the most, so you can cut waste, switch off standby devices or change when you run things. The savings come from acting on what it shows.
Plug-in monitor or whole-home monitor?
A plug-in monitor or smart plug is best for finding individual energy-hungry appliances and needs no installation. A whole-home monitor shows total use but is harder to fit in a flat; a smart meter’s free display does this job.
Do I need a smart meter?
No. Plug-in meters and smart plugs work on any home. A smart meter simply adds a free in-home display of your whole-home usage.
Our recommendation
For most flats a Tapo P110 smart plug is the best all-rounder — it tracks an appliance and lets you switch it off remotely. Prefer no app? A plug-in meter shows cost on a display; the budget option covers basic spot checks.
