A smart energy meter is a sophisticated device that records electricity consumption. These meters can help you understand your usage patterns, track peak hours, and obtain valuable insights to optimize your energy consumption, ultimately leading to significant energy savings.
Of course, you can measure the energy usage of a connected appliance with a smart plug. However, using a dedicated energy meter is typically the best way to monitor the overall consumption of the entire household.
Are you interested in getting detailed usage data for more efficient energy management? Read on to find the best energy meters that work great with Homey.
Choosing a Smart Energy Meter
Energy meters come in various shapes, sizes, and installation methods. For instance, some require wiring into the main switch box, whereas others are simply plug-and-play. Consider the following factors when choosing a smart energy meter.
Compatibility
Ensure the energy meter is compatible with your home’s wiring setup and can interface with your utility company’s meter. Check the type of installation it supports (wired, clamp, pulse, P1) to match your specific requirements.
Ease of Installation
Choose a meter that is easy to install and user-friendly. Some smart meters can be installed by clamping onto the three main phases, while others may require professional assistance.
Measuring Range and Accuracy
Verify that the meter’s measuring range can accommodate your household’s total energy consumption, including any high-demand appliances. Ensure the meter provides high-accuracy measurements for reliable data and insights.
Additional Features
Consider additional features such as remote control, alerts for unusual usage patterns, integration with renewable energy sources, and the ability to monitor individual appliances if needed.
Price
Evaluate the cost of the energy meter and ensure it fits within your budget while meeting your requirements for functionality and quality.
Brand | Model | Protocol | Meter Type | Maximum load | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Home Energy Meter Gen5 | ![]() | Clamp | 200A / phase | €129.99 |
![]() | Electricity Meter Interface 2 | ![]() | Pulse | N/A | €79.95 |
![]() | 3-Phase kWh Meter | ![]() | Wired | 65A / phase | €129.95 |
![]() | Wi-Fi P1 Meter | ![]() | P1 Port | N/A | €29.95 |
![]() | Smile P1 | ![]() | P1 Port | N/A | €119.00 |
![]() | 3-Phase Smart Meter | ![]() | Wired | 65A / phase | €194.00 |
![]() | Pro 3EM | ![]() | Clamp | 400A / phase | €144.99 |
![]() | Watty | ![]() | Clamp | 100A / phase | €199.00 |
Aeotec Home Energy Meter Gen5
![Aeotec Home Energy Meter Gen5](https://blog.athom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/aeotec-home-energy-meter-gen5.png)
- Bidirectional meter
- Sleek and compact
- Flexible installation
- Can handle large loads
- Can be difficult to pair
The Aeotec Home Energy Meter Gen5 is a versatile and efficient clamp meter designed for easy installation without complex wiring. It can handle a maximum load of 200A, making it suitable for large, energy-intensive homes.
This meter is cleverly designed to fit all wiring systems worldwide. Europeans can use either one or three clamps to monitor their energy consumption. In comparison, people in the US can use two clamps to match their country’s split-phase system.
The Aeotec Home Energy Meter Gen5 is sleek and compact, measuring just 99 x 66 x 34 millimeters, allowing easy installation in different types of circuit boxes. Its IP44 rating protects it against dust and water splashes, making it durable and reliable in various environments.
In addition to measuring household energy consumption, the Home Energy Meter can also track energy production from renewable sources. It can measure the overproduction of solar panels, wind turbines, or other generators in your home grid. This feature is particularly beneficial for users with PV stations, as it provides insights into energy consumption and production, helping to maximize efficiency and manage energy resources effectively.
The Home Energy Meter Gen5 uses Z-Wave to communicate with Homey Bridge and Homey Pro. Once integrated, it can monitor current, voltage, power, and total electricity consumption in real-time. This capability helps you optimize energy use and reduce utility bills. Additionally, the total sum can be reset through Homey.
It’s worth noting that some users report issues pairing the device in Z-Wave secure mode, which leads to unreliable and inconsistent updates.
Frient Electricity Meter Interface 2 (LED)
![Frient Electricity Meter Interface 2 (LED)](https://blog.athom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/frient-eletricity-meter-interface-2.png)
- Affordable
- No wiring
- Easy to install
- P1 version available
- May not work reliably with some meters
The Frient Electricity Meter Interface 2 is a highly efficient LED pulse meter designed to work with any electronic meter that indicates power consumption via an LED light. Frient also produces a P1 port version of this meter for people in the Netherlands, Belgium, or Luxembourg.
The Frient Electricity Meter Interface 2 requires no wiring, as it operates on two AA batteries with a battery life of approximately two years. It is straightforward to install and set up, making it a convenient choice for monitoring energy usage without a complex setup.
The unit has an IP22 ingress rating, offering basic protection against dust and vertical water drops, ensuring durability in typical indoor environments. It measures 95 x 65 x 22 millimeters, which is small enough to fit inside most circuit boxes and fuse panels.
This device is compatible with Homey Bridge and Homey Pro, leveraging Zigbee as a communication protocol to ensure seamless integration and reliable data transmission. Users can monitor power consumption in real-time and receive alerts for potential errors and alarms, providing comprehensive oversight of their energy use.
Even though installing the Frient Electricity Meter Interface 2 LED meter is very simple, it’s worth noting that the device may not work seamlessly with all electronic meters, particularly those that do not have a clear or consistent LED pulse indicator.
HomeWizard 3-Phase kWh Meter
![HomeWizard 3-Phase kWh Meter](https://blog.athom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/homewizard-3-phase-kWh-meter.png)
- MID approved
- DIN rail mountable
- LED data display
- Can be paired with a P1 meter
- Requires electrician
The HomeWizard 3-Phase kWh Meter is a sophisticated wired meter designed to provide detailed insights into your energy consumption. HomeWizard developed this model as the world’s first MID (Measurement Instruments Directive) approved Wi-Fi kWh Meter, ensuring highly accurate and billable measurements.
It can be installed on a DIN rail next to your electrical circuit in the circuit breaker box. The meter’s dimensions are 72 x 100 x 66 millimeters, making it compact enough to fit in various installation spaces. If space is an issue, it can also be placed next to your converter in the attic, within your charging station, or in a private junction box.
The HomeWizard 3-Phase kWh Meter features an LED display that shows all measurements, making it easy for users to read and interpret their energy data on the spot. It connects to your home network using Wi-Fi and integrates with Homey Pro, allowing you to monitor your energy consumption in real-time.
Combining a P1 meter and a HomeWizard 3-Phase kWh Meter on your solar panels provides insights into your solar surplus, production, total consumption, and how much of your solar power is being consumed directly.
While the HomeWizard 3-Phase kWh Meter offers precise monitoring and control, wiring it can prove challenging and may require professional assistance.
HomeWizard P1 Meter
![HomeWizard P1 Meter](https://blog.athom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/homewizard-p1-meter.png)
- Affordable
- Plug and Play
- Small and compact
- Gas and energy meter
- Short cable
The HomeWizard P1 Meter is a top choice for P1 port-compatible energy and gas meters. It’s small and affordable, and you can power it directly from the P1 port of newer meters (DSMR 5.0). However, older energy meters require a separate USB-C power supply.
The HomeWizard P1 Meter is compact and discreet, measuring only 45 x 45 x 15 millimeters. It has an IP51 rating for indoor use, making it resistant to dust and limited moisture and suitable for installation in various indoor environments.
This P1 Meter uses Wi-Fi to connect to your home network and communicate with Homey Pro. Once integrated, users can monitor their electricity or gas meter usage and create Flows for notifications and alerts.
To get the most out of HomeWizard’s P1 meter, combine it with their 1-Phase or 3-Phase kWh meter. These bidirectional meters monitor power plant production and allow you to calculate your net energy usage.
It’s worth noting that the P1 meter’s cord is very short, making it challenging to install in certain electricity or gas meters.
Plugwise Smile P1
![Plugwise Smile P1](https://blog.athom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/plugwise-smile-p1.png)
- Very thin
- Bidirectional
- Wi-Fi or LAN
- LED status indicator
- Weak wireless connection
If your electricity meter has a P1 port, consider the Plugwise Smile P1 an excellent choice for full-house energy metering. The Smile P1 is compatible with all Dutch and Belgian P1 meters, from DSMR V2 to DSMR V5, making it a versatile option for monitoring gas and electricity usage.
The Smile P1 includes features to monitor bidirectional power flow, offering insights into energy consumption and production. It has a mechanical button and bicolor LED lights for easy operation and status indication.
Installation of the Smile P1 is very straightforward. First, you plug the P1 cable into your smart meter. Next, connect the device to your home network via Wi-Fi or Ethernet. Once connected, you can integrate the Smile P1 with Homey Pro and provide real-time and historical data on your energy consumption. Homey Energy lets users view detailed graphs showing energy usage over different periods, helping them understand and optimize their consumption patterns.
The Smile P1 is powered by a Micro-USB (5VDC). Its compact dimensions of 81 x 81 x 25 millimeters make it easy to fit in various setups, including near your electrical circuit or converter. Its IP30 rating offers basic protection against dust and ensures durability in typical indoor environments. Also, the Smile P1 has no hidden subscription costs.
Finally, it’s worth noting that the integrated Wi-Fi antenna has a limited range. Therefore, users may need to pull an Ethernet cable to their installation location to maintain a stable connection to the Smile P1.
Qubino 3-Phase Smart Meter
![Qubino 3-Phase Smart Meter](https://blog.athom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/qubino-3-phase-smart-meter.png)
- High-quality build
- LCD Display
- Durable and safe
- Comprehensive energy overview
- Pricy
The Qubino 3-Phase Smart Meter is a Z-Wave, DIN rail-mountable energy meter designed for 3-Phase connections. Its compact dimensions of 53.6 x 84 x 65 millimeters make it easy to fit inside breaker boxes, similar in size to circuit breakers.
You can pair this smart meter directly with contactors such as IKA or BICOM. It automatically turns devices off when they exceed a preset power consumption limit. This feature helps prevent overloads and power surges, enhancing safety and energy efficiency.
The Qubino 3-Phase Smart Meter measures nine different values, providing a comprehensive overview of your energy usage. These values include Voltage (V), Current (A), Power (W), Reactive Power (var), Power Factor (PF), Energy Consumption (kWh import), Energy Production (kWh export), Apparent Power (kVAh), and Reactive Energy (kvarh). This extensive range of measurements allows users to monitor and manage their energy consumption accurately and precisely.
Each Qubino 3-Phase Smart Meter sample is 100% tested and has a unique serial number, ensuring traceability and quality assurance. The device features an LCD display, offering clear and accessible readings of all measured values. With a maximum load per phase of 65A, it is suitable for various residential and commercial applications.
The comprehensive feature set and high-quality build of the Qubino 3-Phase Smart Meter come at a cost, as this energy meter is more expensive than other similar devices.
Shelly Pro 3EM
![Shelly Pro 3EM](https://blog.athom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/shelly-pro-3em-1.png)
- Small and compact
- Bidirectional
- Wi-Fi and LAN
- 120A or 400A clamps available
- Can display negative readings caused by interference
Shelly Pro 3EM is a Wi-Fi-operated, DIN-mountable 3-Phase Energy Meter with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and LAN connectivity. This device uses current clamps available in 120A and 400A variants, making it suitable for various residential and industrial applications.
The Shelly Pro 3EM offers 4-quadrant measurement capabilities, allowing it to measure capacitive and inductive load types of active imported and exported energies. With an active energy measurement accuracy of 1%, Shelly Pro 3EM can individually monitor the consumption of home appliances, electric circuits, and office equipment.
The meter also supports two-way energy consumption monitoring, enabling users to track produced and used energy for each phase. This functionality is essential for monitoring homes, offices, or factories to avoid additional expenses or voltage drops that could damage appliances and devices. The Shelly Pro 3EM also provides insights into the quality of the electricity network by measuring active power, reactive power, voltage, and power factor.
Another standout feature of the Shelly Pro 3EM is its ability to use Ethernet and Wi-Fi simultaneously. This dual connectivity ensures reliable and flexible data transmission, making integrating into various network configurations easier while keeping the connection stable. The Shelly Pro 3EM is compatible with Homey and Homey Pro.
Finally, it’s worth explaining that due to the electrical load on the circuit, the Shelly Pro 3EM can sometimes display negative power consumption values, particularly with inductive or capacitive components.
Tibber Watty
![Tibber Watty](https://blog.athom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/tibber-watty.png)
- Bidirectional
- Load balancing
- Wi-Fi and LAN
- Overload protection
- Works best with Tibber contract
The Tibber Watty is a real-time energy meter that helps users track and manage their home’s electricity consumption. Installation is simple and streamlined, using clamp sensors to measure energy usage without professional assistance.
The Tibber Watty supports load balancing for connected EV chargers, preventing overloads by adjusting the charging speed based on total household consumption. Additionally, it can monitor both energy consumption and production, making it a comprehensive tool for energy management in homes with solar panels.
The Watty can connect to your home network using Wi-Fi or Ethernet. It’s compatible with Homey and Homey Pro. As a result, you can monitor the current load per phase or the total power consumption.
The Watty can function independently without a Tibber subscription by providing real-time electricity consumption data. However, many of its advanced features, such as tariff and peak usage adjustments, require an active Tibber electricity contract.