Home Energy Monitors: Emporia Vue 3, a Smart Plug or a Plug-In Meter?

If you want to see what your whole house uses, and which circuits use it, the Emporia Vue 3 is the monitor this guide covers: two 200 A sensors on the service mains and up to 16 sensors on individual circuits report to Emporia's app, solar generation and net metering included. It's installed inside your electrical panel, which Emporia says should be done by "a skilled person such as a licensed electrician or other qualified professional." If you only want to know what one appliance uses, you don't need the panel at all: a plug-in meter like the Kill A Watt EZ, or an Emporia smart plug, answers that. Specs and installation guide checked on Emporia's and P3's sites, November 1, 2026.

The right tool depends on the question you're asking, so start there.

• 16Circuit sensors per Vue 3; more circuits need another Vue
• ±2%Emporia's stated accuracy for the Vue 3's current sensors, above -20 °C
• < 3 WWhat the Vue 3 monitor itself uses, per Emporia

Which tool answers your question?

1. 1

   What does this one appliance use?

   A plug-in meter between the outlet and the appliance. The Kill A Watt EZ (P4460) shows kilowatt-hours and the running cost at the rate you enter. Our Kill A Watt guide covers how to measure a full cycle.

2. 2

   Do I want a history, schedules or remote control for it?

   An energy-monitoring smart plug logs it in an app. Emporia's can also feed its data into a Vue, but Emporia advises against using its plugs on refrigerators, freezers or networking gear.

3. 3

   What does the whole house use, 240 V and hardwired loads included?

   A whole-home monitor with sensors on the service mains, installed inside the panel.

4. 4

   Which circuits use what?

   Add circuit sensors: the Vue 3 takes up to 16 per monitor.

A note on units, because monitors show two. Power (watts or kilowatts) is how fast energy is being used right now; energy (kilowatt-hours) is power over time, and it's what your utility's rate is charged on. A monitor tells you where the kilowatt-hours go. We don't repeat any maker's savings promises: what you change is up to you.

Emporia Vue 3: whole-home and circuit-level monitoring

The Vue 3 tracks your home's total use from the service mains and, with circuit sensors, individual circuits. Emporia's Vue 3 page lists sensors for up to three 200 A mains and up to sixteen 50 A branch circuits, voltage sensing up to 264 V AC line to neutral, and tracking of solar generation and net metering.

• Kits: Monitor Only (mains only, for total or net use), 8 sensors or 16 sensors; every kit includes two 200 A mains sensors
• Systems: single-phase 2-wire, split-phase 3-wire, and 3-phase 4-wire wye with an earthed neutral; not delta
• Connection: 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi or 10/100 Ethernet
• Accuracy and power: ±2% for the current sensors above -20 °C, and under 3 W for the monitor, per the installation guide
• Certifications: UL 61010 and UL 2808 (energy monitoring equipment), plus CE, UKCA, IC and FCC
• 1-year warranty

The trade-offs start with installation: it goes inside the panel, and Emporia's guide requires the main breaker to be off, which shuts off power to the home, while warning that "the service mains will remain energized and dangerous." It's cloud-only: Emporia says it needs an active internet connection and doesn't support local data storage. Sixteen circuits is the limit per monitor; bigger panels need a second Vue. And Emporia says to use only listed energy-monitoring current sensors, because third-party sensors "may compromise the data accuracy and equipment safety." Check which kit you're buying: the three are sold separately.

Check price on Amazon

Before you buy: four checks

1. Your system. Emporia lists single-phase, split-phase and 3-phase wye systems with an earthed neutral; delta systems aren't supported.
2. Internet at the panel. The Vue 3 needs a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi signal where it's installed, or an Ethernet cable run to it, because it stores no data locally.
3. Your circuits. List the ones you want to watch, counting each 240 V circuit twice (more on that below).
4. An installer. Emporia's guide calls for a licensed electrician or other qualified professional.

Count your sensors before you buy

Tap a label to explore. You can also hover or use your keyboard.

01Vue main CTs+200A sensors; two or three per bundle

The bundle includes two or three main current transformers (CTs). Each main CT has a maximum primary current of 200A.

Sources: 1: The Vue 3 installation guide lists two or three main 200A CTs depending on bundle., 2: The main CT specification gives a maximum primary current of 200A.

02Branch sensor choices+0, 8 or 16 branch CTs; 50A sensors

Bundle size counts branch CTs separately from main CTs. The branch CT specification gives a maximum primary current of 50A.

Sources: 1: The Vue 3 installation guide lists two or three main 200A CTs depending on bundle., 3: The installation guide lists zero, eight or sixteen branch 50A CTs depending on bundle., 4: The branch CT specification gives a maximum primary current of 50A.

03Single-pole circuit+One branch CT on its non-neutral conductor

A single-pole circuit uses a branch CT around its non-neutral conductor. This is a sensor-count example, not an installation procedure.

Sources: 5: Emporia’s branch-CT instructions put each clamp around the non-neutral leg from the breaker being monitored.

04Two-pole circuit+Two branch CTs recommended

Emporia recommends a CT on each pole of a multi-pole breaker. A two-pole circuit uses two branch CTs with that approach.

Sources: 6: For two- or three-pole breakers, Emporia recommends one CT on each pole; a two-pole example therefore uses two branch CTs.

05Single CT shortcut+Unbalanced multi-pole loads lose accuracy

Using a single CT to monitor a multi-pole breaker does not accurately monitor unbalanced loads.

Sources: 7: Emporia warns that using a single CT on a multi-pole breaker does not accurately monitor unbalanced loads.

06Per-monitor branch capacity+Up to 16 branch sensor channels

The branch limit is a sensor budget, so a circuit using multiple CTs consumes multiple channels. Main CTs are a separate group.

Sources: 1: The Vue 3 installation guide lists two or three main 200A CTs depending on bundle., 6: For two- or three-pole breakers, Emporia recommends one CT on each pole; a two-pole example therefore uses two branch CTs., 8: Emporia lists capacity for up to sixteen 50A branch circuits; the installation guide’s pole-count rule determines how those sensor channels are used.

07Panel installation+Qualified professional; service mains remain live

Emporia calls for a skilled installer such as a licensed electrician. Service mains remain energized and dangerous even with the main breaker off.

Sources: 9: Emporia says installation should be performed by a skilled person such as a licensed electrician or other qualified professional., 10: Emporia warns that service mains remain energized and dangerous even when the main breaker is off.

Conceptual sensor budget; marker positions do not show panel wiring. The current labels describe sensor limits.

Source notes10 references+

1. 1

   The Vue 3 installation guide lists two or three main 200A CTs depending on bundle.

   link.emporiaenergy.com ↗ — source for The Vue 3 installation guide lists two or three main 200A CTs depending on bundle.

   Two or three (depending on bundle) Main 200A current transformers (CTs)

2. 2

   The main CT specification gives a maximum primary current of 200A.

   link.emporiaenergy.com ↗ — source for The main CT specification gives a maximum primary current of 200A.

   Main Current Transformers (EMV3CT2-A) • Max primary current: 200A

3. 3

   The installation guide lists zero, eight or sixteen branch 50A CTs depending on bundle.

   link.emporiaenergy.com ↗ — source for The installation guide lists zero, eight or sixteen branch 50A CTs depending on bundle.

   0, 8, or 16 (depending on bundle) Branch 50A current transformers (CTs)

4. 4

   The branch CT specification gives a maximum primary current of 50A.

   link.emporiaenergy.com ↗ — source for The branch CT specification gives a maximum primary current of 50A.

   Branch Current Transformers (EMV3CT5-A) • Max primary current: 50A

5. 5

   Emporia’s branch-CT instructions put each clamp around the non-neutral leg from the breaker being monitored.

   link.emporiaenergy.com ↗ — source for Emporia’s branch-CT instructions put each clamp around the non-neutral leg from the breaker being monitored.

   If the Vue has Branch CTs, open the clasps on the CTs and place each clamp around the non-neutral leg from the breaker that is to be monitored.

6. 6

   For two- or three-pole breakers, Emporia recommends one CT on each pole; a two-pole example therefore uses two branch CTs.

   link.emporiaenergy.com ↗ — source for For two- or three-pole breakers, Emporia recommends one CT on each pole; a two-pole example therefore uses two branch CTs.

   If 2- or 3-pole breakers are to be monitored, we recom- mended that one CT be used for on each pole; however, to conserve the number of CTs, a single CT can be used.

7. 7

   Emporia warns that using a single CT on a multi-pole breaker does not accurately monitor unbalanced loads.

   link.emporiaenergy.com ↗ — source for Emporia warns that using a single CT on a multi-pole breaker does not accurately monitor unbalanced loads.

   Using a single CT to monitor a multi-pole breaker does not accurately monitor unbalanced loads.

8. 8

   Emporia lists capacity for up to sixteen 50A branch circuits; the installation guide’s pole-count rule determines how those sensor channels are used.

   shop.emporiaenergy.com ↗ — source for Emporia lists capacity for up to sixteen 50A branch circuits; the installation guide’s pole-count rule determines how those sensor channels are used.

   Up to 3 x 200A mains and up to 16 x 50A branch circuits

9. 9

   Emporia says installation should be performed by a skilled person such as a licensed electrician or other qualified professional.

   link.emporiaenergy.com ↗ — source for Emporia says installation should be performed by a skilled person such as a licensed electrician or other qualified professional.

   The installation should be performed by a skilled person such as a licensed electrician or other qualified pro- fessional in accordance with the regional electrical code where it is being installed.

10. 10

    Emporia warns that service mains remain energized and dangerous even when the main breaker is off.

    link.emporiaenergy.com ↗ — source for Emporia warns that service mains remain energized and dangerous even when the main breaker is off.

    The Emporia Vue is installed in a home’s electrical panel. The main breaker will need to be set to the off position, which will shut off all of the power in the home. Howev- er, the service mains will remain energized and danger- ous. The following may help with safe installation.

The 8- and 16-sensor kits don't always cover 8 or 16 circuits. For 2- and 3-pole breakers, the ones that feed 240 V loads, Emporia's installation guide recommends one sensor on each pole as the most accurate setup. You can watch a 2-pole breaker with one sensor and a multiplier in the app, but Emporia says that "does not accurately monitor unbalanced loads."

• Yes: Monitor Only: whole-home total (or net, with solar) from the two mains sensors
• Yes: 8 sensors: up to 8 single-pole circuits, or fewer if 240 V circuits get one sensor per pole
• Yes: 16 sensors: up to 16 single-pole circuits, with the same 240 V caveat
• Partly: More than 16 circuits: add another Vue and combine them in the app
• No: Delta-wired 3-phase systems: not supported

For one appliance: a smart plug or a Kill A Watt

You don't need panel work to measure something on a plug. Two options, both covered in more depth in our Kill A Watt and plug-in watt meter guide:

Emporia Energy Monitoring Smart Plug. It logs the plugged-in device's use in the same Emporia app, runs schedules, and, Emporia says, can pair with a Vue "to assign appliance-level data to your entire home's energy profile." Emporia recommends not using its plugs on refrigerators or freezers, medical or pet equipment, or networking gear. Its 2023 recall covered North American plugs purchased from Amazon or Emporia's shop between July 1, 2022 and August 1, 2023; Emporia says plugs bought outside those dates aren't affected. Check price on Amazon

P3 Kill A Watt EZ (P4460). A plug-in meter with a screen: kilowatt-hours, and the running cost worked out from the rate you enter, with projections by week, month and year. Use it for the fridge, where Emporia advises against its plug.

How we choose

We haven't tested these monitors. Every recommendation comes from research:

• Maker documents. Sensor counts, supported systems, accuracy, connectivity and certifications come from Emporia's product pages and its Vue 3 installation guide (03/2026), and P3's pages and manuals, read November 1, 2026.
• Installation reality. We quote the maker's own installation requirements and never give panel instructions.
• No savings claims. We describe what a monitor measures, not what it might save you.
• Safety record. The CPSC recall database and the makers' recall pages.

We'll add more whole-home monitors as our research covers them. Our full method is on How we choose.

Verdict

To see whole-home and circuit-level use, including solar and net metering, the Emporia Vue 3 is the monitor to consider, as long as you're happy with a cloud-only app and you budget for a qualified installer. Count your 240 V circuits twice when you pick a kit. For a single appliance, skip the panel: the Kill A Watt EZ shows its kilowatt-hours and running cost on a screen, and the Emporia smart plug logs it in an app, just not on the fridge.