Can Smart Plugs Save Electricity? Energy Monitoring Explained

by Klaudia Pyc

Jul 19, 2026

Smart Home, Home & Garden

Can Smart Plugs Save Electricity? Energy Monitoring Explained

Smart plugs do not automatically save electricity, but they can help you reduce waste and lower your energy bills. Their biggest advantage is that they allow you to track power usage, create schedules and switch devices off when they are not needed.

Many smart plugs now include energy-monitoring features that show how much electricity your appliances use in real time. This can help you identify devices that consume more power than expected and make smarter decisions about when to use them.

In this guide, we explain how energy-monitoring smart plugs work, whether they can actually save you money and which appliances benefit most from them.

Can Smart Plugs Save Electricity? Energy Monitoring Explained

How Do Smart Plugs Save Electricity?

Smart plugs do not make your appliances more efficient. A heater connected to a smart plug will use the same amount of electricity as a heater plugged directly into the wall.

Instead, smart plugs help you save energy in three main ways:

They let you monitor electricity usage.
They allow you to create schedules and timers.
They reduce unnecessary standby power.

If you are still deciding whether smart plugs are worth buying in the first place, read our guide Are Smart Plugs Worth It in the UK?.

What Is Energy Monitoring?

Energy monitoring is a feature found in some smart plugs that measures how much electricity a connected appliance uses.

Depending on the model and app, you may be able to see:

Current power consumption (watts).
Daily electricity usage.
Weekly and monthly trends.
Estimated running costs.
Historical usage data.

Most energy-monitoring plugs display this information in apps such as Smart Life, Tuya or manufacturer-specific software.

Which Appliances Use the Most Electricity?

One of the biggest advantages of smart plugs is that they can reveal how much energy different appliances actually consume.

High-energy devices often include:

Portable heaters.
Electric blankets.
Dehumidifiers.
Air fryers.
Fans.
Gaming PCs.
Aquarium equipment.
Tumble dryers.

Many people are surprised to discover how much electricity some appliances use when left running for several hours each day.

Can Smart Plugs Reduce Standby Power?

Yes.

Many devices continue to draw small amounts of electricity even when they appear to be switched off. This is known as standby power or “phantom load”.

Examples include:

Televisions.
Games consoles.
Sound systems.
Coffee machines.
Phone chargers.
Desktop computers.

A smart plug can automatically disconnect power at certain times, reducing unnecessary energy use.

How Much Electricity Does a Smart Plug Use?

Smart plugs consume a small amount of electricity themselves because they must remain connected to your Wi-Fi network or smart home hub.

Most modern smart plugs use only a few watts per year, making their own power consumption relatively low compared with the appliances they control.

If you are choosing between different connection methods, our guide Wi-Fi vs Zigbee Smart Plugs: Which One Should You Choose? explains the differences.

Which Appliances Benefit Most from Energy-Monitoring Smart Plugs?

Smart plugs are most useful with appliances that:

Run for long periods.
Consume significant amounts of electricity.
Are frequently left on accidentally.
Have predictable schedules.

Popular examples include:

Electric heaters.
Fans.
Dehumidifiers.
Aquariums.
Christmas lights.
Home office equipment.
Outdoor lighting.

Looking for inspiration? Check out our guide What Can You Use a Smart Plug For? 15 Practical Ideas.

Can You Use Smart Plugs with Heaters?

You should always check the manufacturer’s instructions before connecting high-power appliances to a smart plug.

Portable heaters, kettles and some kitchen appliances can draw large amounts of power and may exceed the smart plug’s maximum load rating.

Read our guide Are Smart Plugs Safe for Heaters, Kettles and High-Power Appliances? before using a smart plug with these devices.

Do Smart Plugs Save Enough Money to Pay for Themselves?

That depends on how you use them.

If you only use a smart plug to switch a lamp on and off remotely, the financial savings may be very small.

However, households that use timers, schedules and energy monitoring effectively can often reduce unnecessary electricity usage over time.

Many people buy smart plugs primarily for convenience and automation, with energy savings becoming an added bonus.

Smart Plug vs Smart Socket for Energy Monitoring

Both smart plugs and smart sockets can offer energy-monitoring features.

Feature	Smart Plug	Smart Socket
Portable	Yes	No
Easy to install	Yes	No
Permanent solution	No	Yes
Energy monitoring available	Often	Often

For a full comparison, read Smart Plug vs Smart Socket: What Is the Difference?.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can smart plugs really save electricity?

Yes, but only indirectly. Smart plugs help you reduce waste through scheduling, automation and energy monitoring.

Do all smart plugs monitor energy usage?

No. Some models only offer remote control and scheduling, while others include detailed energy reports.

How accurate is smart plug energy monitoring?

Most modern smart plugs provide reasonably accurate estimates, although accuracy varies between manufacturers.

Can smart plugs reduce standby power?

Yes. They can automatically disconnect devices that would otherwise continue using electricity in standby mode.

Do Zigbee smart plugs use less electricity than Wi-Fi smart plugs?

Generally, Zigbee devices consume slightly less power because the protocol was designed specifically for smart home devices.

Final Thoughts

Smart plugs are not miracle energy-saving devices, but they can help you understand how electricity is used in your home.

Features such as timers, schedules and energy monitoring make it easier to reduce unnecessary power consumption and identify energy-hungry appliances.

For many households, the biggest benefit is not the electricity saved today, but the smarter habits developed over time.