Energy Monitor Product Reviews: Our (Subjective) Analysis of the Top Monitors on the Market.

We recently published ten new articles in our Learn section reviewing each of the major home energy monitoring devices on the market today, along with some related products like Google’s free PowerMeter software.

You’ll have to take a look at the full review page for complete details; but for now, here’s a quick rundown of each of the monitors (and software, and some other things) we reviewed. Bear in mind that over the last year we have tested and reviewed many energy monitoring solutions, and our conclusions are only what we arrive at as of when we evaluate the product.

In no particular order:

1) Blue Line and Black & Decker Energy Monitors ($100 and up)

Simple, easy to install without an electrician, an all around good performer and excellent value. And a new feature we're testing now makes it extra cool.

2) CurrentCost Envi ($130 and up)

With a clunky display and some usability issues, the Envi isn’t our top pick among energy monitors right now. That said, some anticipated new features could put it back in the game.

3) The Owl ($80-$140)

The Owl does most of what the Envi can do, but does it simply and with style and reliability.  It's an all around good energy monitor, winning on price.

4) TED 1000 ($120)

The original TED The Energy Detective, long a favorite of ours, is no longer being sold, even if it was a solid performer.

5) Google PowerMeter (Free)

Not an energy monitor per se, Google PowerMeter is a service (software) from Google.org (Google’s philanthropic arm) that does some pretty cool stuff.

6) Smart Meter (Installed by utility; free)

A smart meter is installed by your utility as a means of communication between your home and the utility. Some think they’re part of an evil Big Brother scheme; we think that they’re just less useful than they could be, and slow in coming. Read more.

7) TED 5000 ($200 and up)

The TED The Energy Detective 5000 model is a groundbreaking energy monitoring device. But it has so many issues that we stopped selling it.

8) WattVision ($200)

In our book the WattVision is the home energy monitor to watch -- no electrician required ... if it ever gets released! Find out why.

9) BrulTech ECM-1240 (Price varies)

BrulTech’s foray into energy monitors is meritoriously ambitious, but we’ve found it to be prohibitively difficult to use in the early version we tried to test.  Newer versions are available that address some of our concerns.

10) PowerHouse Dynamics eMonitor ($690 and up, including 2-year service)

The eMonitor is no doubt one of the most sophisticated energy monitoring products on the market, largely because of its ability to monitor individual circuits. And it’s user-friendly enough that this is a good thing. Read more.

Right now, at least a few of the reviewed monitors are about to have new releases, or are just released, so we'll do our best to keep up to date as well as possible. Stay tuned!

In the mean time, feel free to take a peak, browse around, let us know what you think or if you’ve had any different experiences with any of the products -- we’d love to hear about it!