Emporia’s Vue Gen 2 skips the machine-learning approach entirely and just wires a sensor to whatever circuits you actually want to watch — up to 16 of them — for real, unambiguous circuit-by-circuit numbers at a fraction of what whole-home monitors like Sense charge.
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Key Takeaways
- Real circuit-level monitoring on up to 16 branch circuits plus both mains — actual per-circuit numbers, not an estimate
- Three kit tiers scale with budget: mains-only ($99.99), +8 sensors ($149.99), or +16 sensors ($199.99)
- DIY install — sensors clip around wires, no rewiring or electrician required
- No subscription, ever
- You only get data on circuits you've physically wired a sensor to — no ML filling in gaps like Sense
- 1-year warranty, the shortest of the three
Pros
- Real circuit-level detail — up to 16 branch circuits plus both mains, not just whole-home estimates
- Cheapest way into circuit-level monitoring, and scales up as budget allows (mains-only, 8-sensor, or 16-sensor kits)
- No subscription, ever
- Simple DIY install — sensors clip around wires, no rewiring
Cons
- You only see the circuits you've actually put a sensor on — no ML filling in the blanks like Sense
- 1-year warranty is shorter than Refoss's 2-year coverage
- App and insights are more basic than Sense's device-recognition dashboard
Specs
| Monitoring | Up to 16 branch circuit sensors (50A) plus 2 mains sensors (200A) |
| Sampling | 24,000 samples/second, ±2% accuracy |
| Power draw | Under 3 watts |
| Connectivity | Wifi (2.4GHz) or Ethernet |
| Warranty | 1 year |
| Price tiers | Mains-only $99.99, +8 sensors $149.99, +16 sensors $199.99 |
Verdict
Emporia is the practical middle ground: real circuit-by-circuit numbers, a DIY-friendly install, and no subscription, all for less than Sense's clamps-only setup. The tradeoff is you only get data on what you've physically wired a sensor to — there's no machine learning covering the gaps.
Common Questions
- Do I need an electrician to install the Vue Gen 2?
- No — the clamp sensors clip around existing wires inside your panel. Most people comfortable opening their panel cover can do it themselves, though anyone uneasy with that should still have an electrician handle it.
- What if I only want to monitor a few circuits, not all 16?
- That's exactly what the tiered kits are for — start with the mains-only or 8-sensor kit and add more branch sensors later if you want deeper coverage.
- Does the Vue Gen 2 require a subscription to see my data?
- No — the app and all its features are free, with no recurring cost.
- Can it monitor solar production?
- Yes — with an extra sensor on the solar circuit, it tracks production alongside your regular usage for net metering.