Refoss’s Smart Home Energy Monitor covers the same circuit-level ground as Emporia, but built for people who don’t want their energy data living on anyone’s cloud — native Home Assistant support and a local web dashboard mean it can run entirely on your own network.
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Key Takeaways
- Native Home Assistant integration with a local Web UI — runs with no cloud dependence for core monitoring
- Same circuit-level approach as Emporia: 2 main sensors (200A) plus 16 branch sensors (60A)
- Best on-paper accuracy of the three at ±1% typical
- Longest warranty of the three at 2 years, plus up to 5 years of locally-stored data
- Cheapest per-circuit cost of the three at this sensor count, around $150–$200
- Smaller, newer company than Sense or Emporia, so less of a track record to lean on
Pros
- Native Home Assistant integration and a local Web UI — works with no cloud dependence for core monitoring
- Best accuracy on paper of the three (±1% typical) and the longest warranty (2 years)
- Stores up to 5 years of data locally, not tied to a company's servers staying online
- Cheapest per-circuit cost of the three at this sensor count
Cons
- Smaller company with a shorter track record than Sense or Emporia — less of an installed base for long-term reliability data
- Local-first setup means more of the configuration is on you if you're not already comfortable with things like MQTT
- Fewer third-party reviews and less brand recognition than the other two
Specs
| Monitoring | 2 main sensors (200A) plus 16 branch sensors (60A) |
| Accuracy | ±1% typical, ±2% at low current |
| Integration | Native Home Assistant, Open API, MQTT, local Web UI |
| Data storage | Up to 5 years, stored locally |
| Certification | ETL certified, UL 61010 compliant |
| Warranty | 2 years |
Verdict
If the idea of your energy data living on a company's cloud bothers you, Refoss is the one built for that — real circuit-level monitoring that works entirely locally, with the longest warranty and best on-paper accuracy of the three. It asks a little more technical comfort of you in exchange.
Common Questions
- Do I need Home Assistant to use this monitor?
- No — it has its own app and local Web UI that work standalone. Home Assistant integration is there if you want it, not required.
- Does "no cloud dependence" mean it never connects to the internet?
- Core monitoring and the local dashboard work without a cloud connection, though features like remote access from outside your network still need internet access.
- How does it compare to Emporia for someone who isn't very technical?
- Emporia's app is a bit more polished out of the box. Refoss asks a little more comfort with things like MQTT or Home Assistant if you want to get the most out of it, but its standalone app covers the basics fine on its own.
- Is 5 years of local data storage really useful?
- It means your usage history survives even if the company's servers ever went down or the product were discontinued — your data stays on your own network either way.