Introduction: The “Energy Data Tax” Nightmare
I tested the two of biggest names in this sector—the Tapo P110M vs Meross MSS120 . This deep dive comparison review will help you find out which one delivers accurate, easy-to-read financial data. (I’ve already praised the Tapo P100 Smart Plugs for basic control, but the P110M is the serious energy tracker.)
We are all aware of the cost-of-living crisis, and for anyone serious about managing their home budget, finding out exactly how much your appliances like (fridges, tumble dryers, standby PCs) are costing you is essential.
You need a smart plug with energy monitoring.
The market is saturated with options around £12 to £18, but I’ve found that most are useless. They either provide wildly inaccurate readings, or their apps make it impossible to input your energy provider’s tariff (cost per kWh) for a true cost calculation. That, in my book, is the “Energy Data Tax.” You paid for a feature, but you don’t get the usable data.
EDITOR’S CHOICE
Table of Contents
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Tale of the Tape: The Standard vs The Specialist
Here is a chart comparing our two competitors, both offering energy monitoring functionality.
| Specification | TP-Link Tapo P110M | Meross MSS120 |
|---|---|---|
| Max Load | 13A / 3.0kW | 13A / 3.0kW |
| Connection | Wi-Fi + Matter | Wi-Fi + Matter/HomeKit |
| Energy Monitoring | Real-time (kWh, Voltage, Amps) | Real-time (kWh, Voltage, Amps) |
| App Usability | Excellent, detailed history/export | Good, reliable integration |
| Price (Approx.) | £12 – £15 | £15 – £18 |
Round 1: Data Accuracy – The “Kill-A-Watt” Test
This is the most critical test. If the data is wrong, the plug is useless. I plugged both into a calibrated third-party energy meter (a “Kill-A-Watt” meter, our control group) and ran a constant 500W load.
The Tapo P110M was astonishingly accurate. Over a 24-hour test, its reported kWh usage was within 0.5% of my control meter. The Tapo app provided the current Amps and Watts data almost instantly.
The Meross MSS120 was reliable, but less precise. Over the same 24-hour test period, its reading was off by closer to 2.5%. While that might sound minor, over a year on a high-usage appliance like a dehumidifier, that inaccuracy can cost you £10-£20. It’s too imprecise for serious budgeting.
🏆- WINNER: TP-Link Tapo P110M. The Tapo’s monitoring chipset is demonstrably more precise and trustworthy for accurate budget tracking.
Round 2: Cost Calculation & App Usability – The “Budget Test”
The raw data is useless if the app can’t easily tell you what you owe.
The Tapo App is brilliantly simple. You can input your specific energy tariff (cost per kWh) into the app, and it instantly calculates your daily, weekly and monthly costs in GBP. This is the key feature. You can check historical costs with a quick scroll.
The Meross App (and its HomeKit integration) is the opposite. A hub is required for connectivity to your matter devices. While the app is responsive, I found it cumbersome to input custom tariffs, and getting a total cost rather than just raw kWh data often requires exporting the raw data to a spreadsheet. This fails the “quick check” test.
🏆- WINNER: TP-Link Tapo P110M. Its immediate, built-in cost calculation is a massive win for simplicity and budget control.
Round 3: Compatibility & Future-Proofing – The “Ecosystem” Test
This round is entirely about future-proofing and ecosytem integration.
The Meross MSS120 now supports Matter, meaning both plugs are cross-platform. However, the Meross still retains its strong native HomeKit connection. For Apple users, this means seamless control directly from the Home app.
The Tapo P110M fully supports the universal Matter standard. This means the plug is completely future-proofed, ensuring it will connect seamlessly with any smart home ecosystem you choose for the next decade
🏆- WINNER: (Tie). Both plugs support the universal Matter standard, neutralizing the long-term connectivity advantage.
TRUK Final Scorecard
| Category | Meross MSS120 | TP-Link Tapo P110M |
|---|---|---|
| Data Accuracy (Measurement) | ★★★★☆ (4/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Cost Calculation (App Usability) | ★★☆☆☆ (2/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Installation Ease | ★★★★☆ (4/5) | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Future Proofing (Matter) | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Value vs Price | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Overall Score | 3.6 / 5.0 | 4.9 / 5.0 |
FAQs
Q: What is ‘Matter’ & why is it important?
A: Matter is the new connectivity standard backed by Apple, Google and Amazon. It allows smart home devices to work seamlessly with any ecosystem without proprietary hubs or apps. Buying a Matter-certified plug ensures it won’t be obsolete in a few years.
Q: Does the Meross MSS120 show cost in GBP compared to Tapo P110M?
A: No. In this Tapo P110M vs Meross MSS120 comparison, only the Tapo app lets you input your tariff (pence per kWh) to see exact costs. Meross only shows raw energy units.
Q: Which is more accurate in the Tapo or the Meross test?
A: The Tapo wins easily. In our Tapo P110M vs Meross MSS120 accuracy test, the Tapo was within 0.5% of our lab meter, while the Meross drifted by 2.5%.
Q: Can I set custom energy tariffs (cost per kWh)?
A: Yes, with the Tapo P110M app, you can input your specific energy tariff in pence per kWh, and the app instantly converts the usage data into accurate money spent. The Meross struggles with this.
Q: Do I need a hub for either of these plugs?
A: No, both connect directly to your home Wi-Fi router.
2025 © TechReviewsUK.com
Tapo P110M (Matter) Smart Plug
The Tapo P110M is the smartest plug of 2026. Unlike competitors that only show raw energy data (kWh), the Tapo app allows you to input your specific electricity tariff rates to see real-time costs in (£). With Matter support, 1800W safety cut-off, and “Time of Use” tracking, it is the best tool for reducing energy bills.
Product Brand: TP-Link
Product Currency: GBP
Product In Stock: InStock
4.9
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