Best of 2026 — Buyer's Guides
We test and rank the appliances and upgrades that actually move the needle on your electric bill. No clickbait, no fluff — just the picks that pay for themselves.
Buyer's guides
Best Smart Thermostats of 2026
We tested 12 smart thermostats and ranked the 4 best for cutting electric bills in 2026. Ecobee, Nest, Honeywell, and Amazon — compared on savings, install, and rebates.
4 picks · Updated 2026-05
Best Heat Pump Water Heaters of 2026
Heat pump water heaters cut water-heating costs by 60–70%. We rank the best HPWHs for 2026 — Rheem ProTerra, A.O. Smith Voltex, GE GeoSpring, and Bradford White Aerotherm.
4 picks · Updated 2026-04
Best Home EV Chargers of 2026
We tested 9 home EV chargers head-to-head. The 4 best Level 2 chargers for 2026 — including app reliability, charging speed, and which qualify for utility rebates.
4 picks · Updated 2026-04
Best Portable AC Units of 2026
We tested 8 portable air conditioners. The 4 best portable AC units of 2026 — by cooling power, energy efficiency, and noise level. Best dual-hose and inverter models compared.
4 picks · Updated 2026-04
Best Home Energy Monitors of 2026
Whole-home energy monitors show what's costing you money minute by minute. We tested 6 monitors and rank the 4 best for cutting electric bills in 2026.
4 picks · Updated 2026-04
Best Pool Pump Timers of 2026
Pool pumps are often the #1 hidden electric load in Florida and Texas homes. The 4 best pool pump timers and variable-speed pumps to cut $40–$80/month.
4 picks · Updated 2026-04
Individual reviews & comparisons
Deep dives on individual products, head-to-head comparisons, and use-case picks for specific situations (heat pumps, renters, multi-zone homes).