EcoFlow's smart home range offers three distinct solutions for monitoring and backing up your home's energy. If you're just starting with energy awareness, the PowerInsight 2 gives you real-time insights for under £400. If you need backup power for essential circuits, the Smart Home Panel 2 delivers whole-home protection at £1,650. If you want maximum coverage across 32 circuits with 200A capacity, the Smart Home Panel 3 at £2,999 is the comprehensive choice. Your decision comes down to whether you need monitoring only, single-panel backup, or full-home redundancy.
Why EcoFlow?
EcoFlow specialises in portable power and home energy systems, with a particular focus on integrating renewable energy (solar, grid, and battery storage) into everyday homes. Founded in 2017, the company has built a reputation for combining smart software with reliable hardware—their products are designed to work together as a connected ecosystem rather than standalone gadgets. What sets them apart: their smart panels use AI-driven energy management to prioritise which circuits get power during outages, and their touchscreen interfaces (like the 11" display on the PowerInsight 2) make energy data accessible to everyone in the household, not just tech enthusiasts.
Top Picks
EcoFlow PowerInsight 2 Smart Home Energy Monitor — £365.48
Best for energy-conscious households wanting real-time insights without backup power. The 11" touchscreen displays live consumption, solar generation, and cost tracking. The built-in 9,300mAh battery keeps it running during power cuts, and voice control via Alexa/Google Home means you can ask about your energy use hands-free. Ideal if you're optimising usage but don't need battery backup yet.
EcoFlow Smart Home Panel 2 — £1,650
Best for homes that need whole-home backup with smart energy management in a single unit. This is the middle ground—it monitors your entire electrical system and can automatically switch to battery backup during outages. The smart energy management learns your household patterns and prioritises power to essential circuits. Perfect if you want protection without needing 32-circuit granularity.
EcoFlow Smart Home Panel 3 — £2,999
Best for homes demanding maximum circuit control and the highest available backup capacity. The 200A max current capacity and 32-circuit management gives you surgical control—you can specify exactly which circuits get priority during an outage (kitchen, bedrooms, medical equipment, etc.). This is the professional-grade choice for larger homes or those with critical loads.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Price | Best For | Standout Feature | |---------|-------|----------|------------------| | PowerInsight 2 | £365.48 | Energy monitoring only | 11" touchscreen + voice control | | Smart Home Panel 2 | £1,650 | Whole-home backup + monitoring | Single-unit simplicity with smart management | | Smart Home Panel 3 | £2,999 | Maximum circuit control | 32 circuits × 200A capacity for surgical prioritisation |
What to Look For
- Circuit count and current capacity: The Panel 2 handles basic whole-home backup, but the Panel 3's 32 circuits and 200A max current lets you protect specific loads (medical devices, heating, fridge) separately. Know how many circuits matter to your family.
- Display and interface: The PowerInsight 2's 11" screen is the largest in this range—if you want household members to easily check energy use, size matters. Smaller displays discourage casual checking.
- Battery capacity and runtime: The PowerInsight 2's 9,300mAh is enough to keep the monitor alive but won't power appliances. The panels require separate battery packs (sold separately) to determine actual backup duration—check battery specs before purchasing.
- Integration with existing systems: All three work with solar systems, grid power, and EcoFlow's battery packs. If you already have solar or plan to add it, confirm compatibility with your installer.
The Bottom Line
Start with the PowerInsight 2 (£365.48) if you're new to home energy management and want affordable insights without backup capability. Jump to the Smart Home Panel 2 (£1,650) if you need reliable whole-home outage protection and smart energy prioritisation in one unit. Choose the Smart Home Panel 3 (£2,999) only if you have 20+ circuits worth protecting and want granular control over which loads survive an outage—it's worth the premium for homes with critical loads or those planning serious solar integration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the PowerInsight 2 worth buying if I already have a smart meter?
Yes, if you want real-time insights and automation the utility meter doesn't provide. The PowerInsight 2 shows live consumption by appliance (if integrated with smart plugs), calculates cost per kWh in real time, and lets you set alerts when usage spikes. A smart meter shows consumption daily or monthly; the PowerInsight shows it second-by-second. The 11" screen also makes energy visible to everyone in the household, encouraging conscious usage—utility meters are usually hidden in a cupboard.
Can I use the Smart Home Panel 2 without a backup battery?
Yes—the Panel 2 works as a smart energy monitor and manager without any battery attached. However, without a battery, you lose the outage protection feature (it just monitors during power cuts, doesn't supply backup power). If you want backup capability later, EcoFlow sells compatible battery packs separately that retrofit to the panel.
Which panel should I choose if I have solar panels?
Both panels manage solar + grid + battery intelligently, but the Panel 3 is better for solar homes because its 32 circuits let you prioritise which loads charge batteries during peak solar hours (e.g., prioritise heat pump charging midday, deprioritise charging car overnight). If your solar system is modest, the Panel 2's whole-home approach is simpler and sufficient.
How much backup power do these products actually give me during an outage?
The PowerInsight 2 only backs up itself (the monitor stays on). The Panels 2 and 3 back up whatever circuits you configure, but runtime depends on your battery pack size—not included. EcoFlow's Delta Pro battery (sold separately, roughly £3,500) gives 3.6kWh per unit, enough to run a small home for 4-8 hours depending on usage. Check your typical power draw and budget for batteries separately before committing to a panel.
