Eve Systems · Niche / specialty

Eve Energy (Thread, as a border-router mini)

Matter · Thread · HomeKit · Bluetooth LE · no local API · about $39

local-onlyno cloud lock-in

Protocols

MatterThreadHomeKitBluetooth LE
0.5 W
Idle power
$39
List price
~25
Devices (est.)

Specifications

CategoryNiche / specialty
ProtocolsMatter, Thread, HomeKit, Bluetooth LE
Cloud dependencyno cloud lock-in
Local APIno local API
Voice assistantsSiri (HomeKit)
Open sourceclosed-source
Directly supported devices (est.)~25
Idle power draw~0.5 W
Update outlookactively maintained
List price (Amazon.com, Q2/2026)about $39
Best for: Apple ecosystemBest for: Matter / future-proof

Setup & gotchas

🌿 Eve Energy is the only smart plug that draws under 1W in standby. Ten of them in your house saves $10-15 per year compared to typical Wi-Fi plugs.

Editorial take

Our hands-on read — the specs above are the sourced facts.

Strengths

  • + Thread-only smart plug (no Wi-Fi) — extremely low standby draw (0.5W)
  • + Matter-capable — works in Apple Home plus Google/Alexa via a border router
  • + Built-in energy meter — cheapest Matter energy-meter outlet on the US market

Trade-offs

  • Technically an endpoint, not a hub — it only acts as a 'hub' when it functions as a Thread repeater
  • Requires another Thread Border Router (HomePod mini, Apple TV 4K, eero Pro 6E) — useless on its own
  • Eve app is Apple-Home-centric

Frequently asked questions

Does the Eve Energy (Thread, as a border-router mini) require the cloud?
No. The Eve Energy (Thread, as a border-router mini) runs local-only — no local API, no vendor account is required for core automations.
Which protocols and voice assistants does the Eve Energy (Thread, as a border-router mini) support?
Protocols: Matter, Thread, HomeKit, Bluetooth LE. Voice: Siri (HomeKit). It directly supports an estimated 25 devices/brands.
How much does the Eve Energy (Thread, as a border-router mini) cost and how much power does it use?
List price is about $39 (Amazon.com market observation, Q2/2026 — actual prices fluctuate). Idle power draw is roughly 0.5 W. The hardware and firmware are closed-source.

Source & last checked

  • Eve Energy: evehome.com/en/eve-energy
  • Sources last checked: 2026-07-20 · Prices: Amazon.com market observation, Q2/2026
  • Idle-power and device-count figures are vendor-claimed or community-measured estimates. Prices fluctuate. Details without warranty — check the current manufacturer spec sheet before buying.