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We love decking our home with the best smart home devices. They enable us to control our appliances with our voice, have the lights and the heating just so when we get home from work, and help us monitor our homes, even from afar. Not only that, but they help us save energy and change the way our rooms look without requiring a single splash of paint.
To create a smart home, you'll need a smart home hub like a smart display or speaker. Some of these only work with certain smart home ecosystems (like Google Home, Apple HomeKit, or Amazon Alexa), but an increasing number support the Matter standard, which is designed to make it easier for smart home devices from different companies work seamlessly with one another.
Many of these devices feature a voice assistant, which interacts with you as you make commands to adjust a device or get an update on the weather. With smart home tech, you can minimize the energy consumption of your smart lights by having them turn off automatically at certain times of day (or just change color for ambiance). You can upgrade your safety with the a home security camera or smart lock, and you can even turn some of your not-so-smart devices into smart ones using a smart plug or switch.
As we’re constantly testing and reviewing smart home devices, we keep a close eye on the best available, taking into account their pricing, feature set, and specs to help you find the right ones to install in your space.
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The best smart speaker for you will depend on your chosen smart home ecosystem. All of the options below offer good sound quality and excellent speech recognition, though if you're looking for audiophile quality then you might want to check out something like the Bose Smart Speaker 500 instead. Take a look at our complete guide to the best smart speakers for more details.
Alexa smart speaker
Amazon Echo (4th Gen)Best smart speaker for Alexa
The best smart speaker for an Alexa-based smart home setup, the latest Echo is more responsive than ever and offers improved adaptive sound. During testing we were impressed by just how much it offers for a very reasonable price. Connecting and controlling smart home devices is a piece of cake, too.
Smart speaker for Apple
Apple HomePod miniBest smart speaker for Apple Homekit
If you're invested in Apple's ecosystem, the Homepod mini is the smart speaker for you, boasting excellent sound despite its tiny size. Controlling smart devices isn't as easy as with the Echo (our tester sometimes had to repeat themselves) but hopefully Apple will soon show it some love by polishing the experience.
Smart speaker for Google
Google Nest AudioBest smart speaker for Google Home
The Google Nest Audio is super responsive when it comes to voice commands, and during testing we were very impressed by how easy it made controlling other Google smart home devices. It's well suited to the kitchen or bedroom; sound quality isn't spectacular, but is enough to fill small spaces.
Smart lights can be controlled using voice commands, motion sensors, or programmed automations, and opting for colored ones means you can easily set the mood for parties, gaming, or to help you unwind at the end of the day. These are three of our top-rated options, but our full roundup of the best smart lights includes lots more bulbs, strings, and panels.
Everyday smart light
Philips Hue Color AmbianceBest everyday smart light
Philips Hue is the biggest name in smart lightbulbs, and for good reason. They're a breeze to control, work with all the major smart home platforms, and color reproduction is excellent. You need a Wi-Fi hub to use them, and they aren't cheap, but for us they're the best around.
Budget smart light
Govee Wi-Fi LED BulbBest budget smart lights
If Hue is outside your budget, Govee's color-shifting smart lightbulbs are a good alternative - and they connect directly to your Wi-Fi network without the need for a separate hub. They're compatible with Alexa and Google Home, though our reviewer noted the colors aren't as bright as Hue bulbs.
Smart lights for gaming
Nanoleaf Light PanelsSmart lights for gaming
Nanoleaf offers some super fun ways to highlight your gaming system or show off your collectibles, and these triangular panels can be fitted together to make a fun custom wall display. Adding the Rhythm module takes things to the next level by making them sound-reactive.
These home security cameras let you keep tabs on your home while you're away, letting you see live footage on your phone and alerting you when they detect motion. You can even set them to trigger your smart lights when a visitor arrives (welcome or not). Take a look at our guide to the best home security cameras for more options.
Indoor security camera
Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen)Best indoor security camera
A compact and affordable indoor camera that's easy to mount, the Ring Indoor Cam integrates seamlessly with an Amazon smart home system, and took our tester just 10 minutes to set up. You'll need a Ring subscription to get the most our of its features, though.
Outdoor security camera
Blink OutdoorBest outdoor security camera
Totally wireless and weatherproof, the Blink Outdoor activates when motion is detected and lets you watch live footage on your phone, or review it later. We found its app simple to use and it supports Amazon Alexa, but not Google Assistant.
Budget security camera
Blink MiniBest budget security camera
The Blink Mini is a super affordable indoor camera with impressive video quality despite its modest price tag. We found it worked particularly well as a baby monitor, though bear in mind that it doesn't have person detection, and like the Blink Outdoor, it doesn't worth with Google Assistant.
With a smart plug, any electrical device can become part of your smart home system. They're a great way to control appliances without replacing them, and they can help save energy by switching them off when they're not needed. Our full roundup of the best smart plugs offers more for your consideration.
Best smart plug overall
Eve Energy Smart PlugBest smart plug overall
Compatible with Apple HomeKit, but not Alexa or Google Assistant, Eve Energy's smart plug lets you control any electrical device using Siri, and is a great choice if you're tied to Apple's ecosystem. It offers power monitoring too, so you can see how much energy your devices are using and switch them off when they're not needed.
Budget smart plug
WiZ Smart PlugBest budget smart plug
If you have an Alexa or Google Home setup, the WiZ Smart Plug is a cheap and cheerful way to control non-smart devices. It's very basic and doesn't offer any form of power monitoring or scheduling, but if you simply want to turn appliances on and off, it gets the job done with the minimum of fuss.
Smart power strip
TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip KP303Best smart power strip
Another option that integrates with Google Assistant and Alexa, this smart power strip impressed us with its 'away' feature, which turns the power on and off at random intervals to simulate the effect of someone being home. It supports custom schedules, too.
With one of the best video doorbells, you'll be able to see who's calling whether you're at home or away, and never miss another package delivery thanks to wide-angle footage that allows you to see boxes left on your porch. Make sure you check whether you already have suitable wiring, or if you'll need a battery-operated fully wireless doorbell instead.
Best video doorbell overall
The Arlo Video Doorbell is cheaper than an equivalent Ring device but doesn't skimp on features, with high-res video footage, the ability to set custom motion detection zones, and support for Google Home and Amazon Alexa. You'll need a subscription to use all its features, though.
Best budget video doorbell
This video doorbell is our top choice if you're watching the pennies and already have wiring for a doorbell in place. It will alert you if motion is detected even if the button isn't pressed, and let you see footage from the camera on your phone, or your Echo smart display (see below).
Best wireless video doorbell
The latest version of Ring's fully wireless video doorbell offers a wider and taller field of view, so you can see visitors from head to foot and see packages left on your doorstep before porch pirates can make off with them. Again, some features are exclusive to subscribers.
A smart display gives you a visual way to control and monitor your smart home that's larger and easier to read than your phone's screen. It serves as a smart speaker too, letting you give voice commands to control your other devices, and some allow you to stream video too. See our guide to the best smart displays for more details.
Smart display for Alexa
Amazon Echo HubThe best smart display for Amazon Alexa
This smart display earned four and a half stars out of five thanks to its sophisticated interface that makes controlling your smart home a breeze, with support for Matter, Thread, Zigbee, and Bluetooth. The software is still a little buggy, but we have high hopes for it in the coming months.
Smart display for Google Home
Google Nest Hub MaxBest smart display for Google Home
Google's smart display/speaker looks stylish and boasts a bright 10in touchscreen that you can use to view videos from YouTube when you're not using it to control your home. It works as an indoor security camera as well.
Premium smart display
Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen)Best premium smart display
With a rotating 10.1in screen, this is Amazon's best looking smart display to date. Like the Google Nest Hub Max, it can control your smart home and does double duty as a home security camera - and it allows you to make video calls as well.
The best smart thermostats make it easier to control the temperature of your home using physical controls or voice commands, allow you to schedule heating and cooling, and even learn your preferences over time so your home is always at the optimal temperature and energy use is optimized.
Thermostat for Google Home
Google Nest Learning Thermostat (Gen 3)Best smart thermostat for Google Home
This smart thermostat is controlled by simply turning the rotating bezel with a fingertip, and over time it 'learns' your heating preferences and builds a custom schedule just for you.
Thermostat for Alexa
Ecobee Smart ThermostatBest smart thermostat for Amazon Alexa
Ecobee's thermostats have a minimalist design, and are easy for beginners to get to grips with. This model works similarly to Google's Nest Learning Thermostat, but is built to work with Amazon's smart home ecosystem instead. In fact, it has an Alexa smart speaker built in.
Best budget smart thermostat
It's only available in the US, but if you have an Alexa setup and are looking for a cheap smart thermostat. this is the one for you. It's simple to use, but unlike the Ecobee, Alexa isn't built in so you'll need a separate speaker or hub for voice controls.
With a smart lock, you can keep your home secure without keys, give guests and tradespeople temporary access, and lock your door with a single touch. We've listed three of our favorites below, but you can take a look at our complete guide to the best smart locks for more options.
Best smart lock overall
Google Nest x Yale Smart LockBest smart lock overall
Our top-rated smart lock, the Nest x Yale is well designed and has a smart, modern look. It's unlocked using a PIN, and since we first reviewed it, Google has added improved remote operability through Nest Connect. We only wish there was some more haptic feedback when you tap in your number, so you know each button press has registered.
Budget smart lock
SwitchBot Smart LockBest budget smart lock
This super simple device is a great option if you're renting and can't fit a whole new lock on your door. It controls a thumb-lever lock, physically pushing it up when you want to open your door. It's seriously bulky, but if you can't replace your existing lock then it's a smart workaround.
Premium smart lock
August Smart Lock ProBest premium smart lock
Only available in the US, the August Smart Lock Pro is a great looking lock that's compatible with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Apple HomeKit. It's big, but when we tested it we were very impressed by its app, which can unlock the door automatically when you're nearby, or when you tap it.
Building your smart home from scratch is a big process, and there are a few things to consider before diving in.
First, decide which voice assistant would suit you and your household the best. Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple's HomeKit each have their pros and cons, and you should be aware that not all smart devices integrate with all assistants. So, if you already have a preference or own some smart home devices already, that will ultimately feed into your choice.
For example, if you already own a Ring doorbell, then you might get the most out of an Alexa-led smart home. Similarly, a Nest security camera will always work most seamlessly with a Google Assistant. This can be in the form of a smart speaker or display. Again, our guide on what to consider when designing your smart home should be able to help you identify the ideal smart home system for you.
Also, think about installation, and if you can install them yourself, such as smart light bulbs, or whether they need a professional to visit your home, such as smart thermostats, or if you’re considering smart electrical sockets, for example.
Finally, check whether you need to invest in a smart home hub to make the devices work together or whether any smart speakers or smart displays you already have in your home can do this job for you. Alternatively, online services such as IFTTT can make some compatible devices work together to perform particular automation without the need for a hub at all.
Even after reading this article, you may wonder whether assembling a smart home is worth the effort. Creating an automated home takes plenty of time, patience, and, in some cases, money, but it will also make like much easier and more efficient once it is up and running.
If you're still unsure, perhaps consider dipping your toe in the water with something more affordable and simple to install (and uninstall). Smart plugs are perfect for this, as they simply connect to your existing electrical outlets and automate everything from lighting to appliances. You can use your smartphone to control these devices - once you've turned the lights off without leaving the sofa, you'll never return to a dumb house again.
When you're ready to take the next step, throw a smart speaker or smart display into the mix to use your voice to control your smart home gadgets and create some basic home automation.
If you're the forgetful type, being able to switch off the coffee maker, hair straighteners, or even the light that you accidentally left on without having to return home makes your life easier. It ensures you're not wasting energy and money at the same time.
To assess the best smart home devices, we evaluate how simple they are to install and control. In addition, we rate how responsive they are to commands from smartphones and voice assistants, both when we're at home and away from our property.
We also look at how well they integrate with other smart home devices when creating home automation and the extra kit required to fulfill the smart functions we'd expect them to offer. We also evaluate the style and if they blend into your home or stick out like a sore thumb.
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