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12 Smart Home Devices That Will Instantly Upgrade Your Daily Routine
These gadgets help you work smarter, not harder.
By 
What exactly makes a home device smart? It all starts with its ability to connect to a Wi-Fi network, allowing you to interact remotely with it using a smartphone app or voice commands via your preferred virtual assistant. These handy products will save you time that you’re currently wasting on tasks like searching for your remote control and making trips to a wall switch to turn on the lights (yup, that’s an outdated activity now), adjusting the temperature in your space, or checking if you locked the door, to name a few tasks.
The bottom line? Smart home devices undoubtedly make your daily routine more convenient. We constantly evaluate connected appliances in various product categories and price points — from surge protectors to air purifiers — to determine the best worth buying.
What to Consider
Wi-Fi Is Important
And thankfully, it's commonly available in almost all home appliance categories, so you're guaranteed to discover a product for your exact needs. Whether you're shopping for big-ticket appliances such as a dishwasher and a refrigerator, or are in the market for a smaller smart device like a security camera or a lock, this is an important bit to look out for.
Virtual Assistant Compatibility
Most of today's connected home products are compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Apple HomeKit-capable gadgets, on the other hand, support Siri voice commands. The virtual assistants allow you to turn connected appliances on and off, control their operation, etc. Be sure to check that a product is compatible with your preferred one before ordering.
To integrate them with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, you will need to access their respective apps to complete the quick and easy process. When it comes to setting up an Apple HomeKit appliance, you need a home hub, and a HomePod mini, an iPad, or an Apple TV is ideal for this task. Typically for Apple products, the setup process is as effortless as it gets.
Of course, to get the best experience with your gadgets, you should also consider a smart speaker with your favorite virtual assistant on board. If you don't already own one, this guide will help you find a great one for your home and budget.
Matter and Thread
These smart home protocols are the industry's latest and most futureproof. Matter is especially important, as compatible connected devices offer compatibility with Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant voice commands. Eliminating the need to install third-party apps to set up compatible products is another awesome bit you should know about Matter.
The latest Amazon Alexa and Google Home speakers, the Apple HomePod, and the Apple TV 4K support Matter. If you don't already own one of these products, budget accordingly to get started with Matter.
Thread is a connectivity standard that allows devices to link together in a mesh network. Such a setup will result in smoother, more secure connectivity for your smart home setup because the compatible devices won't need to connect to Wi-Fi directly to work.
A Thread Border Router is necessary to create the above setup, and thankfully, plenty of products can double as one. Some of the most notable ones include the Apple HomePod and HomePod mini, the Apple TV 4K with 128GB of storage, and the Nest Wi-Fi Pro, among others.
We've selected useful smart home devices you'll love to have in your home through our extensive research and real-life testing. Find one (or a few) products to level up your home from our top picks below!
Kasa Smart HS300 Power Strip
Kasa Smart HS300 Power Strip
Pros
- Plenty of outlets and ports
- Convenient power plug
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- No HomeKit support
Key Features
- Compatible with Amazon Alexa and the Google Assistant
- 6 power outlets, 3 USB ports
- Space-saving power plug with angled design
The TP-Link Kasa Smart connected power strip packs six individually controlled power outlets and a trio of USB ports for charging smaller gadgets. Like all TP-Link products, the device is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands. I could rename each outlet individually (e.g., lamp, laptop charger, phone charger, etc.) and ask the virtual assistant to power it on and off. It does lack Apple HomeKit support, though.
The nifty gadget will allow you to keep tabs on the energy consumption of the devices it powers. Of course, as expected from a smart power strip, the product has built-in surge protection.
S7 Robot Vacuum
Pros
- Versatile cleaning capabilities
- Excellent obstacle navigation
- Long battery life
Cons
- No Apple HomeKit support
- Expensive
Key Features
- Compatible with Amazon Alexa and the Google Assistant
- Vacuum and mopping capabilities
- Up to 180 minutes of continuous cleaning time
The Roborock S7 is a sleek and quiet robot vacuum that can also mop your floors. It has sophisticated LiDAR navigation, room-mapping tech, and superb cleaning capabilities. “It delivers some of the best cleaning performance I’ve seen among robot vacuums,” remarked my colleague Brandon Carte after putting the product through its paces.
Impressively the robot can clean for up to 3 hours between charges. In addition to voice commands, you can also control the Roborock S7 via a mobile app. The latter allows you to select a room for the vacuum to clean.
Amazon Echo (4th Gen) Smart Speaker
Amazon Echo (4th Gen) Smart Speaker
Pros
- Great sound quality
- Doubles as a smart home hub
- Elegant
Cons
- The smaller Echo Dot is available with a digital clock
Key Features
- Built-in woofer and dual tweeters with Dolby tech
- Smart home hub with Zigbee compatibility
- Eco-friendly design and packaging
The latest Amazon Echo is not only an excellent Alexa-powered speaker but also a powerful smart home hub. It has a beautiful design and a surprisingly immersive sound, all at an amazing sub-$100 price point.
Amazon offers the stylish fabric cover of the fourth-generation Echo in charcoal, glacier white, or twilight blue. We like that the speaker is crafted from recycled aluminum, fabric, and plastics.
More: Our Favorite Smart Speakers Across All of the Top Brands
Tapo P125M Smart Plug
Key Features
- Compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings
- 2-year warranty
The minimalist Tapo P125M smart plug — one of TP-Link’s latest — is among the product category’s most futureproof offerings. The Matter-compatible gadget allows you to control it with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri voice commands. It doesn’t need additional apps to set it up — you can integrate it into your connected home via the Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, or Google Home apps.
Best of all, the Tapo P125M has an impulse-buy price tag before factoring in additional deals and discounts. Ordering multiple units makes the product even cheaper.
TV 4K (2022)
TV 4K (2022)
Pros
- The absolutely best streaming player in the business
- Sleek and intuitive remote control
- Futureproof Wi-Fi 6
Cons
- No expandable storage
Key Features
- Apple A15 Bionic chip
- 64/128GB of storage
- 4K streaming, Dolby Vision, and HDR10 support
The third-generation Apple TV 4K is overwhelmingly the best streaming player available today. In addition, the gadget is a futureproof HomeKit and Matter hub that will allow you to control a host of compatible home appliances with Siri voice commands. Its top-spec version with an onboard Ethernet connector also supports Apple’s Thread smart home protocol. It costs only $20 more than the entry-level model, and we highly recommend it.
Thanks to the Apple TV 4K, you can control connected products not only with Siri commands but also by swiping down to access the Command Center of your iPhone or iPad and the Home app that's available on all Apple gadgets.
Cam Pan v3 Smart Home Security Camera
Cam Pan v3 Smart Home Security Camera
Pros
- Excellent monitoring capabilities
- Weatherproof design
- Very affordable
Cons
- microSD card costs extra
Key Features
- Compatible with Amazon Alexa and the Google Assistant
- Full HD video streaming
- Pan and tilt motion tracking
The WYZE Cam Pan v3 is a smart, versatile, and reasonably priced home security camera whose weatherproof design and useful features belie its under-$50 price tag. It can pan horizontally and tilt vertically, so it’s ideal for large spaces. It can also detect and notify you about human and pet activity and loud noises while you are away.
We like that the camera can store clips locally on a microSD card or in the cloud, with the last-mentioned bit requiring an inexpensive subscription service. An onboard speaker for communicating while away rounds up the product’s noteworthy features.
Wi-Fi Smart Lock
Pros
- Sleek design
- Easy installation
Cons
- Pricey
Key Features
- Compatible with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and the Google Assistant
- Compatible with existing deadbolts
- Up to 6 months of battery life
The updated August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is compatible with most deadbolts so that it can integrate just about any front door into a smart-home setup. A mobile app allows you to manage access to the lock, check its usage history, and receive notifications when someone opens the door. You can even grant access to specific people while away from home.
We especially like that this gadget allows you to keep your existing home keys. The Wi-Fi Smart Lock Pro is compatible with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Assistant.
Smart Thermostat Premium
Smart Thermostat Premium
Pros
- Doubles as a smart speaker
- High-tech design
- Intuitive controls
Cons
- Expensive
Key Features
- Compatible with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and the Google Assistant
- Built-in smart speaker
- 3-year warranty
The ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium can monitor the temperature and the air quality. Another bit we like about the gadget is that it can also alert you upon detecting smoke and sudden temperature drops. To top things off, it has a minimalist design and super intuitive controls.
With an integrated speaker and microphones, the Smart Thermostat Premium will allow you to interact with virtual assistants and play music or podcasts via a built-in speaker and microphones.
Airmega 250S Smart Air Purifier
Airmega 250S Smart Air Purifier
Pros
- Understated design
- Convenient air quality indicator
- Long-lasting filter
Cons
- Not compatible with Apple HomeKit and Google Assistant
Key Features
- Compatible with Amazon Alexa
- Multi-level filtration setup
The Coway AirMega 250S smart air purifier is also today’s best. Its sophisticated filter setup allows it to remove microscopic airborne particles and pollutants in more than 900 square feet of space.
You can control the air purifier via a sleek smartphone app and Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands. A larger-capacity Coway AirMega 400S variant is also available.
White and Color Smart Lighting Kit
White and Color Smart Lighting Kit
Pros
- Excellent lighting capabilities
- Easily expandable
Cons
- Some rivals don't require a hub
Key Features
- Compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit
- Bundled Hue hub can control up to 50 lights
- Customizable smart button
Philips Hue smart lights have always been among the industry’s best, and this easy-to-install comprehensive kit is no exception. It includes a trio of lightbulbs that can produce millions of colors and thousands of shades of white, allowing you to always find the perfect ambiance, all with the touch of a button from its convenient app.
The kit also includes a connectivity hub and a smart button. You can expand it by purchasing standalone lights — the hub supports up to 50.
Roam Portable Smart Speaker
Roam Portable Smart Speaker
Pros
- Excellent sound quality
- Waterproof design
- Wireless charging-capable
Cons
- Battery life is just ok
Key Features
- Compatible with Amazon Alexa and the Google Assistant
- Water-resistant with an IPX4 rating
- Up to 10 hours of battery life
The Sonos Roam is deservedly our favorite waterproof smart speaker, offering sleek and portable design and great sound at an agreeable price. In addition to Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands, the Wi-Fi-equipped gadget also supports Apple AirPlay 2 wireless playback.
Impressively, the Roam is compatible with Qi wireless chargers like most smartphones. Sonos offers the speaker in black, white, olive, sunset, and wave color options, with the last three being brand-new.
Matter A19 Smart Bulbs
Matter A19 Smart Bulbs
Pros
- Beautiful design
- Works will all virtual assistants
- Reasonable price
Cons
The all-new Nanoleaf Matter A19 is our favorite smart light bulb and a fantastic option for smart home beginners and experienced users. The Matter-equipped accessory is compatible with Alexa, Siri, and the Google Assistant. It is super easy to set up because it doesn’t require you to install an additional app and create an account like other smart bulbs.
Like its excellent predecessor, the Nanoleaf Matter A19 bulb has a beautiful design and infinitely customizable glow with millions of colors. Nanoleaf offers a Matter-compatible light strip, too.
Stefan is the senior technology editor for BestProducts.com, where he’s been covering the tech industry and testing the latest gadgets since 2015. He has more than a decade of experience covering consumer tech products, especially smartphones, tablets, laptops, and audio gear. He was previously the US editor for GSMArena.com; his work can also be found on Popular Mechanics and other Hearst publications.In the rare moments when he’s not playing with a new gadget, Stefan likes to watch live Premier League games or hang out with his cat and rabbit. He’s also an espresso snob.
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