What makes something a smart home device? Generally, it's defined by its ability to connect to a Wi-Fi network, allowing you to remotely interact with it using a smartphone app, or through voice commands towards your preferred virtual assistant. Such products will save you time that you're currently wasting on things like searching for your remote control and making trips to a wall switch to turn on the lights (yup, that's an outdated activity now, thanks to smart home products). The bottom line? Smart home devices undoubtedly make your daily routine more convenient.
We are constantly evaluating connected appliances in various product categories and price points — from a smart surge protector all the way to a germ-fighting air purifier. Thankfully, Wi-Fi functionality is becoming increasingly common in almost all home appliance categories, meaning that you are all but guaranteed to discover a gadget for your exact needs.
WHAT TO CONSIDER
There are several important things to consider before buying a connected home product, starting with a virtual assistant preference. Most of today's connected home products are compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Apple HomeKit-capable gadgets, on the other hand, have support for Siri voice commands. The virtual assistants allow you to turn connected gadgets on and off, control their operation, and much more.
Most of the products on this list come with a companion app to set up and access their controls. In order to integrate them with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, you will need to access their app to complete the process. The latter is quick and easy.
When it comes to getting started with an Apple HomeKit appliance, you need a home hub first. Thankfully, you can use a HomePods smart speakers, an iPad, or an Apple TV for this task. Typically for an Apple product, the setup process is as effortless as it gets.
Of course, in order 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 own one already, this guide will help you find a great one for your home and budget.
Through our own testing and extensive research, we’ve selected 10 useful smart home devices that you'll love to have in your home. Find one (or a few) that best fit your lifestyle and needs among these thoroughly scrutinized offerings.
1.Apple TV 4K (2021)
amazon.com
$169.00
Key Features
- Apple A12 Bionic chip
- 32/64GB of storage
- 4K streaming, Dolby Vision, and HDR10 support
The latest Apple TV 4K is not only the best streaming player available today but also doubles a convenient HomeKit hub. The feature allows you to control a host of compatible home appliances with Siri voice commands. You can access the virtual assistant on any iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch, as well as by pressing a button on the product’s sleek remote control.
With Apple HomeKit, you can also control connected products by swiping down to access the Command Center of your iPhone or iPad, as well as the Home app. The latter is available on all Apple gadgets.
2.TP-Link Kasa Smart HS300 Power Strip
amazon.com$49.99 (38% off)
Key Features
- Compatible with Amazon Alexa and the Google Assistant
- Six power outlets, three USB ports
- Space-saving power plug with angled design
The TP-Link Kasa Smart connected power strip packs six individually controlled power outlets, as well as a trio of USB ports for charging smaller gadgets. Like all TP-Link products, the handy gadget is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands. 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.
3.Roborock S7 Robot Vacuum
amazon.com
$649.99
Key Features
- Compatible with Amazon Alexa and the Google Assistant
- Vacuum and mopping capabilities
- Up to 180 minutes of continuous cleaning time
One of our favorite products of CES 2021, the Roborock S7, is a sleek and quiet robot vacuum that can also mop your floors. It has sophisticated LiDAR navigation and room-mapping tech, as well as superb cleaning capabilities. 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 gives you the option to select a room for the vacuum to clean.
4.Amazon Echo (4th Gen) Smart Speaker
amazon.com
$99.99
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.
5.Blueair HealthProtect 7470i Smart Air Purifier
amazon.com
$639.99
Key Features
- Compatible with Amazon Alexa and the Google Assistant
- GermShield tech protects against airborne bacteria and viruses
- LCD color display with real-time air quality indicators
The Blueair HealthProtect 7470i smart air purifier is one of the best of its kind. Its sophisticated filter setup allows it to remove microscopic airborne particles, as well as bacteria and viruses, at bay in more than 400 square feet of space.
You can control the air purifier via a sleek smartphone, as well as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands. A larger-capacity HealthProtect variant is also available.
6.Philips Hue A19 White and Color LED Smart Lighting Kit
amazon.com$178.24
Key Features
- Compatible with Amazon Alexa and the Google Assistant
- Bundled Hue hub can control up to 50 lights
- Customizable smart button
This lighting kit by Philips supports a whopping 16 million colors, including 50,000 shades of white, allowing users to find the perfect ambiance at all times. The set is compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit.
The starter kit includes all the essentials to get you started — three bulbs, a connectivity hub, and a smart button. You can easily purchase additional standalone bulbs and add them to your existing lighting setup.
7.August Wi-Fi Smart Lock
amazon.com
$211.75 (15% off)
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. We 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.
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 also grant access to specified people while away from home.
5.Arlo Pro 3 Wireless Home Security System
amazon.com
$349.00
Key Features
- Compatible with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and the Google Assistant
- 2K video streaming with 160-degree field of view
- Built-in spotlight
The Arlo Pro 3 is an easy-to-install home security system that’s compatible with all popular virtual assistants. It can alert you when its cameras automatically detect activity, and it can activate a built-in siren or allow you to contact emergency services if you need to.
The Pro 3 setup consists of a base station with a built-in siren and wireless camera modules with a 2K HDR image sensor, wide-angle lens, built-in light, and sturdy magnetic mounts. The weather-resistant camera modules can also last for months between battery charges. You can expand your Arlo setup by adding more units.
9.ecobee SmartThermostat
amazon.com
$244.50
Key Features
- Compatible with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and the Google Assistant
- Built-in smart speaker
- 3-year warranty
Upgrade your current thermostat with the ecobee SmartThermostat, which uses room sensors to monitor the temperature throughout your home. Depending on the size of the living space, you can connect multiple sensors for the best results.
The device's smart features include full Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant support via a built-in speaker and microphones. The SmartThermostat also offers compatibility with Samsung SmartThings, Apple HomeKit, and the IFTTT home automation standard.
10.Bose Portable Home Speaker
amazon.com
$349.00
Key Features
- Compatible with Amazon Alexa and the Google Assistant
- Water-resistant with an IPX4 rating
- Up to 12 hours of battery life
The Bose Portable Home Speaker has Wi-Fi connectivity and the ability to work with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands. You can choose the virtual assistant you prefer when setting up the device via a mobile app. Apple AirPlay 2 support is also on board.
With Bluetooth connectivity and a water-resistant build, the Portable Home Speaker is also ideal for use on the go. The product can last up to 12 hours between charges, and it uses a USB-C connector for replenishing its battery. Bose also offers a convenient optional charging cradle for the speaker.
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