A smart home doesn’t have to mean rewiring your house. A few inexpensive devices that work with the phone and voice assistant you already own can automate the small daily chores. Start with these five.
1. Smart plugs
The easiest first step. Plug a lamp, fan or coffee maker into a smart plug and you can switch it on or off from your phone, set schedules, or use voice commands. Check that it supports your assistant (Alexa, Google Home or Apple Home) and your Wi-Fi band. Many plugs need 2.4 GHz.
2. Smart bulbs
Smart bulbs fit regular sockets and let you dim lights, change color temperature and set wake-up or bedtime routines. Use smart bulbs or smart switches in a room, not both. Turning off a wall switch cuts power to a smart bulb.
3. A video doorbell or indoor camera
A camera lets you see who is at the door or check on pets while you are away. Compare subscription costs before you buy, because some features, such as recorded clips, may need a monthly plan.
4. A smart speaker or display
A speaker acts as a voice remote for everything else. A display model adds a screen for camera feeds, recipes and timers.
5. Motion and door sensors
Sensors can turn on lights when you walk into a room or alert you when a door opens. They are a small upgrade that makes automations feel truly hands-free.
Tips before you buy
- Pick one ecosystem and check compatibility on every device.
- Look for Matter support, a newer standard that helps devices from different brands work together.
- Give smart devices their own Wi-Fi network if your router supports it, and change any default passwords.
See our Gadgets picks to get started.