Key Points
Our top picks for the best smart home devices to upgrade your life include:
- Amazon Echo Show 8 – Best overall smart display with Alexa
- Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 – Top smart security camera doorbell
- Philips Hue Starter Kit – Best smart lighting system
- Roomba j7+ – Most advanced robotic vacuum
- Ecobee SmartThermostat Premium – High-end programmable thermostat
- Kasa Smart Plug Mini – Budget-friendly smart plug
These gadgets can make homes smarter, more convenient, secure and energy efficient through automation and remote app control. But compatibility, Wi-Fi, complexity and privacy should be considered.
Choosing the Right Smart Home Devices
Upgrading your home with smart gadgets isn‘t always straightforward. Prices range widely for cameras, lights, appliances and more that can be controlled and automated.
Here are key factors I recommend considering when picking smart home devices:
Compatibility – Ensure any prospective smart home gadgets will work with your other connected devices. Smart products from Google Nest, Alexa/Echo and Apple HomeKit have the most universal compatibility, but still require checking.
Wi-Fi Strength – Most smart devices rely on Wi-Fi, not hardwiring. You’ll want dual-band router placement to avoid connectivity issues. Too many gadgets on one band can slow speeds.
Simplicity – Look for gadgets meeting your needs without too many complex features. Simple is better for your first smart home devices. Too many options can overwhelm.
Security – Connected gadgets face hacking risks. Choose established brands with encryption. Use unique passwords and enable 2-factor authentication when available.
Budget – Prices for smart home tech vary widely. Bulbs and plugs are most affordable around $25. Whole home kits can run $300+. Review needs versus costs.
Once you settle on compatible, secure smart gadgets within budget, you’ll be ready to upgrade.
1. Best Smart Display – Amazon Echo Show 8
The Echo Show 8 is my top pick for the best smart display to upgrade your connected home. This Alexa-powered touchscreen hub lets you voice control smart devices, watch video content, make calls and more.
Key features include:
- Vibrant 8” HD touch display
- Crisp audio with two 2” speakers
- Personal/home assistant with Alexa built-in
- 13MP camera with auto-framing during video calls
- Smart home hub controls devices like lights, thermostats, locks
- Stream shows, movies, news from Netflix, Prime Video, NBC, CNN
I love the Echo Show 8 for its compact yet vivid display size combined with powerful speakers and microphone array for Alexa voice responses across the room. Setup only takes 5 minutes before you have a central smart hub.
The Echo Show 8 earns top marks for ease of use controlling your smart home scenes and connectivity with most brands. Tap the screen or ask Alexa to adjust lights, temperatures or appliances. Review the live camera feed to check home status.
Starting at $129, the versatile Echo Show 8 is affordable versus rival smart displays from Google Nest Hub. Its smaller sibling the Echo Show 5 is equally user-friendly for tight spaces. For larger shared living rooms, the flagship Echo Show 10 adds motion-tracking.
Overall if you seek an intelligent display to upgrade smart home management and entertainment, the Echo Show 8 balances great performance, price and simplicity from Amazon.
2. Best Smart Security – Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2
For upgrading home security, the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 is my top recommendation with HD video and two-way audio. Monitoring your front door or entryways keeps your home safer.
Standout features comprise:
- Head-to-toe HD video up to 1536p quality
- 160° field of view with 3D motion detection
- Sharp night imaging in black & white and color
- Two-way talk to communicate with visitors
- Custom motion zones to reduce false alerts
- Syncs to Ring app and Alexa smart speakers to check feeds
I suggest the Ring Pro 2 for seamless installation replacing existing wired doorbells without needing a pro. The quick set-up means you can monitor activity in minutes from your smartphone and receive notifications when the bell rings or motion triggers.
Answering the Ring Pro 2 from your Echo device using Alexa voice commands like “Answer the front door” feels like living in the future! The dependable Wi-Fi connection keeps sharp quality without lagging or chopping common with lesser brands.
At $249, the Ring Pro 2 costs more than previous versions but delivers the best video doorbell experience. I recommend pairing with one of Ring’s affordable security camera kits to cover more angles on a budget.
If easy smart security is your goal, Ring’s Video Doorbell Pro 2 brings laser-focused awareness regarding your home’s entry points.
3. Best Smart Lighting – Philips Hue White Starter Kit
Philips pioneered smart bulbs, and their newest Hue White Starter Kit remains the foremost lighting ecosystem to upgrade walls, cabinets, beds and halls. The hub easily syncs color-changing, dimming bulbs placed around your rooms for voice and app control.
The entry kit includes:
- Hue Hub bridges bulbs/accessories to Wi-Fi
- 2x White A19 LED smart bulbs (60w equivalent)
- Compatible with Alexa & Google Assistant voice controls
- Bluetooth functionality as well for simple use
- Create custom schedules and lighting scenes
- Sync colors and brightness settings across rooms
I recommend Philips Hue for unmatched quality and longevity from their smart bulbs paired with extremely reliable connectivity. The user-friendly Hue app guides you through locating the hub and connecting the bulbs in minutes without frustration.
Tap your phone to turn lights on/off from afar or use Alexa/Google to voice activate scenes like “Reading mode”. Programming is intuitive whether setting timers for waking up or custom colors to match entertainment. Expandability thrives too with Hue’s range of bulb shapes, outdoor lights, motion sensors and LED lightstrips all linking to the same hub.
Retailing around $100, the no-fuss Hue ecosystem teleports your lighting into the 21st century. Once adjusted to suit you, the automation saves time and energy daily.
4. Best Smart Vacuum – Roomba j7+
Future-proof your floors by adding the high-performance Roomba j7+ robot vacuum with self-emptying base. This Wi-Fi connected cleaner uses smarter navigation and mapping to keep any home tidy.
Key features:
- Avoidance technology dodges cords, pets, shoes
- Precision Vision maps rooms plus custom Keep Out Zones
- Alexa & Google voice assistant integration
- Automatic dirt disposal emptying into AllergenLock bag
- Connected to app with cleaning schedules and status
I suggest the j7+ for its cutting-edge navigation that identifies and avoids obstacles like pet toys instead of getting stuck. Multiple floor sensors adapt cleansing based on surface while room mapping lets you label areas.
The j7+ delivers 60 days of hands-free cleaning when self-emptying into its included base. Just the sound of dirt whirring into the vacuum bag satisfies! Charging and resuming happens flawlessly when power is low to provide whole home cleaning.
Starting around $850 with the auto-empty base, the j7+ sits at the higher end of smart vacuum pricing due to its rich feature set. But unlimited disposal alone justifies the investment for pet owners. For a tighter budget, the j7 model lacks the base.
With game-changing navigation plus voice and app controls, the j7+ makes vacuum maintenance exciting again through automation.
5. Best Smart Thermostat – Ecobee SmartThermostat Premium
Ecobee SmartThermostat Premium
Regulating your home’s temperature is easier than ever with my top thermostat recommendation – the Ecobee SmartThermostat Premium. This attractive smart controller auto-adjusts the climate while saving energy and money.
Noticeable features:
- 4.3” vivid touch display with QuickView icons
- Far-field voice control via Alexa built-in
- Complimentary smart sensor tracks remote rooms
- Enhanced comfort preferences tailor conditions
- Over-the-air software updates add features
- Cinematic scenes mode during movie watching
I suggest Ecobee’s newest model for its simplistic yet gorgeous touchscreen that puts climate visibility front and center. The included smart sensor further optimizes temperature readings in busy areas like living spaces for balanced control.
Speaking commands to the Premium feels natural whether adjusting now or scheduling later. “Alexa, make the bedroom 5 degrees warmer at 7 AM” or “switch to Home mode” demonstrates how voice automation upgrades outdated programming. Night dimming promotes better sleep also.
$250 nets homeowners this SmartThermostat Premium edition plus a free smart sensor ($79 value). Estimates show 26% yearly savings over one non-connected thermostat through remote adjustments and geofencing.
If your goal is getting smarter about energy usage, Ecobee’s premium model makes every interaction with your HVAC system simpler.
6. Best Smart Plug – Kasa Smart Plug Mini
The Kasa Smart Plug Mini is my top budget upgrade for quickly making lamps, fans or holiday lights smarter. Plug and play operation connects almost any appliance to voice/app controls.
Helpful attributes:
- Compact size preserves second outlet space
- No smart home hub required, connects via Wi-Fi
- Create schedules and timers for devices
- Voice control through Alexa and Google Home
- Remote access from anywhere thru Kasa app
- Safe for indoor/outdoor use
I recommend the Kasa Smart Plug Mini for delivering the same smart features for under $10 versus rival plugs. Setup takes 3 minutes by plugging in and opening the intuitive Kasa app to connect to Wi-Fi.
Despite its smaller size, the plug still offers thoughtful touches like an LED light confirming power status. “Alexa, turn on the Christmas tree” triggers the plug without moving while away scheduling saves energy. Tap the app for manual control too.
With a compact design, mighty app and no hub necessity, the Kasa Smart Plug Mini makes any traditional device smarter on a budget.
