Must Have Smart Home Devices: Our Essential Picks
Quick Answer
The must-have smart home devices for most homes are smart plugs, smart bulbs, a video doorbell, a smart speaker or hub to control everything, and a couple of indoor or outdoor cameras. After those, a smart thermostat, leak and smoke sensors, and a smart lock add comfort, savings and peace of mind. Start with cheap, useful devices that work together through one app, then add more once you know what you actually use.
Key Takeaways
- Choosing devices that support the same standard (such as Matter, Wi-Fi, Zigbee or Thread) keeps everything in one app.
- Smart plugs are the cheapest way to automate lamps, fans and coffee machines.
- Video doorbells let you see and speak to visitors from anywhere.
- Smart thermostats can cut heating waste by learning your routine and turning down when you're out.
- Every connected device needs a strong password and regular updates to stay secure.
Essential Smart Home Devices Compared
Not every gadget is worth buying, so it helps to rank them by how often you'll use them. This table covers the core smart home devices and what each one does best.
| Device | What it does | Rough cost | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smart plug | Turns any plug-in device on or off by app, voice or schedule | $10 to $25 | Essential |
| Smart bulb | Dimmable, colour-changing light on a schedule | $10 to $40 | Essential |
| Smart speaker or hub | Voice control and automation centre | $30 to $150 | Essential |
| Video doorbell | See and talk to visitors, record parcels | $25 to $200 | High |
| Security camera | Watch rooms, pets or the driveway | $20 to $150 | High |
| Smart thermostat | Schedules heating and cooling | $80 to $250 | High |
| Leak and smoke sensors | Phone alerts for water or smoke | $15 to $60 | Medium |
How to Build a Smart Home Step by Step
- Pick a main voice assistant or app and stick with it.
- Start with smart plugs and bulbs in the rooms you use most.
- Add a video doorbell and a camera for security.
- Set up simple routines, such as lights on at sunset or off at bedtime.
- Add a thermostat, sensors or locks once the basics work smoothly.
Resist the urge to buy everything at once. Living with a few gadgets for a month shows you which routines you actually use, and it's much easier to spot a device that doesn't suit your home before you've built a whole system around it.
For home security, our guides to the best home security camera and how to choose a video surveillance system go deeper into cameras and storage.
Compatibility and Setup Tips
The biggest frustration with smart home devices is ending up with five apps that don't talk to each other. Before buying, check that each device works with your chosen assistant and supports a shared standard, and note whether it needs a separate hub. Most Wi-Fi gadgets only work on the 2.4 GHz band, so keep that network switched on during setup. Placing your router centrally, or adding a mesh system, helps devices in far rooms stay connected.
- Check "works with" labels on the box or listing.
- Use one app for routines wherever possible.
- Name devices clearly, such as "Lounge lamp", for easy voice control.
- Keep a note of device passwords and accounts.
What to Expect at Each Price
| Budget (USD) | What you can build | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Under $100 | A few plugs, bulbs and an indoor camera | Renters and beginners |
| $100 to $300 | Add a speaker, video doorbell and sensors | Most households |
| $300 to $800 | Thermostat, outdoor cameras, smart lock | Homeowners |
| $800 and up | Whole-home lighting, multiple cameras, robot vacuum | Fully automated homes |
Most people get the biggest benefit from smart home devices in the $100 to $300 range, starting with plugs, bulbs, a speaker and a doorbell.
Safety and Privacy Tips
Change default passwords, turn on two-factor login, and update firmware when prompted. Put smart devices on a guest or separate network if your router allows it. Don't plug heaters or high-power appliances into smart plugs unless they're rated for the load. Point cameras only at your own property, tell guests about indoor cameras, and turn off microphones you don't use. Smart smoke alarms supplement, but shouldn't replace, properly installed alarms.
Our Picks From the Global Swanky Store
We don't currently stock smart plugs, bulbs or hubs, so these are the connected gadgets in our range, mostly focused on security.
The Smart WiFi Video Doorbell with Night Vision and Two-Way Talk is $44.11, for seeing who's at the door from anywhere.
Night vision and two-way talk cover visitors and couriers day or night, and it's the one I'd add first.
The Smart Home WiFi Security Camera for Home Safety Monitoring is $24.00, suited to watching pets or a hallway.
A low-cost indoor camera is an easy first step into home monitoring.
The E27 WiFi Bulb Security Camera with Night Vision Monitoring is $14.14, for porches and halls with an existing light fitting.
It screws into a standard socket, so there's no wiring.
The Smart Home Plant Pet Robot with Voice Interaction and Plant Monitoring is $125.15, made for plant lovers who like gadgets.
It monitors a plant's conditions and adds a playful, interactive touch to a desk or shelf.
Frequently Asked Questions
What smart home device should I buy first?
A smart plug or bulb, since they're cheap, easy and useful straight away.
Do I need a hub?
Not for most Wi-Fi devices, though some sensors and locks need one.
Will smart devices work if the internet goes down?
Some keep working locally, but most app and voice controls need a connection.
Can renters use smart home devices?
Yes, plugs, bulbs, cameras and battery doorbells need no permanent changes.
Are smart home devices safe from hackers?
They're much safer with strong passwords, two-factor login and regular updates.
Our Recommendation
Start with smart plugs, bulbs and a speaker in one ecosystem, then add a video doorbell and camera for security. Those smart home devices give the biggest everyday benefit, and you can add a thermostat, sensors or locks once the basics are running smoothly.