Smart home devices, including security cameras, WiFi locks, and cutting-edge light bulbs, can enhance the intelligence of your home.
The best smart home devices can improve your home’s safety, cleanliness, and automation. You can even save money with some of these connected products.
Smart home devices provide complete convenience, whether you’re looking to turn on your lights from your smartphone, listen to music through Alexa (or Google Assistant), or lock your doors remotely.
Smart home brands are constantly growing in number. But not all smart home devices are reliable or smart as they claim. We tested dozens of options, from the best smart light bulbs to the best home security cameras. If an app or voice can control a device, we’re here to help you decide if it fits your needs.
The best smart home devices are listed below.
Top 10 Best Smart Home Devices in2023
1. Amazon Echo Dot with Clock (5th-Gen)
| SPECIFICATIONS | Size: 3.9 x 3.9 x 3.5 inches Speakers: 1.73-inch speaker Wireless: 2.4/5 GHz, Bluetooth Smart assistants: Alexa |
| BEST DEALS | |
| REASONS TO BUY | + Affordable + Multifunctional LED display + Sounds great for the price + Ero built-in |
| REASONS TO AVOID | – No 3.5-mm jack |
Its name says it all: The Echo Dot has a powerful LED clock built into its face. However, this seemingly simple addition adds excellent functionality to the Echo Dot, making it an even better smart home companion. It would be great if more smart home companies took Amazon’s lead and improved already excellent devices in minor – but effective – ways.
You can also see the current temperature, song titles, and math equations on the Echo Dot with Clock’s display. Additionally, it works as a timer. With its ambient sensor, the display automatically adjusts brightness according to the surrounding lighting, and with its temperature sensor, you can control Alexa routines. The Echo Dot with Clock is worth the extra $10, as it lets you know the time without asking Alexa. The only downside is that it doesn’t have a 3.5mm audio out port like the previous Amazon Echo Dot with a Clock.
Please read our full Amazon Echo Dot with Clock (5th Gen) review.
2. Nest Cam (Battery)
Best home security camera
| SPECIFICATIONS | Size: 3.3 x 3.3 inches Resolution: 1080p/30 FPS Field of view: 130 degrees Works with Alexa, Google Assistant Cloud storage: Starting at $6/month |
| BEST DEALS | |
| REASONS TO BUY | + A great design. + A very sharp video quality. + Free animal, person, and vehicle detection + 3 hours of video storage for free |
| REASONS TO AVOID | – Few accessories |
A well-designed Nest Cam (battery) with a magnetic base has a simple shape and is one of the most accessible security cameras to install. A 1080p camera captures sharp images day and night, and its microphone and speaker make it easy to converse. Our top choice among all the best security cameras is this one.
The Nest Cam (battery) provides free rolling video storage for three hours and detects persons, vehicles, and animals. If you subscribe to Nest Aware (starting at $6/month), you’ll receive familiar face detection and up to a month’s video storage.
Could you read our full Nest Cam (battery) review?
3. Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium
The Best smart thermostat
| SPECIFICATIONS | Size: 4.3 x 4.3 x 1 inch Wireless: 802.11 WiFi (2.4 and 5GHz), Bluetooth Works with: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, IFTTT |
| BEST DEALS | |
| REASONS TO BUY | + Improved remote sensors over previous models + Fully compatible with Alexa + The display has been improved and is more extensive. |
| REASONS TO AVOID | – Larger than Nest Learning Thermostat |
The Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium boasts a sleek zinc case and a larger touchscreen, making it comparable to the Nest Learning Thermostat’s appearance and more intelligent function. Now you can check the air quality by opening windows or turning on fans. The massive display also shows the weather forecast for the week.
Its remote sensors make it easier to control the temperature throughout your house, as before. As well as Alexa, the Ecobee can talk to Siri through your HomePod or HomePod mini if you have a HomePod. There are better speakers for listening to music, but it’s a great alternative to placing an Echo Dot in a room.
Please read our full Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium review.
4. Philips Hue White A19 Starter Kit
Best smart light bulb
| SPECIFICATIONS | Bulb type: A19 Wireless: Zigbee Works with: Alexa, Apple HomeKit, SmartThings, Google Home, Nest, IFTTT, |
| BEST DEALS | |
| REASONS TO BUY | + A Comprehensive app + Works with a ton of smart-home systems + Dimmable |
| REASONS TO AVOID | – Requires hub – Light color is not tunable. |
The Philips Hue White starter kit includes a hub and two bulbs that can be connected to other smart home devices. These bulbs’ colours cannot be changed, but their brightness (up to 800 lumens) can be adjusted. Additionally, up to 50 bulbs can be added to a single hub. Smart home systems such as Alexa, Apple HomeKit, IFTTT, Google Home, and Nest are compatible with Philips bulbs.
For example, you can synchronize the lights on your computer with music, videos, and movies to flash and change colours. Users have the option to customize colour schemes and themes. With a $30 upgrade, the starter kit can include four bulbs instead of 2. Please read our full Philips Hue White Starter Kit review.
5. August WiFi Smart Lock
Best smart lock
| SPECIFICATIONS | Lock Type: Deadbolt Size: 3 inches x 1.7 inches Works with: Alexa, Google Assistant, HomeKit, Z-Wave, Nest, IFTTT Wireless: 2.4GHz WiFi |
| BEST DEALS | |
| REASONS TO BUY | + Smaller size + WiFi built-in + Easy to use + Works with lots of smart home devices |
| REASONS TO AVOID | – Keypad sold separately |
August Smart Lock Pro has been improved with a smaller, more user-friendly design. Our top choice for a smart lock is the August WiFi Smart Lock. It is 45% more compact than its predecessor, making it less conspicuous on your door. The lock has built-in WiFi, eliminating the need for the August Connect bridge to link it to your home network.
All the features we loved about the August Pro remain in the August WiFi. The installation process remains simple, including convenient features like DoorSense, which alerts you if your door is left open. It is compatible with all the major smart home systems, including Alexa, Google Assistant, and Xfinity. Additionally, the August WiFi allows you to keep your existing deadbolt keys.
Please read our full August WiFi Smart Lock review.
6. Nest Doorbell (Battery)
Best video doorbell
| SPECIFICATIONS | Video Resolution: 60 x 1280p/ 30 fps Field of View: 145 degrees Works with: Alexa, Google Assistant, Size: 6.3 x 1.8 x 0.95 inches Wired/Battery: Battery |
| BEST DEALS | |
| REASONS TO BUY | + A Great design + Very sharp video quality + Free person, package, animal, vehicle detection |
| REASONS TO AVOID | – No optional chime |
The Nest Doorbell (battery) is one of the best smart home devices. The 3:4 vertical aspect ratio of the video doorbell provides a broader view of the front door. The device can operate via wire or battery and has advanced features like recognizing familiar faces, packages, animals, and vehicles.
The camera now offers some of those features for free and three hours of rolling video storage, which previously required a subscription. You can subscribe to Nest Aware, starting at $6/month, if you want longer storage.
Please read our full Nest Doorbell (battery) review.
7. Wemo WiFi Smart Plug
Best smart plug
| SPECIFICATIONS | Size: 1.3 x 2.0 x 1.8 inches Works With: Alexa, Google Assistant, HomeKit, IFTTT Electrical rating: 120V~/15A/60Hz/1800W |
| BEST DEALS | |
| REASONS TO BUY | + Improved footprint + Physical control button + Works with Alexa, Google Home, and HomeKit |
| REASONS TO AVOID | – Not compatible with 5Ghz WiFi |
It is our top choice for the best smart plug under $25 and is one of the best smart home devices. This option is more compact than its competitors, surpassing its predecessor, the Wemo Mini. The Wemo WiFi Smart Plug works with principal smart assistants but lacks energy monitoring compared to other smart plugs.
This Smart Plug has a physical switch, allowing you to control your appliance without using your voice or an app. The device also features an intelligent Away mode. You can make it seem like you’re home by turning a lamp on and off.
Read the Wemo WiFi Smart Plug review.
8. Nest Protect
Best smart smoke detector
| SPECIFICATIONS | Size: 5.3 x 5.3 x 1.5 Inches Detects: Smoke, carbon monoxide Works with: Nest, Alexa, Google Home, Philips Hue, IFTTT, Wink, Lutron Hardwired/battery: Yes/Yes |
| BEST DEALS | |
| REASONS TO BUY | + Detects smoke, carbon monoxide + Spoken alerts + Links to other smart-home devices |
| REASONS TO AVOID | – Expensive |
As for the best smart home devices, one of the top picks for smart smoke detectors is the Nest Protect. When it detects something in the air, it will sound an alarm and notify you which room in your house triggered the alert. An LED ring on the alarm’s base changes colour during emergencies to provide a visual cue for you and your household.
One of the best features of the Nest Protect is its seamless integration with other smart home devices. Smart home routines can automatically turn on your lights when the intelligent smoke alarm goes off, helping you evacuate quickly and safely. However, these routines only work for users who have converted their Nest account to a Google Assistant account. It does not have built-in compatibility with Alexa.
Read our Nest Protect review.
9. Aeotec Smart Home Hub
Best smart home hub
| SPECIFICATIONS | Size: 5.5 x 5.5 x 1.2 Inches Wireless: Bluetooth, WiFi, Zigbee, Z-Wave, Matter Works with: Alexa, Google Assistant |
| BEST DEALS | |
| REASONS TO BUY | + WiFi makes installing this hub easier. + Allows for more automation than other hubs + Works with Zigbee and Z-Wave devices |
| REASONS TO AVOID | – No battery backup |
Samsung Smart Things hub was our top pick for years because it could connect to more devices than most other hubs thanks to its Zigbee and Z-Wave features. The Smart Things app offers a wide range of functionality to create scenarios for the gadgets in your home. Smart Things is now compatible with Nest and Matter products, making it a comprehensive smart home hub.
If you want to use Samsung’s Smart Things platform, you’ll need to get the Aeotec Smart Home Hub since Samsung no longer makes its hub. Our testing showed that the same hardware worked but with a different logo on the front.
During our testing, we found that the hardware performed equally well despite having a different logo on the front.
Read our full Aeotec Smart Home Hub review.
10. Chamberlain MyQ
Best smart garage door opener
| SPECIFICATIONS | Works With: Nest, Google, SmartThings, Xfinity Home, Apple, HomeKitHome, IFTTT Wireless: 802.11 WiFi |
| BEST DEALS | |
| REASONS TO BUY | + Simple physical setup requirements + Simple app interface + Works with Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit |
| REASONS TO AVOID | – It does not work with Alexa. – Requires subscription to use Google Assistant |
If you’re searching for the top-rated smart garage door opener, your search ends with Chamberlain MyQ. The device has a garage door sensor and a hub connecting to your WiFi network. When you use your smartphone to command the garage door, the hub relays the signal to the sensor that activates the door. The MyQ app for Android and iOS allows remote door monitoring and control.
Chamberlain says MyQ is compatible with most garage door openers manufactured after 1993. Currently, MyQ is compatible with Nest, SmartThings, and Xfinity Home smart home systems. However, it is not compatible with Alexa.
Read our Chamberlain MyQ review.
How do you choose the best smart home devices?
Every shopper has different preferences when selecting the best smart home devices. When choosing smart home devices, consider compatibility with your voice assistant for hands-free control and routine creation.
Three primary options are available: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant/Home, and Apple HomeKit/Siri. We offer guides on using Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri and a comparison between them.
Alexa works with the most smart home devices and has the most third-party skills, making it the top choice. Google Assistant has more capabilities than Alexa, including controlling Chromecast TVs. It is also integrated into third-party devices through its Works With Nest program. HomeKit is becoming more available and may be suitable if you frequently use Siri on your iOS devices.
How do we test the best smart home devices?
These top-rated smart home devices are the best in their respective categories. We evaluate each device based on price, setup, voice assistant compatibility, and appearance, comparing and contrasting them to similar options. The third-generation Amazon Echo is our top choice for a smart speaker due to its high value and exceptional sound quality, making it a standout in its category. This also applies to the Nest Cam and the fifth-generation Ecobee.