During power outages, you’ll want to make sure that your smart home devices have a backup power system to keep your home running normally. Thankfully, most smart home devices continue to work normally and have factored power outages into consideration. But, if your smart home gadgets don’t have a backup battery, consider add-ons or other manual backup options to keep your home safe.
Best Smart Speaker
- Built-in Zigbee smart hub to easily connect to other smart home devices without buying another hub
- Use Amazon’s smart assistant, Alexa, to control other smart home gadgets hands-free with 50,000 voice commands
- Includes seven built-in microphones and 360-degree audio for crystal clear sound from all angles
Best Energy-Saving Smart Thermostat
- ENERGY-STAR certified to manage your home’s temperature and create a schedule for your thermostat based on your preferences
- Automatically uses your smartphone and thermostat sensors to detect when you’re away, helping to save energy using Eco-Temperature
- Control the thermostat using your smartphone and the Nest app when you’re away
Best Smart Video Doorbell
- Automatically sends an alert to your smartphone when a visitor rings the doorbell
- Includes a microphone and speakers for two-way audio to see and speak with visitors when you’re away
- Connects with Amazon Alexa to get real-time footage of your home anytime, anywhere through the Ring app
5 Best Home Automation Systems
- Echo Plus – Best Smart Speaker
- Nest Learning Thermostat – Best Energy-Saving Smart Thermostat
- Ring Video Doorbell 2 – Best Home Security Device
- Amazon Echo Dot – Best Smart Home Hub
- Kasa Smart Plug – Best Smart Functionality
Compare Smart Home Systems
Our take
The Amazon Echo is an all-in-one smart home hub. It has the power to play music, act on voice commands with Amazon Alexa and connect you to other rooms like an intercom using the ‘Drop-In’ feature. The Amazon Echo Plus’ smart home hub has the power to connect and control your home’s devices including light bulbs, smart locks and security cameras for your convenience.
Stand-out features include
- Includes a low-power Zigbee smart home hub to connect each product to one another for a better connection
- Built-in Amazon Alexa manages all smart home devices using voice commands
- Use the Alexa mobile app and your smartphone to quickly connect smart home gadgets
Our take
This smart thermostat is one of the most popular smart home electronics. Use up to six Nest Temperature Sensors per thermostat to remotely control each room’s temperature. Even when you’re away from home, you’ll have control of your home’s temperature through your smartphone and the Nest mobile app.
Stand-out features include
- Automatically reduces the temperature when you’re away from home
- Controls each room’s temperature using the Nest Temperature Sensor through the thermostat or mobile app
- Uses Bluetooth Low Energy to control the thermostat while saving energy
Our take
The Ring Video Doorbell 2 uses a crystal clear 1080 high-definition (HD) video camera to see who’s at your door day or night. With Ring’s doorbell, you’ll receive any doorbell alerts using the mobile Ring app and an iOS or Android mobile device.
Stand-out features include
- Powered by an easy-to-remove battery pack to charge the battery without detaching the doorbell
- Weather resistant to continue working through weather conditions from -5 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit without worry
- Uses the Ring app to control customized motion sensors that best fit your outdoor home activity
4. Amazon Echo Dot
Our take
Amazon’s Echo Dot serves as a smart home hub for countless home automation devices ranging from thermostats to security systems conveniently. Use this smart hub to connect devices and make voice commands to control your home.
Stand-out features include
- Connect other Bluetooth speakers for true home surround sound
- Use voice commands to control music from streaming services
- Conveniently ask Amazon’s smart assistant for help with over 50,000 skills
5. Kasa Smart Plug
Our take
Save money on your electric bill by remotely controlling your outlet’s power using the Kasa smart plug. Control the smart plugs in each room by assigning each a name during set-up using the Kasa mobile app or smart assistant commands.
Stand-out features include
- Sleek, condensed design to plug-in 2 smart plugs in the same power outlet
- Pairs with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa’s voice commands to switch plugs on and off
- Automatically schedule the Kasa Smart Plug to turn on and off using voice commands or the Kasa mobile app
6. iRobot Roomba Vacuum
Our take
Keep your hardwood, tile or carpet floors free from dust and dirt with this robotic smart vacuum. This home automation device cleans floors in three stages and uses wall-following to clean around furniture and tight corners.
Stand-out features include
- Simple, one-touch button to start cleaning your floor
- Automatically docks to the home station to recharge
- Uses cliff-detecting functionality to clean stairs without tumbling
7. Philips Hue Smart Light Bulbs
Our take
This two-pack smart light bulb can be controlled hands-free for convenience. Easily dim the lights, set a timer, or manage your morning lighting settings using your smartphone or smart assistant.
Stand-out features include
- Connects with the Philips Hue Bridge to control white light shades
- Uses voice commands to control the light settings and timers
- Interconnects with other smart home automation devices to create a remote-controlled home lighting system
8. Pure Enrichment Air Purifier
Our take
This air purifier clears 99.97 percent of dust and dirt particles as small as 0.03 microns. It cleans the home’s air in four stages in rooms as large as 190 square feet. The purifier includes a smart air quality checker to automatically detect when the air should be cleaned for your convenience.
Stand-out features include
- Automatically purifies your home in four stages for air free from mold, odor or dust
- Includes a filter reset indicator to automatically remind you to change the carbon or air filter
- Built-in three-speed fan to keep rooms cool and waving clean air
9. August Smart Lock
Our take
Automatically unlock your door and connect to other smart devices using the August Smart Lock. With this easy to install and battery operated smart lock, you’ll be able to install this smart home electronic over your current lock while still keeping your original keys.
Stand-out features include
- Pairs with smart assistants to lock and unlock the door using voice commands
- August Auto-Lock feature to automatically lock your door for peace of mind just in case you forget
- Use the August mobile app to review the digital log of who enters and exits your home, while giving loved ones key-free access on the go
10. Sonos One
Our take
Sonos’ Hi-Fi speaker uses Alexa for convenient voice commands and impeccable sound throughout the home. The small, but mighty speaker gives you complete control of your home through the Sonos app or Alexa using your mobile device.
Stand-out features include
- Pairs with the Amazon Echo to manage music, news, and other commands hands-free
- Plays over 30 streaming services including Amazon Music, Apple Music and Spotify
- Connect multiple Sonos speakers surround sound and an interconnected sound system throughout the home
11. ADT Pulse
Our take
ADT’s premium security system offers 24/7, 365 professional monitoring services. With this smart home security system, you’ll remotely control smart home devices using the ADT Pulse® mobile app and Alexa voice commands.
Stand-out features include
- Remotely manage your security system using your smartphone to disable and arm your home using the mobile app
- Connect ADT Pulse® to other smart locks and security cameras for a safe, smart home
- Review your home’s activity over the past few hours, days or month using the ADT Pulse® app to never miss a moment when you’re away
12. Husqvarna Robotic Lawn Mower
Our take
Let your grass mow itself with a smart lawn mower. It instantly detects close corners and narrow paths to best cut these areas without damaging the mower. The lawn mower also detects weather conditions to best cut the grass – whether wet or dry.
Stand-out features include
- Control the lawnmower without stepping outdoors using your smartphone
- Built-in LED lights to operate the lawn mower, even in the dark
- Ability to control the lawnmower timer based on your grass growth
13. Anova Precision Cooker
Our take
This precision cooker uses smart technology to cook meals hands-free only using a pot, water and sealed bag. Your meals are cooked evenly for moist, locked-in flavor. The smart precision cooker is controlled using a one-touch button and is dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.
Stand-out features include
- Start cooking even when you’re not home by using the precision cooker’s Wi-Fi and the Anova mobile app
- Receive mobile notifications to your smartphone on the status of your meal
- Ability to control food cooking preference and timer, even when you’re away from the kitchen
14. Samsung Smart TV
Our take
Samsung’s Ambient Mode blends into the wall to turn your home into the perfect movie theatre. The TV uses a One Connect Box for easier installation and connection from the box instead of the TV. It includes Bixby voice to quickly search for your favorite show without flipping through channels.
Stand-out features include
- See movies and shows better than before with the smart TV Quantum Dots to provide brighter picture quality
- Uses a Q Engine processor to show movies and shows in 4K, using over 8 million pixels for the best viewing
- Q Smart technology to control the TV using voice commands or the Samsung SmartThings mobile app
15. Logitech Harmony Remote Control
Our take
The Logitech smart home gadget is designed to control your home no matter where you are. Turn off the air or power on the lights using this touchscreen remote regardless of where you are in the home. Or, use Amazon Alexa to make any voice commands from the Harmony Elite with ease.
Stand-out features include
- Use one remote to control over 15 smart electronics throughout the home
- Control the Harmony remote using the mobile app, even when it’s out of reach
- Conveniently control cable boxes and other devices within reach, but behind closed cabinet doors using the Harmony Hub
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Smart Home Device FAQs
How do home automation devices work?
Simply put, smart electronics connect to a Wi-Fi network, Bluetooth or a hub using radio-activated Z-wave systems. Once synced, the smart home gadget can be conveniently controlled using the product’s mobile app, voice commands, or other handy features. With a hub like the Amazon Echo, you’re able to connect multiple devices under one smart home gadget with many options for quick and easy control.
How easy is it to maintain smart home devices?
While it may be tempting to purchase a home automation system that comes with many bells and whistles, it’s better instead to look for simple solutions. When you want to automate a simple process, it’s better to start small. Consider starting with a smart speaker or a smart assistant. Also, find out if the device will need to be updated in order to have the latest technology to use years from now.
What is a smart home device hub? Do I need one?
A smart home device hub connects all of your home automation devices for easy use from one system. To use a smart device hub, you’ll connect it to your Wi-Fi network or Bluetooth, and use the same connection to pair to your smart home gadgets. With a smart hub, you’ll achieve a true smart home without the need to control multiple mobile apps – unless you want to. But, before you buy into a smart hub, double check to make sure you don’t already have one. Some devices, like the Amazon Echo, serve as a smart hub and home gadget all in one to save you time and money.
