What Is Smart Home Technology?
What if all the devices in your life could connect to the internet? Not just computers and smartphones, but everything: clocks, speakers, lights, doorbells, cameras, windows, window blinds, hot water heaters, appliances, cooking utensils, you name it. And what if those devices could all communicate, send you information, and take your commands? It's not science fiction; it's the Internet of Things (IoT), and it's a key component of home automation and smart homes.
Home automation is exactly what it sounds like: automating the ability to control items around the house—from window shades to pet feeders—with a simple push of a button (or a voice command). Some activities, like setting up a lamp to turn on and off at your whim, are simple and relatively inexpensive. Others, like advanced surveillance cameras, may require a more serious investment of time and money.
There are many smart home product categories, so you can control everything from lights and temperature to locks and home security devices. They also happen to make fantastic gifts, whether you're shopping for the holidays or buying a housewarming present. Here's a rundown of the best products we've tested for every room of the house.
Smart Speakers and Displays
Amazon Echo Family
The Amazon Echo is a Bluetooth speaker powered by Alexa, Amazon's handy voice assistant. Alexa works with a number of smart home devices directly, as well as with If This Then That (IFTTT) to control plenty of others via pairings you can create yourself. It'll take some work, but you can use Alexa to control most of the gadgets in your house with the sound of your voice. If you already have a favorite speaker, the inexpensive Echo Dot With Clock can connect to it and add Alexa functionality. And if you want a touch screen to see search results and make video calls, check out the Echo Show 10, Echo Show 8, or Echo Show 5.
Google Nest Hub Family
If you prefer Google Assistant to Amazon Alexa, you'll want to invest in Google's Nest Hub line of speakers and smart displays. The big Google Home Max offers truly room-filling sound, while the Google Nest Hub Max is an attractive, bright smart display that puts Google's services front and center. The smaller Nest Audio, Nest Mini, and Nest Hub are also solid, more affordable alternatives for putting Google Assistant in every room of the house.
Sonos One
If you can't decide between Amazon and Alexa and Google Assistant, you don't have to. The Sonos One supports both popular voice assistants, and sound-wise, it's head and shoulders above other smart speakers in its price range. It also connects with other Sonos speakers like the Arc, Beam, and Move to deliver superior sound quality and voice assistant access throughout your home (and backyard). Sonos also recently launched the Roam, but in testing, we found that it doesn't sound as good as similarly priced outdoor-friendly speakers.
For more, check out The Best Smart SpeakersThe Best Smart Speakers and The Best Smart DisplaysThe Best Smart Displays.
Smart Plugs
ConnectSense Smart Outlet 2
If you're looking to add some smarts to small home appliances such as coffee makers, lamps, and TVs, the ConnectSense Smart Outlet 2 is an excellent choice. This versatile dual-outlet smart plug can be controlled with an Android or iOS mobile app and works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri voice commands. It lacks IFTTT support, but you can make it work with other smart home devices using HomeKit Scenes and Automations, and it monitors energy usage for both outlets.
Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug
Outdoor smart plugs are ideal for turning things like pool pumps and patio lights into smart home devices that you can control with your phone. With the $29.99 Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug KP400, you can control two devices independently of each other using your phone or through Alexa and Google voice commands. It’s easy to install and will interact with other smart devices, and at just under $30, it’s the most affordable outdoor smart plug we’ve seen to date. It doesn’t offer power usage reports, but it’s still good enough to earn our Editors' Choice for outdoor smart plugs.
See The Best Smart PlugsThe Best Smart Plugs for more.
Home Security Cameras
Arlo Pro 4
For monitoring what's happening outside without having to leave the comfort of your couch, the Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera is our overall top pick. This high-resolution, weather-resistant security camera not only captures motion-triggered video, but casts a bright light on whatever is moving around on your property. It installs in minutes, delivers detailed 2K video with color night vision, and provides accurate and intelligent motion detection, making it our new Editors’ Choice award winner in this category.
See The Best Outdoor Home Security CamerasThe Best Outdoor Home Security Cameras for more.
Wyze Cam V3
If you're on a budget, the $20 Wyze Cam V3 is an excellent pick. This indoor/outdoor home security camera packs a ton of features into its tiny frame including color night vision, intelligent motion detection, voice control, a built-in siren, and local video storage. All that makes it easy to recommend as our new Editors' Choice award winner for affordable security cams.
Check out The Best Indoor Home Security CamerasThe Best Indoor Home Security Cameras for more.
Ezviz DB1C Wi-Fi Video Doorbell
Any video doorbell worth its salt will let you see who is at the door before you open it, but you usually have to pay a premium for extra features such as intelligent alerts, third-party integrations, and a high-resolution camera. That isn't the case with the Ezviz DB1C, a smart doorbell that offers Ultra HD video, dual band Wi-Fi, cloud and local video storage, voice control, and lots of third-party support for just $99. It requires wired installation, but that doesn't stop it from being our top pick for affordable video doorbells.
See The Best Video DoorbellsThe Best Video Doorbells for more.
Nanit Pro
We liked the original Nanit when we reviewed it back in 2018, and we liked its successor, the Nanit Plus, enough to give it an Editors' Choice award. The latest Nanit Pro Complete Monitoring System replaces those models and delivers some improvements to the camera and several to the app/service, which is enough to keep it at the head of the pack. The camera resolution has been increased slightly and night vision is better, but the big addition is the ability to use the system for measuring your child's growth. So if you're searching for your first baby monitor and want a model that keeps track of a lot more than crying, the Nanit Pro is our top pick.
Head over to The Best Baby MonitorsThe Best Baby Monitors for more.
Furbo Dog Camera
The $249 Furbo is essentially an indoor home security camera and dog nanny in one, offering clear 1080p video even in the dark, plus barking alerts and two-way audio so you can hear and talk to your pup. Perhaps best of all, it lets you toss treats to your pet when you're out and about. The Furbo Dog Camera is pricey, especially compared with traditional security cameras, but it's as useful as it is fun, and gives you peace of mind that your dog and home are safe.
See The Best Pet CamerasThe Best Pet Cameras for more.
Smart Locks and Home Security Systems
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock
August's smart locks have been some of our favorites since we reviewed the company’s first model in 2014. The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is the company’s smallest model to date, and its first to offer embedded Wi-Fi. It also supports Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, and numerous other third-party platforms and devices, following in the suit of its predecessors and earning our Editors’ Choice.
See The Best Smart LocksThe Best Smart Locks for more.
Vivint Smart Home
With Vivint you get around-the-clock home monitoring with an incredibly swift response when an alarm goes off, as well as a variety of optional home automation services, all of which can be controlled from a smartphone, a PC, and a 7-inch touch-screen control panel. Vivint Smart Home systems and components aren't cheap, but once you decide on a plan you don't have to lift a finger; Vivint technicians come to your house, install everything, and give you a comprehensive tour of how it all works. That all adds up to our Editors' Choice for home security systems.
See The Best Smart Home Security SystemsThe Best Smart Home Security Systems for more.
SimpliSafe Home Security System
If you prefer a DIY approach to smartening up your home security, check out the SimpliSafe Home Security System. SimpliSafe finds the sweet spot between a basic self-monitored DIY security system and a professionally installed and monitored solution. The system is easy to set up and use, and keeps your home safe from intruders and environmental threats like fires and floods. It's a seamless solution that succeeds quite well at what it sets out to do—secure your home simply and flexibly, letting you monitor everything remotely with (or without) an affordable monthly plan.
See The Best DIY Smart Home Security SystemsThe Best DIY Smart Home Security Systems for more.
Smart Heating and Cooling
Ecobee Smart Thermostat With Voice Control
The Ecobee Smart Thermostat With Voice Control is the company's fifth-generation model, and as is the case with each Ecobee release, it offers more features than its predecessor. Enhanced Alexa and multimedia support, more powerful audio components, and dual-band Wi-Fi are just a few examples of what this thermostat has to offer. Throw in a user-friendly app, lots of third-party support, and an easy installation process, and you've got one of the best smart thermostats you can buy.
Nest Thermostat
At just $129.99, the Nest Thermostat is the company's most affordable model to date—and arguably the most attractive. Like the pricier Nest Learning Thermostat, it lets you control your heating and cooling system by phone or voice, set temperature schedules, and remotely monitor your energy consumption. The main difference is that it doesn't automatically learn your temperature preferences and set up a schedule, but you can still do so manually. That makes it a strong alternative to the Learning Thermostat for nearly half the price, and our Editors' Choice winner for affordable smart thermostats.
Check out The Best Smart ThermostatsThe Best Smart Thermostats for more.
Midea 8,000BTU U-shaped Air Conditioner
The Midea 8,000BTU U-shaped Air Conditioner ($339) is a Wi-Fi-enabled smart air conditioner with a unique design that helps make it one of the quietest window units we’ve tested. It's easy to install and did a good job of cooling in our testing, and it can be controlled with a remote, mobile app, and Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands.
Check out The Best Smart Air ConditionersThe Best Smart Air Conditioners for more.
Smart Lighting
Wyze Bulb Color
At $39.99 for a pack of four, the Wyze Bulb Color is the most affordable smart color bulb we've tested. You can control it from your phone without a hub, or with your voice via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It offers ample smart features for the price, including support for custom scenes, device-triggered automations, scheduling, and sleep routines that help you gradually wind down at night and wake up in the morning. You simply won't find a better smart light bulb for a lower price than this, earning the Wyze Bulb Color our Editors' Choice award.
Check out The Best Smart Light BulbsThe Best Smart Light Bulbs for more connected lighting options.
Smart Kitchen Appliances
Brava Oven
Connected countertop ovens are steadily becoming more common, with a variety of microwave-sized smart appliances out there that can bake, broil, sear, and reheat, among other varieties of food preparation. The Brava Oven is one of the most expensive models we've tested, but it's also the most advanced. It can cook food in ten different ways, has lots of automatic cooking presets for both ingredients and meals, and features built-in cameras for watching your food cook on your smartphone.
Anova Precision Cooker Wi-Fi
Sous video cooking sounds complex, but it's actually a simple process that makes it easy for anyone to prepare meals perfectly. You seal food in plastic and immerse it in a water bath heated to a precise temperature, made possible by immersion circulators like the Anova Precision Cooker Wi-Fi. Thanks to both onboard controls and Wi-Fi connectivity, you can control the cooking process using the Anova itself, or from anywhere with your phone. It couldn't be easier to use, and it all but guarantees perfect results, making it an Editors' Choice for smart cooking appliances.
See The Best Smart Kitchen AppliancesThe Best Smart Kitchen Appliances for more connected cooking gear.
Traeger Ironwood 650
Whether you're a barbecue novice or a professional pitmaster, cooking with the right grill can mean the difference between failure and success. With the Traeger Ironwood 650, you never have to worry about things like flare-ups, uneven cooking temperatures, or constantly feeding wood into a smoker. Fueled by real hardwood pellets, the Wi-Fi-enabled Ironwood 650 can be used for barbecuing, roasting, and smoking, and it's easy to use.
For more, check out The Best Grilling and BBQ GadgetsThe Best Grilling and BBQ Gadgets.
Robot Vacuums and Mops
iRobot Roomba s9+
If you're looking for a truly hands-free cleaning experience, and you want the most powerful vacuum possible, the Roomba s9+ is an excellent choice. It takes what we like about the i7+ and puts it in a new shape that's better at reaching difficult areas, with four times the suction power. And with plenty of sensors and camera-based navigation, it learns the layout of your home over time. It's one of the most expensive robot vacuums we've tested, but its powerful suction, smart navigation, and ability to empty its own dustbin makes it one of the best ones you can buy and an Editors' Choice for high-end models.
Read The Best Robot VacuumsThe Best Robot Vacuums for more.
iRobot Braava Jet m6
Robot vacuums are great, especially if you have a lot of carpeting or throw rugs, but if you have mostly hardwood or tile, you might want to consider a robot mop instead. With long battery life and the ability to cover 1,000 square feet in a session, the Braava Jet m6 is suitable for both apartments and larger homes. And if you have a mess that doesn't require mopping, that's OK, because the m6 sweeps too. It can even detect carpets and map out your home, so you can send it to specific rooms.
Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo T8 AIVI
The Deebot Ozmo T8 AIVI can both vacuum and mop your floors, and boasts artificial intelligence and visual interpretation (AIVI) technology that allows it to automatically identify and avoid obstacles. It also has a neat Visual Butler feature that lets you view live video of your home from wherever you are, and it works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can start and stop cleaning with your voice. It’s expensive, but it's one of the most feature-rich hybrid floor-cleaning robots we've tested.
See The Best Robot MopsThe Best Robot Mops for more.
Smart Health and Fitness Devices
Peloton Bike+
Starting at $2,495, the Peloton Bike+ builds upon its predecessor with a new digitized Auto Follow resistance system that automatically adjusts to match your instructor's cues during on-demand classes, so you can focus on your output and climbing the leaderboard instead of fiddling with a knob. This feature, combined with an upgraded sound system, allows for a more immersive at-home cycling experience than ever. That, plus a rotating touch screen and Apple GymKit integration for easy Apple Watch pairing, make the Bike+ a compelling upgrade over the six-year-old original.
Tempo Studio
Suited for everyone from beginners to advanced lifters, the Tempo Studio smart strength training machine uses 3D sensors and artificial intelligence technology to suggest the appropriate weight you should be lifting for each move, count your reps, and offer real-time feedback about your form to keep you honest and safe. Like Tonal, it offers on-demand workouts with knowledgeable, motivating instructors. And with a larger screen, form corrections, and live classes, Tempo exceeds Tonal in many ways, and undercuts its price significantly.
See The Best Smart Home Gym EquipmentThe Best Smart Home Gym Equipment and The Best Smart Exercise BikesThe Best Smart Exercise Bikes for more.
Wyze Scale
If you’re trying to lose weight, or you want to put on muscle, a smart scale can help you track your progress and stay motivated. The Wyze Scale connects with your smartphone and does a lot more than just tell you how much you weigh. It tracks 12 metrics, including your BMI, body fat percentage, body water percentage, heart rate, muscle mass, protein level, and weight up to 400 pounds. It keeps your data private and offers a mode for those who are pregnant or wearing a pacemaker, earning it our Editors’ Choice for affordable smart bathroom scales.
See The Best Smart Bathroom ScalesThe Best Smart Bathroom Scales for more.
Sleep Number 360 Smart Bed
There are many ways to track your sleep these days, from fitness trackers to smartwatches, but perhaps nothing is better suited for the job than your mattress itself. At least, that's the idea behind Sleep Number's 360 Smart Bed, which incorporates biometric sensors to help you snooze better. You use an app on your smartphone to view your sleep trends and health metrics, and to gain insight on how you can sleep better. It's a hefty investment, but if you have the money to spend, the 360 Smart Bed is a comfortable, effective, and highly customizable way to improve your quality of sleep.
See The Best Sleep Tech for Catching Your ZZZsThe Best Sleep Tech for Catching Your ZZZs for more.
Smart Outdoor Gadgets
Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller
The Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller gives you control over eight or 16 zones depending on the unit you get, with a master valve terminal for systems that have one. It won't water the lawn if it's raining, and you can turn it on and off remotely with your phone. Plus, it integrates with lots of other services and devices like Amazon's Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT, and Samsung SmartThings.
Check out The Best Outdoor Smart Home DevicesThe Best Outdoor Smart Home Devices for more.
Worx Landroid M 20V
As with every robotic lawnmower we've reviewed, the Worx Landroid M 20V Cordless Robotic Lawn Mower (WR140) does not come cheap, but it's one of the least expensive models out there and it does an excellent job of mowing and trimming your lawn. It also has GPS and Wi-Fi radios and works with a slick mobile app that lets you control it from anywhere. In addition to starting and stopping the mower and adjusting cuttings schedules, the app lets you monitor the mower's progress and will send status alerts to let you know what it is currently doing and if there are any issues. It'll even tell you where the mower is in the event that someone decides to liberate it from your property.
See The Best Robot Lawn MowersThe Best Robot Lawn Mowers for more.