Stepping into the world of smart home technology can feel like a magical leap into the future, transforming everyday tasks into effortless experiences. Imagine controlling your lights, your appliances, and even your front door with just a simple tap on your phone or the sound of your voice. It’s no longer a futuristic fantasy; it’s the reality that countless homeowners are embracing to simplify their lives and enhance their living spaces.
Here at Good Housekeeping, we understand that navigating the vast array of smart home devices can be overwhelming. That’s why we’re thrilled to bring you insights from experts like USA Today’s tech-life columnist Jennifer Jolly, who recently shared her must-have smart home finds on the 3rd hour of TODAY. We’ve also scoured the market and gathered recommendations from Shop TODAY editors and our own extensive research to bring you a comprehensive guide.
Our goal is to help you make informed decisions, showing you where you can find incredible value and practical solutions without breaking the bank, and when it might be worth making a slightly larger investment for unparalleled convenience or peace of mind. Let’s dive into some fantastic smart home devices that promise to make your home more intelligent, efficient, and enjoyable, starting with those everyday essentials that truly make a difference.
1. **Matter Smart Light Switch (Starting at $14.99)**One of the easiest and most budget-friendly ways to dip your toes into the smart home pond is with a smart light switch. This unassuming device holds the power to modernize your home, allowing you to control your lighting with incredible ease. What makes the Matter Smart Light Switch particularly appealing is its compatibility, enabling you to manage all your smart home devices from a single, unified app.
Installation is surprisingly straightforward. You simply replace your existing switch by wiring this one in, and for any additional guidance, the Tapo app provides clear, step-by-step instructions. Once connected to your Wi-Fi, you gain the ability to effortlessly flick lights on or off, whether through a voice command or a quick tap on your smartphone app. It’s an immediate upgrade that delivers tangible convenience.
Beyond basic on/off control, there’s also a dimming option, the Tapo Matter Smart Dimmer Switch, starting at just $17.99. This allows you to fine-tune your light’s brightness from 1% to 100% with a touch, through the app, or even with your voice. Imagine setting the perfect ambiance for a quiet evening or adjusting lighting as the day progresses, all without leaving your couch. It’s a small change that brings significant comfort and customization to your home.
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2. **Goovi Robot Vacuum Cleaner and Mop Combo ($88.99)**Are you tired of dedicating your precious weekend hours to scrubbing floors? This two-in-one robot vacuum and mop combination is here to rescue your Sundays, making weekly chores significantly easier. For just $88.99, this ingenious gadget effortlessly transitions between sweeping and mopping, promising to keep your floors pristine with minimal effort from you.
Connecting via Wi-Fi, the Goovi Robot Vacuum Cleaner and Mop Combo features four unique cleaning modes, giving you the power to create customized cleaning paths right from the comfort of your sofa using its smartphone app. It’s not just about automating cleaning; it’s about tailoring the cleaning experience to your home’s specific needs, ensuring every corner gets the attention it deserves.
Weighing only 8 pounds and compact in design, this device is designed to navigate your home with ease. It includes a small water tank, making it effective at tackling both dirt and dust, leaving your floors sparkling clean. This practical innovation transforms a dreaded chore into a hands-off operation, freeing up your time for more enjoyable activities and truly embodying the spirit of smart home convenience.
3. **GoveeLife Smart Kettle ($45.49)**For anyone who appreciates a perfectly brewed cup of tea or coffee, the GoveeLife Smart Kettle is a kitchen essential that brings precision and convenience to your daily routine. This trendy appliance allows you to schedule your morning brew or monitor its temperature, all from your smart device. It’s about more than just boiling water; it’s about perfecting your beverage experience.
This smart kettle holds seven cups of water and boasts quick heating times, reaching optimal temperatures in five to seven minutes, according to the brand. The real magic lies in its temperature control. You can boil water with a voice command or a push of a button, and even more impressively, control the exact temperature from your smartphone. This means no more guessing games when it comes to delicate green teas.
With four convenient presets for green tea, black tea, coffee, and a general boil, you can easily achieve the ideal temperature for your preferred drink. For those who love to experiment, you can dial in your own specific temperature, anywhere from 104 to 212 degrees. This level of control ensures your green tea never tastes like “burnt leaves,” elevating your beverage game and making every sip a delight.
4. **Winees Water Leak Detector and Sensors ($35.99)**Unseen water leaks can cause significant damage and stress, but with the Winees Water Leak Detector and Sensors, you can say goodbye to messy spills and potential disasters. This Amazon’s Choice smart water leak detector provides critical peace of mind by offering instant app and SMS alerts the moment a leak occurs, ensuring you’re best equipped to protect your home from costly water damage.
This three-pack of wafer-thin sensors is designed for discreet and easy placement in vulnerable areas around your home. They slide effortlessly under sinks, nestle near water heaters, and fit perfectly behind toilets – essentially anywhere a sneaky leak might strike unnoticed. The moment water touches a sensor, an immediate alert is dispatched to your phone, keeping you fully informed and ready to act, no matter where you are.
But the protection doesn’t stop there. Beyond the digital alerts, the device also blasts a powerful 100-decibel alarm, which the brand notes is as loud as a blender. This audible warning ensures that you, or anyone nearby, are instantly aware of a problem, allowing for rapid intervention. It’s a smart, multi-layered approach to home protection that saves you from the worry and expense of unexpected water damage.
5. **Alwtniet Hy300Pro Mini Projector ($48.99)**Imagine transforming your backyard into a cinematic paradise or bringing the big screen experience to any room in your house. The Alwtniet Hy300Pro Mini Projector makes this dream an affordable reality. At under two pounds, this portable powerhouse can rotate a full 180 degrees, allowing you to project your favorite shows and movies onto a wall, ceiling, or wherever your outdoor movie night or cozy indoor fort setup demands.
This mini projector is designed for ultimate versatility and convenience. With a maximum image size of 130 inches, it delivers an immersive viewing experience, perfect for binge-watching under the stars this summer or enjoying a movie marathon indoors. Its compact size belies its powerful capabilities, making it an ideal companion for both impromptu gatherings and planned entertainment events.
Connectivity is a breeze with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, allowing you to easily connect to your home network for streaming and pair with wireless headphones or a surround sound system for an enhanced audio experience. This projector isn’t just about showing movies; it’s about creating memorable entertainment moments, offering a flexible and fun way to enjoy media wherever you choose, without a hefty price tag.
6. **Ring Video Doorbell ($49.99)**When it comes to home security and convenience, the Ring Video Doorbell stands out as an essential smart home device. For $49.99, it acts as your vigilant eyes and ears at the front door, allowing you to know when someone’s there even before they ring the bell. It’s about never missing a visitor, a delivery, or even a casual drop-off from a loved one.
Equipped with advanced motion detection, this camera provides a wide field of view, 155 degrees horizontal and 90 degrees vertical, ensuring comprehensive coverage of your entryway. It features two-way talk, allowing you to communicate with visitors from anywhere, and customizable privacy settings for your peace of mind. No more wondering if your package was delivered while you’re at work; you’ll have live video proof.
Beyond simple convenience, the Ring Video Doorbell serves as a crucial first line of defense against property theft and home invasion. It records footage of anyone approaching your door, whether you’re home or away, and provides instant alerts. It’s a smart, effective way to keep track of visitors, enhance your home’s security, and ensure you always know who’s knocking, offering invaluable peace of mind.”
