Smart Home Starter Kit: Where to Begin
A smart home sounds like a big, pricey project. It doesn't have to be. You can start with one speaker and one plug, and add pieces as you go.
This list goes in the order we'd buy things. Most of it works with Alexa, so it all talks together. Start small and add what you actually miss.
- Top pick
Amazon Echo Dot (Newest Model)
Start here. The Echo Dot is the voice remote for everything else on this list. It also plays music, sets timers and answers questions. The newest one has motion and temperature sensors, so it can trigger routines on its own.
Best for: the kitchen or bedroom, as the "brain" of the setup.
Check price on Amazon Amazon Smart Plug
Plug a lamp, fan or coffee maker into it, and now you can turn it on by voice or on a schedule. It's the cheapest way to make an old device smart.
Best for: lamps you're tired of walking across the room to turn off.
Check price on AmazonGovee Color Smart Bulbs
Smart bulbs that dim and change color from your phone or voice. Screw them into lamps you already own. Set them to warm light at night and bright light in the morning.
Best for: bedrooms and living rooms.
Check price on AmazonBlink Mini 2K+ Indoor Camera
A small plug-in camera with 2K video and two-way talk. Check on the dog, a package or the front room from your phone. Some features need a subscription, so read the fine print.
Best for: pet owners and people who travel.
Check price on AmazonGovee RGBIC Floor Lamp
A tall corner lamp that glows in several colors at once. It works with voice and app control, and it makes a room look completely different at night.
Best for: gaming rooms and movie nights.
Check price on AmazonApple AirTag (2nd Gen)
Not a home gadget, but part of the same idea. Put one on your keys and you'll never tear the house apart looking for them again. Needs an iPhone.
Best for: people who lose keys daily.
Check price on AmazonRing Car Tracker & Alarm
A small sensor for your car. See where it's parked on a map and get alerts if someone bumps it or opens a door, right in the Ring app.
Best for: street parkers and big parking lots.
Check price on Amazon
Honorable mentions
Amazon Echo Pop Kids
A kid-friendly Echo with stories, songs and parent controls for the kids' room.
Check price on Amazon
Before you buy
Pick one system and stick with it. Mixing Alexa, Google and Apple gear can work, but it's much easier when everything shows up in one app.
Use your 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi if setup fails. Many smart plugs and bulbs only connect to 2.4 GHz, and that's the most common setup problem.