How to get into entry-level Smart Home Devices

Dipping your toes into smart home technology can be an exciting yet daunting endeavor. This guide will introduce you to the most entry-level, easy-to-use smart home devices to help you navigate a more connected, convenient, and efficient living space.

Smart plugs are an example of Smart Home automation that’s easy to use

Simplifying Automation

Smart Plugs

Smart plugs are the perfect starting point for your smart home adventure. Plug them into your standard outlets, and you can remotely control your devices, create schedules, and monitor energy consumption. These user-friendly gadgets are compatible with popular voice assistants, making it a breeze to manage your devices with voice commands.

Here are a couple of ideas for smart plugs you can try:

  1. TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug
  2. Wemo Mini Smart Plug
  3. Amazon Smart Plug

Smart Bulbs

Transform your home’s ambiance with smart bulbs, an effortless way to control your lighting. Adjust brightness, color temperature, or even color with just a few taps on your smartphone or a voice command. These energy-efficient bulbs integrate seamlessly with most smart home ecosystems, allowing for convenient automation and customization.

Here are our suggestions for this category:

  1. Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance Bulb
  2. LIFX Mini Color Smart Bulb
  3. Sengled Smart LED Multicolor Bulb

Effortless Comfort and Security

Smart Thermostats

Smart thermostats offer unprecedented control over your home’s temperature and energy usage. With features like learning algorithms, geofencing, and remote access, these intuitive devices adjust your home’s climate based on your preferences and habits. Experience enhanced comfort while reducing energy costs with these user-friendly smart home devices.

A couple of entry-level smart thermostats you can try:

  1. Nest Learning Thermostat
  2. ecobee SmartThermostat
  3. Honeywell Home T9 Smart Thermostat

Smart Doorbells

Elevate your home’s security with smart doorbells, providing real-time video surveillance and two-way audio communication. These devices allow you to monitor your doorstep from anywhere, receive motion alerts, and communicate with visitors, giving you peace of mind without the complexity of traditional security systems.

Our suggestions for this category are:

  1. Ring Video Doorbell
  2. Google Nest Doorbell (formerly Nest Hello)
  3. Arlo Video Doorbell

Entertainment and Connectivity

Smart Speakers

Smart speakers serve as the quintessential hub for your smart home. These voice-controlled devices offer many functions, from streaming music and answering queries to controlling various smart home devices. Smart speakers bring your connected home to life with user-friendly interfaces and compatibility with major smart home platforms.

Our must-haves entry-level smart speakers are:

  1. Amazon Echo Dot
  2. Google Nest Mini
  3. Apple HomePod Mini

Mesh Wi-Fi Systems

Upgrade your home’s connectivity with a mesh Wi-Fi system. These devices ensure consistent internet coverage throughout your space, eliminating dead zones and buffering. With user-friendly setup processes and mobile app management, mesh Wi-Fi systems make staying connected more straightforward than ever.

Improve your Wi-Fi with these entry-level systems:

  1. Google Nest Wifi
  2. Netgear Orbi Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi System
  3. TP-Link Deco Mesh Wi-Fi System

Embarking on your smart home journey can be a simple and enjoyable experience with these entry-level, easy-to-use devices. Begin with the basics like smart plugs and bulbs, then enhance your home’s comfort and security with smart thermostats and doorbells. Finally, connect it with smart speakers and mesh Wi-Fi systems for a seamless, connected environment. Explore the world of smart home technology and discover the convenience and efficiency it has to offer, and quite often, all manageable from the palm of your hand (or phone, we mean phone 😁).