The Best Smart Home Devices We’ve Tested for 2026

(Credit: Bob Al-Greene)

At the ultimate smart home, you’re met with technology before you even step through the front door. Some of the most useful connected home gadgets reside in the front yard, starting with outdoor security cameras. Our top pick overall for keeping tabs on your home from your phone is the Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro. This high-resolution, weather-resistant security camera provides sharp video, color night vision, and AI-powered motion detection and alerts. Better yet, it acts as a hub for other smart home devices with built-in support for the Matter, Thread, and Zigbee protocols.

Screenshots from the Aqara app (Credit: Aqara/PCMag)

For those times you want to check whether it’s a delivery person or an unwanted solicitor knocking on your door, a video doorbell will let you see who’s there without getting up from the couch. Beyond this convenience, video doorbells can serve as the first line of defense against property theft, home invasion, and porch pirates. They not only let you see and speak with the person outside, but they also record footage of visitors approaching your door while you’re away or unable to answer. Our favorite model, the Arlo Video Doorbell, delivers clear HD or 2K video with a wide 180-degree diagonal field of view, allowing for either a wired or wireless setup. It works with many third-party devices and supports voice control.

Another piece of technology you might want on your front door is a smart lock. Arguably the most important part of a truly connected home, these devices offer both security and convenience, allowing you to come and go as you please, while also monitoring who enters and leaves your home when you’re away. Our current top pick is the Ultraloq Bolt Fingerprint, which adds HomeKit support to our previous favorite while remaining a dependable and versatile smart lock that lets you gain entry or lock up with your voice and fingerprint, as well as via keypad, mobile app, or traditional keys.

If you want privacy but still like to let the sun in, the Feather River Doors Smart Glass offers the best of both worlds. This smart entry door switches between opaque and transparent glass at the push of a button or a voice command.

For the highest level of protection, consider a professionally monitored smart home security system. One of our top picks, ADT Command, is a hefty investment, but it offers virtually everything you need for maximum protection. Compared with Vivint, another Editors’ Choice winner, ADT is slightly pricier but offers superior customer service. 

SimpliSafe Home Security System (Credit: Zlata Ivelva)

For a more affordable alternative, do-it-yourself smart home security systems are ideal for homeowners who want to save money by monitoring their homes themselves. The SimpliSafe Home Security System, our top choice for DIY options, allows you to secure and monitor your home remotely without incurring a significant expense or signing a long-term contract.

(Credit: Bob Al-Greene)

When it comes to living room technology, televisions and soundbars are the obvious stars of the show. However, many other gadgets aim to enhance the ambiance, convenience, and security of your primary living space. 

For starters, a smart speaker is a must for the living room. Beyond playing music, our favorite models serve as a sort of central command center, allowing you to control nearly any other connected home gadget by voice. The first step in choosing one is deciding which voice assistance platform is the right fit for your home: Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri. All three support most major smart home device brands.

If Alexa is your voice assistant of choice, we suggest the Amazon Echo Dot Max as an affordable option with impressive sound quality. Google Assistant fans can go with the Nest Audio. And if you prefer Siri, you can get a HomePod or a HomePod mini. If you choose this route, make sure that any other smart home devices you purchase are compatible with Apple HomeKit or Matter. Meanwhile, the Sonos Era 300 and 100 support Alexa but not Google Assistant or Siri.

As an alternative or in addition to a smart speaker, you might want a smart display. They offer the same hands-free voice assistant features as a smart speaker, but with a useful touch screen on which you can view live feeds from your smart doorbell or security camera, make video calls, and control your connected gadgets with a few taps. When not in use, your living room smart display can serve as a digital photo frame to display your personal snaps or curated art. The Alexa-powered Amazon Echo Show 11 and the Google Assistant-powered Google Nest Hub Max are among our favorites for the living room, while smaller options are more suitable for kitchen counters and bedrooms.

Google Nest Hub Max (Credit: Zlata Ivelva)

One of the easiest and most affordable ways to upgrade your living room is to replace your standard incandescent bulbs with smart light bulbs that support app and voice control. After upgrading, you won’t ever have to get up off the couch to flip the light switch again. Beyond offering greater convenience than traditional bulbs, smart lights use less energy and last longer, ultimately saving you money in the long run. 

The AiDot Linkind Wi-Fi Matter Smart Light Bulb features built-in Wi-Fi and works with Matter, allowing you to easily connect it to your preferred smart home platform, such as Alexa, Google, HomeKit, or SmartThings. It displays 16 million colors and a range of white tones, offering custom and music-themed effects to help you set the mood for movie night.

Another smart living room gadget that can add serious convenience to your life and potentially save you money on energy is a connected thermostat. Our favorite models allow you to monitor and control your home’s heating and cooling system remotely, set temperature schedules, and offer energy-saving features that can help lower your energy bills. Our top pick, the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium, comes with a remote sensor you can put in a different room to ensure a consistent temperature throughout the house. As a more budget-friendly option, we highly recommend the Amazon Smart Thermostat.

Ecobee Smart Thermostat (Credit: Ecobee)

With a smart plug, you can turn anything that plugs into the wall—be it a lamp, space heater, humidifier, or even a Christmas tree—into a connected device that you can control from your phone. The TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim, our current Editors’ Choice in this category, monitors the power usage of any appliance you plug in, works with voice commands, and supports numerous third-party platforms, all without breaking the bank. The TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip HS300 is a smart surge protector with six outlets you can independently control via your phone or voice. It also supports IFTTT, allowing you to program it to automatically turn certain outlets on or off when another event occurs, such as a camera motion trigger.

With so many smart gadgets in your living room, it’s a good idea to invest in a Wi-Fi-connected indoor home security camera. One of our favorites, the Eufy E220 Indoor Cam, delivers vivid high-resolution video and is packed with features typically found on pricier models, including local and cloud storage, automatic motion tracking, and support for all the major voice assistance platforms. 

Finally, if you have a cat or dog, your smart living room wouldn’t be complete without a pet camera that lets you monitor and interact with your fur babies 24/7, from wherever you are. The Furbo 360 Dog Camera is as functional as it is fun, offering barking notifications and a remote treat-tossing feature you and your pooch will love. To make your feline roommates happy, go with the Furbo 360 Cat Camera, which is basically the same as the dog version, but tailors the sound effects and notifications to felines while adding a dangly feather toy to the top.

(Credit: Bob Al-Greene)

Whether you’re a master chef or an Uber Eats power user, the best smart kitchen gadgets can bring serious convenience to the heart of your home.  

Can’t decide what’s for dinner? Need to quickly convert fluid ounces to cups? Searching for a cilantro substitute? Sounds like you need a smart display on your countertop. With Alexa or Google Assistant in your kitchen, you can also quickly set timers, add items to your grocery list, and play your favorite cooking music, all with just the sound of your voice. Amazon’s Echo Show 8 is our favorite kitchen companion. It’s just the right size for countertops, will keep you entertained with great speakers and a sharp display, and can help you search for and execute recipes when you need cooking inspiration and guidance. 

Tovala Smart Oven (Credit: Will Greenwald)

Once you settle on a recipe, the top smart kitchen appliances can help you with every step of the cooking process. The Tovala Smart Oven allows you to bake, broil, roast, and steam food through app control and QR codes, making it one of the smartest countertop ovens available. Tovala’s optional meal kits are pricey but flavorful, and its multi-step cooking programs can help you whip up chef-level entrees.

Ultimately, there’s a smart version of just about every other kitchen appliance you can think of, from full-size ovens and refrigerators to smaller gadgets like air fryers and the Instant Pot Pro Plus. You can even satisfy your cravings for nugget ice on command with the Wi-Fi-enabled Ecozy Smart Panel Nugget Ice Maker Mistalo.

And, of course, no kitchen would be complete without a coffee maker. In the ultimate smart home, even your bean-brewing machine is connected. Smart coffee makers allow for app and voice control, so the only thing standing between you and a java jolt is a couple of taps on your phone or the phrase, “Alexa, turn on my coffee maker.” One such option, the Hamilton Beach Smart Coffee Maker, allows you to use voice commands to turn it on and off, as well as set the brew strength. Additionally, it supports Alexa routines, enabling you to program it to automatically brew your coffee at a specific time each day. If you’re able to spend more, the xBloom Studio smart coffee maker automates grinding and brewing with barista-level precision, resulting in a carefully crafted cup of joe.

Hamilton Beach Smart Coffee Maker (Credit: Angela Moscaritolo)

When it’s time to clean up after dinner, a good robot vacuum can take care of the floors for you. As a budget-friendly option, the affordable TP-Link Tapo RV30 Max Plus impressed us with its efficient navigation and self-emptying dustbin, both rare features for its sub-$300 price.

You could also consider a premium self-emptying robot vacuum, such as the Ecovacs Deebot X8 Pro Omni, the top all-in-one robot for cleaning your floors. It features a self-emptying dustbin, a mop that refreshes itself as it works, and a built-in voice assistant. For homes with pets, we highly recommend the iRobot Roomba j9+, which comes with a POOP (Pet Owner Official Promise) guarantee: If the robot fails to avoid solid pet waste within one year of your purchase, the company will provide a new one at no additional cost.

Ecovacs Deebot X8 Pro Omni (Credit: Andrew Gebhart)

To scrub away streaks, you need a good robot mop. The iRobot Braava Jet m6 is an excellent mop-only option; however, all the hybrid models mentioned above also work well as mops.

Finally, if you are conscious of germs, a smart trash can that opens its lid automatically might interest you. The Simplehuman Dual-Compartment Rectangular Sensor Can, which we haven’t tested, features side-by-side bins for trash and recycling and responds to voice commands such as “open can,” “stay open,” and “close can.”

(Credit: Bob Al-Greene)

If your bed is too uncomfortable, your room is too hot, or you’re experiencing breathing difficulties due to allergies and asthma, the best bedroom tech can offer some relief. 

For the ultimate in nighttime comfort, Sleep Number’s 360 i8 Smart Bed is a significant investment, but it allows you to adjust the firmness of each side independently. This means that if you prefer a soft mattress and your partner prefers a firmer one, you can both have it your way. It also tracks your sleep trends in its companion app and offers personalized insights to help you snooze better. 

The temperature of your room can also affect your sleep quality. A room that is too hot or too cold can make it difficult to drift off and stay asleep throughout the night. According to the CDC, the ideal sleeping temperature for most people is around 65 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit. The Eight Sleep Pod Pro Cover smart mattress topper allows you to adjust the temperature of your existing bed from hot to cool via your phone and expertly tracks your sleep health.

If you don’t have central air, you might want to consider a smart air conditioner. They typically allow for app and voice control, as well as support scheduling, which can help reduce your energy costs. The GE Profile Clearview Smart Air Conditioner cools quickly and quietly, thanks to an innovative, split-housing design that places the bulk of the unit below the window line. As a result, the noisiest pieces are left outside, and you can still see out of your window.

GE Profile Clearview Smart Air Conditioner (Credit: GE)

A smart air purifier can help you monitor your indoor air quality and breathe more easily, especially if you suffer from allergies and asthma. The Dyson Big+Quiet Formaldehyde BP03, our all-around favorite model, is both a capable three-stage HEPA air purifier that can rid your home of harmful pollutants and an oscillating fan with Wi-Fi connectivity for phone and voice control. 

For relaxing smart lighting, the Philips Hue Iris Table Lamp supports up to 16 million colors and routines to help you wake up or fall asleep. You can schedule it to turn off after you fall asleep or simply tell it that you’re ready to go to bed with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant voice commands. It’s easy to set up, and its 570-lumen maximum output allows it to get nice and bright when you want it to.

A smart speaker can make for an excellent bedside companion. Some of our favorite models for the bedroom are the Amazon Echo Dot and the Google Nest Mini. They won’t crowd your nightstand, letting you set alarms, play music, check the weather, and control other compatible smart home devices—all with the sound of your voice. 

Similarly, a smart display offers all the benefits of a smart speaker and organizes your smart home controls on a single screen, conveniently located on your bedside table. The second-generation Nest Hub is small enough for nightstands and features sensors that allow it to track your sleep, overnight respiration rate, coughing, and snoring, as well as any light and temperature changes in your room, all without a camera or requiring you to wear a separate device to bed. It then offers useful insights to help improve your shut-eye. If you prefer Alexa, our top choice for a smart display in the bedroom is the third-generation Echo Show 5. It won’t track your sleep, but it features a camera (which you can disable if you prefer) for video calls and remote home monitoring. 

Nanit Pro Complete Monitoring System (Credit: Nanit)

Finally, if you have little ones, a smart baby monitor will let you watch, entertain, and soothe your child in their crib. The Nanit Pro Complete Monitoring System requires a significant investment, but it’s the best smart baby monitor we’ve tested, especially for first-time and/or anxious parents. It records your baby’s sleep and wake times down to the minute, which can help you narrow down a bedtime for your little cherub. It can also alert you if your baby stops breathing to preempt the possibility of sudden infant death syndrome. 

(Credit: Bob Al-Greene)

Water and tech don’t usually mix, but that hasn’t stopped a swell of connected bathroom gadgets, from high-tech toilets that can clean themselves to smart scales that can measure a lot more than just your weight. 

If you’re building a new house or renovating an existing one, consider installing a smart toilet in your bathroom. We haven’t reviewed any yet, but the Kohler Veil offers a hands-free opening and closing system that should eliminate squabbles over whether the toilet seat should be left up or down. It also features a night light, a heated seat, a warm-air drying system, an automatic deodorizer, a self-cleaning function that utilizes UV light to sanitize the bowl, and an emergency mode that allows you to flush up to 100 times during a power outage. If you want to smarten up your existing toilet, the Kohler PureWash E930 is a smart bidet that lets you ask Alexa to rinse your rear.

In the ultimate smart bathroom, you can even start the shower with your voice. The U by Moen is a wall-mounted smart shower controller that works with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Assistant, allowing you to turn on the water and set it to your preferred temperature with voice commands.

A smart scale is useful if you’re looking to lose a few pounds or just want to keep a closer eye on your health. The Etekcity HR Smart Fitness Scale tracks 14 metrics, including your BMI, body fat percentage, body water percentage, heart rate, muscle mass, protein level, and weight, with a maximum capacity of up to 400 pounds. It also has built-in Wi-Fi and a rechargeable battery, all for a reasonable price, earning our top recommendation.

Etekcity HR Smart Fitness Scale (Credit: Andrew Gebhart)

Our favorite connected bathroom tech can even help you earn an A+ at your next dentist visit. The Laifen Wave Electric Toothbrush has sufficient power to thoroughly clean your teeth, and it comes with an app that allows you to customize the vibration strength, oscillation range, and oscillation speed.

(Credit: Bob Al-Greene)

Whether you’re lucky enough to have a dedicated workout room or just an empty corner with enough space for a yoga mat, the smart home gym equipment market offers a wealth of options for improving your fitness. 

Smart fitness devices, such as the new Peloton Cross Training Series Bike+, allow for a level of interactivity far beyond their more affordable, non-connected counterparts. The Bike+ and many others offer extensive libraries of guided classes with knowledgeable instructors and/or customized workouts and programs tailored to your goals and current fitness level. It’s like having a personal trainer in the comfort, safety, and privacy of your own home.

Indoor cycling on a smart stationary bike can help you burn calories, boost your cardiovascular endurance, and elevate your mood. Peloton motivates you through metrics and competition, while the Editors’ Choice-winning SoulCycle At-Home Bike offers a more meditative, dance-focused experience.

SoulCycle At-Home Bike (Credit: Angela Moscaritolo)

For a full-body, low-impact workout that puts minimal stress on your knees and other joints, consider a smart rowing machine. The Hydrow Arc is an excellent choice for beginner, intermediate, and advanced rowers alike. It features a 24-inch touch screen on which you can browse and stream outdoor workouts filmed in picturesque locations around the world. Trainers often point out the sights along the way, so you’re getting a workout and a tour.

While rowing machines can feel intimidating to newbies, and cycling bike seats can be a literal pain in the butt, treadmills are more user-friendly, accessible, and comfortable, since walking is an activity most of us do daily anyway. For an affordable and compact option, consider the King Smith WalkingPad X21, which works with a simple companion mobile app that offers a range of workout programs, tracks your distance, and lets you compete on a global leaderboard.

To build muscle, consider a smart strength training machine. The Tonal 2 eliminates the need for physical weights, offering up to 250 pounds of digital resistance and sensors that adjust the weight automatically as you follow along with its engaging fitness classes.

(Credit: Bob Al-Greene)

Whether your garage serves as a storage area, a workshop, a party zone, or a place where you actually keep your car, there’s plenty of tech available to make it smarter.

If your old garage door opener struggles to fully raise and lower the door, making a racket in the process, it may be time for an upgrade. Belt-driven smart garage door openers are typically pin-drop quiet compared with the chain-driven models of yore. More importantly, they let you view the state of the door (closed or open, and for how long) and control it from your phone, so you don’t have to trudge outside in your PJs when you’re already comfy in bed. The Genie QuietLift Connect is super quiet and connects to your home Wi-Fi network, allowing you to control it using a phone or tablet. It supports Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands and is relatively easy to install thanks to a five-piece rail system that snaps together.

Garage door openers that work with the Aladdin Connect, myQ, or OHD Anywhere app are compatible with Amazon’s in-garage delivery service, Key, which can provide peace of mind if you’re concerned about porch pirates stealing packages from your front door. To set it up, link your compatible garage door to Amazon Key in the Amazon app and enable In-Garage Delivery. The service is exclusive to Amazon Prime members; once you set it up, just select “In-Garage Delivery” at checkout. It used to be a free Prime perk, but Amazon is now charging $1.99 for in-garage deliveries outside Amazon Day delivery slots.

Don’t have the money to spring for a new smart garage door opener? No worries: The affordable Chamberlain Smart Garage Hub lets you add connectivity to your existing setup. It’s compatible with all major garage door openers manufactured after 1993. 

Rachio 3 (Credit: Rachio)

In addition to your high-tech car and e-bike, the garage is probably where you store many of your outdoor smart home devices. One of our favorites, the Rachio 3 smart sprinkler controller, can help you keep your beloved lawn looking green and lush while saving money on water. It installs in minutes and lets you control your in-ground sprinkler system from anywhere using your phone. It can also automatically reschedule watering cycles when significant rainfall is forecasted, a standout feature that performed well in our tests.

(Credit: Bob Al-Greene)

Our tour of the ultimate smart home wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the backyard. The best outdoor smart home devices can help you maintain a green yard, a blue pool, and a safe property. They also make it easy to create a warm and inviting ambiance for backyard parties. 

To set the mood for your next barbecue or pool party, you need a good outdoor-friendly speaker that can withstand splashes and rain. Opt for the Sonos Move 2 if you’re looking for a powerful speaker that combines durability and smart features. It supports stereo sound, offers extensive battery life, and boasts a rugged IP56 weatherproof rating. It also offers hands-free voice control with Alexa or the first-party Sonos assistant. 

If you don’t need voice control on your patio, consider the Sony ULT Field 7 for our favorite blend of size and sound quality, or explore our budget-friendly option, the Anker Soundcore Motion 300.

Planning a movie night in your backyard? An outdoor projector can turn an outside wall into a cinema. The Anker Nebula Mars 3 is our top choice due to its excellent audio and picture quality, as well as its rugged design. The BenQ GS50 is also extra durable and relatively lightweight.

Thanks to outdoor-friendly smart lights, the party doesn’t need to stop when the sun goes down. The fun and festive Govee Lynx Dream Bluetooth & Wi-Fi Outdoor String Lights are designed for the patio, featuring a weatherproof build and easy installation. You can control these multicolor lights with your voice via Alexa or Google Assistant or through their well-designed companion app. Govee offers a variety of preset scenes to choose from, allowing you to set the mood, or you can utilize Music Sync mode for a party atmosphere.

TP-Link Kasa EP40A Outdoor Plug (Credit: John Delaney)

If you have existing string lights or a decorative water feature you want to smarten up, an outdoor-friendly smart plug can help. The weatherproof TP-Link Kasa EP40A Outdoor Plug works with every major smart home platform, including Alexa, Google Assistant, HomeKit, IFTTT, and SmartThings. It features a durable design and two outlets that can be controlled independently.

If you really want to impress your friends at your next backyard soiree, check out our list of the best grilling and BBQ gadgets. The Traeger Ironwood 650 can help you barbecue, roast, and smoke with wood pellets like a professional pitmaster. The Kamado Joe Konnected Joe Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker is the best for charcoal grilling, while the Weber Genesis EPX-335 Smart Gas Grill is a top gas-powered option.

For AI-assisted grilling, check out the Brisk It Origin 940. It’s a wood pellet grill that lets you roast, smoke, bake, and barbecue without the taste of lighter fluid. Beyond the basics, the AI engine, called Vera, offers countless recipes that you can pick and send to the grill. Each recipe we tried led to mouthwatering results in our testing.

If you don’t have the budget for a smart grill, the Weber iGrill Mini thermometer allows you to monitor the temperature of your food directly from your smartphone. This allows you to kick back and spend time with friends and family instead of constantly hovering over the grill. 

For the best lawn on the block, consider a robot lawn mower such as our favorite, the Segway Navimow X390, which can mow an impressive 2.5 acres a day while staying connected via 4G, or the Husqvarna Automower 435X AWD, which handles tough terrain with ease and works with Alexa and Google voice commands. For a more affordable option, consider the Gardena Robotic Mower Sileno City, which features easy scheduling and quiet operation.

And if pestering mosquitoes prevent you from enjoying your freshly cut lawn, consider getting the Thermacell LIV Smart Mosquito Repellent System.