The smart home is here to stay, and the best smart home devices are always becoming easier and more affordable. The promise to permanently make our lives substantially more efficient and easier, saving you time, energy, and even cash, is hard to resist. We now live in a world where we can program our lights to turn on when the sun goes down, switch the heating on as we walk in the door, and answer our kids' endless questions with a virtual assistant.
With a smartphone tap or a simple voice command, you can lower your energy consumption, create the ideal indoor climate during the summer and winter months, and check the weather as you leave the house in the morning. The possibilities are almost endless, and plenty of smart home devices are affordable, easy to use, and - above all - amazing.
Gadgets and devices like those listed below often work together to enable routines and automation, like a smart doorbell sending alerts to the best smart displays or smart locks being activated when a security camera notices suspicious activity near your property. Then there are smart lights, plugs, and thermostats working together to save on your energy bills.
With such a wide array of smart home gadgets on the market, it's no surprise if you're unsure what to invest in first. Suppose your budget is tighter, or you're just beginning your smart home journey. In that case, you can perhaps consider the best smart plugs and switches, or for the security-conscious, turn your attention to the best home security cameras.
We have assembled the best of the best in each category below to help make your choice easier, with options for every budget and household.
Best smart home devices of 2022
The best smart light bulbs are the easiest way to start your smart home journey, and there's no better out there than the Philips Hue. Simple to install - just swap your existing bulbs with smart Hue bulbs - or opt for any of Hue's array of LED table and floor lamps, wall lights both for inside and outdoors, ceiling pendants, light strips, and even light bars. They're responsive and have plenty of choice in colors and effects.
On test, we found a range of customizable scheduling options, too - for example, we were able to set outdoor lights to come on at sunset but go off at 2am rather than waiting for sunrise.
You will need to get the Philips Bridge, which is kind of like a hub for your lights. If you want to control them when you're away from home - they have Bluetooth built-in, so you can control them when you're close by. However, this also adds HomeKit support to Alexa and Google Assistant integration. They're also the most expensive smart bulb on the market, but we think they're worth every penny.
Read the full review: Philips Hue
How we test smart home devices
To assess the best smart home devices, we evaluate how simple they are to install and control. In addition, we rate how responsive they are to commands from smartphones and voice assistants, both when we're at home and away from our property.
We also look at how well they integrate with other smart home devices when creating home automation and the extra kit required to fulfill the smart functions we'd expect them to offer. We also evaluate the style and if they blend into your home or stick out like a sore thumb.
How to choose the best smart home devices for you
What to consider when buying smart home devices
Building your smart home from scratch is a big process, and there are a few things to consider before diving in.
First, decide which voice assistant would suit you and your household the best. Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple's HomeKit each have their pros and cons, and you should be aware that not all smart devices integrate with all assistants. So, if you already have a preference or own some smart home devices already, that will ultimately feed into your choice.
For example, if you already own a Ring doorbell, then you might get the most out of an Alexa-led smart home. Similarly, a Nest security camera will always work most seamlessly with a Google Assistant. This can be in the form of a smart speaker or display. Again, our guide on what to consider when designing your smart home should be able to help you identify the ideal smart home system for you.
Also, think about installation, and if you can install them yourself, such as smart light bulbs, or whether they need a professional to visit your home, such as smart thermostats, or if you’re considering smart electrical sockets, for example.
Finally, check whether you need to invest in a smart home hub to make the devices work together or whether any smart speakers or smart displays you already have in your home can do this job for you. Alternatively, online services such as IFTTT can make some compatible devices work together to perform particular automation without the need for a hub at all.
Are smart homes worth it?
Even after reading this article, you may wonder whether assembling a smart home is worth the effort. Creating an automated home takes plenty of time, patience, and, in some cases, money, but it will also make like much easier and more efficient once it is up and running.
If you're still unsure, perhaps consider dipping your toe in the water with something more affordable and simple to install (and uninstall). Smart plugs are perfect for this, as they simply connect to your existing electrical outlets and automate everything from lighting to appliances. You can use your smartphone to control these devices - once you've turned the lights off without leaving the sofa, you'll never return to a dumb house again.
When you're ready to take the next step, throw a smart speaker or smart display into the mix to use your voice to control your smart home gadgets and create some basic home automation.
If you're the forgetful type, being able to switch off the coffee maker, hair straighteners, or even the light that you accidentally left on without having to return home makes your life easier. It ensures you're not wasting energy and money at the same time.