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Smart Home

16 smart home gadgets with a cult following that are actually good

Lots of people love these connected devices

Popular smart home products Credit: Amazon / Sonos

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There are hundreds of smart home gadgets available, but some of them are more popular than others. In fact, there’s a select group of smart gadgets that have near cult followings—we’re talking thousands of users who swear by these devices.

Looking for the low-down on these über-popular smart home essentials? Here’s why people are obsessed with them—and whether they’re worth the investment.

Amazon Echo (third-generation) smart speaker
Credit: Amazon

The third-generation Echo is the perfect blend of affordability and versatility.

Reviews: 30,878 Rating: 4.5

It should come as no surprise that the Amazon Echo makes this list. These smart speakers from Amazon are incredibly popular, as they allow you to control other smart gadgets throughout your home, play music, ask questions, and even play games.

The third-generation Echo model took home our award for Best Overall Echo Speaker thanks to its impressive sound quality and far-field voice recognition, and it also has an auxiliary input and output as well as Bluetooth for streaming music from another device. Bottom line? If you’re in the market for an Echo (and you don't want to pay more for the Echo Plus's smart hub, temperature sensor, and louder speaker), this is the way to go.

Get the Amazon Echo (third-generation) on Amazon for $69.99

2. The smartest doorbell on the market

The Google Nest Hello is a smart video doorbell.
Credit: Google

The Google Nest Hello is an easy-to-use doorbell that can recognize familiar faces, sends immediate alerts over data and WiFi, and never lost its connection during our tests.

Reviews: 3,128 Rating: 4.9

If you’ve ever been targeted by porch pirates or just prefer to see who’s at the door before you open it, you’ll love the Google Nest Hello WiFi Video Doorbell. It comes with all of the necessary features a doorbell camera should have, like custom activity zones, timely motion alerts, clear two-way audio, reliable WiFi connection, and more.

In our video doorbell testing, we found the Google Nest Hello to be the best in terms of response time and video quality.

Get the Google Nest Hello WiFi Video Doorbell at Walmart for $168.99

3. The beloved Nest thermostat

Nest Learning Thermostat
Credit: Nest

This thermostat learns your daily habits.

Reviews: 19,329 Rating: 4.5

While there are a variety of smart thermostats available today, the Nest Learning Thermostat is arguably the most well known. This third-generation model of the smart home gadget has over 19,000 reviews on Amazon alone, and people love that it learns your daily habits and automatically adjusts the temperature in your home to save you money. The circular design also looks sleek and futuristic on your wall—always a plus.

In our testing, we’ve found the Emerson Sensi Touch is the best smart thermostat around (and it costs significantly less), but we can see why so many reviewers love the Nest thermostat.

Get the Nest Learning Thermostat on Amazon for $199

4. An affordable smart plug

Kaas Smart Plug Mini
Credit: Kasa Smart

This well-regarded smart plug is compact and works with both Alexa and Google Assistant.

Reviews: 8,002 Rating: 4.5

Smart plugs are somewhat of a smart home hack, as they let you control almost any device from your phone and are much more affordable than smart appliances themselves. While there are many options in the smart plug category, one of the most popular is the Kasa Smart Plug Mini. All you have to do is connect your electronic devices to this plug, and you’ll be able to turn them off and on via your smartphone. Plus, there’s no hub required, and it works with Alexa and Google Assistant.

While it’s not our top pick for the best smart plug, we can’t deny that the Kasa Smart Plug Mini is reliable and budget-friendly.

Get the Kasa Smart Plug Mini on Amazon for $13.99

5. An intelligent outdoor security camera

Nest Outdoor Camera
Credit: Nest

If you can get past its cord, this camera is one of the best.

Reviews: 3,181 Rating: 4.6

Here’s another smart product from Nest that has a significant fan base. The Nest Cam Outdoor is quite pricey, but it also delivers big on functionality, video quality, and user-friendliness. In fact, it’s our top pick for the best smart outdoor security cameras.

The caveat is that you also need to purchase a cloud storage subscription to Nest Aware in order to reap the full benefits. It adds a lot of useful features, including the ability to share video clips and customize alerts for a small monthly fee.

Get the Nest Outdoor Security Camera at Best Buy for $149.99

6. A WiFi-connected robot vacuum

The iRobot Roomba is a robot vacuum.
Credit: iRobot

The iRobot Roomba is one of the most popular robot vacuum brands out there.

Reviews: 9,789 Rating: 4.5

It’s no secret that robot vacuums have exploded in popularity over the last several years, and the addition of smart control features makes these gadgets even better. While there are many brands on the market, iRobot’s Roomba has become synonymous with the robotic floor cleaning tool.

Although it’s not the very best smart robot vacuum available, it’s easy to see why the iRobot Roomba 675 has a cult following. It includes a WiFi connection that allows you to control it from your smartphone—you can start the vacuum, set custom cleaning schedules, view reports, and more. Plus, this robotic vacuum has a lot of other valuable features, such as three-stage cleaning, an edge sweeping brush to gather up crumbs and dust bunnies from the corners and crevices of your home, and it integrates with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

Get the iRobot Roomba 675 Robot Vacuum for $249

7. An easy-to-use smart sprinkler controller

The Rachio 3 is a smart sprinkler controller.
Credit: Reviewed / Flo Ion

We've tested this sprinkler controller, and we love it as much as reviewers.

Reviews: 1,771 Rating: 4.5

Lawn care can be a tricky chore, which is why people absolutely love the Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller. This smart gadget hooks up to your existing sprinkler system (this particular model supports up to eight zones), and it lets you set schedules and input details like plant type and sun exposure. Rachio will then take the hassle out of lawn care by optimizing watering—it even adjusts its schedule based on the local forecast.

We agree that this product is the best smart sprinkler controller out there, as it boasts the most features and is incredibly user-friendly. This is one product that’s undoubtedly worth it.

Get the Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller on Amazon for $215.47

8. A budget-friendly smart scale

The Renpho smart scale connects via Bluetooth.
Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser

The Renpho smart scale packs all the features you'd want into a bathroom scale for an affordable price.

Reviews: 3,207 Rating: 4.5

Smart fitness trackers are an easy way to monitor your progress toward your health goals. Name-brand smart scales, however, can get pretty expensive—we’re talking upwards of $100. As such, it’s really no surprise that this affordable version of this bathroom scale is so popular.

The Renpho Smart Bluetooth Scale has all the features you’d expect, including integration with popular fitness apps like Apple Health and Fitbit, and it shows weight and body composition measurements quickly and accurately. The only downsides to this scale is that it has a weight limit of 396 pounds and the platform is noticeably smaller than other bathroom scales.

Get the Renpho ES-CS20M Smart Bluetooth Body Fat Scale for $38.99

9. A far-reaching mesh WiFi router

The Amazon Eero is a mesh WiFi router.
Credit: Reviewed / Brendan Nystedt

Amazon's Eero is an affordable, easy to use mesh router system.

Reviews: 2,814 Rating: 4.5

WiFi dead zones at home are becoming a thing of the past thanks to mesh WiFi routers like the increasingly popular Eero. While it’s not our No. 1 pick for the best WiFi mesh systems, Amazon’s Eero offers the most value of any mesh WiFi router we tested. Not to mention, it’s simple and easy to use. Plus, this powerful router can cover homes up to 5,000 sq. ft. and can handle up to 128 connected devices per Eero, making it the ideal purchase for families.

Get the Eero Mesh WiFi System (three-pack) on Amazon for $249

10. The pint-sized Echo with a smart display screen

The Amazon Echo Show 5 is a compact smart display screen.
Credit: Amazon

The Echo Show 5's minimal design fits beautifully on counters and nightstands.

Reviews: 99,905 Rating: 4.5

The regular Amazon Echo doesn’t have a screen, and while that works fine for a lot of people, you may be interested in the Echo Show 5 if you have any smart cameras in your home. It’s the best Echo with a smart display we’ve ever tested. We love that it has a small screen where you can check in on connected video feeds and use Alexa to video chat with friends and family. The combination of the small but super useful 5.5-inch screen with a sleek, modern design makes this little smart speaker look just as at home on a bedside table as it does on a home office desk, a living room shelf, or a kitchen counter.

It’s not too much more expensive than the Echo, and if this extra functionality appeals to you, the Echo Show 5 is the way to go.

Get the Echo Show 5 on Amazon for $59.99

11. A connected smoke alarm

Nest Protect
Credit: Nest

This smart smoke alarm gives you peace of mind.

Reviews: 1,858 Rating: 4.5

Regular old smoke alarms have a few downsides—you won’t know if they go off when you’re out of the house, they go off when you’re just cooking, and they always manage to start chirping at 2 a.m. when the battery is low. That’s why so many people prefer smart smoke detectors, such as the popular Nest Protect. This connected gadget sends you smartphone notifications whenever it goes off, even if you’re not home. Plus, you can silence audible alarm if it’s not a real emergency, and it lets you know when the battery is low, so you can head off any annoying beeping.

The Nest Protect left the others in the dust in our testing of the best smart smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and it has some pretty cool features, like an app-based silence button, automatic self-testing, and a built-in nightlight. It’s easy to see why it’s one of the top-rated smart smoke alarms out there.

Get the Nest Protect Smart Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Alarm on Amazon for $114.99

12. Amazon’s own smart plug

Amazon Smart Plug
Credit: Amazon

This straightforward plug works well with Alexa.

Reviews: 87,366 Rating: 4.5

Smart plugs are one of the easiest and most popular smart home gadgets. The tiny devices convert basic small appliances and electronics into devices that can be controlled remotely or via your smart assistant. There are a lot of connected plugs out there, but Amazon’s smart plug has gained quite the following.

While the Amazon Smart Plug isn’t our top pick for smart plugs, it did integrate easily with Alexa, had no problems connecting and disconnecting, and it was simple to control with both the Alexa app and via voice controls with an Echo Dot.

Get the Amazon Smart Plug on for $24.99

13. A hub-free smart bulb

The Sengled Smart Light Bulb can be controlled remotely.
Credit: Sengled

This easy-to-use smart bulb offers good value and doesn't require a hub.

Reviews: 2,397 Rating: 4.5

Always forget to turn the lights off before you leave for work? Then a smart light bulb like this one from Sengled may be just the product for you. This smart light bulb can be controlled via your smartphone, and unlike some other smart bulbs, it doesn’t require a hub. You can even put it on an automatic schedule so it will turn off after you leave the house and turn back on before you get home. While this particular bulb only emits white light, Sengled also makes a multi-color smart bulb. A low-cost smart bulb is a great way to test out the technology without making a huge commitment.

Get the Sengled Smart Light Bulb on Amazon for $14.99

14. A powerful smart speaker with both Alexa and Google Assistant

The Sonos One (second-generation) offers both Alexa and Google Assistant
Credit: Sonos

The Sonos One (second-generation) offers both Alexa and Google Assistant for an integrated smart home experience.

Reviews: 1,733 Rating: 4.5

With a smart speaker like the well-liked Sonos One (second-generation), you can fill your whole home with music. This popular smart speaker has great sound and can stream music from Pandora, Apple Music, Tidal, and Spotify. Plus, you can add additional speakers to it over time, creating a lovely interconnected system throughout your home.

Another reason people love it? It offers both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

Get the Sonos One (second-generation) on Amazon for $199

Amazon Fire TV Stick
Credit: Amazon

Reviewers love this compact streaming device.

Reviews: 199,873 Rating: 4.5

As more people cut the cord and get rid of cable, it’s not really shocking that the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K has so many fans. This streaming device lets you watch all your favorite shows from Netflix, Hulu, HBO, and more, and it streams in 4K ultra HD.

Additionally, the Fire TV remote includes Alexa voice control, which lets you simply ask to put on a certain program instead of scrolling forever trying to find it. Not to mention it’s incredibly affordable and easy to use. It's definitely a worthwhile purchase if you’re getting rid of cable or just want more flexibility with your streaming.

Get the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K with Alexa Voice Remote (2019) on Amazon for $49.99

16. A smart light switch

The Kasa Smart Light Switch by TP-Link is a smart light switch.
Credit: Kasa Smart

The Kasa Smart Light Switch is responsive with app commands and voice control via Alexa and Google Assistant.

Reviews: 6,645 Rating: 4.5

If replacing all your regular light bulbs with smart ones seems too expensive, consider a smart switch. One of the most popular products is the Kasa Smart Light Switch by TP-Link, which works with Alexa and Google Assistant. You can use the app to set schedules for your lights, create routines, and more.

In our tests for the best smart light switches, the Kasa model performed quite well. The only downsides are that the Android version of the app is a little buggy, and it doesn’t offer three-way switch compatibility. However, it’s still a great product.

Get the Kasa Smart Light Switch by TP-Link on Amazon for $17.99

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