From smart locks and security cameras to advanced fans and heaters, I tested out dozens of home tech products last year (and starting on more this year). And sometimes, a product works so well in my own home that I get a personal version of it to keep around — that’s a serious accolade.
If you’re looking for a special home device that can be the odds and be exactly what you need, this is the place to start. Here are the picks I’ve added, including a wide range of prices and purposes that may work for your home, too.
Read more: Unlock Your Home’s Potential with My Favorite Smart Home Apps
Emporia smart plug
The classic smart plug is a simple affair, a plug-in device that can automate and schedule on-off features for whatever you plug into it, like a lamp, coffeemaker or fountain. Emporia’s model is a plug (15A) that goes a step beyond with its in-depth energy management functions, helping you save on electricity use.
The smart plug even has a largely unique feature that lets you tailor on-off functions to match non-peak electricity usage hours. If your utility charges more for peak-hour use, that’s an easy way to save money on larger appliances. Plus, you can always go in and examine detailed charts of energy use by the hour, day, week or month. I also like how you can quickly sign in with logins like your Google account, so setup is fairly effortless.
I have been using this smart plug on a standalone heater, but it’s time for a switch soon, possibly to an air purifier, to see just how much electricity it’s using throughout the day. With a plug like this, the possibilities are everywhere.
SwitchBot Air Quality Monitor
I’m already a fan of satellite sensors for smart thermostats, which let the thermostat react to the temperature in what specific spot where the sensor is placed. But this SwitchBot does even more. Right out of the box, it starts sensing temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide levels wherever you put it. That’s great for checking air quality levels in spots where I’m curious about monitoring conditions, like the bedroom or kitchen.
You can customize refresh times, choose to get alerts about dangerous air quality levels and with the long-lasting battery (mine lasted a full year), you can move the sensor whenever you please. For winter, I’m thinking about bring it closer to the gas fireplace to see how much indoor air pollution it’s causing. Maybe I’ll move my air purifier around as well.
Google Nest Cam floodlight
I originally started testing the Google Nest Cam floodlight model in conjunction with my review of the ADT Plus security platform. That testing and the ADT system are long gone, but I kept on using the Nest Cam floodlight in my backyard via the Google Home app (where I can also see my doorbell at the same time). The LED brightness was easy to manage (and very bright at higher settings), the magnetic base made the cam simple to angle in just the right way, and Google’s free AI object detection remains one of my favorites. What’s not to love?
Well, fair warning — you do need to wire the camera in, and wiring work on a ladder isn’t exactly fun, so prepare accordingly. Also, this is a particularly pricey high-end camera: You get what you pay for, but you may also think about waiting until a sale brings it down to around $200.
Echo Show 11
What makes a smart display any better than a smart speaker if you don’t plan on watching many videos? For me, it’s the on-display information I can check at a glance. In the kitchen, where my Echo Show 11 lives, that usually means checking recipe details or juggling multiple timers so I can see how much time is left with just a look, something a speaker just can’t do.
Also, those extra video features can grow on you, especially with the 11’s larger screen that makes for an excellent mini TV. Watching a news roundup in the morning while grabbing tea or coffee can become an easy habit. The same is true of sports highlights, a music video you really want to see or a social media you have to see to get the joke. If you’re more app-focused around the house, setting up an iPad also works well (it’s just more expensive).
Kelvin smart heater
Space heaters can be energy hungry and create dangerous fire hazards, even if you do have room for one. Kelvin is a smart heater with an entirely different approach. It’s a radiant heater that hangs on the wall like a picture, saving space with very little fire risk. That also means I can use the app to schedule the heater to come on and start heating early before anyone is in the room. That app also helps you track energy and monitor savings depending on your local rates and setup. Overall, it was just the kind of space heater alternative I was looking for, although the initial cost is a bit high.
Petcube wireless pet fountain
Out of all the pet fountains I’ve tested, Petcube’s had by far the best design: durable and easy to clean with filters that are easy to manage. The bubbling fountain is quiet and activates via motion detection. You can use the app to monitor filter changes and cleaning, too. The battery is good for around 3 weeks of average use, but you can also keep it on the charging pad if you and your pet prefer. This one is for cats and small dogs, not larger pets.
SnapPower Guidelight 2 nightlight
When I first experimented with this auto-dimming nightlight, I assumed I’d go back to my old nightlight after I finished. But the Guidelight 2 kept on being a useful light. Built into the outlet cover itself, it frees up an outlet for use (for a laptop charger, in my case).
The dimming function means the LED lights only turn on as it starts getting dark, and will brighten the darker the room grows. The original LED light was a little harsh, but there’s a tiny switch to change it to a warmer color that’s ideal for a home nightlight. I was left without any complaints.
SwitchBot leak detector
I’ve always been a fan of leak detectors that perform a quiet but serious service in homes and connect to apps for remote alerts so you know if there’s something wrong even when you aren’t at home. That’s useful for any kind of flooding, but my SwitchBot version has a permanent place under the kitchen sink, where I’ve had leaking problems before.
SwitchBot’s model is a little bulky compared to some detectors, but it has an onboard siren as well as a Wi-Fi connection for the app, and it’s simple to set up. Once it’s in place, I don’t have to worry about it until the worst happens — or I get a “replace-battery” alert in a few years.
Arlo Home Security System
When I’m not testing out large security kits, my arming/disarming security needs are quite simple. That’s why I was so pleased to test out this Arlo kit. It’s ultracompact, with two sensors that can act as anything I need, including monitoring the opening and closing of doors, detecting motion, giving smoke and temperature warnings and even more. It’s excellent to cover the few spots that I want to keep a closer eye on without getting tangled up in a big system with lots of requirements, and there’s no need for a contract or monthly fees, either (but you can get professional monitoring if you want).
If we’ve whetted your smart home appetite, stop by our guides for the best smart home devices, check out how much a smart thermostat can save you and learn what the best home security cameras are.
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