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The best smart home devices in 2022

By Kate Kozuch published 23 September 2022 The best smart home devices can raise your home's IQ, from security cameras and Wi-Fi locks to cutting edge light bulbs. Included in this guide:1AmazonEcho Dot with Clock (4th gen)Check Price (opens in new tab)2GoogleNest Cam (battery)Check Price (opens in new tab)3Ecobee(5th Gen)Check Price (opens in new tab)4PhilipsHue White A19 Starter KitCheck Price (opens in new tab)5AugustWi-Fi Smart LockCheck Price (opens in new tab)6GoogleNest Doorbell (battery)Check Price (opens in new tab)7BelkinWemo WiFi Smart PlugCheck Price (opens in new tab)8NestProtectCheck Price (opens in new tab)9SamsungSmartThings HubCheck Price (opens in new tab)10ChamberlainMyQ-G0301Check Price (opens in new tab)11RoborockS4 MaxCheck Price (opens in new tab) (Image credit: Tom's Guide) The best smart home devices can make your home more automated, safer and cleaner. In some cases, these connected products can even help you save money. Whether you're looking to turn your lights on from your smartphone, stream music to a speaker using Alexa (or Google Assistant or Siri,) lock your doors remotely or vacuum your floors without lifting a finger, the best smart home devices provide complete convenience. The number of smart home brands is constantly growing. That said, not all smart home devices are as reliable as they claim. We've tested dozens of offerings across all different categories, from the best home security cameras to the best smart light bulbs. If a device can be controlled by an app or a voice, we're here to help you decide if it fits your needs. And if you're committed to a single smart assistant platform, here are the best Alexa compatible devices, best Google Home compatible devices, best HomeKit devices, and best smart displays. See all of the best smart home devices below. And be sure to check out our smart home guide for how to make the most of your new gadgets.

Best smart home devices at a glance

Best smart home device overall: Amazon Echo Dot with ClockBest home security camera: Nest Cam (battery)Best smart thermostat: Ecobee SmartThermostatBest smart light bulbs: Philips Hue White A19 Starter KitBest smart lock: August Wi-Fi Smart LockBest video doorbell: Nest DoorbellBest smart plug: Wemo WiFi Smart PlugBest smart smoke detector: Nest ProtectBest smart home hub: Samsung SmartThingsBest smart garage opener: Chamberlain MyQ

What are the best smart home devices

Of all the best smart home devices we've reviewed, our top pick is usually of the best smart speakers because all have a voice assistant built in, which lets you look up the news and weather, get recipes, and control the rest of your smart home devices. Our favorite smart home device is the Amazon Echo Dot with Clock. The spherical, $60 speaker features an attractive cloth-covered exterior, built-in LED system and lets you use all of the best Alexa skills. It's like a bedroom alarm clock, but better. We also recommend the Arlo Q security camera, which is one of the best smart home devices designed for giving you peace of mind. The $149 cam records in 1080p high-definition, plus its software and app are easy to use. Motion detection notifications can be used to initiate your smart home routines, or let you know when something (or someone) is moving around your house when you're not there. The $25 Wemo WiFi Smart Plug is another top pick because of its low price and wide range of uses. Check out the best cheap smart home devices for more affordable picks.

The best smart home devices you can buy today

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

1 Amazon Echo Dot with Clock

The best smart home device overall

Specifications

Size: 3.9 x 3.9 x 3.5 inchesSpeakers: 1.6 inch speakerPorts: 3.5mm line in/outWireless: 2.4/5 GHz, BluetoothSmart assistants: AlexaToday's Best DealsView at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Best Buy (opens in new tab)View at Dell (opens in new tab)

Reasons to buy

+Affordable +Useful LED display+Sounds good for the price+Seamless Alexa integration

Reasons to avoid

-Microphones could be better The name says it all: This is an Echo Dot with a clever LED clock built in its face. However, this seemingly simple addition adds a ton of functionality to the Echo Dot, making an even better smart home companion. In fact, we wish more smart home companies took Amazon's cue and make minor -yet effective - enhancements to already excellent devices. More than just the time, though, the Echo Dot with Clock's display can also show you the current temperature, and also functions as a timer. It also has an ambient sensor that automatically adjusts the brightness of the display based on the lightning of its surrounding environment. The Echo Dot with Clock costs $10 more than the Echo Dot, but based on our experience, we think it's a worthwhile upgrade for those who want to know the time without having to ask Alexa. Read our full Amazon Echo Dot with Clock review. (Image credit: Tom's Guide) (opens in new tab)

2 Nest Cam battery

The best smart home device for securing your home

Specifications

Size: 3.3 x 3.3 inchesResolution: 1080p/30 fpsField of View: 130 degreesWorks with: Google Assistant,AlexaCloud storage: Starting at $6/monthToday's Best DealsView at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Best Buy (opens in new tab)View at Walmart (opens in new tab)

Reasons to buy

+Great design+Very sharp video quality+Free person, animal, vehicle detection+3 hours of video storage free

Reasons to avoid

-Few accessories The well-designed Nest Cam (battery) has a simple shape and is one of the easiest home security cameras to install, thanks to its magnetic base. Its 1080p camera captures sharp images day and night, and its microphone and speaker made conversations a breeze. That's the main reason we consider it the top choice among all the best security cameras we've tested. The Nest Cam (battery) also offers three hours of rolling video storage for free, as well as person, vehicle, and animal detection. If you sign up for a Nest Aware subscription (starting at $6/month), you also get familiar face detection as well as the ability to store up to a month's worth of video. Read our full Nest Cam (battery) review. (Image credit: Tom's Guide)

3 Ecobee SmartThermostat

The best smart home device for setting a comfortable temperature

Specifications

Size: 4.3 x 4.3 x 1 inchWireless: 802.11 Wi-Fi (2.4 and 5GHz), BluetoothWorks with: Alexa, Google Assistant, HomeKit, SmartThings, IFTTTToday's Best DealsView at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Best Buy (opens in new tab)View at Walmart (opens in new tab)

Reasons to buy

+Better speaker+Full Alexa support+Works with Spotify

Reasons to avoid

-Large-Big bezel The fifth-generation Ecobee SmartThermostat has everything we liked about its predecessor, the Ecobee4, such as Alexa built in, a slick touchscreen interface and a remote sensor that helps ensure all the rooms of your house are getting heated or cooled properly. But the most up-to-date version has a better speaker so you can actually use it to play music, all of Alexa's features (including Drop-In and messaging), and Spotify integration. The remote sensor has a longer battery life and better range, too. Its audio can't compete with the Echo Dot or other Alexa speakers in terms of quality, but the Ecobee is clever means of equipping a room with Alexa without plugging in another smart speaker. Not only is the Ecobee one of the best smart home devices you can buy, it's our leading choice of all the best smart thermostats, too. Read our full Ecobee SmartThermostat review. (Image credit: Philips)

4 Philips Hue White A19 Starter Kit

Best smart home device for lighting up every room

Specifications

Bulb type: A19Wireless: ZigbeeWorks with: Alexa, Apple HomeKit, IFTTT, SmartThings, Google Home, NestToday's Best DealsView at Walmart (opens in new tab)View at Best Buy (opens in new tab)View at Amazon (opens in new tab)

Reasons to buy

+Comprehensive app+Works with a ton of smart-home systems+Dimmable

Reasons to avoid

-Requires hub-Light color not tunable Philips Hue White starter kit includes two bulbs and a hub to connect them to other smart home devices. While you can't change these bulbs' colors, you can adjust their brightness (up to 800 lumens), and add up to 50 to a single hub. Philips' bulbs also work with a wide range of smart home systems, including Alexa, Apple HomeKit, IFTTT, Google Home, and Nest. In fact, there's all sorts of things you can do with Philips Hue bulbs, check out these 9 things you never knew you could do with smart lights. Philips Hue lights also have an app, Philips Hue Sync, which lets users synchronize their smart bulbs with multimedia content on their Mac or Windows PC. For example, you can set your lights to flash and change color in time with music, video and movies being played on your computer. Users can also modify the color schemes and themes to suit their tastes. For $30 more, you can upgrade your starter kit to include 4 bulbs instead of 2. Read our full Philips Hue White Starter Kit review. (Image credit: Tom's Guide)

5 August Wi-Fi Smart Lock

Works with Alexa, HomeKit, and Google Assistant, and seamlessly integrates with security systems

Specifications

Lock type: DeadboltSize: 3 inches x 1.7 inches Works with: HomeKit, Alexa, Google Assistant, Z-Wave, Nest, IFTTTWireless: 2.4GHz Wi-FiToday's Best DealsView at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Best Buy (opens in new tab)View at Walmart (opens in new tab)

Reasons to buy

+Smaller size+Wi-Fi built in+Easy to use+Works with lots of smart home devices

Reasons to avoid

-Keypad sold separately There wasn't much to improve on in our August Smart Lock Pro review, but the company went ahead and tweaked its original to make it smaller and easier to use. As our new top pick among the best smart locks, the the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is 45 percent more compact than its predecessor, so it looks less obvious on your door. It also has Wi-Fi built in, so you can skip the August Connect bridge for linking your lock to your home network. Everything we enjoyed about the August Pro is still here: An easy installation process, features such as DoorSense (which lets you know if your door has been left open), and compatibility all the leading smart home systems, from Alexa to Google Assistant to Xfinity. And, the August Wi-Fi lets you keep the keys from your existing deadbolt. Read our full August Wi-Fi Smart Lock review. (Image credit: Tom's Guide)

6 Nest Doorbell battery

The best smart home device for seeing who's at your front door

Specifications

Video Resolution: 60 x 1280p/ 30 fpsField of View: 145 degreesWorks with: Google Assistant, AlexaSize: 6.3 x 1.8 x 0.95 inchesWired/Battery: BatteryCloud storage: Starting at $6/monthToday's Best DealsView at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Walmart (opens in new tab)View at Best Buy (opens in new tab)

Reasons to buy

+Great design+Very sharp video quality+Free person, animal, package, vehicle detection

Reasons to avoid

-No optional chime The Nest Doorbell (battery) gets almost everything right, and that's why it's not just one of the best smart home devices but the best video doorbell we've reviewed. The video doorbell's 3:4 vertical aspect ratio means you can see more of your front door; it can work either wired or on battery power alone, and it has a lot of great features, such as the ability to recognize familiar faces, packages, animals, and vehicles. Even better is that the camera also offers some of those features for free, as well as three hours of rolling video storage - things that used to require a subscription. If you want longer storage, you can still sign up for Nest Aware, which starts at $6/month. As such, it pairs nice with the Nest Cam. Read our full Nest Doorbell (battery) review. (Image credit: Wemo)

7 Wemo WiFi Smart Plug

Best smart home device for making any regular lamp smart

Specifications

Size: 1.3 x 2.0 x 1.8 inchesWorks With: Alexa, Google Assistant, HomeKit, IFTTTElectrical rating: 120V~/15A/60Hz/1800WToday's Best DealsView at Best Buy (opens in new tab)View at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Walmart (opens in new tab)

Reasons to buy

+Improved footprint+Physical control button+Works with Alexa, Google Home and HomeKit

Reasons to avoid

-Not compatible with 5Ghz Wi-Fi The $25 Wemo WiFi Smart Plug is one of the best smart home devices and our top choice among the best smart plugs. It's more compact than competing options out there, even its predecessor the Wemo Mini. And while it doesn't have energy monitoring like some other smart plugs, the Wemo WiFi Smart Plug does work with all the major smart assistants. This smart plug has a physical switch, so if you don't want to use your voice or an app to turn your appliance on or off, you can click the switch on the Wemo. It also has a clever Away mode. which can make it seem like you're home even when you're not by turning a lamp on intermittently. Read our full Wemo WiFi Smart Plug review. (Image credit: Nest) (opens in new tab)

8 Nest Protect

The best smart home device for sounding the alarm

Specifications

Size: : 5.3 x 5.3 x 1.5 inchesDetects: Smoke, carbon monoxideWorks with: Nest, Google Home, Philips Hue, IFTTT, Alexa, Wink, LutronHardwired/battery: Yes/YesToday's Best DealsView at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Walmart (opens in new tab)View at Best Buy (opens in new tab)

Reasons to buy

+Detects smoke, carbon monoxide+Spoken alerts+Links to other smart-home devices

Reasons to avoid

-Expensive The Nest Protect is the top choice among the best smart smoke detectors. When it picks up on something in the air, it sounds an alarm and lets you know what room in your home triggered the alert. Plus an LED ring on the bottom of the alarm changes color in case of an emergency, giving you and the people you live with a visual cue. What we like most about the Nest Protect is how well it integrates with some of the best smart home devices. When you use smart home routines, your smart smoke alarm can automatically turn on your lights, making it easier for you to get out of your house. However, these routines only work for those who have converted their Nest account to a Google Assistant account. It also does not natively work with Alexa.Read our full Nest Protect review.
(Image credit: Future) (opens in new tab)

9 Samsung SmartThings

The best smart home device for connecting all your products together

Specifications

Size: 5.5 x 5.5 x 1.2 inchesWireless: Zigbee, Z-Wave, Wi-FiToday's Best DealsCheck Amazon (opens in new tab)Visit Site (opens in new tab)

Reasons to buy

+Wi-Fi makes installing this hub easier+Allows for more automation than other hubs+Works with Zigbee and Z-Wave devices

Reasons to avoid

-Still missing Nest integration-Difficult to upgrade from older hub If you have a wide variety of smart home gadgets, you'll need a central system to integrate and control them all. While it has its imperfections, we found the Samsung SmartThings hub to be the best of the lot. It works with a wide range of devices and now has Wi-Fi built in, so you don't need to plug it into your router; this makes it easier to place in your house for the best connection to all your smart home devices. Because the SmartThings hub has both Zigbee and Z-Wave antennas, you can pair it with several of the best smart home devices. Using the companion app, you can arrange dozens of scenes and automations. It also has a comprehensive home monitoring component, which can send you an alarm, record video, turn on lights, play sounds, and unlock your doors in the event of an emergency. Read our full Samsung SmartThings review. (Image credit: Chamberlain) (opens in new tab)

10 Chamberlain MyQ

The best smart home device for your garage

Specifications

Works With: Nest, SmartThings, Xfinity Home, Apple HomeKit, Google Home, IFTTTWireless: 802.11 Wi-FiToday's Best DealsView at Walmart (opens in new tab)View at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Amazon (opens in new tab)

Reasons to buy

+Simple physical setup requirements+Simple app interface+Works with Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit

Reasons to avoid

-Doesn't work with Alexa-Requires subscription to use Google Assistant If you're looking for the best smart garage door opener, look no further than the Chamberlain MyQ. It includes a sensor for your garage door as well as a hub that connects to your Wi-Fi network. When you send a command using your smartphone, it is relayed to the hub, which then goes to the sensor that activates your garage door. The MyQ app, available for Android and iOS devices, lets you check to see if your door is open, and then close - or open - it remotely. MyQ will work with most brands of garage door openers made after 1993 that have standard safety sensors, according to Chamberlain. Currently, MyQ works with Nest, SmartThings and Xfinity Home smart home systems. The one thing it doesn't do, though, is work with Alexa.Read our full Chamberlain MyQ review.
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

11 Roborock S4 Max

The best smart home device for keeping your floors clean

Specifications

Cleaning Performance: 96.3%Pet Hair Score (Out of 100): 94Bin Size: 460 mlSmart Home Connectivity: Alexa, Google AssistantSize: 13.5 inches x 3.8 inchesWeight: 4.9 poundsToday's Best DealsView at Walmart (opens in new tab)View at Walmart (opens in new tab)View at Amazon (opens in new tab)

Reasons to buy

+Fast mapping+Excellent cleaner+Quiet

Reasons to avoid

-Room dividing could be easier The Roborock S4 Max is the best robot vacuum overall for its affordable price, good feature set, and ability to keep your floors clean. It picked up an average of 94 percent of kitty litter on carpet and hardwood floors, and did even better with Cheerios and dog hair. It was in a virtual tie with the Roomba S9+, which costs more than twice the S4 Max. The S4 Max was fast to map our home, and it was a fairly simple matter to create rooms in the app and then direct the robot vacuum to clean individual areas. You can even set specific times to clean rooms. As an Amazon exclusive, the Roborock S4 Max can run out of stock periodically, but it's worth picking up when it's available. Read our full Roborock S4 Max review.

How to choose the best smart home devices for you

Choosing the best smart home devices is different for every shopper. Most of the decision comes down which smart home platform you prefer - you'll want to buy devices that are compatible with your voice assistant so you can create routines or control your gadgets hands-free. You have three main choices: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant/Home, and Apple HomeKit/Siri. To help you get started, we have guides on how to use Alexa and how to use Google Assistant, as well as an Alexa vs Google Assistant vs Siri face off. Alexa generally comes out on top, as it works with the most smart home devices, and has the most third-party skills. However, Google Assistant can do some things that Alexa can't-such as control Chromecast TVs-and it's rapidly being built into a number of third-party devices in conjunction with its Works With Nest program. HomeKit's availability is also growing, and could be the right platform for you if you use Siri often on your iPhone or iPad.

How we test the best smart home devices

All of the best smart home devices above are top picks within respective categories. We compare and contrast each gadget to similar options, taking variables like price, ease-of-setup, voice assistant compatibility and appearance into account. For example, the third-generation Amazon Echo is our favorite smart speaker overall because it has the best sound for the value, and represents its category on this list. The same goes for the Nest Cam and fifth-generation Ecobee. That said, there are a number of excellent options within each category that are not featured on this list. If you're looking for more buying choices, we have individual pages that detail all the best smart lights, smart doorbells, smart security cameras and more we'd consider reliable purchases for your growing smart home. Check each of them out for more in-depth testing information for every category of smart home devices you should consider for boosting your home's IQ.Round up of today's best dealsReduced Price (opens in new tab)Amazon Echo Dot with Clock (4th gen) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)$59.99 (opens in new tab)$40.99 (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)See all pricesReduced Price (opens in new tab)Google Nest Cam (battery) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)$179.99 (opens in new tab)$166.88 (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)See all pricesReduced Price (opens in new tab)Ecobee (5th Gen) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)$219.99 (opens in new tab)$191.38 (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)See all prices (opens in new tab)Philips Hue White A19 Starter Kit (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)$69.99 (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)See all pricesReduced Price (opens in new tab)August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)$229.99 (opens in new tab)$193.99 (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)See all pricesReduced Price (opens in new tab)Google Nest Doorbell (battery) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)$179.99 (opens in new tab)$154.11 (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)See all prices (opens in new tab)Belkin Wemo WiFi Smart Plug (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)$25.99 (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)See all pricesReduced Price (opens in new tab)Nest Protect (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)$119 (opens in new tab)$103.97 (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)See all prices (opens in new tab)Chamberlain MyQ-G0301 (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)$56.98 (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)See all prices (opens in new tab)Roborock S4 Max (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)$299.99 (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)See all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best pricespowered by

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Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Kate KozuchKate Kozuch is an editor at Tom's Guide covering smartwatches, TVs and everything smart-home related. Kate also appears on Fox News to talk tech trends and runs the Tom's Guide TikTok account (opens in new tab), which you should be following. When she's not filming tech videos, you can find her on an exercise bike, mastering the NYT Crossword or channeling her inner celebrity chef.
More about gift guide Best fitness trackers in 2022: Top activity bands from Fitbit, Garmin and more Best gifts for home cooks 2022Latest The best cheap monthly VPN plans in 2022See more latest ► Topics Gift Guide Smart Home See all comments (6) 6 Comments Comment from the forums mprospero Archived comments are found here: http://www.tomsguide.com/forum/id-2918656/amazing-smart-home-gadgets.html Reply deepashvini8491 Can We have Video Demonstration of full Smart Home System ?? Reply SteveReeves The Tp-link lights are also very good and don't require a hub. Reply jpishgar And here I would have thought the Instant Pot was a shoe-in for Best Cookware!
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