It’s safe to say that home automation has finally arrived. After years of just dreaming about it, there is now a wide variety of gadgets that can control everything — from lights and room temperature to door locks and window shades — with the push of a button, tap on a screen, or voice command.
Aside from creating a smart home, these devices make fantastic gifts this holiday season. So without further ado, check out our curated list of some of the best smart home products that you can buy on Adorama today.
Top Smart Home Devices
Whether you’re hoping to set up something as basic as a smart speaker in your living room or create a network of connected devices, these smart home products can help you get started. But as device communication is key to successful home automation, it’s wise to only choose smart devices that are compatible with one another.
Amazon Echo ()
Now in its second generation, the Amazon Echo remains at the top of every list of the best smart home devices. For those who have never heard of it, it’s basically a Bluetooth speaker that can also listen to voice commands via Amazon’s popular voice assistant, Alexa.
The Echo can connect to many other smart home devices via Alexa directly (including its smaller versions like the Echo Dot), making it a great starter product for anybody who wants to build an automated home. Or you can stick with it for a while and enjoy how it can answer questions, set alarms for you, make calls, recall and update your grocery list, or simply fill your room with 360-degree audio — without leaving your couch.
Key Specifications:
- Far-Field Voice Control Technology
- Wi-Fi & Bluetooth Connectivity
- Built-In Amazon Alexa Voice Service
- 3.5mm (1/8”) Audio Input/Output Connector
- One 3″ Woofer, One 1.32″ Tweeter
- Dual-Band Wi-Fi & Bluetooth Connectivity
- Compatible with Fire OS, Android, & iOS via Alexa
Ecobee4 ()
Another cool smart home device to have is a smart thermostat, and the Ecobee4 is currently the best in that category. Aside from its sleek design and ease of use, this latest version of the Ecobee features multiple sensors that help detect and reduce hot or cold spots in rooms.
The Ecobee4 is Alexa-enabled, so it also works as an Amazon speaker that can play your favorite music and control other devices on its own. We also recommend placing several of it around your home if you want optimal temperature measurements and control via voice command.
Key Specifications:
- IEEE 802.11 b/g/n 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi Standard
- 3.5″ (320×480) Full-Color LCD Touch Screen Display
- Senses Temperature/Humidity/Occupancy/Proximity
- Far-Field Voice Recognition Technology
- Built-in Alexa Voice Service
- Built-In Microphones & Speaker
- WPA/WPA2 & WEP Security
Amazon Cloud Cam ()
The Amazon Cloud Cam is an affordable security camera that captures live video feeds at 1080p resolution. It can easily be installed in any room of the house to get real-time motion notifications and offers free round-the-clock clip storage, which makes it more appealing than other smart home security cameras and devices.
Once you become a subscriber to Amazon Cloud, the small Cloud Cam can be set to monitor specific motion zones and receive person alerts. It even comes in white and with its own stand, so you can discreetly place it in between bookshelves and other parts of the house. A reliable and easy-to-use device such as this would definitely make an excellent gift for a loved one this year.
Key Specifications:
- 1080p Full HD Video at 30fps
- 120° Diagonal Field of View
- One RGB & Eight IR LEDs
- Built-In Microphone & Speaker
- Ambient Light Sensor
- Wi-Fi & BTLE Connectivity
- MicroUSB Port for Power
- Compatible with iOS & Android via Cloud CamApp
Philips Hue Starter Kit ()
A common step that is taken after purchasing a smart speaker is getting smart lights for the house, and the Philips Hue ecosystem is your best best. It works seamlessly with Alexa, IFTTT, and even Siri (via the Philips Hue Bridge), which you can command (by voice or app) to control not only the intensity of lights in every part of the house but also the color.
Aside from being the most flexible option among other smart bulbs out there, it can be set to give off a certain color or brightness level along with your alarm or be synced with your music. There are even different apps with certain features like selectable themes or “scenes.” The Christmas and Disco themes are definitely a must-try this season!
Key Specifications:
- Includes Hue Bridge & Two Hue A19 Single Bulbs
- 600 Lumens (9.5W) Brightness
- Expandable up to 50 Philips Bulbs (Per Bridge)
- Works with Alexa, Google Assistant & HomeKit Ecosystems
- Compatible with iOS & Android Mobile Devices
Qardio QardioBase 2 ()
How about a smart home device that helps you get healthier? Qardio’s second generation of the Qardiobase is a smart scale and body analyzer that’s great for monitoring your BMI, fat, water, muscle mass, bone composition, as well as pregnancy. The info also gets sent to an app on your smartphone for easy access.
The new model features everything that the original Qardiobase was well-received for, including a wider base to fit people with larger feet, an enhanced sensor system for quicker and more accurate readings, a brighter and crisper screen that displays the digits, and an embedded rechargeable battery that can last up to 12 months with every charge.
Key Specifications:
- Measures Weight, BMI, Body Fat
- Measures Muscle/Bone/Water Composition
- Automatically Detects Different Users
- Shows Name & Results on Built-In LED Display
- Pregnancy & Pacemaker Modes
- Works with Qardio App for Tracking Progress
- Compatible with Other Fitness Apps
Google Home Max ()
The Google Home line of devices is widely considered to be a direct competitor of the Amazon Echo products, with a bigger main smart speaker and several smaller ones that you can use to build a network of voice control devices around the house.
Google Home is nearly identical to Amazon Echo in terms of functionality, so it boils down to your budget and your preference between Alexa and Google Assistant. But if you’re looking for a device that will truly do your music justice, we recommend the bigger, rectangular-shaped Google Home Max for its sound power and slightly wider sound reach.
Key Specifications:
- Two 4.5″ High-Excursion Woofers, Two 0.7″ Tweeters
- Far-Field Voice Recognition Technology
- Dual-Band Wi-Fi & Bluetooth 4.2 Connectivity
- Built-In Chromecast
- Ambient Light & Orientation Sensors
- 3.5mm (1/8″) Analog Audio Input
- Supports iOS & Android Operating Systems
- Works with Google Assistant
Samsung SmartThings Hub ()
If you plan to be more serious about your home automation plans, a hub could be what you’re looking for. The Samsung SmartThings Hub is currently the best smart home hub that you can get your hands on — not even when compared with its more affordable competitors.
There’s a lot that the SmartThings Hub can do for you, including combining standard smart home Wi-Fi protocols or languages like Z-Wave and Zigbee to achieve a more flexible wireless communication setup that’s perfect for home automation.
You can use the SmartThings Hub to connect multiple Decora Smart switches and dimmers at a time via Z-Wave. Fortunately, this featured product already includes one of each, and you can simply purchase more dimmers and switches as you wish without ever having to purchase another hub.
Key Specifications:
- Z-Wave, Zigbee, IP, and Other Wireless Protocols
- Connects via Broadband Internet & Router
- Two USB (Female) Ports
- RJ45 Ethernet Connector
- 50-100 ft. (15-30 m) Communication Range
- One DZ6HD Decora Smart Dimmer
- One DZ15S Decora Smart Switch
Nest Cam IQ ()
The Nest Cam IQ is another smart surveillance camera that is specifically designed for home use and safety. It offers 1080p HD views and even features a 4K sensor with HDR and intelligent imaging for what they call the Supersight vision. It has a speaker and microphone system, and even uses invisible infrared LEDs to evenly illuminate the whole room for clear views even in low-light situations.
We highly recommend that you choose the Nest Cam IQ (if not the Amazon Cloud Cam) because, if you ask us, home security devices make the best, most worthy purchases for every homeowner.
Key Specifications:
- 8MP Camera with 4K Color Sensor
- 1080p (1920×1080) Video at 30fps
- 12x Digital Zoom & Close-Up Tracking View
- Built-In Infrared LEDs for Night Vision
- 130° Diagonal Field of View
- Integrated Speaker & 3-Microphone Array
- Connects to iOS & Android Devices via Nest App
- Wi-Fi & Bluetooth (BLE) Connectivity
- IP66-Rated for Outdoor Use
Honeywell SkyBell Trim ()
Smart devices are essentially designed for our convenience and safety, and the Honeywell SkyBell Trim offers just that. This smart doorbell has a built-in 1080p camera that helps you determine who’s ringing the doorbell without having to check through the window or peephole. Even better, it integrates a microphone and speaker so you can speak to the person.
The Skybell Trim can also detect motion, is dust- and water-resistant, and connects to your smartphone via Wi-Fi and the dedicated Skybell app. There are other smart doorbells on the market that offer pretty much the same features, but the Skybell ranks high in most lists.
Key Specifications:
- 1080p (1920 x 1080) Video at 15fps
- Integrated Mic &Speaker
- 180° Field of View
- Motion Sensor
- Up to 500MB Video Storage
- IP54-Rated for Outdoor Use
- Compatible with Honeywell Total Connect 2.0
- Works with Free SkyBell App for iOS
- Live View & Alerts via App
Google Wi-Fi Router ()
Wireless connections aside, here’s a smart router that uses mesh networking technology to strengthen your Wi-Fi connection in rooms and bigger houses. It also uses Google Network Assistant to ensure a fast wireless connection, as well as the Google Wi-Fi app to manage other aspects of the network.
Like Google Home, it’s designed to be compact and minimalist so they can hide away discreetly on desks, shelves, and anywhere near a power source. It’s super easy to use and set up, a lot cheaper than other mesh Wi-Fi devices, and is currently unbeatable in the smart Wi-Fi system category.
Key Specifications:
- 802.11 n/g/b/a/ac Wireless Network Standard
- Dual-Band 2.4 GHz / 5 GHz Frequencies
- AC1200 2×2 Wave 2 Wi-Fi
- TX Beamforming & Bluetooth Smart Ready
- WPA2-PSK Encryption Enabled
- Automatic Security Updates
- Two Gigabit Ethernet Ports
- 710 MHz Quad-core ARM CPU
- 512MB DDR3L RAM / 4GB Flash Storage
- Compatible with Android & iOS
