11 Best Smart Home Devices 2023

• Assistant software: Are you a simp for Google or Amazon? Or are you too above them and only able to tolerate Apple? Decide on which voice or virtual assistant you’d like as your home steward—Amazon’s Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple’s HomeKit, Samsung’s Bixby, and so on. Some smart home gadgets here are compatible with more than one or two assistants, but many don’t. Once you get the right one, voice control or hands-free control shall prevail.
• Connectivity: Thankfully, most smart home appliances operate via a wireless connection, which is good. And ultimately, it boils down to Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity. Thus, here’s a takeaway you should know for all wireless devices from now on: Wi-Fi is faster than Bluetooth, and provides steadier connection.
• Installation: Do you want to break a sweat or not? And how much sweat are you willing to break? Most smart home devices require zero to little—as in just read the manual and get the device set up—installation. But for some, especially if you need to mount them, get your tool kit handy. Or call for help.

These 11 different smart home gadgets are all valedictorians within their respective classes. And below are the factors that we consider as we evaluate their GPAs.

• Look: If it doesn’t look good, it won’t cut it. Better to be smart and pretty than smarter but ugly. Hence, all of our picks will blend in with your home.
• Ease of setup: Most of our picks require little to zero effort in setting up. However, for thermostats and doorbells, installation is inevitable.
• Control: The best smart home devices offer both app and voice control in addition to buttons or screen displays. Remote control when you’re away from home is also taken into consideration.
• What they are: Obviously, the categories they belong to matter. Our picks of smart devices will be the main course of your home, instead of appetizers like smart plugs, smart bulbs, or smart locks. And yes, you’ll need them, even Samsung’s AirDresser smart closet.

And no, we don’t consider price much. Not that we’re snobby, but because we firmly believe that if it’s good, you should buy it. And if it’s good and expensive, then consider the purchase as an investment with huge returns, which it likely is.