Interested in making your home a smart home, but not sure where to begin when it comes to home automation?
Do you love gadgets and technology, but not sure which smart home gadgets are really “worth it”?
If you answered yes to either question, then this post will be perfect for you.
I’ll review seven of the best, most affordable smart home ideas to make your nest smarter and your life easier. I’ll give you the benefits of each smart home gadget, an honest review based on my personal experience, along with shoppable links to the best smart home automation devices in 2021.
Here’s what I’ll cover:
Let’s go-go gadget arms and get started creating the smart home of your dreams – in true Penny Modern style – on a modest budget.
If you prefer a video format for this post, check out my YouTube Video:
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at NO extra cost to you. I did not receive any compensation for reviewing any of these items, all these opinions are my own.
Voice Assistant or Smart Hub
To enable your smart home, it will be key to FIRST get a Voice Assistant or Smart Home Hub. This will allow you to control some or all of your smart devices with your voice.
We have a couple of different Amazon Echo devices and I really like the ones with the screen, especially when paired with a video doorbell (you can see who’s outside, which is cool).
Amazon Echo 8 – around $129.99 from Amazon. I picked up an Echo Show 8 to give to my mom and dad to make video calls with us, then picked up an Echo Show 5 myself. The Echo Show 8 is a little bigger than the 5, so I actually like it better.
Google Nest Hub Max – around $229 from Home Depot. This device connects with a variety of smart devices (including Google Nest devices) and also allows you to make video calls. This is a good option if you prefer Google devices such as the Pixel phone, Google Chromecast, etc.
Video Doorbell
Video doorbells are essential smart home devices because they help serve as a doorbell, as well a provide some security to a certain extent (especially if you get a lot of packages). You will get notified (via the app or voice assistant) if anyone approaches your home.
I chose the Ring Video Doorbell 3 for my smart home because:
- Ring 3 has 1080p HD Video Quality, which means better visibility if you need a recording due to a security issue.
- It had very good reviews on Amazon – 4.5 stars
- Has options for both no monthly fees, or very low fees for added services ($30 per year for the basic “Ring protect” plan, or $100 per year for an enhanced plan)
- It comes with these little wedges so you can position your doorbell in optimal ways to see a larger area.
If you pay a a small fee (only $30/year), you can access recordings if someone were to steal a package or try to break into your home. For a slightly larger fee ($100/year), you can opt in to professional monitoring. This is still way less than ADT or something like that.
Ring Video Doorbell 3 – from Amazon, around $199.99
Google Nest Hello Video Doorbell – from Home Depot – around $229. This is a great option if you have the Google Nest voice assistant. It’s very similar to the Ring doorbell but has some extras. It has 24/7 streaming, and can identify when packages are delivered to alert you. Their subscription service starts at $6 per month.
Smart Lighting
Ok so why get smart lights? Well there are two main factors: one is convenience, the other is security. Smart lights can be set to automatically turn off or on via an app or by your voice assistant. That way if you go out of town, it will look like someone is home.
The convenience factor is that you can control smart lights with your voice and turn on your lights by simply saying “Alexa, turn on the living room light.” If you have an older home without much overhead lighting, this is very convenient.
Smart Light Switch
There are so many options for smart lighting for your smart home. We tried to install a smart light switch, the Kasa 3 Way Smart Switch Kit but our home is older (1974) and the wiring would not support it (no neutral wire was the issue). It’s a great option if you have all the wiring already there, just check the specs first. No hub is required so it just hooks up to your wifi.
Smart Light Bulbs
Another great option is to use Smart Light Bulbs. I am getting these Treatlife Smart Bulbs when some of our existing LED bulbs die. At 4 smart bulbs for around $28 it’s almost the same price as getting LED Bulbs. They don’t have full color but offer a variety of shades of white – from cool to warm white.
Smart Flood Light
To enable smart lighting in our older home, we opted for a smart outlet (which is next), and the above Secur360 smart flood light, for out patio.
We bought the SECUR360 Wi-Fi Connected flood light last year from Home Depot, for less than $60. I love it because it has a motion sensor and is very bright, plus it can be controlled via the app or a voice assistant.
If this flood light senses motion, it turns on the light and I also get an alert on my phone, through the Secur360 app, which helps me feel more secure. You can use the app to control the light, put it on a timer, apply dusk to dawn settings, or use Alexa to control it.
Smart Outlets
We purchased these inexpensive TanTan smart plugs from Amazon in February 2019 and they are still working very well. We paired them with our wifi and our Amazon Echo, and simply plugged in our floor lamp to the outlet. Now we can control our floor lamps with our voice, or even set them on a timer.
TanTan smart plugs from Amazon – $16.99 for a two pack. I also used one of these smart plugs for my Christmas lights and it worked well as a timer to only turn on at night. I plugged it into our garage as these are not rated to be used outdoors.
Robot Vacuum
I have owned 2 different robot vacuums so have a lot of experience with these awesome helpers for your smart home. The main benefit is you can let this baby clean for you, while you do other things. Here’s the scoop.
Most recently I purchased the 360 C50 Vacuum and Mop. I recommend getting the Vacuum and Mop combo as it’s just more convenient to have something that can do both household chores. This thing is smart because it’s controlled by a remote, a phone app, or your voice assistant (like Alexa).
The 360 C50 won’t completely do all your cleaning for you, but it will help keep your floors clean in between “deep cleaning” day. Check out my full review here: Product Review: 360 C50 Robot Vacuum Mop
Smart Thermostat
OK, so why do you need a smart thermostat for your smart home? Well the biggest reason is to save money.
A smart thermostat will help you save by allowing you to put your HVAC on different timers, or allow you to turn it off remotely if you leave, and forget to turn it off.
The Emerson Sensi from Home Depot is one of the best value smart thermostats on the market at around $129. A lot of other smart thermostats are over $150, with many in the $200 range, so the Sensi is a great deal.
I had the Emerson Sensi in my previous home and loved it. I love how you can control it from your phone with the app, so you can turn off your heat or A/C if you have left the house and forgot.
It’s also able to connect to Alexa, Google Home, or Apple HomeKit which is great to be able to control the thermostat with your voice.
Smart Locks
Smart locks make your life easier because you don’t have to fumble around with keys, and you can make sure your doors are locked from your phone or with your voice.
We have keyless locks that are not true smart locks. But I think keyless locks are super smart since you don’t need to pull keys out of your pocket to get in and out of your home. Plus they are way cheaper than actual wifi smart locks.
Keyless Locks
I’ve used several different brands of keyless locks and Kwikset Powerbolt Keyless Entry Deadbolts are the best by far. They are the most durable, reliable, and don’t get jammed. Plus they are cheap – less than $70! I love these locks and have bought them for multiple homes.
Smart Locks
If I wanted to spend a little more money, I’d definitely get true wifi smart locks. The one I want, when I’m ready to upgrade, is the Simplisafe Smartlock for around $100 from Amazon.
The Simplisafe Smartlock is sleek, and sophisticated. I love that you can use the keypad or the phone fob to unlock and lock it. Also you get notified if your door gets unlocked or locked, which is great to keep tabs on kids or whatnot. You can also pair the smartlock with the Simplisafe security system to help make your home even more secure.
Conclusion
Well there you go, I hope you feel smarter, armed with all these super affordable smart home ideas. We covered everything from voice assistants, to video doorbells, to smart lighting, and smart locks.
My favorite smart device is actually the robot vacuum and mop. It really helps free up my time and I can avoid breaking my back from vacuuming and mopping all the time. My second favorite are probably the power locks/smart locks – who wants to fumble with keys anymore?
Which smart gadget do you want to try first, to make your home a smart home? Leave a comment below, I would love to know.
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