Smart home technology has advanced rapidly in recent years, becoming more capable and more varied. Today’s devices allow you to manage everything from home security and climate control to air quality and door access, often from a single app or voice assistant. Whether you’re building a smart home from scratch or upgrading an existing setup, these essential gadgets will make your home more convenient, safer, and more efficient. Below are nine smart home devices worth considering for 2026.
Smart Display
A smart display combines the hands-free convenience of a smart speaker with a touchscreen, opening up many practical uses. Beyond playing music and answering voice queries, a smart display can show weather updates, stream video, support video calls, and act as a central hub for other smart devices. With one, you can check security camera feeds, control smart locks, see reminders, and manage routines—all from a single panel.
- Amazon Echo Show 8 (Price: $149.99)
- Amazon Echo Show 15 (Price: $349.99)
Smart Security Cameras
Smart security cameras let you monitor your home remotely with live streaming, recorded clips, and motion alerts. Modern models commonly include night vision, two-way audio, zoom, and advanced motion detection. While 1080p resolution is standard, higher-resolution options such as 2K are widely available for clearer footage and better identification of details.
Smart Video Doorbells
Smart video doorbells put a camera and a microphone at your front door so you can see and speak to visitors from your smartphone. They typically include motion detection, night vision, and cloud or local storage for recordings. These devices are particularly useful for parcel deliveries, unexpected visitors, or confirming who’s at the door when you’re away.
- Google Nest Doorbell 3rd Gen (Price: $197.15)
- Blink Video Doorbell (Price: $25.99)
Smart Locks
Smart locks replace or augment traditional deadbolts, letting you lock and unlock doors using PIN codes, fingerprint readers, NFC, or a smartphone app. They offer features like temporary access codes for guests, auto-lock schedules, and activity logs showing when doors were opened or closed. Many models also retain a physical key option as a backup. While smart locks enhance convenience, it’s important to choose well-reviewed models and follow recommended security practices.
- Eufy Security Smart Lock (Price: $109.99)
- Philips WiFi Smart Deadbolt Lock (Price: $84.99)
Smart Plugs
Smart plugs are an easy and affordable way to bring ordinary appliances into the smart ecosystem. Plug a smart plug into an outlet, then plug a lamp, fan, or other device into the smart plug to control it remotely, schedule it, or include it in automation routines. Some models include energy monitoring so you can see how much power a device uses. While smart plugs don’t add every feature a native smart appliance would offer, they’re a great shortcut for most use cases.
- Kasa Smart Plug (Price: $23.99)
- Govee Smart Plug (Price: $26.98)
Smart Lighting
Smart lighting systems and bulbs let you control brightness, color, and timing from an app or with voice commands. You can create schedules, set scenes for movie nights or dinner, and integrate lighting into broader home automations. Color-changing bulbs and LED light strips add ambiance and let you tailor a room’s mood to the activity at hand, improving both convenience and energy efficiency.
- Govee RGBIC Strip Lights (Price: $13.49)
- Philips Smart LED Color Bulbs (Price: $39.96)
Robot Vacuums
Robot vacuums automate routine floor cleaning. Many models map your home to avoid obstacles and cover rooms efficiently. Some advanced units vacuum and mop in one pass, and several offer self-emptying dustbins so you don’t have to empty them as often. Robot vacuums typically return to their charging docks automatically when battery is low, and can be scheduled or controlled via an app or voice assistant for hands-off cleaning.
Smart Air Purifiers
Smart air purifiers monitor indoor air quality and adjust cleaning power as needed to reduce dust, allergens, and pollutants. With a connected purifier you can view real-time AQI (air quality index) data, receive alerts, and control settings remotely. Automated modes and scheduling help maintain healthier indoor air without constant manual adjustments, which is especially useful in areas with seasonal allergies or poor outdoor air quality.
- Levoit Smart Air Purifier (Price: $69.99)
- GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier (Price: $74.99)
Smart Thermostats
Smart thermostats help manage heating, ventilation, and air conditioning more intelligently. They allow you to set schedules, control temperature remotely, and some models learn your routine to adjust settings automatically. Geofencing features can lower energy use when you leave home and restore comfort when you return, improving both comfort and energy efficiency.
- Google Nest Thermostat (Price: $114.99)
- Ecobee Smart Thermostat (Price: $128.25)
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