The best smart home devices for 2025
You’re not too late to join the smart home revolution — it’s only just beginning. It might sound quite complicated if you haven’t started building yours yet, but there’s nothing to fear. Smart home devices are designed to make your life better, so a good user experience is all part of the package when it comes to the best products. You also don’t need to buy all of the gear at once. You can start small with a smart speaker or a light strip and accumulate the gadgets that enhance your day from there. All you really need to know is which products are worth buying. To that end, here’s our guide to the best smart home devices of 2025.
The best indoor camera: Eufy Cam S350
The Eufy Security Indoor Cam S350 provides high-resolution home monitoring with dual cameras in 4K UHD and 2K telephoto, delivering impressive clarity and an 8× hybrid zoom. Its 360-degree pan and tilt function offers full room coverage, making it ideal for pet or family monitoring.
Naturally, it’s equipped with advanced night vision and captures clear images up to 32 feet away in low light. Intelligent tracking powered by AI lets the camera follow family members or pets, and it supports NAS storage for added convenience.
Wyze Cam v4: The best value indoor camera
The Wyze Cam v4 delivers 2.5K QHD resolution for detailed monitoring and is equally effective outdoors thanks to its IP65 weather resistance. A built-in siren, amplified audio and voice prompts improve interaction and security, while setup is simplified with Bluetooth. Users can choose secure cloud storage via subscription or opt for local recording with a microSD card.
Google Nest Cam (indoor, wired): The best indoor camera for Google Home
Of course, you always have the option to stay in the Google ecosystem. The Nest Cam offers 1080p HDR video quality and night vision, while the AI-powered alerts can detect people and animals without cloud reliance for faster responses and privacy. While offering free three-hour event storage, the Nest Aware subscription adds essential features like extended cloud storage and familiar face recognition.
The best outdoor camera: Google Nest Cam (outdoor, battery)
We just hit on the perks of the Google Nest Cam, and there’s an equally effective outdoor version. The outdoor battery model offers easy, wire-free installation for flexible placement around your property, even in harder-to-reach spots. Built with IP54 weather resistance, it’s designed to withstand rain, wind, and dust, making it a solid choice for monitoring entrances, garages, or backyards.
The camera’s compact, minimal design helps it blend seamlessly into outdoor settings. It also integrates smoothly with the Google Home ecosystem, allowing for simple control and setup, especially for those looking to expand their existing Google smart home network.
Want the same camera goodness but with some outdoor lighting? Check out the Google Nest Cam with Floodlight ($279.99 at Google).
TP-Link Tapo Wire-Free Magnetic Security Camera: The best wireless outdoor camera
The Tapo MagCam offers IP66 weatherproofing and hassle-free installation with its magnetic base. A 10,000mAh battery ensures up to 300 days of power on a single charge, with an optional solar panel for uninterrupted operation. Its 2K QHD resolution and 150-degree field of view capture everything on your property, while color night vision powered by a Starlight sensor keeps details sharp at night. For storage, you can go with the 512GB of local memory or Tapo Care’s cloud service.
Arlo Ultra 2: The best quality outdoor camera
The Arlo Ultra 2 brings top-notch 4K video quality with HDR and a wide 180-degree view. It’s designed to work with an Arlo SmartHub or a base station, and it’s also compatible with Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit, and SmartThings, meaning it slots into any smart home setup. A three-month Arlo Secure trial is included.
If you don’t need a 4K resolution and prefer to spend less than $300, the Arlo Pro 5S is a more affordable version.
The best doorbell camera: Arlo Video Doorbell 2K (2nd gen)
Arlo’s latest high-end doorbell delivers 2K HDR video, capturing every detail. With a 180-degree view, night vision, and motion sensor, you’ll spot visitors anytime, day or night. It offers two-way audio for easy interaction and an integrated siren for added security.
On top of all that, instant notifications alert you when the doorbell rings or motion is detected. A trial of the Arlo Secure Plan provides access to 30-day cloud storage, people and package detection, plus 24/7 emergency response. It’s the real deal.
Google Nest Doorbell (battery): The best battery doorbell
Google fans always have an option, with the Nest Doorbell offering easy installation, reliable AI-based notifications, and strong Google Assistant integration. Its 960p resolution, 3:4 aspect ratio, and 145-degree field of view capture essential details, even if it isn’t the clarity of some other competitors. With IP54 weather resistance and three hours of free cloud storage, it’s well-suited for basic monitoring. For continuous power, you can opt for the wired version.
Ring Battery Doorbell Pro: The best video-quality doorbell
The top-tier security features of the Ring Video Doorbell Pro include 1536p HD Plus video that provides a head-to-toe view of your visitors. Its advanced 3D Motion Detection and Bird’s Eye View let you monitor specific zones, and Nighttime clarity ensures reliable visuals even in low light. The doorbell’s quick-release battery pack simplifies recharging, and Alexa compatibility enables hands-free notifications and communication.
The best smart plug: TP-Link Tapo P110M
The Matter-certified TP-Link Tapo Smart Plug Mini also integrates seamlessly with Apple HomeKit, Alexa, Google Home, and SmartThings. It offers energy tracking with visual insights to help optimize consumption and estimate costs, while smart scheduling allows automatic power management during off-peak hours for cost savings.
Built-in smart charging in the Tapo P110M cuts off power to prevent overcharging and protects devices from overcurrent. Voice and remote control through Alexa, Google Assistant, or the Tapo app lets you manage your connected devices, making it the ideal smart plug.
Wyze Plug: The best value smart plug
As handy as smart plugs are, there’s only so much functionality they offer, so those on a budget needn’t fork out too much. The Wyze Plug hits the sweet spot between features and price point. It brings voice-controlled convenience with Alexa and Google Assistant, can be operated from the Wyze app, and has schedules like Vacation Mode for an added layer of security.
The best decorative smart lights: Govee Neon Rope Light 2
The Govee Neon Rope Light 2 is a vibrant, flexible smart light strip ideal for adding personality to any space. With Matter support, it integrates smoothly with Google Home and Alexa, while Govee’s app offers extensive customization, including color scenes, music-sync modes, and an AI-powered design option.
The 5-meter silicon strip in Neon Rope Light 2 diffuses light beautifully, and installation is simplified with adhesive and metal clips. It takes a bit of planning, but the strip allows for creative control over lighting direction, making it a fun, budget-friendly choice.
Nanoleaf Essentials Matter Smart Multicolor HD Lightstrip: The best strip light
The Nanoleaf Essentials Matter Smart Lightstrip brings vibrant, high-res RGB effects with 60 LEDs per meter and individual LED control. Supporting Matter over Wi-Fi, it connects smoothly with platforms like Google Home and Alexa. It offers dynamic effects in many different settings, including desktop screen mirroring. Although non-expandable and lacking a diffuser, its affordable price and customization options make it a great choice for immersive, budget-friendly lighting.
Nanoleaf Blocks: The best smart light innovation
According to Nanoleaf, the future of lighting is square. The Nanoleaf Blocks are versatile, square smart light panels that can add flair to any room. They’re available in standard and mini sizes and mix with textured panels, pegboards, and shelves for creative displays and practical storage. Over 16 million colors and dynamic scenes can be controlled via the Nanoleaf app or smart home systems like Google Home and Alexa.
Not a fan of squares? Nanoleaf also offers a variety of classic Shapes.
