Types of Smart Home Devices You Need to Know
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.
Amazon Smart Plug: The best smart plug for Alexa
If Amazon is your ecosystem, the Alexa-powered Smart Plug is a quick and simple smart home control. With an easy setup process, this plug connects directly to the Alexa app, enabling voice commands and automated routines. While it lacks compatibility with Google Assistant or Apple HomeKit and has limited energy monitoring, its sleek design usually avoids blocking other outlets.
The best smart thermostat: Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen)
The Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) combines a sleek design with advanced AI-powered climate control. It features an intuitive rotating bezel, compatibility with the Google Home app, and automation to optimize heating and cooling based on your preferences. Installation is straightforward, even without a C-wire, and the included temperature sensor enhances room-specific comfort.
With energy-saving features, dual heating and cooling modes, and Matter compatibility, this thermostat integrates seamlessly with smart home systems. Although expensive, it offers reliable, intelligent functionality, making it an excellent choice for modern homes, especially those already invested in the Google ecosystem.
Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium: The best features
The Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium is a smart home essential that’s as functional as it is stylish. Its sleek metallic design houses upgraded sensors for better comfort and even tracks air quality. The included temperature and occupancy sensor fine-tunes your heating and cooling, helping you save energy and money. Plus, it doubles as an Alexa or Siri speaker for added convenience.
Amazon Smart Thermostat: The best value
This is a simple, energy-efficient upgrade from traditional models. Compatible with your Echo devices, Alexa integration lets you manage temperatures automatically or remotely via the Alexa app. It’s Energy Star certified and can save you up to $50 annually on energy bills, with potential rebates available from local providers. Installation is easy with guided app instructions, so an affordable way to go smart with your heating.
The best smart lock: Aqara Smart Lock U100
The Smart Lock U100 offers varied and secure home access with Apple Home Key integration, allowing unlocking via iPhone or Apple Watch — even when they’re out of power. Other methods include a fingerprint reader that can store up to 50 prints, customizable passcodes, and mechanical keys. You can automate and integrate it into broader smart home setups with Aqara, Alexa, Google Home, and IFTTT.
Other nice features of this smart lock include auto-lock, Do Not Disturb mode, and a solid battery life. Built with durable, IP65-rated materials, the U100 is a top choice for security while keeping sensitive data AES encrypted and stored locally.
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock: The best retrofit
August’s award-winning smart lock upgrades your existing deadbolt without altering your door’s exterior. It installs easily in about 10 minutes and offers features like Auto-Lock and hands-free Auto-Unlock. You can share access securely via the August app, and built-in Wi-Fi integrates it with Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, and more. DoorSense ensures your home is always locked after use.
Wyze Auto-Lock Bolt: The best value
You can unlock the Wyze Bolt in under a second with its fingerprint reader, which stores up to 50 fingerprints, or use the anti-peep keypad to create unique codes for guests. Auto-Lock ensures your door is always secure, and with the Wyze app, you can track lock/unlock history via Bluetooth. Installation takes about 20 minutes, and you can pair it with the Wyze Doorbell Pro for remote unlocking.
The best smart Wi-Fi router: Google Nest Wifi Pro
The Google Nest Wifi Pro is a user-friendly mesh router offering strong Wi-Fi 6E performance and simple setup through the Google Home app. Covering up to 2,200 sq ft per unit, it supports Matter and Thread for future-proof smart home integration. Its tri-band system ensures stable connections, while features like device prioritization and guest Wi-Fi add convenience.
The Wifi Pro’s sleek design blends well with home decor and two Ethernet ports on each node provide extra flexibility. It’s not as powerful as some competitors, but it’s perfect for mainstream users.
Eero 6: The best value
The Eero 6 extender enhances your existing Eero mesh network with up to 1,500 sq. ft. of additional Wi-Fi 6 coverage. It’s easy to set up via the Eero app and supports previous Wi-Fi generations, ensuring smooth connectivity across your devices. TrueMesh technology intelligently routes traffic to eliminate dead spots and buffering, making it ideal for 4K streaming, gaming, and video conferencing. With automatic updates, your network stays secure and improves over time, providing consistent, fast, and reliable internet for your entire home.
For even faster speeds and more advanced features, consider the Eero 6 Plus or 6E.
ASUS ZenWiFi XT8: The best performance
This tri-band mesh Wi-Fi 6 system aims to eliminate dead zones and provide seamless internet coverage up to 5,500 square feet. With 6,600 Mbps speeds, OFDMA, and MU-MIMO technologies, it ensures stable connections across multiple devices. The system supports AiMesh for easy scalability with other ASUS routers and features free AiProtection Pro for life. A 2.5 Gbps WAN port, LAN aggregation, and USB WAN for mobile tethering offer reliable wired and wireless connections.
The best robot vacuum: Narwal Freo Z Ultra
The Narwal Freo Z Ultra is the peak of robotic cleaning with 12,000Pa suction power, LiDAR navigation, and AI object detection for precise and thorough cleaning. Its self-cleaning base station stores months of debris, while features like heated water and air drying ensure hygienic maintenance. With quiet operation and a Certified Tangle-Free brush, it’s efficient and hassle-free.
The dual vacuum and mop functionality of the Freo Z Ultra intelligently adjusts to floor types, offering easy transitions from hard floors to carpets. Privacy-conscious buyers will appreciate its certified data security. It’s not cheap, but the Freo Z Ultra’s premium design and outstanding performance make it a top-tier choice for home cleaning.
Eureka E20 Plus: The best value
The Eureka E20 Plus strikes an excellent balance of price and performance, offering solid 8,000Pa suction and a bagless base station with multi-cyclonic dust collection, reducing the need for frequent maintenance. Its straightforward setup and AI-driven navigation make it a strong contender in its price range. While the mopping feature is limited to light floor polishing, it shines as a vacuum, handling dirt and debris effectively.
