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Start your smart home journey with these essential, easy-to-use devices. No complex wiring required.
Quick Top 3 Picks
- Best Assistant: Echo Dot (5th Gen) - The best voice control.
- Best Lighting: Philips Hue Starter Kit - Unmatched color and reliability.
- Best Value Plug: Kasa Smart Plug Mini - Make any device smart instantly.
#1 Top Pick
Echo Dot (5th Gen)
The Echo Dot 5 brings clearer vocals and deeper bass than previous generations. It's the easiest way to control your other smart devices, play music, or check the weather.
What we like
- Improved sound quality
- Built-in temperature sensor
- Eero WiFi extender built-in
What we don't
- No 3.5mm audio jack
- Action button can be hard to find in dark
#2 Best Lighting
Philips Hue Starter Kit
Philips Hue is the gold standard for smart lighting. The colors are vivid, the app is polished, and they work with everything (Alexa, Google, Apple HomeKit). The Hub ensures they don't clog up your WiFi.
What we like
- Rock-solid reliability
- Incredible color range
- Doesn't slow down your WiFi
What we don't
- Expensive investment
- Requires a Hub (included in starter kit)
#3 Budget Pick
Kasa Smart Plug Mini
Turn your dumb coffee maker or lamp into a smart device. The Kasa Mini is compact, reliable, and has a great app with scheduling features. No hub required.
What we like
- Very affordable
- Compact design covers only one outlet
- Energy monitoring features
What we don't
- WiFi only (no Zigbee/Z-Wave)
- App requires account creation