Smart homes are hardly a new phenomenon for most people, thanks to the plethora of smart home devices that are used daily. However, they have evolved considerably since first appearing nearly two decades ago. These gadgets are now smarter, more data-hungry, and more reliable when entertaining and making households run smoothly.

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This means a new generation of smart household devices built around user needs and requirements has cropped up. The best smart home devices include smart TVs, routers, home security, speakers, and lighting, all of which can be configured to work together. GameRant has hand-picked the best gadgets for any smart home to enable buyers to make the right decision.

How To Choose a Smart Home Gadget

Smart home gadgets differ in style and function, so choosing the right one requires some background knowledge. Below are some things to consider when shopping for one or more smart gadgets:

Compatibility: Before purchasing smart home gear, it’s worth checking whether the potential product is compatible with existing devices. Nobody wants a gadget that can’t interact with other smart home innovations. Thankfully, some manufacturers state in the product description whether the item works with voice assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.

Price: The price is a factor shoppers must always consider, especially when on a limited budget. While some gadgets are sold for ridiculously high prices, other smart home devices are relatively cheap. Before hitting online or physical stores, ensure that the budget is strongly considered. If possible, set a maximum and minimum spending amount.

Application: Smart home gadgets can improve buyers’ lives in many ways. However, it’s best to decide what is the priority when shopping for a smart device. Products like smart TVs and streaming sticks can provide access to an unlimited amount of entertainment. On the other hand, smart cameras and thermostats appeal to buyers looking to make a home safer and more efficient.

Reliability: While some popular manufacturers are still known for making defective products, it always pays off to buy from trusted brands. With smart home gadgets comes a never-ending fear of being spied on and other security risks. Major brands have a lot to lose if their products have security risks and are incentivized to alert customers about issues as promptly as possible. Although some lesser-known names may do the same, they can’t be compared to a household brand.

The Best Devices For a Smart Home in 2023

Smart home gadgets can’t live up to their potential without an adequate Wi-Fi network. A high-speed router can help homeowners eliminate dead spots in a wireless network powered by stable broadband internet.

The Orbi Tri-Band System aims to provide a flawless smart home experience for everyone, and it does so with fast Wi-Fi coverage. Packing the latest Wi-Fi 6 technology, the Orbi Tri-Band System is a competent mesh router for smart homes. With fast Wi-Fi coverage, the device can connect up to 100 devices, allowing users to perform various tasks, including gaming and streaming, without buffering.

Speaking of streaming, the Orbi router allows users to watch multiple videos at 4K/8K resolutions simultaneously. The Orbi app helps users remotely manage their mesh system through data usage monitoring, speed tests, and more.

While it supports Wi-Fi coverage of up to 5,000 square feet, buyers can extend coverage further by purchasing a satellite extender. Netgear’s security platform guards the Wi-Fi network across an unlimited number of connected devices, thus reducing the chances of data theft and other cybersecurity risks. The router also allows users to build healthy online habits for their kids through parental controls, making it a true family-friendly purchase. Since so much of a smart home’s operation depends on reliable Wi-Fi, GameRant has selected the Orbi Tri-Band Mesh System as the most essential smart home device.

Today’s top-rated speakers must do far more than just stream music and podcasts. The Sonos One Gen 2 Smart Speaker is excellent and commands attention as a versatile smart home device. It supports both Google Assistant and Alexa natively, and it comes bundled with the Sonos App. Buyers should like that the Sonos App gets regular updates and the ability to add more Sonos devices to the mix seamlessly.

While it does have serious competition from the Amazon Echo Studio, the Sonos is the superior speaker. It’s also more future-proof in terms of design and the ability to use Google Assistant in tandem with Alexa, tilting the scales considerably in its favor. However, it skips on a 3.5mm audio jack, a feature the Echo Studio comes with. So, unless an analog audio jack is a must-have, the Sonos is the better option for buying the best smart speaker in 2023.

There are budget-friendly speakers to consider for buyers who find the Sonos One too expensive. The Amazon Echo (4th Gen) not only sports a different look from previous editions but packs a bit more power that deserves attention. It comes in multiple colors, giving potential owners various looks to choose from. The Echo delivers a decent soundscape for a smart home. It also works well as a temperature sensor, which is another reason it’s a fine addition to an automated household. Although YouTube Music is not natively supported, the Echo is compatible with Apple Music, Pandora, and Spotify to play songs or podcasts using voice commands. Pairing this speaker with select Fire TV devices translates into premium home theater audio for movies, podcasts, or music.

The Echo’s built-in smart hub controls Zigbee and Matter-compatible smart devices like the Nanoleaf Essentials Lightstrip and Bulb. Listeners can enjoy a greater hands-free experience by asking Alexa to do tasks ranging from weather checks to calendar event creation. Owners can also explore more functions, like contacting friends who own Echo speakers or the Alexa app hands-free. With the increased adoption of smart devices come privacy concerns. However, the Echo speaker is bundled with many security layers to reassure potential buyers, including a mic-off button.

Lighting is an essential component of any smart home and possibly one of the most crucial choices a buyer has to make for a smart home setup. The Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 LED Smart Bulbs reward buyers with excellent customizability out of the box. Users can personalize their lighting needs with various moods, like Relax and Energize. Buyers can also configure as many as ten lights using the Hue app. However, anything above ten lights will require a dedicated Hue hub.

Buyers can also utilize this smart home device’s voice control feature, with Alexa and Google Assistant capable of controlling the lights. While price is an understandable concern, they offer excellent service life. The bulbs tout a 25,000-hour lifespan and an easy installation process. There is more competition than ever among smart light bulbs from manufacturers like Nanoleaf and Govee. Still, many buyers consider Hue bulbs the best smart lights, with a wider range of colors and greater compatibility with other smart home brands.

Smart light bulbs are often the first target for buyers trying to modernize a home’s lighting. Still, wall panel lights enhance a gaming room’s ambiance and are especially popular among streamers. Nanoleaf Shapes remain one of the most widely used panels because of their versatility, performance, and integration with smart home ecosystems.

Nanoleaf Shapes come in many forms, including triangles, mini-triangles, and hexagons. Each of these different panels can connect with plastic linkers to create some complex patterns. Even with seven of the same-shaped panels, buyers will find that the lights impress with their brightness and dynamic illumination. Nanoleaf Shapes can respond to voice commands from nearly every smart home assistant and even integrate with game lighting protocols like Razer Chroma.

Considering they must be installed individually, preferably in a distinguishable pattern, some buyers may dread installing wall panel lights. Nanoleaf tries to eliminate those fears by providing installers with double-sided tape strips with tabs for removal without damaging walls. Regardless, rougher surfaces may require purchasing screw mount kits since the tape has a more difficult time sticking on these walls. One problem smart light manufacturers have yet to overcome is how to hide the dangling cord and power adapter connected to wall panels.

Part of Nanoleaf’s success is due to its acceptance of the latest smart home technologies. Nanoleaf Shapes aren’t Matter devices but can function as a Thread border router. As a result, the Shapes lights coordinate a low-latency mesh network of smart home gadgets that overcomes the limitations of brand and app-specific functionality. Not surprisingly, even without a Matter hub or Thread border router, Nanoleaf Shapes are accessible in Google Home, Alexa, and HomeKit apps.

Build quality and a proven history of Nanoleaf supporting its older products are also reasons Shapes are among the best smart home devices.

The Arlo Pro 4 is an excellent but pricey choice when it comes to smart home security. However, it does have numerous perks that less expensive security cameras lack. The Arlo Pro 4 provides an excellent 2K stream with smart options such as intruder detection, two-way audio, and adequate night vision. It’s a truly wireless solution with rechargeable batteries rated to last as much as six months. Also, instead of investing in a multi-thousand dollar setup, buyers can build a security system in stages thanks to the lack of a central hub.

Its Arlo Secure plans are comprehensive for those willing to go that cloud-enabled route but add to the ultimate cost of a product that is already pricier than most of its competition. Overall, the modular design of an Arlo Pro 4 installation, solid uptime, and excellent build quality weigh heavily into GameRant’s decision to consider it the best smart home security solution.

Some smart home gadgets can enhance entertainment, while others, like the Google Nest Thermostat, have more practical applications. This smart thermostat can attach to the same wiring as traditional thermostats but allows homeowners to adjust temperatures remotely. The Nest Thermostat is a more affordable alternative to the Nest Learning Thermostat and provides users with many of the same essential functions.

Although the Nest Thermostat cannot learn a user’s heating and cooling preferences, it can adjust temperatures when a family member leaves home. Buyers can consider adding external temperature sensors around a home to monitor household conditions more effectively. Scheduling is a feature in the Google Home app, but it’s also possible to operate this smart home gadget with Alexa voice commands. Compatibility with smart home ecosystems was initially somewhat of a sore spot for the Nest Thermostat, but it has improved since embracing Apple HomeKit.

Buyers often have some trepidation about installing smart thermostats, but the Nest Learning Thermostat makes the process as painless as possible. Homeowners will want to check on Google’s website before purchasing, but in most cases, a power-carrying C-wire, which some older homes may lack, is not required. Also, the Nest Thermostat’s display is streamlined enough to blend into walls without attracting attention.

The Google Nest Thermostat is the best smart home device for buyers hoping to modernize their heating and cooling. Installation is reasonably quick, and homeowners can save money by avoiding needlessly wasting energy.

The Sony OLED A80L is one of the best smart TVs, with features that other OLED TVs in its price bracket can’t match. Powered by Sony’s Cognitive Processor XR, buyers get wide dynamic contrast with each picture. Using OLED display technology, the A80L delivers rich black and lucid brightness for the best viewing experience. Sony’s XR OLED Contrast Pro optimizes the picture the way the human eye would for immersive depth. Buyers can also catch up on the premium streaming entertainment with enhanced sound that comes directly from the screen thanks to Acoustic Surface Audio+ and Dolby Atmos technology. The TV also supports premium entertainment offerings like Dolby Vision, IMAX Enhanced, and Netflix Adaptive Calibrated Mode.

Beyond streaming in 4K resolution, the A80L packs exclusive features like Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode for lovers of Sony’s PS5 console. A 120 HZ refresh rate along with HDMI 2.1 features like VRR and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) make this TV an ideal option for anyone in the market for high-end gaming. Compatibility with Alexa and Google Home also ensures that viewers can also enjoy a hands-free experience.

Smart TVs are a popular way to reduce extra wiring, but their software sometimes struggles to match the performance of standalone devices. The NVIDIA Shield TV Pro may seem overkill for buyers looking for a basic streaming gadget to watch movies and shows in 4K. However, it’s often the preferred choice for gamers or viewers looking for more horsepower and connectivity. The Shield TV Pro can match the capabilities of cheaper alternatives like the Fire Stick 4K with support for all the major streaming services. Unlike these other products, NVIDIA’s compact box also boasts a much beefier processor and more USB ports for storage.

One way the NVIDIA Shield TV Pro separates itself from the competition is its gaming features. While it won’t match the power of an NVIDIA graphics card, the CPU and memory inside the Shield TV Pro allow it to stream games from cloud services more smoothly. Unfortunately, while previous versions of the Shield TV included a controller, buyers will now need to connect their own controller with Bluetooth. This streaming device also has some advantages when boosting the resolution of older content, since it employs the same AI upscaling seen with the top 4K TVs.

The NVIDIA Shield TV Pro can also function as a smart home hub since it has native support for Google Assistant. Users can control smart lights around homes or ask for the weather forecast with visual responses to voice commands. Amazon Alexa fans don’t have to panic as the Shield TV Pro can also communicate with their devices using Alexa skills.

Price is the ultimate obstacle for prospective buyers of the Shield TV Pro. Even so, the Shield TV Pro is among the best smart home devices, considering it can perform like a mini PC rather than just a streaming stick or box.

Any buyer keen on sprucing up a gaming setup with some reactive lights should consider grabbing the Govee AI Gaming Sync Box, one of the best Govee smart light innovations. It supports popular titles like League of Legends, Apex Legends, and Valorant. Even when a game isn’t directly supported, users can create a personalized lighting scheme or represent what is onscreen with mirrored effects. Built with high-FPS gaming in mind, users can game up to 240Hz at 1080p, with support for 4K gaming at up to 60Hz also offered.

Connections from graphics cards or consoles are made via HDMI, and as the system reads what is going on directly, there is essentially no lag between action and response. This adds to what’s already an immersive experience. Unfortunately, due to the size of the light bars, the Govee AI Gaming Sync Box is only recommended for monitors in the 24 to 32-inch range. Fortunately, Govee also has an AI Sync Box kit for larger TVs.

For more on how the Govee AI Sync Box can improve a gaming experience, make sure to read GameRant’s full review.

Final Considerations When Buying a Smart Home Gadget

As the smart home world expands, deciding what gadget can best modernize a home becomes more challenging. To make the process less of an ordeal, remember to focus on these considerations:

Compatibility

With smart gadgets from many different manufacturers invading households, it’s frustrating when they fail to communicate with each other. A high-speed mesh smart router like the NETGEAR Orbi Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 System can ensure that wireless range is not an issue by removing dead spots. Still, unless the devices are compatible with the same smart home platforms like Google Home or Alexa, there will be issues keeping lights in sync or controlling speakers. The Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance smart bulbs work with nearly every popular smart home ecosystem, so buyers can avoid these issues.

Price

Thinking about the future is always wise when purchasing cutting-edge smart home devices. Some smart speakers, like the Amazon Echo, are affordable but are constantly being updated with new versions. Buyers that must always have the latest technology should factor in the cost of regularly updating these products. Also, buyers may start their smart home journey by renovating one room, but inevitably, the temptation to install the same technology throughout a house becomes overwhelming. The cost of decking out every room with smart lights or smart speakers can quickly add up.

Application

Smart home gadgets can serve many purposes, with Smart TVs like the Sony BRAVIA XR A80L producing stunning 4K picture quality with ample streaming capabilities. However, not all of these devices are for entertainment purposes. Security camera systems like the Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight can constantly watch what happens outside and inside a household and send alerts through Alexa or Google Home at the first sign of danger.

Reliability

Reliability with smart home products takes on special importance with security solutions like the Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight. Buyers should look for gadgets with a proven track record rather than random brands regularly appearing and disappearing from the marketplace. Even with heating and cooling, relying on a faulty thermostat that fails to keep basement temperatures above freezing can be disastrous. The Google Nest Thermostat is an example of a smart home product that has successfully regulated household conditions for years while reducing energy bills.

Whether a buyer’s goal is to sync a home full of smart lights or make listening to music more enjoyable, there are more innovative gadgets than ever to consider.

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FAQ

Q: What is a smart home gadget?

A smart device are electronic devices connected to your smart home system. Typically, they can interact with other devices, and make some decisions on their own. Televisions, alarm systems, and doorbells are examples of smart devices.

Q: What is the difference between a smart device and a smart home?

A smart device is a single piece of internet connected hardware that can connect to the entire smart home system.

Q: What is the most used smart device?

Smart speakers are often what buyers purchase first to start their home journey. Not only do these speakers play music from popular streaming services, but they also can act as hubs to sync devices compatible with Google Home, Alexa, and HomeKit.