Smart homes are quickly becoming part of everyday life. They are becoming more accessible for everyone, including those who are just starting to explore this technology. When you’re new to the world of smart home devices, the array of options and technical jargon can be overwhelming. This post make getting started easier by giving you a selection of smart home devices that are especially good for beginners. The devices here have been chosen for how easy they are to setup and configure. Allowing you to begin building your ideal smart home environment without needing advanced tech or handy skills. They are mostly plug, connect, and play, which means they are designed to work with minimal setup. Whether you’re looking to control your lights with the touch of a button or enhance security with smart locks and cameras, this guide will help you find the right starting points for your journey into smart home automation.
TP-Link Tapo Smart Plug (3-pack)
The TP-Link Tapo Smart Plug is a smart plug that is certified by Matter and works with a variety of smart home platforms such as Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Samsung SmartThings. This plug lets you control devices remotely ( or from the couch ). It’s perfect for connecting to lamps and other “dumb” devices. It also has features for scheduling on and off times. The Tapo app also has an Auto-Off Timer feature, making it easy to know that something was turned off. You can easily set up the smart plug to integrate with your existing smart home systems, making it quick and painless to get started with these smart plugs.
TP-Link Tapo Smart Outdoor Plug
The TP-Link Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug, is another smart plug that’s perfect for beginners. It is designed to provide control over outdoor devices like cafe lights, fountains, and more. It is an IP65 rated plug, which means that it is protected against dust and low-pressure water from any direction. The Tapo outdoor plug allows you to control two connected devices independently. So you can turn one on, or both if you want. It works with popular smart home platforms like Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Samsung SmartThings This allows you to operate the plug through voice commands or through the smart home app interfaces. Setup of this device is super easy, making it a quick win for your smart home.
Nest Mini with Google Assistant
The Nest Mini (2nd Generation) with Google Assistant in chalk color is a smart speaker that responds to voice commands. It can play music from various services like Spotify or YouTube Music. The sound produced by the Nest Mini is designed to be full and clear. It also comes with Google Assistant so it can answer questions about the news, weather, and more. For your smart home, the Nest Mini is a perfect way to add voice control to your smart home. It works with a wide range of smart devices, and easy to setup. This lets you consolidate all of your smart home devices into one controller, making life simpler.
GE Cync Smart Light Bulb 4pk
The GE Cync Smart Direct Connect Light Bulbs are designed to provide adjustable lighting to match different times of the day. These smart LED light bulbs are a 60W replacement. They offer a range of light temperatures from bright and vibrant for morning hours to a soft white in the afternoon, transitioning to a cozy amber glow in the evening. This lets them mimic natural lighting throughout the day and reduce blue light exposure towards night. These bulbs can also be scheduled to turn on or off at predetermined times, which is perfect for turning on lights as it gets darker outside. They can also give the illusion that your house is occupied, potentially increasing your home security. The bulbs can be controlled through voice commands when paired with a smart home controller. Or you can control them from the GE app from pretty much anywhere. The combination of ease of setup, scheduling, voice, and remote control is why we recommend smart bulbs for beginners.
Govee RGBWW Smart LED Bulb 4pk
Govee’s RGBWW Smart LED Bulb 4-pack, which offers a practical way to bring smart lighting to your home. These bulbs can be easily used with existing lamps and light sockets, so you won’t need special fixtures or additional hardware. They are designed to be controlled through the Govee app, but they also work with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. You can adjust the brightness, color, and temperature of the light to fit different moods or activities. With the app, you can schedule set times for the bulbs to turn on or off, or you can manage them with Google or Alexa. Adding them to a smart home controller also allows you to control the lights by voice, perfect if your hands are full or the room is too dark to safely turn on the light.
Nest Hub 7” Smart Display with Google Assistant
The second-gen Nest Hub from Google is designed to help with various tasks around the home. It comes with a 7-inch smart display and is integrated with Google Assistant. In the kitchen, it can be used to play shows, videos, and music to keep you entertained while you cook or eat. It has the ability to control smart devices such as lights and TVs through touch or voice commands. If you have smart security cameras or doorbells, the video from them can also be displayed on the Nest. In the bedroom, the Nest Hub offers a feature known as the Sunrise Alarm, which is intended to provide a more natural waking experience. Overall, the Nest is designed to be a central controller and helpful assistant in your smart home.
Blink Smart Video Doorbell
The Blink Smart Wifi Video Doorbell is a security device that can be quickly set up at any home. When someone presses the doorbell or when motion is detected, it sends notifications to you through the app. It is super easy to install, it can be connected to an existing home chime system or operate independently on battery power. This video doorbell lets you know who is at your door from anywhere. It includes features such as high-definition video quality during both day and night, and two-way audio so you can speak to your guests through it. The Blink video doorbell’s battery is designed to last for up to two years without the need for a battery replacement, making it super easy to maintain.
eufy Smart Lock Deadbolt with App/Keypad/Biometric Access
The eufy Security Smart Lock Touch & Wi-Fi makes it easier to control secure entry into your home. It unlocks quickly, and has a large sensor area ( especially compared to today’s smartphones ). This large sensor size means the lock is generally more reliable in recognizing your fingerprint. The smart lock features a self-learning AI chip that works to enhance fingerprint recognition over time, learning with each use to improve its accuracy. The lock is also constructed to withstand various weather conditions, with an IP65 rating. Durability is also a focus of the eufy Smart Lock, with testing proving that it can handle up to 250,000 unlocks. Based on testing, the lock is expected to work for up to 30 years, talk about low maintenance!
eufy Security S330 Video Smart Lock
The eufy Security S330 Video Smart Lock is a great security addition that has three components: a 2K camera, a video doorbell, and a smart lock with fingerprint recognition capabilities. This combination gives you a big step up in home security. The 2K camera offers high-resolution imaging, allowing you to clearly view the front door area. The smart lock part of the device lets you unlock it with a fingerprint, making it convenient to use. One of the key features of the eufy Security S330 Video Smart Lock is its advanced detection capabilities. It can identify humans, pets, and vehicles with a high level of accuracy, reportedly up to 99%. This precise detection can help in knowing if it’s just a visitor, an intruder, or just routine movements at your door.
For those new to smart home technology starting with simple, user-friendly devices like these is the key to a smooth introduction. Smart bulbs, smart plugs, and smart home controllers represent a solid foundation, offering both convenience and a glimpse into the potential of a fully connected home. As you grow more comfortable with these introductory items, you can consider adding to your system and including more complex devices such as smart locks or security cameras. Remember, the best smart home devices for beginners are those that will suit your lifestyle and be easy to setup and use.
