Building a connected home one device at a time is the most practical approach for most people. Rather than buying an entire system upfront, adding high-impact devices in key categories delivers immediate value with minimal complexity. These five devices represent the best individual connected home purchases in 2026, covering the categories that make the biggest daily difference.
| Product | Best For | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Philips Hue Starter Kit (White & Color) | Smart lighting, best ecosystem | 4.8/5 |
| Ecobee SmartThermostat Premium | Energy savings + room sensors | 4.7/5 |
| Schlage Encode Plus Smart Lock | HomeKit + keypad door lock | 4.7/5 |
| Google Nest Doorbell (Wired) | Video doorbell + Nest integration | 4.6/5 |
| Kasa Smart Plug EP25 | Affordable energy monitoring plug | 4.5/5 |
Philips Hue Starter Kit — Best Smart Lighting
Philips Hue remains the most reliable and feature-complete smart lighting system after more than a decade on the market. The White & Color Ambiance starter kit includes four bulbs and a Hue Bridge hub, which processes commands locally for fast response even without an internet connection. The color range covers 16 million colors, and the warm whites are noticeably warmer and more natural than competing bulbs. The Hue app supports scene creation, scheduled routines, and dynamic lighting that syncs with TV content or music. Compatibility with Alexa, Google Home, HomeKit, and Matter makes it universally compatible across platforms.
Shop Philips Hue Starter Kit on Amazon
Ecobee SmartThermostat Premium — Best Smart Thermostat
The Ecobee SmartThermostat Premium stands out by including a room sensor in the box, solving the core problem with smart thermostats: the temperature where the thermostat lives is rarely the temperature where you spend time. The sensor detects occupancy and temperature in a second room, and Ecobee’s SmartSensor feature averages readings from multiple rooms to keep the most-used spaces comfortable. The built-in Alexa speaker and microphone add voice control without a separate device. Energy savings reports in the app show monthly usage versus similar homes. Ecobee is compatible with Alexa, Google Home, HomeKit, and SmartThings.
Shop Ecobee SmartThermostat on Amazon
Schlage Encode Plus Smart Lock — Best Smart Door Lock
The Schlage Encode Plus connects directly to Apple HomeKit via Thread, without requiring a separate hub or bridge. This gives it the lowest-latency locking and unlocking response of any smart lock available. It supports access codes for up to 100 users, auto-lock scheduling, and activity logs accessible from the Home app. The built-in alarm sensor detects forceful entry attempts. As a Schlage product, the deadbolt mechanism itself is Grade 1 ANSI/BHMA certified, the highest residential security rating. For Alexa and Google households, the standard Encode model (without Plus) offers similar features at a lower price.
Shop Schlage Encode Plus on Amazon
Google Nest Doorbell (Wired) — Best Video Doorbell
Google’s Nest Doorbell (Wired, 2nd Gen) provides continuous video recording, package detection, person detection, and familiar face recognition when connected to Google Home with a Nest Aware subscription. The HDR video quality handles challenging backlit conditions better than most competitors. It alerts you when a package is left or picked up, a useful feature for front-door monitoring. Integration with Google Nest displays and speakers lets you see and speak to visitors from any Google device in the home. The wired version uses existing doorbell wiring, eliminating battery management.
Shop Google Nest Doorbell on Amazon
Kasa Smart Plug EP25 — Best Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring
The Kasa EP25 is a compact smart plug that fits two outlets on the same outlet plate without blocking the adjacent socket. Its energy monitoring feature tracks real-time and historical power consumption per plug, helping you identify devices that are drawing standby power. The Kasa app supports schedules, away mode (random on/off to simulate occupancy), and voice control via Alexa and Google Home. At for a two-pack, it is the most affordable connected home device with meaningful functionality. Smart plugs are the easiest way to make non-smart appliances, lamps, or fans controllable from an app.
Shop Kasa Smart Plug EP25 on Amazon
How to Choose Connected Home Devices
Buy devices that solve actual daily pain points rather than ones that seem futuristic. Smart lighting delivers value every day. A smart thermostat saves money passively. A smart lock solves real problems for families who need to let in dog walkers, cleaners, or family members without handing out physical keys.
Prioritize ecosystem compatibility. Check that any device you buy works with your existing hub or voice assistant before purchasing. Look for the Alexa Works With, Google Home Compatible, or Works with Apple HomeKit badges on product pages.
Consider local versus cloud processing. Devices that run automations locally (Philips Hue Bridge, SmartThings) respond faster and work during internet outages. Cloud-only devices like many budget smart plugs stop responding to automations when the internet is down.
For more guidance, read our best smart home hubs guide and our best smart security cameras roundup. Our full selection process is on the methodology page.
Frequently asked questions
What connected home devices should I buy first?+
Smart lighting and a smart thermostat give the best return on investment for first-time buyers. Smart bulbs are affordable, easy to install, and immediately useful. A smart thermostat typically pays for itself in energy savings within a year. After those, a smart lock and video doorbell add security and convenience. Once you have these four categories covered, you have a functional connected home that covers most daily use cases.
Do connected home devices work without a smart speaker?+
Yes. Most connected home devices include their own app for smartphone control and can be automated through the app alone. A smart speaker or display adds voice control and a centralized dashboard, but it is not required. Many devices also support physical controls as a backup: smart bulbs can still be toggled at the switch, and smart locks have keypads or physical keys. You can build a complete connected home using only a smartphone.