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Best smart home devices in 2021

Product recommendations are independently selected by Spectora Home’s editors. Purchases you make through qualifying affiliate links may earn us a small commission. 

Ever wished you had a robot to do things around the house for you? 

Us too, which is why we’re currently obsessing over smart home devices. Also because we’re too lazy to get up and turn off the lights, but… 

Here’s our top picks for smart home devices in 2021 – and why you simply neeeeed to get your hands on them.

TL;DR

Smart thermostats 
  1. Google Nest Thermostat
  2. Ecobee Smart Thermostat with Voice Control
  3. Mysa Smart Thermostat 
Smart plugs 
  1. Belkin WeMo Insight
  2. Wemo Wifi Smart Plug
Smart doorbells 
  1. Ring Doorbell
  2. Google Nest Hello
  3. Arlo Video Doorbell 
Smart locks 
  1. August Wifi Smart Lock 
  2. Simplisafe Smart Lock 
Smart home security systems 
  1. Simplisafe Home Security System 
  2. Vivint Smart Home Security System
Smart bulbs & lighting 
  1. Philips Hue A19 Bluetooth Smart LED Bulb
  2. Wyze Bulb 
Smart robots 
  1. Eufy Robovac 11S Max 
  2. iRobot Roomba i7+ 
  3. Bissell SpinWave Wet and Dry Robotic Vacuum 
  4. iRobot Braava Jet M6 Robot Mop

Smart thermostats

1. Google Nest Thermostat 

Spending too much on heating and cooling bills? Nest is here to save the day, with its energy saving Eco Mode setting. If you don’t have a smart thermostat – what are you waiting for? 

2. Ecobee Smart Thermostat with Voice Control 

Ecobee’s 5th generation model is their best yet. The voice control works with Alexa, and will keep your home temp exactly where you want it, even while you’re asleep. 

3. Mysa Smart Thermostat 

For homes with electric baseboard heating systems. This Mysa Smart Thermostat will make your outdated & inefficient heater wayy more cost effective. Mysa works with:

  • Alexa 
  • Google Assistant 
  • HomeKit 
  • SmartThings 

Smart plugs

smart-plug

1. Belkin WeMo Insight 

The WeMo Insight is a top tier smart plug. More than a plug, it monitors your energy usage & estimates the cost of using any device you plug into it. 

2. Wemo Wifi Smart Plug 

The Wemo Wifi is a single outlet plug, making it compact enough to plug another device into the same outlet as it.

If you go on vacation, this plug has an “away mode” setting for that. Plug a lamp into your Wemo while you’re gone, and it’ll turn your lights on and off intermittently. 

Smart doorbells

smart-video-doorbell

1. Ring Doorbell 

Ring doorbells paved the way for smart doorbells with their innovative technology & built in cameras. Deter package thieves, and see who’s at the door from your Ring phone app

2. Google Nest Hello 

Made to rival Ring, the Nest Hello is a fierce competitor. Plus, it works with your other Nest devices, making your home basically Google’s headquarters (okay – no… but we can pretend.)

3. Arlo Video Doorbell 

Arlo’s video doorbell is a cheaper alternative to the Nest Hello, without sacrificing much on features. Test out video doorbells with this one from Arlo, you might like it so much you don’t care to spend the extra money for a Nest or Ring!

Smart locks

smart-home-lock

1. August Wifi Smart Lock 

This August Wifi smart lock doesn’t replace the original deadbolt. Installing it yourself is a breeze, no technician required.

You can still use your physical key if you the connectivity fails (it won’t) which is a major incentive for people nervous about technology. 

2. Simplisafe Smart Lock 

With a simple & sleek design, Simplisafe’s smart lock is pretty and effective. Simplisafe’s products are all self-installed. Unlock/lock your door with the keypad or wireless Key Fob entry (through your phone app.)

Smart home security systems

smart-home-security-system

1. Simplisafe Home Security System 

Impressed with Simplisafe’s smart lock? Why not buy their whole home security system! Like their smart lock, the security system is a DIY install, and includes: 

  • door/window sensors
  • motion sensors
  • a keypad 
  • key fob
  • base station (central hub) 

For more sensors & cameras – you can buy them separately, or choose from 8,9, & 12 piece packs. 

2. Vivint Smart Home Security System

For the people who hate DIY projects, this Vivint security system is installed by professionals! Definitely one of the pricier options, you’ll get your money’s worth with: 

  • around-the-clock home monitoring
  • a touchscreen control panel
  • access from your phone or computer
  • tech support 
  • & more! (see their website) 

Smart bulbs & lighting

smart-bulb

1. Philips Hue A19 Bluetooth Smart LED Bulb

Philips’ regular bulbs are a hot commodity, and their smart bulbs are no different. Regular LED bulbs are energy-efficient, why not make them smart too? Philips, you’ve done it again! 

2. Wyze Bulb 

At only eight dollars a bulb, Wyze is the cheapest smart bulb option, and one of the best. All you need is Wifi and to download the Wyze app on your smartphone. Piece of cake!

Smart robots

robot-vacuum-robovac-robot-mop

1. Eufy Robovac 11S Max

One of the less expensive options – the 11S Max from Eufy compares to robovacs double the price. Great for getting your feet wet in the robovac world, without investing $500+ on something you might not love. 

2. iRobot Roomba i7+

Basically the inventors of the robovac, iRobot’s Roombas are worth the splurge. Unlike some of the cheaper options, this guy empties its own dust bin into a disposable bag. For us, that makes the i7+ a hot contender. 

3. Bissell SpinWave Wet and Dry Robotic Vacuum 

The best of both worlds, the Bissell SpinWave vacuums AND mops! You’ll literally never have to clean the floors again. Well, kinda.

As with most robovacs you’ll have to spot clean every now and then, but that’s wayyy better than a two hour deep clean. 

4. iRobot Braava Jet M6 Robot Mop 

Want a mop-only robot? The Braava Jet M6 is a crowd favorite, & relatively inexpensive. It has two settings:

  • dry sweeping for a quick clean up pre-mop
  • wet cleaning for the actual mopping