The rapid advancement in technology has presented us with a golden opportunity to build up smart homes without digging deep into our pockets. But, while a good number of individuals think that smart homes are unnecessary, you should not be misguided if you decide to build up one.
A smart home setup not only displays your in-depth knowledge and awareness of new technologies but it also takes convenience to a whole new level. For instance, most smart thermostats have a feature that senses when you are away so they do not cool down or heat up an empty room.
That being said, building up a smart home is very important. But, before you do that, there are some factors to consider for a fulfilling buying experience.
Here are those factors:
- Compatibility: Before you buy a smart device, you need to have Wi-Fi, Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Homekit, or Samsung SmartThings. With that said, pick a smart device that is compatible with what’s in your home. For instance, if you have Amazon Alexa, go for a device compatible with it.
- Ease of Setup/Installation: Nearly all smart home setup devices need to be installed upon delivery. Well, it is obvious that you do not want a device that takes ages to set up or is very frustrating to install. Therefore, make sure you settle on a unit, which does not require any skills to set up and use.
- Reliability & Responsiveness: Reliability here means a smart device that is always ready to perform. It is always on and works as advertised and without any issues. One key thing that makes a device reliable is a battery. A device with built-in battery will work even during a power outage. You should also make sure what you have chosen is responsive and does what it is required to do almost instantly.
As always, we do not stop at the buying guide – we go further by providing you with detailed reviews. And, today, we talk about the top 10 best smart home setup reviews in 2021.
Contents
- 10. August Silver Wi-Fi Smart Lock
- 9. Lutron PD-6WCL-WH Caseta Smart Home Dimmer Switch – Preferred
- 8. Kasa HS103P3 Smart Plug by TP-Link, 3 Pack – Preferred
- 7. Philips Hue 2 Pack Smart Light Base Kit – Preferred
- 6. Samsung 3rd Generation White SmartThings Hub, GP-U999SJVLGDA
- 5. Emerson Sensi ST55 Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat – Preferred
- 4. Govee LED Strip Light Works with Alexa Google Home, 32.8ft
- 3. Wyze 2-Pack 1080p Indoor Smart Home Camera with Night Vision
- 2. TP-Link Archer A7 Smart WiFi Router (AC1750)
- 1. Google Nest 3rd Generation White Learning Thermostat
10. August Silver Wi-Fi Smart Lock
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock will let you lock and unlock your front door from anywhere. It is a highly compatible device that works with Alexa, Google Assistant, Homekit, AirBnb, and SmartThings. It needs no extra bridge to connect to Wi-Fi. As such, expect to get full voice as well as remote functionality without any hassle. It is important to note that the smart lock needs 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network to function.
| PROS | CONS |
| Small in size | Loses network connection occasionally, but this is no issue, as the lock always corrects itself |
| Installation is quick and easy | |
| Does not lose Bluetooth connection | |
| Looks great and is easy to use | |
| Buy on Amazon | More Information |
9. Lutron PD-6WCL-WH Caseta Smart Home Dimmer Switch – Preferred
Lutron PD-6WCL-WH allows you to set lights to adjust automatically with changing seasons. This means, with it installed in your home, you will always come back to a nicely lit place. Besides, this smart home dimmer switch boasts the Smart Away feature that when enabled, turns the lights on and off randomly to look like you are home even when you are far away.
| PROS | CONS |
| Pretty reliable and is responsive | Would be better if the Wall Switch control panel had a memory button |
| Does not need a Neutral Wire | |
| Easy to set up | |
| Very silent – no humming, buzzing, or clicking | |
| Buy on Amazon | More Information |
8. Kasa HS103P3 Smart Plug by TP-Link, 3 Pack – Preferred
Kasa smart plugs work with both Google Assistant and Alexa. It is, therefore, safe to say that this kit is the best alexa home setup on the market. They provide you with a hands-free way to control all of your electronic appliances with your voice. Furthermore, these smart plugs come with the Kasa app that should be downloaded on your smartphone. Once you have done that, you can turn electronics on and off from anywhere.
| PROS | CONS |
| Several of these smart plugs can be used on the same outlet | Plugs seem to make a “click” noise when turned on or off |
| Extremely easy to set up | |
| The response time appears to be instant | |
| The quality is impressive | |
| Buy on Amazon | More Information |
7. Philips Hue 2 Pack Smart Light Base Kit – Preferred
You can connect up to 3 Hue Plays on a single power supply unit. All you need is a Hue hub (sold separately) and you are good to go. Ideally, when you have Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple Homekit, you will be able to control these smart lights via your voice. You can also pair them for home automation system with existing Nest products or SmartThings system by Samsung.
| PROS | CONS |
| Setup is insanely easy | There is a limitation on how the lights are angled |
| They look great and do not heat up | |
| Controlling them with your voice is fun | |
| The design is awesome | |
| Buy on Amazon | More Information |
6. Samsung 3rd Generation White SmartThings Hub, GP-U999SJVLGDA
Samsung Gen 3 SmartThings Hub is designed to help you wirelessly connect and then control many different smart devices, which are compatible with it. The device works with speakers, cameras, sensors, switches & lights, and even voice assistants. You can teach the hub your Goodbye, Good Morning, Good Night, and other routines so it can automatically turn devices on and off throughout the day.
| PROS | CONS |
| The hub works fairly well | Battery life is pretty poor |
| The price is wonderful | |
| Has a small size | |
| The buttons have a nice feel to them | |
| Customer service is amazing | |
| Buy on Amazon | More Information |
5. Emerson Sensi ST55 Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat – Preferred
We can tell you with a lot of confidence that this is the best smart home setup. Many trusted sites, including us, think it is worth every penny. It is Energy Star certified; hence, it saves around 23-percent on HVAC energy. Besides, the Sensi ST55 Thermostat is very easy to install. In fact, you need 30 minutes or less to install it and get it working.
| PROS | CONS |
| Does not need a c-wire | Tends to make a clicking noise, which can be irritating |
| Works even when the app is offline | |
| Looks slick once installed | |
| The app is amazing | |
| Has a battery backup | |
| Buy on Amazon | More Information |
4. Govee LED Strip Light Works with Alexa Google Home, 32.8ft
These LED string lights are compatible with both Alexa and Google Home. As such, they offer hands-free convenience. They are also affordably priced, and, therefore, offers a nice, quick way to build up a smart home lighting system. It is worth noting that these 32.8-foot strip lights do not support 5G Wi-Fi. They come in a kit that includes 2 rolls – each measuring 16.4ft.
| PROS | CONS |
| Makes a wonderful addition to an automated home system | Since the lights come with a US plug, it would be better if an adapter was included |
| Customer service is fabulous | |
| Perfect for background color | |
| Installing the light strips is a breeze | |
| Buy on Amazon | More Information |
3. Wyze 2-Pack 1080p Indoor Smart Home Camera with Night Vision
Wyze Indoor Smart Home Cameras are highly rated because they are reasonably priced yet have a lot of good features. One of these is a night vision feature, which is up to 30 feet away. It enables the cameras to not just record during the day but also at night. Another exceptional feature is motion tagging technology. It detects and then outlines motion in both playback video and live stream modes.
| PROS | CONS |
| Cameras work well for the price | Cameras do not have batteries; hence, they will not work during a power outage |
| Picture quality is outstanding | |
| Night vision is advertised | |
| The small size makes the cameras easy to hide | |
| Buy on Amazon | More Information |
2. TP-Link Archer A7 Smart WiFi Router (AC1750)
TP-Link Archer A7 has won a JD Power Award on a couple of occasions – in 2017 and 2019. It is a high-performance router for wireless internet. It works with Alexa plus it is compatible with all Wi-Fi devices, 802.11ac and older. Furthermore, this smart Wi-Fi router boasts 1750 Mbps high-speed internet. Having said that, expect reduced buffering when it comes to this router. The router also has 3 external antennas to help with long-range Wi-Fi.
| PROS | CONS |
| The router admin page is easy to use | A little bigger than imagined |
| The admin page can generate a QR code that you can print for convenience | |
| Setup is fast and easy | |
| Supports lots of devices | |
| Buy on Amazon | More Information |
1. Google Nest 3rd Generation White Learning Thermostat
The best homekit setup will help you save energy and, at the same time, provide you with unrivaled convenience. One of these smart home setups is the Google Nest Gen 3 Learning Thermostat. As its name suggests, the thermostat learns your schedules and the preferred temperatures. After that, the thermostat programs itself so it can save energy without sacrificing your comfort. This unit also features Home/Away Assist that allows it to adjust itself automatically to an eco temperature after you leave. This way, the thermostat will not cool or heat an empty room.
| PROS | CONS |
| Initial setup of the device is smooth | Does not come with a manual |
| Intuitive and easy to adjust when at home or away | |
| The fan speed is adjustable | |
| Has a nice look | |
| Buy on Amazon | More Information |
Conclusion
Gone are the days when you could part with a lot of money in the name of building a smart home. Today, there are all kinds of smart devices that are very reasonably priced. Whether it is a smart thermostat, a smart switch, a smart lighting system, or a smart lock, expect to be in a position to buy it.
