A smarter home does not have to mean a bigger bill. These five gadgets are easy to install, work with the apps you already use, and solve problems you deal with every day. Here are our favorite smart home picks right now.
1. A light that turns on when you walk by
The LED Rechargeable Magnetic Wall Lamp sticks anywhere with its magnetic base and lights up automatically thanks to a built-in motion sensor. Hallways, stairs, closets, and bathroom trips at 2 a.m. all get easier, and the rechargeable battery means no wiring and no constant battery swaps.
2. One remote for everything
The Tuya WiFi Universal IR Remote Controller lets your phone control your TV, air conditioner, and anything else with an infrared remote. It works with Alexa and Google Home, so "turn on the AC" becomes a voice command instead of a hunt for the remote.
3. Catch leaks before they become floods
A Tuya WiFi Water Leak Detector sits quietly under sinks, behind the washing machine, or near the water heater and pings your phone the second it senses water. It is one of the cheapest ways to avoid one of the most expensive home repairs.
4. Smoke alerts, even when you are not home
The Aqara Smart Smoke Detector sounds a loud local alarm and sends an alert straight to your phone, and it plays nicely with Mi Home and Apple HomeKit. Peace of mind you can check from anywhere.
5. Curtains that open themselves
With the Tuya Smart Life WiFi Curtain Switch, your roller blinds and curtains can open with the sunrise, close at bedtime, or respond to Alexa and Google voice commands.
Ready to automate the boring parts? Start with the room you use the most and build from there. Your future self will thank you.