Do you wish you lived in a smarter home? The good news is that many smart home features can be added with small incremental upgrades, removing the need to replace high-ticket items entirely.
Smart Air Conditioner and Split System Controllers
Many of us are stuck with old-fashioned remote-controlled air conditioners and split system head units. Many brand-new heating and cooling solutions are yet to be compatible with modern smart home controllers. That means you’re stuck controlling your heating and cooling with something that looks like a cordless phone from 1997.
Fortunately, you don’t need to replace the head unit to “fix” this problem. Add smart home compatibility with a controller like the Sensibo Sky (and Sensibo Air), Ambi Climate Mini, or Cielo Breez Eco. These devices utilize the same infrared communications channel that the standard remote control depends on to control your heating and cooling.
Most are compatible with thousands of different models and hang on the wall opposite or below the unit you want to control. You can then use an app on your phone, a smart home platform like Apple HomeKit, or a voice assistant like Alexa or Google Assistant to control heating and cooling. You can control the unit from anywhere and also access features like weekly schedules, geofencing (location-based activation), and an overview of your usage patterns depending on which model you opt for.
Smart Thermostats
If you have a ducted heating and cooling system that uses a central thermostat, you can also add smart heating or cooling functionality by upgrading the thermostat. Since a thermostat controls the temperature in your house centrally, it’s one of the simplest and most effective upgrades you can perform to unlock a whole heap of extra features.
Google Nest Learning Thermostat - Programmable Smart Thermostat for Home - 3rd Generation Nest Thermostat - Works with Alexa - Stainless Steel
The Google Nest Thermostat learns what you like to set your temperature to and automatically adjusts it throughout the day for you.
Options like the Google Nest, Amazon Smart Thermostat, and ecobee3 Lite allow you to control the temperature in your home using a smartphone or tablet. Depending on what you opt for (and your smart home platform of choice) you can also access features like zoning where different areas are maintained at different temperatures, smart scheduling, and automatic activation based on whether you’re home or not.
Some systems even integrate with other smart home products in your home like sensors that detect whether windows are open to prevent wasteful cooling or heating.
Smart Locks for Smarter Doors
If you’ve ever locked yourself out of your home you’ll be all too aware of the hassle and cost involved in getting back in. Locksmiths charge a hefty fee, and you’ll have no choice but to pay to get back into your home.
You can add a smart lock to your home for around the cost of a locksmith callout (often less). Products like the Philips Smart Lock, ULTRALOQ U-Bolt Pro, and Aqara U100 make it possible to enter you home using a variety of methods that don’t rely on a physical key. Like most smart home devices, paying a higher price will net you more features and conveniences. Check out our full list of the best smart locks for more recommendations.
ULTRALOQ Smart Lock U-Bolt Pro
The ULTRALOQ Smart Lock U-Bolt Pro is an intelligent locking system with 6-in-1 keyless entry.
Most locks allow you to enter using a passcode, with a fingerprint, or by swiping an NFC card or device like a smartphone or watch. Some support more advanced solutions like Apple Home Key and the ability to create temporary access codes for guests that remove the need to lend a physical key or provide indefinite access.
Most smart locks are battery-powered, with rechargeable and non-rechargeable (single-use) battery options available. You’ll get months of battery life before you see a low battery warning. These locks can often work in unison with smart doorbells and automations that turn on lights or set the temperature.
Smart Plugs
One of the easiest ways to add smart functionality to your home is with a smart plug. These devices offer the simplest form of remote connectivity, allowing you to turn electrical devices on or off remotely. Products like the Wemo Smart Plug, Wyze Plug, and Amazon Smart Plug work with a variety of apps and platforms. Learn more about our favorite smart plugs.
Pretty much any device that can be plugged into a wall socket can now be controlled in the most basic of ways with a smart plug. Automate air purifiers, lamps, coffee makers, seasonal decorations, (de)humidifiers, and more, or simply control them remotely.
Wemo Mini Smart Plug, WiFi Enabled, Works with Alexa, Google Assistant & Apple HomeKit
The WeMo mini smart plugs are easy to install or schedule through the WeMo app, and unlike competing products, they work beautifully with Apple Homekit.
Most offer apps or integrate directly with platforms from Apple, Amazon, Google, and more. Use them to make it seem like you’re home, to automate your daily routine, or to have extra control over your home while you’re out of the house.
Smart Light Switches
Replace your standard light switches with smart light switches without losing any functionality. Smart light switches like the TP-Link Kasa Smart Light Switch and the GE Lightning CYNC Smart Dimmer integrate lighting into Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Home so that you can turn (and even dim) your lights using your smartphone, even away from home.
Kasa Smart Light Switch HS200
The HS200 lets you control anything a standard light switch controls---all from your phone. Turn your lights, ceiling fans, and other fixtures off and on no matter where you are.
Set up a schedule, automate your lights to coincide with other events, and get peace of mind when you’re out of the house by making it seem like someone is home. Some models even include motion sensors that can turn your lights on automatically when you enter a room.
Smart Light Bulbs
Though smart plugs are great for turning lights on or off, you can go a step further with a smart light bulb. These come in all sorts of shapes and designs, with bayonet (B22), screw-in (E27), and other fittings available. Check out the Philips Wiz Dimmable A19 Bulb, Wyze Bulb Color, and Meross Smart LED Light Bulb for ideas.
Wyze Bulb Color
Start your smart lighting journey off on the right foot with a powerful, easy to use color bulb.
Not only do you get basic on-and-off functionality, but many bulbs let you pick the color, temperature, and desired brightness. On top of this, you can automate routines, like switching to a dim and warmly lit “cinema” scene for watching a movie with a single tap. Using smart home platforms and apps you can control multiple bulbs at a time.
Some even support other features like flashing certain colors based on triggers like notifications or sensor alerts. Voice assistants are useful too, since you can ask Siri or Alexa to do things like “turn on all the lights” at once (among others).
Wireless Audio Receivers and Transmitters
Vintage Hi-Fi equipment holds up surprisingly well. Not only are old amplifiers from brands like Marantz, Sansui, and Kenwood beautiful showpieces, but the sound quality from their solid-state and valve-based amplifiers can be hard to beat for the money.
You can further extend the lifespan of an old amplifier by adding wireless audio streaming capabilities. The Belkin SoundForm Connect adds AirPlay 2 support to an old amplifier, while cheaper products like the esinkin W29 add simple Bluetooth audio.
If you have a source device like a turntable, CD player, or cassette deck that you want to transmit to a Bluetooth speaker then you’ll need something like the Arylic B50.
Smart Ceiling Fan Controllers
Ceiling fans are ideal for ventilating your house, keeping cool in summer, and circulating warm air in the winter. Some fans come with remote controls, while others are hardwired into a wall switch. This means you have to hunt for the remote or get up to switch the fan on and off.
There are a few ways to turn your standard ceiling fan into a smart fan, but one of the easiest is to replace your controller switch with something like the GE Lightning CYNC or Leviton Decora. These controllers integrate with smart home platforms from Apple, Amazon, and Google so that you can use smart assistants like Siri and Alexa to control your fan.
On top of this you get access to scheduling, integrations with other sensors, and the ability to trigger your fans even when you’re away from home which could help stop moisture buildup and mold growth during extended trips away.
Motorized Smart Blinds
Smart blinds are another simple addition to your home that can make life a little more convenient. These are especially handy if you have blinds in hard-to-reach places, or if you’re the sort of person who appreciates telling Siri or Alexa to “raise all the blinds” in the morning (or even have them raised for you, at a set time).
You can convert your existing blinds with something like the Somfy Clever Tilt Blind Motor Kit or SwitchBot Smart Motorized Blinds Kit. You can also replace your existing blinds with a ready-made solution like the IKEA Fyrtur. All of these solutions are battery-powered, so there’s no need for expensive rewiring jobs and the SwitchBot even comes with a solar panel for recharging.
Get a Smarter Home
If you’ve enjoyed these recommendations, you might also enjoy hearing about our favorite smart home devices. These range from conveniences like smart alarm clocks to safety devices like smoke detectors and home security.