30 Smart Home Products That Make Life Easier

Whether you just left for vacation and realized you forgot to turn the lights off or are dealing with a finicky thermostat as the height of summer approaches, there's a smart gadget out there that can solve just about any modern-day inconvenience. So to help make your life a little easier, we picked out some of our favorite smart products, ranging from TVs armed with all your favorite apps to doorbells that double as security cameras. And best of all, you can operate most of these right from your phone. Check out the list below.

1. Amazon Echo Show; $130

Amazon's Echo Show might seem like just another one of the company's countless smart devices—it's compatible with Alexa, responds to voice commands, and can control countless apps—but what sets it apart is the 8-inch HD screen, which is perfect for displaying your photos, making video calls, watching how-to videos, and much more. Far from redundant, there are countless ways that the Echo Show's display can make your life easier.

Buy it: Amazon

2. Nest Thermostat; $219

Simply connect this smart thermostat to your Wi-Fi and you’re all set to adjust your home's temperature from just about any of your devices. The Nest even keeps track of the weather outside and adjusts accordingly, so your home will always be at the ideal temperature. And the whole setup is DIY-friendly, meaning a pricey installation isn't completely necessary.

Buy it: Amazon

3. Smart Speaker with Google Assistant; $100

If you're choosing to live in the Google ecosystem, this Google Assistant speaker is going to be your essential smart hub. Similar to Amazon's Echo, this device pairs to more than 1000 different smart products and apps, allowing you to control them with your voice. And instead of Googling questions on your phone, you can simply ask the speaker. This is basically the central nervous system for your smart home.

Buy it: Best Buy

4. TCL 4K Smart Roku TV; $270

With several sizes available, this TV from TCL can turn any room into an entertainment center with its built-in Roku functionality. Stream your favorite movies and shows in HD from apps like Netflix, Hulu, and HBO, and hook it up to your Alexa device to control the television with your voice.

Buy it: Amazon

5. Amazon Fire Stick; $50

Just because you don’t have a smart TV doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the benefits of one. The Amazon Fire Stick plugs into your TV's HDMI port and allows you to watch all your shows and movies on Netflix, YouTube, Prime, Disney Plus, and most other major streaming services. And since it hooks up to a user's Amazon account, you can also make purchases right from the TV.

Buy it: Amazon

6. 55-Inch Toshiba Smart LED TV; $450

This Toshiba smart TV has all the functions of an Amazon Fire Stick built directly into it, allowing you to access your favorite apps and subscription services through a remote or Alexa voice commands. And with the 4K video quality, the shows and movies you love have never looked better. No gadgets or add-ons necessary, everything you need for the perfect entertainment setup is in this television.

Buy it: Amazon

7. Nebula Soundbar – Fire TV Edition; $230

Along with playing the audio from your television, this soundbar has all the Amazon Fire Stick capabilities built right into it. If you're already invested in Amazon's smart products, this is the ideal soundbar to complement it all.

Buy it: Amazon

8. Kasa Smart Plug; $25

These smart plugs operate through an app, so you can plug gadgets and appliances into them and control power from your phone. You can also have the plugs on a schedule that will power off the connected devices whenever you're not home. This is a low-cost way to control your favorite non-smart devices remotely, and can help cut down on energy waste.

Buy it: Amazon

9. Philips LED Smart Lights; $100

You'll never know true convenience until you've tried smart lights. Through the Philips Hue app, you can turn your lights on or off remotely, and you'll even be able to set schedules so your lights know when you leave the house and come home every day. Plus, smart bulbs consume far less electricity than traditional ones, which can help you save a little money, too.

Buy it: Amazon

10. Tile Pro; $60

The Tile Pro will keep you from losing your keys, phones, and any other devices you just can’t live without. All you need to do is clip the device to whatever you want to keep track of and then download the app. You can learn more about the Tile by heading here.

Buy it: Amazon

11. LG Smart Refrigerator; $1800

This smart refrigerator from LG comes equipped with an InstaView panel, allowing you to look inside at what you've got to eat without opening the door and wasting electricity. It also comes with a smart cooling system, which can be controlled with either Alexa or Google Assistant. This monitors the temperature inside and makes any necessary adjustments.

Buy it: Best Buy

12. Smart Instant Pot; $125

Not only does this one appliance combine a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, and four other devices into one, but you can operate all of those different settings through an app. Now, you can schedule cooking times, monitor your food's progress, and access recipes from wherever you are.

Buy it: Amazon

13. Corsori Smart Wi-Fi Air Fryer; $120

Similar to the smart Instant Pot, you can schedule and monitor the progress of your hot wings and French fries all from the VeSync app. This device is as simple as it comes: just throw your ingredients in, schedule a time on your phone, and wait for the notification when it's all done. You can also find recipes on the app, so the instructions for the perfect crispy shrimp will only be a click away.

Buy it: Amazon

14. Perfect Drink Pro; $100

Rise above amateur mixologist and start competing with the pros. All you have to do is select what drink you’re having in the app, put your glassware on the scale, and add the ingredients. The app will let you know in real time when you've added enough of each ingredient and which one to use next. It's a foolproof way to nail your favorite cocktail.

Buy it: Amazon

15. Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug; $80

Never let your coffee or tea go lukewarm again. This smart mug keeps your beverage hot and can last up to one hour on a single charge. When it's out of juice, simply throw it onto the charger, which doubles as a coaster. And through the app, you can choose your ideal temperature, receive notifications, and more.

Buy it: Amazon

16. Hamilton Beach Works Coffee Maker; $90

Now you can make sure your coffee is ready to go before you get out of bed. The Hamilton Beach Works Coffee Maker connects to the Alexa app, so you can tell your coffee maker to start brewing, how you want it made, and more. And if you happen to leave the house without turning it off, you can simply take care of it from the app.

Buy it: Amazon

17. Anova Culinary Sous Vide Precision Cooker Nano; $99

This tool takes all the guesswork out of the sous vide culinary method, which involves cooking meat slowly in water that's set to very specific temperatures. It's tricky to do manually, but through the Anova app, you can control the device down to granular details, including exact times and temperatures. You'll even get access to recipes, helping you learn exactly how to make the food as delicious as possible. Learn more about how it works by heading here.

Buy it: Amazon

18. Etekcity Digital Kitchen Scale; $30

Eating healthy just got a lot easier. This scale has an app that will detail the calories and nutritional facts of all the food you weigh, while keeping track of your daily meals and snacks. You can also sync the information with your Fitbit or Apple Health app to get a clear picture of what you're really eating every day, and how many calories you're burning.

Buy it: Amazon

19. GE Smart Microwave; $145

If you're tired of heating up food only to have it hot on the outside and cold in the middle, you need this microwave. Its Scan-to-Cook technology enables you to send package cooking instructions from your smartphone to the microwave, so you'll always cook your food for the proper time.

Buy it: Best Buy

20. iDevices Kitchen Thermometer; $80

With this smart thermometer, all you have to do is set up what your food's temperature should be on your app and stick the thermometer in the meat you're cooking. The app will monitor the rest, and when it reaches the right temperature, you'll get a notification.

Buy it: Amazon

21. Garage Door Opener; $36

If you want some more peace of mind, this smart device allows you to open and close your garage door from your phone, wherever you are. You'll also get alerts if the doors open without your consent or if you simply forget to close the door after heading out for work in the morning.

Buy it: Amazon

22. iRobot Roomba; $269

The Roomba was among the first robot vacuums to hit the market, and the models have only gotten sleeker and better over time. This one can be controlled through its native Roomba app, or through the major smart hubs. Scheduling cleanings has never been easier, since all you're really doing is punching a few commands into your phone. The vacuum will then embark on its cleaning journey on its own, even if you're not home. And when the Roomba is out of juice, it will automatically head back to its charging station to power back up.

Buy it: Amazon

23. Ring Smart Doorbell; $169

The Ring Smart Doorbell connects to your smartphone, Echo Show, and other devices, allowing you to watch a live feed of your front door in real time. You can also speak to visitors through the app and keep tabs on the video stream even if you're away from home. This one is ideal for users already set up with Amazon's smart hub.

Buy it: Amazon

24. Rachio Three Smart Sprinkler Controller; $219

The Rachio sprinkler system can help keep your lawn and garden lush and vibrant all through your smartphone. It allows you to schedule waterings, monitors your water usage, and keeps tabs on the weather to avoid turning on in the rain.

Buy it: Amazon

25. eufy Security Wi-Fi Video Doorbell; $160

The eufy smart doorbell, which is similar to the Ring, has two-way audio that allows you to communicate with anyone at the door, in addition to allowing you to pre-record messages while you're away. No matter where you are, you can see who's at your door through eufy’s app.

Buy it: Amazon

26. August Home Smart Lock; $194

We've all experienced the heart-dropping horror of locking the door behind us, only to remember the keys were still inside. With the August Home Smart Lock, you can unlock or lock your door from wherever you happen to be by using the company's app (don't worry, there's a walkthrough). Or, better yet, you can just use voice commands. For a little added security, there's also a feature that will send you notifications every time your door opens or closes when you're not around.

Buy it: Amazon

27. Sensibo Sky Smart Air Conditioner; $199

Along with being able to set weekly schedules for your air conditioner seven days in advance, you can use the Sensibo app to control the system from anywhere on a daily basis. And like the Nest Thermostat, the Sensibo keeps track of the temperature outside and adjusts accordingly. If you've got pets, it's the easiest way to make sure your home is at a comfortable temperature when you're not there.

Buy it: Amazon

28. Aromatherapy Smart Essential Oil Diffuser; $40

If your version of relaxation includes some essential oils, this smart diffuser can release those soothing scents without any real work involved. The app allows you to control the mist intensity and LED lights from your phone, and it can also be controlled with voice commands with the help of Alexa and Google Home.

Buy it: Amazon

29. PetSafe Food Dispenser; $180

An automatic feeder is a lifesaver for a busy pet owner, but what about one that you can control with your phone? With the Petsafe, you can dispense food from anywhere and schedule up to 12 meals at a time, all from an app. It's perfect for the cat whose go-to meal is dry food.

Buy it: Amazon

30. Furbo Dog Camera; $199

The Furbo also allows you to monitor your dog on video from wherever you may be. You can even remotely launch treats, so you can give your canine companion some love even when you're at work or on vacation.

Buy it: Amazon

At Mental Floss, we only write about the products we love and want to share with our readers, so all products are chosen independently by our editors. Mental Floss has affiliate relationships with certain retailers and may receive a percentage of any sale made from the links on this page. Prices and availability are accurate as of the time of publication.