TOP TAKEAWAYS

1 Smart Homes Aren’t Cheap:

I struggled to find budget-friendly items for this roundup. For example, a smart lightbulb costs roughly ten times that of a standard lightbulb. Some devices in this category, such as smart thermostats, can save you money in the long run; but for most smart home devices, you're paying a premium for convenience.

2 Make HomeKit Compatibility a Priority:

HomeKit makes smart home accessories much easier to use. Rather than having to use a separate app for each accessory, you can control all of them from the Home app. You can also create automation that involves multiple devices. Most importantly, you can use Siri to control your devices so that you don't need to constantly be on your phone.

3 Smart Accessories Are Better Together:

Smart home accessories create a synergy—the more you own, the more useful they become. With a house full of smart lights, you can tell Siri to turn off all the lights at once. If you add in multiple types of devices, you can create even more synergy. I have my smart home set up so that when I say goodnight to Siri, it turns off all the lights, locks the front door, and adjusts my thermostat.

4 These Are Early Days:

While smart home accessories have come a long way, they're still far from perfect. Even the products on this list can be complicated to install and will malfunction on occasion. At times, it can feel like whatever convenience is achieved is countered by the hassle of troubleshooting them. Between the high price and the finicky nature of these devices, most smart home accessories are still best suited for early adopters who enjoy having the latest technology rather than everyday consumers who don't want to deal with setting up and learning how to use new tech.