This is an Echo Dot with an LED smart meter incorporated into its face, as the name suggests. However, this seemingly insignificant feature gives the Echo Dot more functionality, making it an even better smart home companion. In fact, the hope is that more smart home businesses will follow Amazon's lead and make small - but effective - improvements to existing great products.

The Echo Dot with the Watch's display can show you more than just the time; it can also show you the current temperature and act as a timer. It also contains an ambient sensor that can automatically adjust the screen's brightness based on the light in the surrounding area. The Echo Dot with Clock is $10 more expensive than the standard Echo Dot, but it's a good option for individuals who want to know the time without having to ask Alexa.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Size: 3.9 x 3.9 x 3.5 inches
• Speakers: 1.6 inch speaker
• Ports: 3.5mm line in/out
• Wireless: 2.4/5 GHz, Bluetooth
• assistants: Alexa
  

REASONS TO BUY

• Affordable
  
• Useful LED display
• Sounds good for the price
• Seamless Alexa integration

REASONS TO AVOID

• Microphones could be better

PRICE: $35.19

WEBSITE: amazon.com/dp/B085M66LH1

The well-designed Nest Cam (battery) has a simple shape and, owing to its magnetic base, is one of the easiest home security cameras to install. Its 1080p camera captured clear images both day and night, and its microphone and speaker made talking a snap. That's one of the key reasons it's the best security camera we've ever evaluated. The Nest Cam (battery) also includes three hours of free rolling video storage, as well as detection of people, vehicles, and animals. You receive familiar face detection and the ability to store up to a month's worth of video if you sign up for a Nest Aware subscription (beginning at $6/month).

SPECIFICATIONS

• Size: 3.3 x 3.3 inches
• Resolution: 1080p/30 fps
• Field of View: 130 degrees
• Works with: Google Assistant,Alexa
  
• Cloud storage: Starting at $6/month

REASONS TO BUY

• Great design
• Very sharp video quality
• Free person, animal, vehicle detection
• 3 hours of video storage free

REASONS TO AVOID

• Few accessories

PRICE:$165.01
WEBSITE: amazon.com/dp/B09FCMSJZG

The fifth-generation Ecobee SmartThermostat includes all of the features of its predecessor, the Ecobee4, including Alexa integration, a nice touchscreen interface, and a remote sensor that ensures all of your home's rooms are adequately heated or cooled. However, the most recent version includes a better speaker that can be used to play music, as well as all of Alexa's functions (including Drop-In and messaging) and Spotify integration. The remote sensor has a longer battery life as well as a greater range.

The Ecobee's audio isn't as good as the Echo Dot or other Alexa speakers, but it's a novel way to have Alexa in a room without having to plug in another smart speaker. The Ecobee is not just one of the greatest smart home gadgets you can buy, but it's also top pick for all of the best smart thermostats.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Size: 4.3 x 4.3 x 1 inch
• Wireless: 802.11 Wi-Fi (2.4 and 5GHz), Bluetooth
• Works with: Alexa, Google Assistant, HomeKit, SmartThings, IFTTT

REASONS TO BUY

• Better speaker
• Full Alexa support
• Works with Spotify

REASONS TO AVOID

• Large
  
• Big bezel

PRICE:$199.00

WEBSITE: amazon.com/dp/B07NQT85FC

Philips Hue White bulbs are included in the beginning set, as well as a hub for connecting them to other smart home devices. You can't change the color of these bulbs, but you can modify their brightness (up to 800 lumens) and connect up to 50 of them to a single hub. Philips bulbs are compatible with Alexa, Apple HomeKit, IFTTT, Google Home, and Nest, among other smart home systems.

Philips Hue lights also come with an app called Philips Hue Connect, which allows users to sync their smart bulbs with multimedia files on their Mac or PC. You can, for example, program your lights to flash and change color in response to music, video, and movies playing on your computer. Color schemes and themes can also be changed to fit the user's preferences. You can upgrade your starter kit to include four bulbs instead of two for $30 extra.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Bulb type: A19
• Wireless: Zigbee
• Works with: Alexa, Apple HomeKit, IFTTT, SmartThings, Google Home, Nest

REASONS TO BUY

• Comprehensive app
• Works with a ton of smart-home systems
• Dimmable

REASONS TO AVOID

• Requires hub
• Light color not tunable
  

PRICE: $47.99

BUY NOW: amazon.com/dp/B07354SP1C

Although August Smart Lock Pro review didn't find anything to improve upon, the firm went ahead and updated its original to make it smaller and easier to use. The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, new top selection among the finest smart locks, is 45 percent smaller than its predecessor, making it less noticeable on your door. It also includes Wi-Fi, so you won't need to use the August Connect bridge to connect your lock to your home network.

Everything people liked about the August Pro is still present and accounted for: Easy setup, features like DoorSense (which alerts you if your door is left open), and connectivity with all major smart home systems, like Alexa, Google Assistant, and Xfinity. The August Wi-Fi also allows you to keep the keys from your old lock.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Lock type: Deadbolt
• Size: 3 inches x 1.7 inches
• Works with: HomeKit, Alexa, Google Assistant, Z-Wave, Nest, IFTTT
• Wireless: 2.4GHz Wi-Fi

REASONS TO BUY

• Smaller size
• Wi-Fi built in
• Easy to use
• Works with lots of smart home devices

REASONS TO AVOID

• Keypad sold separately

PRICE: $198.98

BUY NOW: amazon.com/dp/B082VXK9CK

The Nest Doorbell (battery) gets nearly everything right, which is why it's not only one of the greatest smart home gadgets, but also the best video doorbell we've tested. The video doorbell's 3:4 vertical aspect ratio allows you to view more of your front door; it can be used wired or wirelessly, and it includes a number of useful capabilities, including the capacity to detect recognizable faces, parcels, animals, and cars.

Even better, the camera includes several of those functions for free, including three hours of rolling video storage, which previously required a membership. You may still join up for Nest Aware, which starts at $6/month and gives you more storage. As a result, it works well with the Nest Cam.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Video Resolution: 60 x 1280p/ 30 fps
• Field of View: 145 degrees
• Works with: Google Assistant, Alexa
• Size: 6.3 x 1.8 x 0.95 inches
• Wired/Battery: Battery
• Cloud storage: Starting at $6/month

REASONS TO BUY

• Great design
• Very sharp video quality
  
• Free person, animal, package, vehicle detection

REASONS TO AVOID

• No optional chime

PRICE: $149.00

BUY NOW: amazon.com/dp/B09GZQ1MHC

The Wemo WiFi Smart Plug, which costs $25, is one of the best smart home devices and top pick among smart plugs. It's smaller than rival options, including its predecessor, the Wemo Mini. While the Wemo WiFi Smart Plug does not offer energy tracking like some other smart plugs, it does interact with all of the major smart assistants. If you don't want to use your voice or an app to turn your appliance on or off, you can use the physical switch on the Wemo. There's also a brilliant Away mode. By turning a lamp on and off, you may make it appear as if you're at home even when you're not.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Size: 1.3 x 2.0 x 1.8 inches
• Works With: Alexa, Google Assistant, HomeKit, IFTTT
• Electrical rating: 120V~/15A/60Hz/1800W

REASONS TO BUY

• Improved footprint
• Physical control button
• Works with Alexa, Google Home and HomeKit

REASONS TO AVOID

• Not compatible with 5Ghz Wi-Fi

PRICE:$11.99
BUY NOW:amazon.com/dp/B08CJGZZZ1

Among the best smart smoke detectors, the Nest Protect is the clear winner. When it detects something in the air, it sounds an alarm and tells you which room in your house was the source of the warning. In the event of an emergency, an LED ring on the bottom of the alarm changes color, giving you and the people you live with a visible cue.

The Nest Protect's biggest feature is how well it works with some of the best smart home gadgets. Your smart smoke alarm may turn on your lights automatically when you utilize smart home routines, making it easier for you to get out of your house. However, these routines only work for those who have converted their Nest account to a Google Assistant account. It also does not natively work with Alexa.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Size: : 5.3 x 5.3 x 1.5 inches
• Detects: Smoke, carbon monoxide
• Works with: Nest, Google Home, Philips Hue, IFTTT, Alexa, Wink, Lutron
• Hardwired/battery: Yes/Yes

REASONS TO BUY

• Detects smoke, carbon monoxide
• Spoken alerts
• Links to other smart-home devices

REASONS TO AVOID

• Expensive

PRICE: $118.00

BUY NOW:amazon.com/dp/B00XV1RCRY

You'll need a central system to integrate and operate all of your smart home devices if you have a lot of them. The Samsung SmartThings hub to be the finest of the bunch, despite its flaws. It connects to a wide range of devices and now includes Wi-Fi, so you don't have to connect it to your router; this makes it easier to place throughout your home for the optimum connectivity to all of your smart home gadgets.

You can use the SmartThings hub with a variety of smart home devices because it contains both Zigbee and Z-Wave antennas. You can create dozens of scenes and automations using the companion app. It also contains a full home monitoring component that, in the event of an emergency, may send you an alarm, record video, turn on lights, play noises, and unlock your doors.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Size: 5.5 x 5.5 x 1.2 inches
• Wireless: Zigbee, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi

REASONS TO BUY

• Wi-Fi makes installing this hub easier
• Allows for more automation than other hubs
• Works with Zigbee and Z-Wave devices

REASONS TO AVOID

• Still missing Nest integration
• Difficult to upgrade from older hub

PRICE: $118.00
BUY NOW:amazon.com/dp/B00XV1RCRY

Look no further than the Chamberlain MyQ if you're seeking for the greatest smart garage door opener. It comes with a garage door sensor and a hub that connects to your Wi-Fi network. When you use your smartphone to transmit a command, it is routed to the hub, which then sends the command to the sensor that operates your garage door. The MyQ app, which is available for Android and iOS smartphones, allows you to check if your door is open and then remotely close or open it.

MyQ will work with most brands of garage door openers made after 1993 that have standard safety sensors, according to Chamberlain. Currently, MyQ works with Nest, SmartThings and Xfinity Home smart home systems. The one thing it doesn't do, though, is work with Alexa.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Works With: Nest, SmartThings, Xfinity Home, Apple HomeKit, Google Home, IFTTT
• Wireless: 802.11 Wi-Fi

REASONS TO BUY

• Simple physical setup requirements
• Simple app interface
• Works with Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit

REASONS TO AVOID

• Doesn't work with Alexa
• Requires subscription to use Google Assistant

PRICE: $29.99

BUY NOW: amazon.com/dp/B075H7Z5L8