Home / Smart Home Basics
Bulbs, doorbells, robot vacuums, mesh Wi-Fi and indoor cameras.
Smart home gear works best when you start small. These are the pieces most people add first, and what to check on each.
Bulbs that connect over your existing Wi-Fi need no hub. Check brightness in lumens: about 800 lm matches a traditional 60 W bulb.
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Battery models install without wiring; wired ones never need charging. Check whether saved video requires a subscription.
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Models with lidar navigation map your rooms and clean in straight lines instead of bumping around. A self-emptying base is worth it if you have pets.
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A mesh kit with two or three units fixes dead spots better than a single powerful router. Wi-Fi 6 is a sensible minimum today.
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Look for local storage on a memory card if you want to avoid monthly fees, and a physical privacy shutter for cameras inside the home.
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Begin with light and Wi-Fi, add cameras with care, and let a robot take the floors.
Read the 5-minute guide
5 picksPower banks, hubs, chargers and other small things that fix daily annoyances.
5 picksEarbuds, noise-cancelling headphones, portable speakers and microphones.
5 picksCases, screen protectors, mounts, chargers and tripods.
5 picksFirst drones, spare batteries, action cameras, filters and memory cards.
5 picksDumbbells, bands, pull-up bars, mats and trackers for training at home.