A smart home starter setup does not need to be complicated or expensive. The goal is to begin with a few reliable devices that work well together and are easy to manage day to day.
The recommendations on this page focus on simple, proven devices that are a good starting point for most homes in the Apple ecosystem.
How to use these recommendations
Each section below covers a core smart home category. You can start with just one device type or mix a few, depending on what you want to automate first.
The budget picks work well for getting started. The HomeTechHacker recommendations balance reliability and features. The step-up options are better suited for people who want more flexibility or plan to expand over time.
Smart Bulb Recommendations
All of these devices work with Apple HomeKit. The LIFX light is the brightest of the three lights at 1100 lumens. All of these lights can be bought in packs at a discount.
Preview
HomeTechHacker Recommended
Product Name
TP-Link Tapo Smart Light Bulbs, 1100 Lumens High Brightness (75W Equivalent), Matter-Certified, 16M Colors WiFi Light Bulb, Dimmable, Works w/Siri, Alexa & Google Home, A19 E26, Tapo L535E(2-Pack)
meross Smart LED Light Bulb, Smart WiFi LED Bulbs Compatible with Apple HomeKit, Siri, Alexa,Google Home & SmartThings, Dimmable E26 Multicolor 2700K-6500K RGBWW, 900 Lumens 60W Equivalent, 1 Pack
Budget Pick
Product Name
TP-Link Tapo Smart Light Bulbs, 1100 Lumens High Brightness (75W Equivalent), Matter-Certified, 16M Colors WiFi Light Bulb, Dimmable, Works w/Siri, Alexa & Google Home, A19 E26, Tapo L535E(2-Pack)
HomeTechHacker Recommended
Product Name
meross Smart LED Light Bulb, Smart WiFi LED Bulbs Compatible with Apple HomeKit, Siri, Alexa,Google Home & SmartThings, Dimmable E26 Multicolor 2700K-6500K RGBWW, 900 Lumens 60W Equivalent, 1 Pack
Smart Plug Recommendations
These all work directly with Apple HomeKit. The step-up pick has energy monitoring. Our recommendation and budget picks are great if you don’t need energy monitoring.
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HomeTechHacker Recommended
Product Name
Meross Smart Plug Mini, 15A & Reliable Wi-Fi, Support Apple HomeKit, Siri, Alexa, Echo, Google Assistant, Nest Hub and SmartThings, App Control, Timer, No Hub Needed
Leviton Decora Smart Plug, Wi-Fi 2nd Gen, Works with Matter, My Leviton, Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Home/Siri & Wire-Free Anywhere Companions for Switched Outlet, D215P-1RW, White
Eve Energy (Matter) – Smart Plug, App and Voice Control, 100% Privacy, Matter Over Thread, Works with Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings
Budget Pick
Product Name
Meross Smart Plug Mini, 15A & Reliable Wi-Fi, Support Apple HomeKit, Siri, Alexa, Echo, Google Assistant, Nest Hub and SmartThings, App Control, Timer, No Hub Needed
HomeTechHacker Recommended
Product Name
Leviton Decora Smart Plug, Wi-Fi 2nd Gen, Works with Matter, My Leviton, Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Home/Siri & Wire-Free Anywhere Companions for Switched Outlet, D215P-1RW, White
Step-up Pick
Product Name
Eve Energy (Matter) – Smart Plug, App and Voice Control, 100% Privacy, Matter Over Thread, Works with Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings
Smart Switch Recommendations
All of these work directly with Apple HomeKit. The budget and recommended picks have dimming versions if you need them. My review of the Brilliant Smart Control Light switch, which includes dimming capabilities and a lot more, will give you more details on this elegant switch. If you are interested in a great solution that allows you to use your existing light switch or dimmer, check out my reviews of the Shelly 1 and the Shelly Dimmer, which also work with HomeKit.
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HomeTechHacker Recommended
Product Name
meross Smart Light Switch Supports Apple HomeKit, Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant & SmartThings, 2.4GHz Wi-Fi Light Switch, Neutral Wire Required, Single Pole, Remote Control Schedule, 1 Pack
meross 3-Way Smart Switch 1 Pack, Neutral Wire Required, Compatible with Apple HomeKit, Alexa, Hey Google and SmartThings, Single Pole & 3 Way, 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, Remote and Voice Control, No Hub Required
Brilliant Smart Home Control (Plug-In Panel) — Alexa Built-In & Compatible with Ring, Sonos, Hue, Google Nest, Wemo, SmartThings, Apple HomeKit — In-Wall Touchscreen Control for Lights, Music, & More
Budget Pick
Product Name
meross Smart Light Switch Supports Apple HomeKit, Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant & SmartThings, 2.4GHz Wi-Fi Light Switch, Neutral Wire Required, Single Pole, Remote Control Schedule, 1 Pack
HomeTechHacker Recommended
Product Name
meross 3-Way Smart Switch 1 Pack, Neutral Wire Required, Compatible with Apple HomeKit, Alexa, Hey Google and SmartThings, Single Pole & 3 Way, 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, Remote and Voice Control, No Hub Required
Step-up Pick
Product Name
Brilliant Smart Home Control (Plug-In Panel) — Alexa Built-In & Compatible with Ring, Sonos, Hue, Google Nest, Wemo, SmartThings, Apple HomeKit — In-Wall Touchscreen Control for Lights, Music, & More
Smart Speaker Recommendations
Smart speakers and displays act as the central voice interface for an Apple-based smart home. They enable you to control devices, run routines, and access information without needing your phone.
Alexa can control many of the same devices that Apple HomeKit can control.
Preview
HomeTechHacker Recommendation
Product Name
Amazon Echo Dot (newest model) – Vibrant sounding speaker, Designed for Alexa+, Great for bedrooms, dining rooms and offices, Charcoal
Amazon Echo Dot Max (newest model), Alexa speaker with room-filling sound and nearly 3x bass, Great for living rooms and medium-sized spaces, Designed for Alexa+, Glacier White
Amazon Echo Show 8 (newest model), Vibrant HD 8.7″ display with spatial audio, Designed for Alexa+, Graphite
Budget Pick
Product Name
Amazon Echo Dot (newest model) – Vibrant sounding speaker, Designed for Alexa+, Great for bedrooms, dining rooms and offices, Charcoal
HomeTechHacker Recommendation
Product Name
Amazon Echo Dot Max (newest model), Alexa speaker with room-filling sound and nearly 3x bass, Great for living rooms and medium-sized spaces, Designed for Alexa+, Glacier White
Step-up Pick
Product Name
Amazon Echo Show 8 (newest model), Vibrant HD 8.7″ display with spatial audio, Designed for Alexa+, Graphite
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