Here are the products we recommend based on your answers:
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Smart Bulb Recommendations
Most people love the Philips Hue lights, but they do require an investment into the Hue ecosystem to get the most out of them.
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HomeTechHacker Recommendation
Product Name
Kasa Smart Bulb, 850 Lumens, Full Color Changing Dimmable WiFi LED Light Bulb Compatible with Alexa and Google Home, A19, 9.5W,2.4Ghz only, No Hub Required 1-Pack(KL130)
LIFX Color A19 800 lumens, Billions of Colors and Whites, Wi-Fi Smart LED Light Bulb, No bridge required, Works with Alexa, Hey Google, HomeKit and Siri.
Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance Base Lumen (60W) Smart Button Starter Kit, 16 Millions Colors, Works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit 60 Watt (OLD VERSION)
Budget Pick
Product Name
Kasa Smart Bulb, 850 Lumens, Full Color Changing Dimmable WiFi LED Light Bulb Compatible with Alexa and Google Home, A19, 9.5W,2.4Ghz only, No Hub Required 1-Pack(KL130)
HomeTechHacker Recommendation
Product Name
LIFX Color A19 800 lumens, Billions of Colors and Whites, Wi-Fi Smart LED Light Bulb, No bridge required, Works with Alexa, Hey Google, HomeKit and Siri.
Step-up Pick
Product Name
Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance Base Lumen (60W) Smart Button Starter Kit, 16 Millions Colors, Works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit 60 Watt (OLD VERSION)
Smart Plug Recommendations
Our recommendation and the step-up pick both have energy monitoring. The budget pick is great if you don’t need energy monitoring.
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HomeTechHacker Recommendation
Product Name
Kasa Smart Plug by TP-Link, Smart Home Wi-Fi Outlet Works with Alexa, Echo, Google Home & IFTTT, No Hub Required, Remote Control, 15 Amp, UL Certified, 1-Pack(HS103) , WHITE
SONOFF S31 WiFi Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring, 15A Smart Outlet Socket ETL Certified, Work with Alexa & Google Home Assistant, IFTTT Supporting, 2.4 Ghz WiFi Only (1-Pack)
Kasa Smart Plug Mini with Energy Monitoring, Smart Home Wi-Fi Outlet Works with Alexa, Google Home & IFTTT, Wi-Fi Simple Setup, No Hub Required (KP115), White – A Certified for Humans Device
Budget Pick
Product Name
Kasa Smart Plug by TP-Link, Smart Home Wi-Fi Outlet Works with Alexa, Echo, Google Home & IFTTT, No Hub Required, Remote Control, 15 Amp, UL Certified, 1-Pack(HS103) , WHITE
HomeTechHacker Recommendation
Product Name
SONOFF S31 WiFi Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring, 15A Smart Outlet Socket ETL Certified, Work with Alexa & Google Home Assistant, IFTTT Supporting, 2.4 Ghz WiFi Only (1-Pack)
Step-up Pick
Product Name
Kasa Smart Plug Mini with Energy Monitoring, Smart Home Wi-Fi Outlet Works with Alexa, Google Home & IFTTT, Wi-Fi Simple Setup, No Hub Required (KP115), White – A Certified for Humans Device
Smart Switch Recommendations
Our recommendation and the step-up pick are dimmers. The budget pick is great if you don’t need dimming. My review of the Brilliant Smart Control Light switch 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.
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HomeTechHacker Recommendation
Product Name
Kasa Smart Light Switch HS200, Single Pole, Needs Neutral Wire, 2.4GHz Wi-Fi Light Switch Works with Alexa and Google Home, UL Certified, No Hub Required , White
Kasa Smart Dimmer Switch HS220, Single Pole, Needs Neutral Wire, 2.4GHz Wi-Fi Light Switch Works with Alexa and Google Home, UL Certified, No Hub Required,white
Brilliant Smart Home Control (1-Switch 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
Kasa Smart Light Switch HS200, Single Pole, Needs Neutral Wire, 2.4GHz Wi-Fi Light Switch Works with Alexa and Google Home, UL Certified, No Hub Required , White
HomeTechHacker Recommendation
Product Name
Kasa Smart Dimmer Switch HS220, Single Pole, Needs Neutral Wire, 2.4GHz Wi-Fi Light Switch Works with Alexa and Google Home, UL Certified, No Hub Required,white
Step-up Pick
Product Name
Brilliant Smart Home Control (1-Switch 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
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HomeTechHacker Recommendation
Product Name
Echo Dot (5th Gen, 2022 release) | With bigger vibrant sound, helpful routines and Alexa | Glacier White
Echo Dot (5th Gen, 2022 release) with clock | Smart speaker with clock and Alexa | Cloud Blue
Echo Studio with Echo Sub
Budget Pick
Product Name
Echo Dot (5th Gen, 2022 release) | With bigger vibrant sound, helpful routines and Alexa | Glacier White
HomeTechHacker Recommendation
Product Name
Echo Dot (5th Gen, 2022 release) with clock | Smart speaker with clock and Alexa | Cloud Blue
Step-up Pick
Product Name
Echo Studio with Echo Sub
Smart Hub Recommendations
For most people, an Amazon Echo works great as a smart home hub. If you want more advanced features and compatibility, consider the Hubitat. If you are interested in a software-based hub that can do everything, check out Home Assistant, which has been running my smart home for years. Here are hardware recommendations for running Home Assistant.
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HomeTechHacker Recommendation
Product Name
Echo Dot (5th Gen, 2022 release) | With bigger vibrant sound, helpful routines and Alexa | Deep Sea Blue
Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen, 2021 release) | Smart display with Alexa and 2 MP camera | Charcoal
Hubitat Elevation Home Automation Hub (Model C-7) Compatible with Alexa, HomeKit, Google Home, Zigbee, Z-Wave, Lutron
Budget Pick
Product Name
Echo Dot (5th Gen, 2022 release) | With bigger vibrant sound, helpful routines and Alexa | Deep Sea Blue
HomeTechHacker Recommendation
Product Name
Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen, 2021 release) | Smart display with Alexa and 2 MP camera | Charcoal
Step-up Pick
Product Name
Hubitat Elevation Home Automation Hub (Model C-7) Compatible with Alexa, HomeKit, Google Home, Zigbee, Z-Wave, Lutron
Additional Smart Home Device Recommendations
Here are additional smart devices most people love. I also recommend you read my book, The Smart Home Manual, for help planning and configuring your smart home.