Back in the day when the first computers were created, it seemed illogical to even consider the fact that one day you would be able to see a computer in each household. However, we’ve come so far that not only have computers become a basic necessity of life, but billions of us carry around a mini computer in our pockets each and every day in the form of smartphones.
A few years ago as engineers began developing “smart” technology for the regular homes, the ability to control your thermostat, lights or appliances remotely seemed too futuristic to ever be practical.
From smart light switches that make your regular bulbs interactive to smart voice assistants that can help you control your entire home and so much more, smart home technology is in its golden age. But the best part is that not all of these smart accessories for your home have to cost you an arm and a leg, especially if you have the right sources to find them.
Best smart home accessories compatible with both Google Home and Amazon Echo
Smart accessories for your home under $25
We’ve created a list of smart gadgets, IoT (Internet of Things) devices, and smart accessories under the $25 price tag so you can enjoy the high-tech future without running your bank account dry.
Gosund Mini Smart Plug Outlet (2 Pack)
The fundamental problem with adopting a smart home is the dilemma that makes you wonder what to do with all of your current “non-smart” home lightings and appliances. With the Gosund Mini Smart Plug Outlet, you can turn any piece of technology into an inter-connected smart device.
You can simply plug this into any board in your home, connect it to a table lamp, your music system, or even a kitchen appliance and control it not only through a mobile app, but also through Alexa and Google Home with just a single voice command.
→ Buy Gosund Mini Smart Plug Outlet ($24.99)
Kasa Smart Wi-Fi LED Bulb
Brought to you TP-Link which is better known for networking accessories than electrical equipment, the Kasa Smart Wi-Fi LED Bulb may be the most expensive lightbulb you’ll ever buy, but here’s why it’s worth it.
Unlike other smart LED bulbs that are cheaper but need a Hub to be controlled through, this LED Bulb is standalone, meaning that it can operate directly through the official app or through the voice assistant of your choice. There are even special variants that not only offer dimmable lighting but multicolor and higher brightness settings as well.
→ Buy Kasa Smart Wi-Fi LED Bulb ($19.94)
LIVOLO 3-Switch Smart Touch Switch
If your lights and appliances are going to be smart, it only seems fair that your home switches also appear equally smart, and with the LIVOLO 3-Switch Touch Switch, they really do. While there is no “smart” element associated directly with the switchboard itself, but the fact that the three buttons are touch sensitive and built with a tempered glass surface makes it worthy of being noticed around in your home.
Each of the three buttons comes with a colored backlight (Red and Blue) to indicate whether it is turned on or off.
→ Buy LIVOLO 3-Switch Smart Touch Switch ($24.50)
Iris Contact Sensor
Whether you’re living in a dorm where you suspect that someone’s snooping through your stuff, or just want a way to know if someone has been opening the refrigerator while you’re away, smart home management has never been easier with the Iris Contact Sensor.
The simple two-piece gadget can be practically installed anywhere, notifying you when something is opened or closed in its proximity using the mobile app, while also giving you a constant temperature reading of the environment where it is installed.
→ Buy Iris Contact Sensor ($24.99)
Amazon Dash Button
While this feature exclusive to Amazon Prime users may be a few years old now, it does not make it any less impressive. Amazon Dash Button is just what it sounds like – a simple button which is programmed to a single brand or product (Red Bull, Tide, Pampers etc.), at a single press of which you can directly order the product using your connected Amazon Prime account.
While the Dash Button does cost $4.99 to purchase, you get the same amount credited to your account when you use the service to order a product, so it is essentially free to use!
→ Buy Amazon Dash Button ($4.99 or free)
Raydem Smart Power Strip Surge Protector
For all of those times when you have multiple low-power electronics connected in a group, a power strip with surge protector is a good idea.
The only thing that could make it even better is the Raydem Smart Power Strip that comes with three outlet plug points and 4 USB ports with 5V/4A fast charging for you to hook up electronic device cables to, and the best part is that each and every one of these ports comes with smart controls that can be accessed not just through its official app, but through Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa as well.
→ Buy Raydem Smart Power Strip Surge Protector ($14.99)
Wyze Cam Smart Home Camera
Back in the day, you needed to shell out hundreds of thousands of dollars to get video surveillance and security up and running in your home, but Wyze Cam brings it for a fraction of the cost.
The tiny home security camera comes with an impressive 1080P Full-HD recording capability that works with 2.4GHz networks across the plane, and offers a list of impressive features such as Night vision for up to 30 feet, Motion Tagging technology, sound and motion detection and live streaming support, all of which is relayed directly to your mobile phone through the Wyze App for Android and iOS.
→ Buy Wyze Cam Smart Home Camera ($25.98)
Tile Mate Key Finder
Do you know someone who is always losing the keys to the house or can’t keep a track of where they left their phone? The Tile Mate is your very own configurable personal belonging tracker that helps you find anything that you’ve connected it to.
Using the paired smartphone app, you can make the Tile Mate ring whenever it is nearby, or even find your phone by pressing the button on your Tile Mate twice. The tracker comes with a non-removal battery so it is only good for use at one time, but since it lasts a year without any charging involved, it sure is worth it.
→ Buy Tile Mate Key Finder ($19.97)
Nexlux Wi-Fi Wireless LED Smart Controller
If you already have a premium quality lighting setup in your house, it may seem quite a waste to swap them out completely for smart lighting. This is where the Wireless LED Smart Controller from Nexlux offers you the ability to simply switch out the hardware of the LED strips with something smarter, enabling you to control everything through an app or simply through voice commands.
With support for 16 million colors, different lighting modes, and timer settings, you can even configure multiple Nexlux Smart Controllers to work in a group and turn your regular lighting strip into smart strips instantly.
→ Buy Nexlux Wi-Fi Wireless LED Smart Controller ($14.99)
Weber iGrill Pro Ambient Probe
Ever wanted to make sure that your steak is cooked to perfection but simply can’t be bothered to hang around the BBQ smoker all day?
This tiny, yet smart gadget from Weber by the name of iGrill Pro Ambient Probe allows you to remotely monitor the internal temperature of your grill or smoker, so you never end up overcooking or undercooking your food when you’re away having a good time with friends and family.
→ Buy Weber iGrill Pro Ambient Probe ($14.99)
TP-Link Bluetooth 4.1 Receiver
If you have a really good set of home entertainment speakers that don’t offer modern connectivity features such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, they simply cannot be used with your smart voice assistant for automatic playback.
But thanks to the TP-Link Bluetooth 4.1 Receiver, you can not only modernize your old and outdated sound system and amplifiers but also connect them directly to your Google Home and Amazon Alexa the easy way. Thanks to the support for NFC devices as well, connecting mobile devices and even smartwatches is easier than ever.
→ Buy TP-Link Bluetooth 4.1 Receiver ($21.99)
Meross Wi-Fi Smart Outdoor Plug
While having the ability to control the lights and different gadgets inside your home is quite useful, what about all of those times you need a smart power outlet that works outside the house? Meross solves this problem through its Wi-Fi Smart Outdoor plug which is built with an IP44 waterproof housing that holds two ground outlets that can handle a charge from 90V – 250V.
Using their smart app that is also compatible with the popular voice assistant services, you can easily control the power outlets, set a timer for each of the sockets, and remotely turn them off and on from anywhere.
→ Buy Meroos Wi-Fi Smart Outdoor Plug ($24.99)
Vintar Motion Sensor Toilet Night Light (2 Pack)
For all of those times you’ve needed to tumble into the bathroom in the middle of the night or see the kids make a complete mess because they couldn’t stick the lights on, you now have a smart solution to all of it. The Vintar Motion Sensor Toilet Night Light is designed to illuminate the toilet bowl so that you don’t have to ruin your sleep by even turning the lights on.
Built with a state of the art motion activated lighting system that supports 16 different colors and 5 different brightness levels, this toilet night light offers a detection radius of 170 degrees, beating most of the others in the market.
→ Buy Vintar Motion Sensor Toilet Night Light ($16.99)
Cevitor Smart Home Wi-Fi Table Lamp
If you’re not yet ready to jump into the smart home life, but still want to get a taste of what it feels like, the Cevitor Smart Home Wi-Fi Table Lamp is a humble way to get started.
Crafted out of wood with a beige fabric material for the lampshade, all of the technology is built right into the table lamp which allows you to switch between 16 million different colors across the spectrum, adjust the intensity of the light based on your comfort, and most importantly, control all of it not just through your mobile app, but by a simple voice command.
→ Buy Cevitor Smart Home Wi-Fi Table Lamp ($24.99)
Bonus:
This one isn’t really a smart device in the sense that it doesn’t work with Amazon Alexa and Google Home, neither does it alert you for anything, but it’s a great accessory that could be plenty helpful when your device is struggling to get proper Wi-Fi signal because it’s weak, or you are underground. Here it is.
TP-Link N300 Wi-Fi Range Extender
It may seem like a great idea to install a Wi-Fi LED bulb on the front porch that turns on every evening by itself, but what if your Wi-Fi network simply doesn’t reach over there? To enjoy uninterrupted network connectivity across your home without having to spend hundreds of dollars on an expensive router, TP-Link offers the N300 Wi-Fi Range Extender. Powered by dual antennas that can be connected for AP mode or directly as an extender of your current Wi-Fi network, you get 2 years of warranty assurance as well.
→ Buy TP-Link N300 Wi-Fi Range Extender ($19.99)
Which of these smart home devices is going to find a permanent spot in your living space?
Be sure to tell us down in the comments section.
