Which gadgets earn a spot on the smart‑home VIP list — and which are just here for the Wi‑Fi?
Smart homes are no longer a weekend hobby. We gave ours a glow‑up, and the results were oddly satisfying. Shortcuts replaced chores. Snacks still mysteriously disappear, but the lights look great doing it.
We tested 10 standout devices for 2026. Expect moving screens, mood lighting, and thermostats that actually learn. No fluff. Just gear that makes life smoother — and a little more fun.
Top Picks
Echo Show 10 HD Rotating Display
A showpiece that actually shows — the moving screen keeps video calls and recipes in frame while delivering impressive directional sound. It’s a premium hub for anyone who wants a tactile smart display experience.
What it does best
We think of this as the smart display that earns its place on the counter. The 10.1" HD screen physically follows you around the room, which makes video calls, cooking tutorials, and watching clips much more natural — no more craning or leaning. The speakers punch well above what we expected for an all‑in‑one device.
Standout features
We do have a few pragmatic notes: the motorised motion feature is brilliant in bright conditions but can struggle in low light or with multiple people walking around. It also needs a clear surrounding area to rotate safely. For many of us, though, the convenience outweighs those caveats — especially if the kitchen or family room is where most of the action happens.
Who should buy it
If you want a smart display that behaves like a futuristic kitchen assistant — calling relatives, following recipes, showing security cams — this is one of the most capable options. It’s pricey, but we find the multimedia and smart‑home hub features justify the premium for power users.
Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) with Sensor
A polished, modern thermostat with smarter sensing and a larger readable display that blends design with efficiency. The inclusion of a temperature sensor helps tackle hot/cold spots for a comfier home.
Design meets intelligence
We’re impressed by how the 4th‑gen Nest looks and behaves: a bigger, borderless display that’s readable from across the room and an adaptive algorithm that learns how outdoor conditions affect indoor comfort. The included temperature sensor is a thoughtful addition for multi‑room balance.
Smart features that matter
This thermostat aims to be both beautiful and brainy: it offers real‑world energy savings in many scenarios and plays nicely with Google’s ecosystem and voice assistants. Our cautionary note is about long‑term cloud decisions from manufacturers — make sure you’re comfortable with ongoing service expectations.
Practical buying advice
Philips Hue Starter Kit 3 Bulbs Bridge
Premium colour rendering, solid brightness, and a mature ecosystem make this kit our pick for anyone serious about mood lighting. The Hue Bridge unlocks automations and wide platform compatibility.
Lighting that actually feels intentional
We adore how Philips Hue turns bland rooms into curated experiences. The bulbs produce bright, consistent light at 1100 lumens and the colour palette is rich enough to create scenes for movie night, dinner, or meditative blue hour without looking artificial.
Why the Bridge matters
For long-term value, treat this as an investment: the bulbs are well-made and the software ecosystem is continuously updated. Expect to start with a starter kit and then slowly expand to strips, switches, and sensors as your mood (and wallet) allow.
Practical advice
Echo Dot (5th Gen) Compact Speaker
Small footprint, surprisingly big sound and very affordable — it’s the little smart speaker that punches above its weight. Great voice recognition and Alexa integrations make everyday tasks feel effortless and tidy.
Why we like it
We love how this tiny speaker does big things. It’s our go-to grab-and-go smart speaker for bedside tables, kitchens, and kids’ rooms — a perfect combo of price, sound, and convenience. Setup is painless and the Alexa ecosystem opens up routines, timers, and device control without fuss.
Key features and benefits
We appreciate the thoughtful touches: a physical microphone-off button for peace of mind, recycled materials in the build, and an LED display variant that doubles as a bedside clock. For casual listeners the sound is a delightful surprise; audiophiles may still want a larger Echo, but most of us will be delighted by the value.
Practical considerations
In short, we see this as the best value smart speaker of the year: tiny, cheap, and actually useful — the kind of gadget that quietly upgrades daily life without making a fuss.
Echo Show 8 Vibrant HD Smart Display
Great balance of screen size, audio quality, and smarts for living rooms and kitchens. It handles video calls, recipes, and smart home control with ease and without taking up too much counter space.
Overview
We see the Echo Show 8 as the sweet spot between a compact display and a large media hub. The screen is big enough for recipes and video chats but still small enough to sit comfortably in a kitchen alcove or on a bedside dresser. Spatial audio gives media and video calls a more immersive feel than you'd expect from a mid‑range display.
Key features we love
This model is particularly well suited to families who want a central hub for schedules, music, and camera feeds. It won’t replace a full home theatre speaker system, but it will make everyday interactions — setting timers, checking calendars, streaming a show — far more pleasant.
Considerations
ecobee3 lite Wi‑Fi Smart Thermostat
A streamlined thermostat that focuses on comfort and savings without extra frills. Easy installation, robust app guidance, and solid compatibility with popular smart ecosystems make it a strong value pick.
Efficiency without fuss
We like the ecobee3 lite for households that want smart temperature control and measurable savings without paying a premium. The thermostat is straightforward to install (30 minutes in many cases) and the mobile app walks you through wiring and setup with step‑by‑step clarity.
Practical benefits
Where the ecobee3 lite differs from the flagship models is in its simplicity — there are fewer add‑on bells and whistles, but the core smart functions (scheduling, remote control, alerts) are very strong. If you want multi‑room sensing you’ll need extra sensors, but for many single‑zone installs this unit is a capable and sensible pick.
Who should choose it
Tapo P110 Smart Plug 4‑Pack
Affordable, compact plugs with useful energy monitoring make them a practical add‑on for living rooms and home offices. The app is easy to use and Alexa/Google voice control integrates smoothly for most households.
Practical smart plugs that don’t overpromise
We found the Tapo P110 to be an excellent mix of features and price. The energy monitoring adds a layer of insight you don’t usually see in budget plugs, and the scheduling/away modes are genuinely useful for security and convenience.
What we use them for
Setup was painless when we used a standard Wi‑Fi network; some users did report flaky performance with certain mesh systems, so consider placement and compatibility if you run a complex mesh. The physical button and manual control are handy backups when the network hiccups.
Bottom line
If you want low‑cost automation with real energy metrics, these plugs are a smart buy. They won’t replace industrial‑grade power controllers, but for day‑to‑day household use they earn points for practicality and price.
Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen)
Learns household routines and nudges you toward energy savings without constant fiddling. The bright screen and polished finish feel premium while the learning algorithms quietly optimize comfort and consumption.
Why we recommend it
We like thermostats that do work in the background — and this one certainly does. It observes our patterns, suggests schedules, and nudges toward energy efficiencies like the Nest Leaf. The interface is simple and attractive, which makes daily adjustments almost enjoyable.
Features that matter
Installation is straightforward for many setups, but older systems or odd wiring can need a pro — especially if you lack a constant C‑wire. In our testing the thermostat delivered sensible suggestions and a noticeable (if variable) reduction in energy use over time.
Real‑world tip
Google Nest Hub 7" Smart Display
Slick, simple, and excellent at delivering Google‑first features like Photos and YouTube. The voice assistant feels natural and the device blends into a bedside or kitchen setup without fuss.
Who it’s for
We recommend this if you live in the Google ecosystem and want a tidy smart display that excels at showing photos, controlling Nest devices, and handling voice queries. It’s low‑profile and approachable — perfect for a bedroom nightstand or kitchen counter when you don’t need a big screen.
What stands out
The Nest Hub intentionally keeps things simple: no camera (great for privacy), but still strong for media playback and day‑to‑day assistance. For us, it hits the sweet spot where convenience and discretion meet.
Practical caveats
Energizer Wi‑Fi Smart Plug Twin Pack
Simple, cheap, and effective for lights and low‑power devices. The Energizer plugs cover the basics — scheduling, voice control, and remote access — without breaking the bank.
No‑nonsense smart plugs for everyday tasks
We recommend these Energizer plugs for anyone dipping a toe into home automation or who just needs inexpensive remote control for lamps and seasonal lights. If you want to set timers, group plugs, and use basic voice commands, they’ll get the job done.
What they do well
They’re not for power‑hungry appliances or advanced energy tracking — think ambience lights and small appliances rather than heaters. If you need absolute rock‑solid integration or the highest reliability with complex routines, consider paying up for a premium brand, but for simple tasks these are a sensible, wallet‑friendly choice.
Quick tip
Final Thoughts
Our top pick for the heart of a modern smart home is the Echo Show 10 HD Rotating Display. Strengths: the motorized screen keeps whoever you’re video‑calling in frame, the directional sound fills kitchens and living rooms, and it doubles as a tactile smart hub for routines and recipes. Buy this if you cook with one hand, video‑chat a lot, or want a premium, hands‑free command center.
For climate control, we recommend the Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) with Sensor. Strengths: smarter sensing for hot/cold spots, a larger readable display, and efficient learning algorithms that actually trim bills while keeping comfort high. Pick this if you want a polished thermostat that blends design with real energy savings and better room‑by‑room comfort.