Smart Home Tech for Your Budget

Smart home devices can add comfort and convenience to your life, but the price tag for some of these devices can be another story.

Luckily, there are several inexpensive options for smart home devices that won’t break the bank, while still offering nearly all the same benefits.

Smart home speakers provide a wide range of features such as the ability to play music, call friends or family or even locate a misplaced smartphone, and entry-level models can cost as little as $30. One of the most useful aspects of smart home speakers is that they act as a smart home hub for your other smart devices.

When choosing a smart home speaker, make sure your other smart devices are compatible with the system.

Smart plugs are plugged directly into an outlet. Then any device plugged into the smart plug becomes “smart,” and can connect to your Wi-Fi. One of the best features of a smart plug is that they can help you reduce your monthly energy use by programming automatic shut-off times to prevent devices from drawing energy when they’re not in use. There are plenty of inexpensive and well-performing smart plugs available under $20.

Smart light bulbs are among the cheapest and the easiest smart devices to install in your home. They can be controlled through your phone or by voice if connected to your smart home speaker.

Some interesting features include the ability to choose different lighting colors and shades, dimness levels and the ability to turn them on or off entirely, with prices ranging from about $8 to $20 per bulb.

With any smart home device, access to a secure and stable Wi-Fi connection will be crucial to using the technology properly.