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In the realm of Best Cheap Smart Home Devices, the evolution of the industry has paved the way for increased affordability, improved product offerings, and a surge in innovation. As a result, embarking on your journey to create a smart home can be as straightforward as introducing a cost-effective smart speaker, a pivotal control hub for a myriad of interconnected gadgets within your household. Constructing an intelligent abode need not entail extravagant expenses, as the landscape of economical yet efficient options continues to expand.
In fact, there are a lot of great smart locks, speakers, plugs, cameras, and other things that won’t break the bank. Whether you’re just getting started with your smart home or want to add a few cool things, these nine devices have a lot to offer without being too expensive. Here are some of the Best Cheap Smart Home Devices that won’t break the bank and will help you start making your home more connected.
Best Cheap Smart Home Devices Comparison Table
| Product Name | Voice Assistant | Camera | Smart Home Integration | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Echo Dot (5th gen) | Alexa | No | Yes | $49.99 |
| Google Nest Mini | No | Yes | $49.99 | |
| Wyze Cam v3 | No | Yes | Yes | $35.98 |
| Ring Video Doorbell Pro | No | Yes | Yes | $249.99 |
| Apple HomePod Mini | Siri | No | Yes | $99.00 |
| Yeelight Smart Lights | No | No | Yes | $29.99 |
| Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera | No | Yes | Yes | $199.99 |
Amazon Echo Dot (5th gen)
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 3.9” x 3.9” x 3.5” |
| Weight | 12 oz |
| Voice Assistant | Alexa |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
| Audio | 1.6” speaker, 3.5mm audio output, Bluetooth audio streaming |
Amazon has once again made a cheap smart speaker that doesn’t skimp on features or quality with the 5th generation Echo Dot. Even though this Echo Dot is small and cheap, the sound is fuller because of its spherical shape and better speaker gear. Simply put, it’s the Best Cheap Smart Home Devices that doesn’t cost much.
The goal of the Echo Dot is to be a more personal smart speaker. No, this isn’t the way to control all your connected home devices or fill your space with sound, and it no longer has a 3.5mm audio line out. But it does have eero built in and a room temperature sensor that can start certain Alexa smart home tasks. It’s a great “starter” gadget for a smart home because of this. It’s also a great gift.
The Good
- Affordable
- The sound has gotten better.
- Smart home devices that don’t need your hands to work
- Multiple colour options
The Bad
- Larger smart speakers don’t have as good of sound quality
- Only a few music streaming services work with it.
Google Nest Mini
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 3.85” x 1.65” |
| Weight | 0.4 lb |
| Voice Assistant | Google Assistant |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
| Audio | 360-degree sound, Chromecast support |
The Google Nest Mini may be small, but it packs a powerful punch. The Nest Mini is a Best Cheap Smart Home Devices for people who are just beginning to put together the pieces of their smart home because it provides great quality for a speaker that costs only $50. Not only does it function very well as a central hub for all of your other devices (thanks to the integrated Google Assistant), but its compact size also makes it possible for it to be placed anywhere in your house.
Mount Genie makes use of a patented bespoke plug that has a “dummy ground” for added strength. This plug attaches to The Mini Backpack and secures your Nest Mini in any possible outlet configuration while minimising the amount of clutter. The superior mount for your wall! Even works on the outlets in the ceiling!
The Good
- Affordable
- The sound has gotten better.
- Smart home devices that don’t need your hands to work
- Multiple colour options
The Bad
- Larger smart speakers don’t have as good of sound quality
- Only a few music streaming services work with it.
Wyze Cam v3
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 2.5” x 2.0” x 2.0” |
| Weight | 1.27 oz |
| Video Resolution | 1080p HD |
| Field of View | 130° diagonal |
| Night Vision | Up to 32ft |
The Wyze Cam V3 is a great indoor/outdoor security camera that, in its third version, aims to make more cheap entries into the competitive market for security cameras. The Wyze Cam V3 is going to get a big share of the budget security camera market because it is very durable, can store data in the cloud or locally, and can identify motion. It also has an optional subscription for cloud storage and AI detection.
The Cam V3 is no different; it has much better night vision than its predecessor, a great resolution, the ability to recognise motion, and local storage for those who don’t want to pay for a cloud subscription to save data. With an IP65 rating, the camera can pretty much be used in any weather. It is also strong enough to be used both inside and outside.
The Good
- Affordable
- High-quality resolution for video
- Wide field of view
- The ability to see in the dark
- Outdoor-ready design
The Bad
- Cloud storage costs money and you have to sign up for it.
- Few smart home devices can work with it.
Ring Video Doorbell Pro
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 4.5” x 1.85” x .8” |
| Weight | 4.5 oz |
| Video Resolution | 1080p HD |
| Field of View | 160° diagonal |
| Night Vision | Up to 30ft |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi |
The Ring Video Doorbell Pro can help keep your home safe by letting you answer the door from anywhere. The Ring Pro works with Alexa and sends alerts to Echo devices, so you can hear and talk to people at your door without using your hands. The Ring Video Doorbell Pro also sends alerts to your phone when it detects motion or when someone presses the doorbell, so you can keep an eye on your home from anywhere.
The Pro has advanced motion recognition with a camera view that sends alerts when motion is detected in zones that the user has set up. The Ring doorbell connects to your existing doorbell wiring, so you don’t have to worry about charging the battery. It also has four different faceplate choices.
The Good
- High-quality resolution for video
- Wide field of view
- The ability to see in the dark
- devices that work with smart homes
- Motion detection alerts
The Bad
- Expensive
- Cloud storage costs money and you have to sign up for it.
Apple HomePod Mini
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 3.3” x 3.9” |
| Weight | 0.76 lb |
| Voice Assistant | Siri |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
| Audio | 360-degree sound, Siri-controlled audio |
Apple has its own home roof so it doesn’t fall behind. And it knows how to dress: the HomePod Mini has a nice fabric sleeve, just like the Echo Dot and Nest Audio. It also has a touch-sensitive top that makes it easy to use. With Siri at its core, the HomePod Mini can do all the things you’d expect from a smart speaker, like set timers, check the weather, and add events to your calendar.
It can also act as a HomeKit Hub to control your other smart devices. The music quality of the Mini is also surprisingly good for such a small unit. It can’t make claims about high-fidelity sound like the first HomePod, but its single driver does a great job of putting out lively sound in 360. This is a great way to connect if you’re already a part of the Apple community.
The Good
- Good sound quality
- Smart home devices that don’t need your hands to work
- Multiple colour options
- Apple products work well together.
The Bad
- Compared to other smart speakers, it’s pricey.
- Fewer options for devices that aren’t Apple
Yeelight Smart Lights
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Bulb Type | LED |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi |
| Voice Assistant Compatibility | Alexa, Google Assistant |
| Color Temperature | 1700K-6500K |
| Brightness | 800 lumens |
Even though Philips Hue and LIFX are the leaders in the smart light business, it can get very expensive very quickly to outfit a whole house with their products. Yeelight could be a cheaper option if you’re looking for one. You might be able to get four RGB bulbs for less than $50. There are also other shapes, like lightstrips, table lamps, and light bars that go under cabinets.
If you’re worried about getting a “no-name” brand, you should know that Yeelight is actually a sub-brand of Xiaomi. In fact, it’s not even the only sub-brand of Xiaomi that focuses on smart home gear. Mi Home and Aqara are also in this business. Also, many of Yeelight’s newer devices can be connected to third-party services like Alexa, Google Assistant, Razer Chroma, SmartThings, and HomeKit.
The Good
- Affordable
- Works with the most popular voice assistants
- There are a lot of choices for colour temperature
- Simple to set up and use
The Bad
- Requires a stable Wi-Fi connection
- Few smart home devices that aren’t made by Yeelight work with it.
Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Video Resolution | 2K HDR |
| Field of View | 160° diagonal |
| Night Vision | Up to 25ft |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi |
| Power Source | Rechargeable battery or AC power |
When someone knocks on your door and you want to know if it’s a delivery person or an annoying solicitor, you can use a video doorbell to see who it is without leaving your couch. Video doorbells are convenient, but they can also be the first line of defence against theft, home attack, and porch pirates. They not only let you see and talk to the person outside, but they also record video of people who come to your door when you aren’t there or can’t answer.
The Ezviz DB1C Wi-Fi is our favourite low-cost model. It offers sharp HD video with a wide viewing angle, local and cloud video recording, and voice commands for IFTTT, Alexa, and Google Assistant. A smart lock is another piece of tech you might want on your front door. These devices are arguably the most important part of a truly connected home. They provide protection and convenience by letting you come and go as you please and letting you keep an eye on who comes and goes while you’re not there.
The Good
- High-quality resolution for video
- Wide field of view
- The ability to see in the dark
- Made to withstand the weather
- There is a light built in to make it safer.
The Bad
- Compared to other security cameras, it’s pricey.
- It has a short battery life when it’s not plugged in, and you have to pay for cloud storage.
FAQs
A: Smart home devices are things that you can handle from afar with a computer, smartphone, or tablet. They are made to make your home easier to use, safer, and more comfortable.
A: Smart home devices can help you save energy, make your home safer, make your life easier, and give you more control over your house.
A: Smart plugs, smart bulbs, smart switches, smart thermostats, and smart speakers are some of the best cheap smart home gadgets. Most of the time, these devices are cheap and easy to put and set up.