Building a smart home doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, there are tons of great smart locks, speakers, plugs, cameras, and more that clock in under $100 each. Whether you’re just getting started on your smart home journey or want to add a few cool products to your house, these nine devices have tons of functionality without the hefty price tags. Everything listed below costs less than $100 (with one exception), although most can be had for less than $50. Here are the best budget smart home devices of 2022.
Google Nest Mini
A smart speaker that won't break the bank
- Quick responses
- Adjusts sound based on background noise
- Eco-friendly materials
- Affordable price
- Max volume could be louder
- Same look as the previous model
The Google Nest Mini is small but mighty. Offering impressive sound for a $50 speaker, the Nest Mini is the perfect option for folks just starting to piece together their smart home. Not only does it work as a great central hub for all your other gadgets (thanks to built-in Google Assistant), but its minimal design allows it to fit anywhere in your home.
Amazon Smart Plug
An inexpensive way to automate appliances
- Affordable
- Works with Alexa
- No smart home hub required
- Not compatible with HomeKit or Google Assistant
Smart plugs don’t sound very exciting, but you’d be shocked at their versatility. These affordable gadgets can be used to remotely turn on devices such as lights, fans, and other appliances – giving your “dumb” electronics a bit of “smart” functionality. Amazon Smart Plugs are some of the best on the market, and they clock in at a wallet-friendly $25.
Ring Video Doorbell (Wired)
Affordable doorbell with some smarts
- Delightful installation
- No need to charge
- Great app
- Crisp, clear video
- Bypasses wired chime
- Narrow field of view
If you don’t mind doing a bit of rewiring, the Ring Video Doorbell (Wired) is an absolute steal. Priced at $65, you’ll get video monitoring of your front door, along with the ability to talk with folks outside via a smartphone app. You can even set up notifications to alert you when someone walks by your front door.
Sengled Smart Bulb
Improve the ambiance for $10
- Affordable
- Intuitive smartphone app
- Only produces white light
The Sengled Smart Bulb offers an easy way to quickly change the atmosphere of your home. Whether you want to dim the lights for a romantic dinner or schedule them to turn off when it's time to go to bed, these affordable smart bulbs bring plenty of functionality to the table. All the action is powered by an intuitive smartphone app that lets you control their performance remotely.
Wyze Thermostat
Save on heating bills
- Affordable cost
- Sensors feature an always-on display
- Easy-to-use and versatile smartphone app
- Installation can be a pain
Although it doesn’t have some of the smart learning features of more expensive smart thermostats, the Wyze Thermostat offers a wealth of functionality for $79. Set daily schedules, remotely adjust the temperature, or check your usage to receive basic tips on lowering your bills. All of that and more is possible with this budget device. Check out these thermostat tips to make the most of this Wyze.
Wyze Cam v3
Added security for under $40
- Very affordable
- Works both indoors and outdoors
- More detail with color night vision
- Tons of security controls
- Integrated power cord
The Wyze Cam 3 can be used either indoors or outdoors, and although you’ll need to pay for a monthly subscription to access premium features, there’s still a lot to like about this $30 camera. Color night vision, two-way audio, HD video capture, and a mini siren make it easy to keep tabs on your home when away on vacation or out grabbing groceries.
If you don't want to pay a subscription, check out these security cameras that don't require a monthly fee.
Apple AirTag
- Very easy to use
- Leverages huge ecosystem
- Replaceable battery
- Precision tracking works great
- Accessories are pricey
- Some privacy concerns
Whether you want to call them a smart home product or not, you can't deny that AirTags bring some impressive smarts to your household. These nifty little devices can be used to monitor the location of just about everything -- from keys and purses to pets and luggage, the Bluetooth trackers make it easy to keep tabs on everything important in your life. They're also pretty cheap, and only become cheaper if you purchase them in a bundle.
Echo Show 8
- Size is perfect for any space
- Simple, on-device setup
- Strong audio performance
- Lacks YouTube integration
Alright – this one isn't technically under $100, but its price tag of $130 is pretty close. And since you can constantly find it on sale for less than $70, it's definitely worth a closer look. The Echo Show 8 is an incredibly well-rounded smart hub, with a sizeable and vivid screen, a sleek design, and an operating system that can easily sync with the rest of your smart home. It also gives you access to Amazon Alexa, which lets you quickly check your calendar or get updates on the weather. Rounding out the package is a 13MP camera for video calls, making this an impressive device that's worth its price tag.
You may have noticed that several entries on this list are from the same company — Wyze. The manufacturer has established itself as one of the most popular choices for budget smart home products, thanks to sleek designs and reliable construction. The Wyze products listed above are some of the best (and most affordable) in its catalog.
Beyond Wyze, most smart home companies offer a few budget products in their lineup. We’d recommend steering clear of unknown manufacturers you’ll find on Amazon, as these products might carry a low price tag but are often built to low quality standards and won’t survive long before needing to be replaced. Instead, stick to trusted companies (Wyze, Amazon, Google, Samsung, Ecobee, etc.) even if it means spending a few more bucks.
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