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10 of the best budget smart home devices under $100

The Wyze Lock Bolt installed on a door.
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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 10 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 2nd Gen (Chalk)
Google Nest Mini
A smart speaker that won't break the bank
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Amazon Smart Plug
Amazon Smart Plug
An inexpensive way to automate appliances
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Ring Video Doorbell Wired
Ring Video Doorbell (Wired)
Affordable doorbell with some smarts
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Sengled Smart Bulb
Sengled Smart Bulb
Improve the ambiance for $10
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Wyze Thermostat
Wyze Thermostat
Save on heating bills
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Wyze Cam V3
Wyze Cam v3
Added security for under $40
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Wyze Lock Bolt
Wyze Lock Bolt
Secure your home in style
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Apple AirTag
Apple AirTag
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Echo Show 8
Echo Show 8
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nest mini review 2 google 2nd gen feat
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Google Nest Mini

Pros
  • Quick responses
  • Adjusts sound based on background noise
  • Eco-friendly materials
  • Affordable price
Cons
  • 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.

Google Nest Mini 2nd Gen (Chalk)
Google Nest Mini
A smart speaker that won't break the bank
Coffee maker plugged into the Amazon Smart Plug on a kitchen counter.
Amazon

Amazon Smart Plug

Pros
  • Affordable
  • Works with Alexa
  • No smart home hub required
Cons
  • 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.

Amazon Smart Plug
Amazon Smart Plug
An inexpensive way to automate appliances
trashed 35 52 ring doorbell wired leader
Ring

Ring Video Doorbell (Wired)

Pros
  • Delightful installation
  • No need to charge
  • Great app
  • Crisp, clear video
Cons
  • 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.

Ring Video Doorbell Wired
Ring Video Doorbell (Wired)
Affordable doorbell with some smarts
Soft White Sengled Smart Wi-Fi LED A19 Bulb
Sengled

Sengled Smart Bulb

Pros
  • Affordable
  • Intuitive smartphone app
Cons
  • 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.

Sengled Smart Bulb
Sengled Smart Bulb
Improve the ambiance for $10
wyze smart thermostat review
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Wyze Thermostat

Pros
  • Affordable cost
  • Sensors feature an always-on display
  • Easy-to-use and versatile smartphone app
Cons
  • 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 Thermostat
Wyze Thermostat
Save on heating bills
wyze cam v3 review 5 of 9
John Velasco / Digital Trends

Wyze Cam v3

Pros
  • Very affordable
  • Works both indoors and outdoors
  • More detail with color night vision
  • Tons of security controls
Cons
  • 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.

Wyze Cam V3
Wyze Cam v3
Added security for under $40
Person using the Wyze Lock Bolt finger scanner to open the door.
Wyze

Wyze Lock Bolt

Pros
  • Sleek design
  • Offers both keypad and fingerprint scanner
  • Replaces existing deadbolt
Cons
  • No voice controls

Lock or unlock your front door with a password or fingerprint instead of a key. The Wyze Lock Bolt replaces your current deadbolt and can be installed in around 20 minutes. A sleek design, 12-month battery life, and useful smartphone app round out the package, making this $74 smart lock one of the best on the market.

Wyze Lock Bolt
Wyze Lock Bolt
Secure your home in style
apple airtag review with keys
Digital Trends

Apple AirTag

Pros
  • Very easy to use
  • Leverages huge ecosystem
  • Replaceable battery
  • Precision tracking works great
Cons
  • 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.

Apple AirTag
Apple AirTag
smart home essentials for holiday gatherings best buy amazon echo show 8 review 13 of 17
John Velasco / Digital Trends

Echo Show 8

Pros
  • Size is perfect for any space
  • Simple, on-device setup
  • Strong audio performance
Cons
  • 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.

Echo Show 8
Echo Show 8
amazon echo buds 2023 review pop 8
Phil Nickinson/Digital Trends

Echo Pop

Pros
  • The price is right
  • Decent sound
  • Mostly all the features
  • Bonus Eero extender
Cons
  • No aux input

Clocking in at just $40 (and often on sale for much less), the Echo Pop is the perfect smart speaker for shoppers on a budget. It offers full support for Alexa and works with Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music, and even SiriusXM — giving you a number of ways to access your favorite tunes. Four different color options are up for grabs (lavender bloom, charcoal, glacier white, and midnight teal), so there’s a good chance you’ll be able to find something to match your home décor. Toss in a cool design, tiny footprint, and a mic off button to ensure your privacy, and you’ve got a well-rounded gadget that’s remarkably affordable.

Amazon Echo Pop
Echo Pop

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.

Jon Bitner

Jon Bitner is a writer covering consumer electronics, technology, and gaming. His work has been published on various websites beyond Digital Trends, including The Wall Street Journal, Metacritic, GameSpot, and Slickdeals. He holds a degree in Biology and previously worked as a Medical Editor.

When not playing video games, he can be found running, reading, or checking out the latest series on Netflix.

My Best Buy members save $55 on a Philips Hue A19 Smart Bulb 3-pack
People gather in the living room under lighting by the Philips Hue recessed downlight.

Philips Hue deals are at their best when they kit out many rooms in your home at once. Today at Best Buy, you can buy the Philips Hue A19 Smart LED Bulb 3-Pack for $55 off, provided you’re a My Best Buy member. A My Best Buy Plus membership costs just $50 for the year, so you’d still be saving $5 and a heap more over the coming year if you sign up today. The Philips Hue A19 Smart LED Bulb 3-Pack normally costs $135, but with the membership it’s down to an incredible $80, working out at just over $26 per bulb. Want to learn more? Let’s take a look.

Why you should buy the Philips Hue A19 Smart LED Bulb 3-Pack
Philips Hue bulbs are some of the best smart light bulbs. Much of my house is controlled by Philips Hue light bulbs, and it’s super useful any time you want to adjust how bright the room is, control the lighting via your phone, or set up timers for when you’re away.

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Get up to 32% off Aqara smart locks for the holidays
Aqara Smart Lock U100 woman entering home with hands full, pet

At the risk of sounding dull, the key to the smart home begins with — in my humble opinion — the front door. Allow me to explain. One of the top recommendations I always give for people starting a smart home is to install either a video doorbell or a smart lock. When used together, they are a tour de force. You can let package couriers in temporarily to drop an expensive delivery inside your home -- instead of having it sit around outside for hours. You can also issue guest or temp keys for family, friends, and beyond. Which brings us to the topic of today, Aqara's smart locks. They do all of this and more and they're on sale today for a pretty hefty discount.

The Aqara Smart Lock U100 and Aqara Smart Lock U300 are the focus today, and you can get up to 32% off at Amazon from now until December 22. The U100 is $130 instead of $190, while the U300 is $180 instead of $230. Let's talk a bit more about what they can do.

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These Linkind smart bulbs are 37% off, and have one of the best apps I’ve used
Linkind A19 E26 color smart bulbs matter support -- smart bulb deal

I know some people think that a lot of smart home tech is frivolous, and some of it is, I'll agree, but there are certain things that make daily life a little better. For example, I have security cameras, a video doorbell, smart lights, a smart garage door, and all of these things make living in my home convenient. With my lights, for example, I can create on-off schedules and I don't have to get up to use them. After a long day, that's a welcome feature, believe me. It's especially helpful with Christmas lights and decorative lights -- like the ones I have set up to automatically turn on at sunset on my patio.

With a smart video doorbell, I can answer my door, converse with parcel delivery teams, and shoo off solicitors -- we get a lot of them where I live. But among all of those experiences and devices, one of my biggest qualms is with the apps you use to interact with this tech.

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