If you have been dipping a toe into home automation with a smart speaker or two and are ready for the next step, this checklist is for you. We walk through the six core categories that deliver the biggest day-to-day payoff: smart plugs, video doorbells, mesh Wi-Fi, smart thermostats, indoor cameras, and smart smoke detectors. Each section explains why the category matters before naming our pick.
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The list is organized in priority order, because that is how smart home upgrades actually happen. Wi-Fi comes before cameras for a reason, and plugs before doorbells. If you follow the sequence, each new device lands on a foundation that can actually support it, rather than fighting your network the moment you plug it in.
Use it as a shopping companion: skim the look-for bullets before you buy anything, even if you ultimately choose a different product than our pick. Most of the mistakes people make in smart home shopping come from skipping compatibility checks and rushing the order of upgrades, not from picking the wrong gadget.
Smart plugs
Eve Energy (Matter) 2-Pack – Smart Plug & Power Meter
The Eve Energy 2-Pack is a Matter-enabled smart plug with a power meter, compatible with iOS, Android, and various smart home hubs. It allows remote control of appliances via voice or app, ensuring privacy with local communication and easy setup.
Pros:
- Seamless cross-platform control with Matter support
- Local communication ensures privacy and reliability
- Easy setup with compatible smart home hubs
Cons:
- Requires compatible hub or device for full functionality
- Limited details on power measurement features
- No mention of energy monitoring specifics
Best for: most shoppers filling this slot
Not ideal for: highly specialized needs
Bottom line: A dependable pick for this checklist slot.
Video doorbells
Ring Battery Doorbell 4K Pro (2nd Gen) – Deep Silver
The Ring Battery Doorbell 4K Pro captures Retinal 4K video with up to 10x Enhanced Zoom and a wide 140° field of view. It features radar-powered 3D Motion Detection for precise alerts, two-way audio with Audio+, and a quick-release Ultra Battery Pack for fast charging.
Pros:
- High-resolution Retinal 4K video with significant zoom capabilities
- Precise 3D Motion Detection reduces false alerts
- Quick Release Ultra Battery Pack offers fast charging and easy removal
- Wide 140° field of view captures more of the entrance
Cons:
- Requires a paid Ring Protect subscription for advanced AI features and video storage
- Requires minimum 15 Mbps upload speed for optimal 4K performance
- Some AI features are unavailable in specific regions due to legislation
Best for: most shoppers filling this slot
Not ideal for: highly specialized needs
Bottom line: A dependable pick for this checklist slot.
Mesh Wi-Fi systems
eero Pro 7 Tri-Band Mesh Wi-Fi 7 Router (3-Pack)
The eero Pro 7 is a tri-band Wi-Fi 7 mesh router designed to deliver fast, reliable internet coverage for homes and small to medium-sized businesses. It supports internet plans up to 5 Gbps, covers up to 6,000 sq.
Pros:
- Fast Wi-Fi 7 speeds supporting high-bandwidth plans
- Wide coverage suitable for large homes or small businesses
- Supports over 600 devices simultaneously
- Backward compatible with previous eero models
Cons:
- Requires a compatible internet plan for maximum speed
- Optional subscription needed for advanced security features
- Higher price point for a 3-pack mesh system
Best for: most shoppers filling this slot
Not ideal for: highly specialized needs
Bottom line: A dependable pick for this checklist slot.
Smart thermostats
Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium – Wi‑Fi, Siri & Alexa Built‑In, SmartSensor
The Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium saves energy by automatically adjusting temperature based on occupancy and room‑by‑room data from its included SmartSensor. It also monitors indoor air quality, offers a built‑in speaker with Siri or Alexa voice control, and can integrate with an ecobee Smart Doorbell Camera for two‑way video chat.
Pros:
- Significant energy savings through occupancy‑based temperature control
- Room‑by‑room comfort with included SmartSensor
- Built‑in air quality monitoring and filter reminders
- Integrated voice assistant and speaker for hands‑free control
Cons:
- Smart security features require an additional subscription
- Siri functionality requires an Apple Home hub
Best for: most shoppers filling this slot
Not ideal for: highly specialized needs
Bottom line: A dependable pick for this checklist slot.
Indoor security cameras
Anona 4K UHD Indoor Security Camera, 4-Pack
This four-camera indoor security system records 4K video with 8x digital zoom and 360° pan and 110° tilt coverage. It offers AI person, pet, and baby-cry detection, motion tracking, two-way audio, dual-band Wi-Fi 6, and local microSD or encrypted cloud storage.
Pros:
- 4K video with 8x digital zoom
- AI detection and automatic motion tracking
- Local and cloud storage options
- Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 and two-way audio
Cons:
- MicroSD card is not included
- Video frame rate is 15 fps
Best for: most shoppers filling this slot
Not ideal for: highly specialized needs
Bottom line: A dependable pick for this checklist slot.
Smart smoke detectors
If your budget forces a choice, follow the order of this list as a buying sequence. Mesh Wi-Fi and smart plugs form the foundation and cost the least to regret. The thermostat and doorbell deliver the most daily value next, with cameras and smoke detector upgrades rounding out the picture once the network and habits are in place. Spreading purchases this way also means you learn each system properly before layering on the next.
A smart home built patiently beats one assembled in a single shopping spree every time. Check compatibility, respect the order, and each addition will simply work — and that is the whole point. Come back to this checklist as you go, and enjoy the upgrade.
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