These Are the Best Smart Home Products of 2021: Top Picks and Buying Guide

You want smart home products that make daily life easier, safer, and more efficient. This short guide highlights standout 2021 picks so you can quickly find devices that integrate with your setup, reduce manual tasks, and deliver long-term value. Focus on the features that matter to you—privacy, compatibility, battery life, and ease of installation—to get devices that are smart, secure, and simple to live with.

Top Picks

Selection Criteria

We evaluated products based on platform compatibility, integration quality, reliability, and value so you can pick devices that actually work together and last. You should care about setup friction, firmware and update policies, subscription requirements for cloud features, and local control options because those factors determine ongoing cost and privacy.

Category-specific weights were applied: cameras were scored heavily on image quality, alerts, and battery life, plugs on size and reliability, and remotes on responsiveness and ecosystem independence.

Nest Doorbell

You get a capable, wire-free doorbell camera that focuses on straightforward, reliable monitoring rather than flashy extras. The video quality is sharp day and night thanks to HDR and night vision, and the 6x digital zoom helps you inspect activity without running to the door.

Setup is the kind of self-install you can handle on a weekend, and the device plays nicely with Google Home and Alexa so it fits into most smart setups. Practical daily uses include package monitoring, two-way conversations with visitors, and quick look-ins from your phone; for special occasions you can check deliveries or let a guest in without interrupting your plans. If you want simple, dependable door monitoring and already use Google services, this is a natural fit.

Be aware that saving video beyond live look-ins requires a Nest Aware subscription, and battery life depends on how active your doorstep is.

What People Say

Customers commonly praise the camera quality and the convenience of being able to see and speak to whoever’s at the door from anywhere. People appreciate easy installation and the accuracy of motion alerts, while battery life and the need for a paid subscription to save footage are frequent points of frustration.

Overall Sentiment: Positive

Long-Term Cost Benefits

Owning a battery doorbell avoids professional monitoring fees and reduces the chance of package theft, which can offset subscription costs over time if you frequently rely on recordings. The main ongoing cost is optional cloud storage if you want to keep video clips.

Return on Investment

You get value from preventing theft, reducing missed deliveries, and lowering the need to check the door in person. If you prioritize situational awareness and convenience, the device pays back through saved time and fewer security worries, though full evidence retention requires a subscription.

Situational Benefits

Time-Saving Benefits

Instant motion alerts and live view save you repeated trips to the door and cut down on time spent checking missed deliveries or unknown visitors.

Ease of Use

Versatility

The doorbell works outdoors and integrates with voice assistants and smart displays, so you can view the feed from multiple devices and use it for security, guest interactions, and delivery checks.

Energy Efficiency

As a battery-powered device with low idle draw, it conserves energy when activity is low, but frequent motion events shorten the time between charges so overall efficiency depends on your doorstep traffic.

Problem Solving Ability

This doorbell addresses common entryway problems like missed packages, unknown visitors, and lack of remote visibility. It provides clear live footage and two-way audio to verify people at the door, though long-term evidence storage requires a subscription.

Why You’ll Like It

• Clear HD video with HDR and night vision for reliable day/night monitoring
• Smart alerts that distinguish people, packages, animals, and vehicles
• Battery-powered, wire-free installation that’s do-it-yourself friendly
• Two-way talk and integration with Google Home and Alexa

Rating: 4.2 (total: 5051+)

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Wyze Plug

You get a small, unobtrusive smart plug that turns ordinary lamps and appliances into remotely controlled devices. Setup is straightforward and it connects directly to your Wi‑Fi, so you don’t need a hub. Use it to schedule lights for daily routines, automate holiday displays, or switch off chargers when you leave for a trip. The app is simple and integrates with Alexa, Google Assistant and IFTTT, so you can add voice routines and scenes without a lot of fuss.

If you want low-friction automation that just works for common household devices, this is an easy place to start.

What People Say

Customers repeatedly note how easy the plugs are to install and how well they integrate with voice assistants. People like the compact design that doesn’t block the second outlet and the scheduling features for lights and small appliances.

A few users reported connectivity hiccups during power events, but firmware fixes and support responses are often mentioned as addressing those problems.

Overall Sentiment: Positive

Long-Term Cost Benefits

Using schedules and remote shutoffs reduces phantom power draw from chargers and lamps, which adds up over months. Avoiding a hub lowers upfront costs and keeps maintenance simpler, and firmware updates have addressed earlier connectivity issues so long-term reliability has improved.

Return on Investment

You recover value through lower energy use and less manual switching. If you automate lights and standby devices, the convenience and small monthly energy savings quickly justify the purchase for most households.

Situational Benefits

Time-Saving Benefits

Remote control, scenes, and voice commands remove small daily tasks like walking to switches or unplugging devices, freeing up minutes each day that add up over time.

Ease of Use

Versatility

Works with lamps, fans, heaters within rating limits and can be used in schedules, scenes, and IFTTT chains, making it a versatile building block for simple automations.

Energy Efficiency

Scheduling and remote shutoff reduce idle power draw from electronics and lights, improving household energy efficiency when used consistently.

Problem Solving Ability

The plug solves basic automation needs—remote control, scheduled routines, and voice activation—without requiring a hub, which is ideal for renters or anyone who wants immediate benefits with minimal setup.

Why You’ll Like It

• Plug-and-play Wi‑Fi setup with no hub required
• Compact size fits standard outlets and power strips
• Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT for voice and automation
• Scheduling and remote control help reduce standby energy use

Rating: 4.5 (total: 9108+)

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Lutron Pico

You get a compact, reliable remote that brings physical control to a Caseta lighting setup without rewiring. It pairs cleanly with Caseta dimmers and can act as a handheld controller, wall-mounted switch, or tabletop button. That flexibility makes it useful for everyday dimming, creating preset scenes, or replacing a complicated three-way switch configuration during a remodel.

It works locally, so lights respond even if the home network is offline, and the simple interface keeps daily lighting intuitive for guests and family. If you want dependable, low-friction control that fits both modern and traditional spaces, this remote is a practical choice.

What People Say

Owners consistently praise how reliably the Pico controls lights and how easy it is to set up with Caseta dimmers. Many highlight the convenience of mounting it where a traditional switch would be difficult, and users value the tactile feel and preset capability for everyday scenes.

A few mention limited compatibility outside the Lutron ecosystem, but most appreciate the stable, local control.

Overall Sentiment: Positive

Long-Term Cost Benefits

Because the Pico avoids rewiring and pairs with long-lived Caseta gear, you save on installation and future maintenance. Durable hardware and broad spare-part availability make it a low-cost, long-term control option.

Return on Investment

You gain immediate convenience and reduced installation complexity, and the ability to add controls without electrical work often offsets the initial setup time and hardware costs over time.

Situational Benefits

Time-Saving Benefits

Preset buttons and immediate local control remove repeated trips to switches and cut the time spent adjusting lighting for common activities.

Ease of Use

Versatility

Designed primarily for Caseta systems, the Pico shines in many roles—from handheld control to wall-mounted replacement—so it fits living rooms, bedrooms, and specialty spaces like theaters.

Energy Efficiency

By enabling precise dimming and easy scene recall, the remote helps reduce unnecessary lighting use, which contributes to modest energy savings over time.

Problem Solving Ability

The Pico solves common lighting pain points: it replaces complex wiring when you need additional switches, offers quick scene control, and ensures lights respond reliably even if network services fail.

Why You’ll Like It

• Hands-on control for dimmers without additional wiring
• Multiple mounting options: handheld, wall, or tabletop
• Local operation ensures lights work without cloud or network
• Long-lived, well-supported ecosystem with easy programming

Rating: 4.8 (total: 2841+)

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FAQ

How Do I Choose The Right Smart Home Product?

Start by matching devices to the ecosystem you already use and the single problem you want solved. Prioritize ecosystem compatibility, whether you need local control when the network is down, and the installation type—battery, plug‑in, or wired—since that affects placement and effort. Think about long-term needs such as expandability, spare-part availability, and whether you prefer devices that work independently or rely on a central hub.

Will These Devices Work With My Voice Assistant And Network?

Most mainstream products integrate with Alexa and Google Assistant, but there are exceptions and protocol differences to check before buying. Confirm whether a device needs a hub or only Wi‑Fi, and note that some smart plugs require 2.4 GHz networks rather than 5 GHz.

For systems like Lutron Caseta, expect a proprietary radio that delivers reliable local control but may need the Caseta hub for broader integrations.

How Do Subscriptions, Privacy, And Storage Work?

Cloud features such as continuous recording and extended video history usually require a subscription; decide whether live view alone covers your needs or if you want stored clips. Review each product’s privacy options and enable strong account protections, firmware updates, and two‑factor authentication where available. If privacy or recurring fees are a concern, look for devices that offer local storage or local control so you maintain access and reduce reliance on cloud services.

Customer Preferences

When choosing among the Nest Doorbell, Wyze Plug, and Lutron Pico, you typically prioritize ecosystem compatibility and the specific problem you need solved: clear video and smart alerts for a doorbell, compact scheduling and remote control for plugs, or tactile local control for lighting. You also consider ongoing factors like subscription requirements, installation complexity, and whether you need reliable local operation versus cloud-based features, then pick the device that best matches how you want to control your home.

Wrapping Up

Choose the Nest Doorbell if you prioritize intelligent alerts and high-quality video at your front door while accepting subscription trade-offs for cloud storage. Choose the Wyze Plug if you want the most automation for the least money in a compact package that works well with voice assistants.

Choose the Lutron Pico if you need dependable physical controls and local reliability that integrates cleanly with Caseta systems. Match the pick to the ecosystem you already use and the single problem you want solved to get the best experience.

	Google Nest Doorbell (Battery) – Ash	Wyze Plug, 2.4GHz WiFi Smart Plug	Lutron Pico Remote for Caseta Smart Dimmer Switch
Rating	4.2/5 (5,051 reviews)	4.5/5 (9,108 reviews)	4.8/5 (2,841 reviews)
Key Highlights	960×1280 Resolution 145-degree Field of View 30 fps Frame Rate Night Vision Self-Installation	Compact Design Voice Control with Alexa and Google Timely Scheduling 15A Current Rating	3-Button Control Tabletop or Wall Mount Use Wireless Operation Compatible with Lutron Caseta Products
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (2.4GHz and 5GHz) Bluetooth Compatible with Google Assistant, Alexa	Wi-Fi Compatible with IFTTT	Wireless Protocol Compatible with Lutron Caseta Dimmers
	Shop Now	Shop Now	Shop Now

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