The Best Smart Home Gifts for Living in the Future (2024)

Smart home devices really are the gifts that keep on giving. Every time your loved one follows a recipe on a smart display, saves money on an energy bill thanks to a smart thermostat, or turns on connected lights with a simple voice command, they'll think of you fondly.

These days, you can find a smarter version of pretty much any home device you can think of, and when they work, these gadgets go a long way toward improving the safety and comfort of your digs. So if you have a new homeowner on your holiday list, a capable home-automation gift is a no-brainer.

We've tested hundreds of smart home products in more than 20 categories, but we've narrowed them down here to those that are plug-and-play or very easy to install, so they're suitable for newbies, as well as both renters and homeowners. And they all come highly recommended, and are relatively affordable.

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For scores of additional smart gift ideas, check out our full Holiday Gift Guide.

Our Experts Have Tested 112 Products in the Smart Home Category in the Past Year

Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions.See how we test.

A Bedside Companion

The Best Smart Home Gifts for Living in the Future (4)

Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen)

4.0

$99.99 at Best BuySee It

With the ability to track your sleep, snoring, and overnight coughing and breathing from the bedside table (no contact needed), the second-generation Google Nest Hub is the best smart display for the bedroom. It works with thousands of other smart home devices, too, so you can control your compatible gadgets with a few taps or "Hey Google" voice commands from the comfort of your bed.

Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) Review

An Orb for Apple Fans

The Best Smart Home Gifts for Living in the Future (5)

Apple HomePod mini

4.0

$99.99 at Best BuyCheck Stock

There’s no shortage of smart speakers to choose from these days, but the Apple HomePod mini is a top option for iPhone users. Available in a range of fun colors, this attractive orb enhances your home decor, offering Siri voice assistance, smart home controls, and solid audio performance for its small size.

Apple HomePod mini Review

A Smart Speaker for Music Lovers

The Best Smart Home Gifts for Living in the Future (6)

Sonos One (Gen 2)

4.0

$219.99 at Best BuyCheck Stock

The second-generation Sonos One costs more than some other smart speakers, but it stands out for sound quality and versatility. Audio-wise, it's head and shoulders above other smart speakers in this price range. And it gives you the choice of Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant for voice control.

Sonos One (Gen 2) Review

A Smart Display for the Connected Kitchen

The Best Smart Home Gifts for Living in the Future (7)

Amazon Echo Show 8 (1st Gen, 2019 Release)

4.5

$0.00 at AmazonCheck Stock

With a bright and colorful screen, strong audio performance, and loads of useful Alexa voice-control features, the compact and affordable Echo Show 8 is one of our favorite smart displays, especially for kitchens. You can ask Alexa to play the news while you're washing dishes, set timers, search for and save recipes, add items to your shopping list or Amazon cart, control other compatible smart home devices, and more.

Amazon Echo Show 8 (1st Gen, 2019 Release) Review

A Video Doorbell to Thwart Porch Pirates

The Best Smart Home Gifts for Living in the Future (8)

Toucan Wireless Video Doorbell

4.0

$69.99 at AmazonCheck Stock

Every Amazon Prime addict needs a video doorbell to keep tabs on their front porch and thwart would-be package thieves. The Toucan Wireless Video Doorbell is our favorite model for gift-giving, because it's completely wireless (and thus a breeze to install), comes with a remote chime, works with Alexa and Google Assistant commands, and offers free cloud storage.

Toucan Wireless Video Doorbell Review

A Watchful Eye to Keep Them Safe

The Best Smart Home Gifts for Living in the Future (9)

Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera

4.5

$119.75 at AmazonCheck Stock

Show your loved one you care with a gift that can help keep them safe: the Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera. This high-resolution, weather-resistant security camera not only captures motion-triggered video, but it also casts a bright light on your property when it detects movement. The camera is wireless, installs in minutes, delivers detailed 2K video with color night vision, provides accurate and intelligent motion detection, and offers plenty of integration options with other smart home devices.

Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera Review

Spruce Up Backyard Spaces

The Best Smart Home Gifts for Living in the Future (10)

Govee Lynx Dream Bluetooth & Wi-Fi Outdoor String Lights

4.0

$69.99 at AmazonSee It

Designed for outdoor use, the Govee Lynx Dream String Lights feature multicolor LEDs you can control with your phone or voice, making for a fun and easy way to illuminate your deck or backyard. They are highly customizable and offer a generous selection of preset lighting scenes as well as a fun Music Sync mode that's great for parties.

A Bulb for Brighter Days

The Best Smart Home Gifts for Living in the Future (11)

Wyze Bulb Color

4.5

$22.99 at WyzeSee It

A basic light bulb isn't the most exciting gift, but a smart one is a bright idea. The affordable and ultra-convenient Wyze Bulb Color supports app and voice control and screws into any standard E26 lamp base. It can produce 16 million colors, as well as a range of warm to cool white tones. and it shines from dim to bright, offering plenty of options to help your loved one set the mood.

Wyze Bulb Color Review

A Smart Way to Keep Cool and Warm

The Best Smart Home Gifts for Living in the Future (12)

Wyze Thermostat

4.0

$51.88 at WalmartSee It

Though it requires some basic wiring to install, the Wyze Thermostat is well worth the effort. After setting it up (or enlisting a pro to do so), your loved one will be able to control their home's heating and cooling system from their phone or with voice commands via Alexa or Google Assistant. This smart thermostat generates usage reports with energy-saving tips, so it could save them some money, too.

Wyze Thermostat Review

The Ultimate Gadget For Grillmasters

The Best Smart Home Gifts for Living in the Future (13)

Weber iGrill Mini

4.0

$26.25 at WalmartSee It

If you have a barbecue aficionado on your gift list, look no further: The Weber iGrill Mini is a small connected thermometer that lets you check on the progress of your meal, whether it's cooking in the oven or on the grill, right from your smartphone. It can measure temperatures up to 572°F and sends you a notification when your dish is ready.

Weber iGrill Mini Review

A Connected Air Fryer for Foodies

The Best Smart Home Gifts for Living in the Future (14)

Cosori Smart 5.8-Quart Air Fryer

4.0

$79.99 at Best BuySee It

Crisping food to perfection in a flash using little to no oil, air fryers are truly worth the hype. An excellent gift idea for any home chef, the Cosori Smart 5.8-Quart Air Fryer stands out for its large basket (it's big enough to accommodate a 5-pound chicken!), an LED touch screen with 11 presets for one-touch cooking, and app connectivity, so you can control cooking and browse recipes from your phone.

Cosori Smart 5.8-Quart Air Fryer Review

Voice-Controlled Weights for Fitness Buffs

The Best Smart Home Gifts for Living in the Future (15)

NordicTrack iSelect Voice-Controlled Dumbbells

$699.99 at AmazonCheck Stock

Adjustable dumbbells are all the rage among fitness enthusiasts for their space-saving design. The NordicTrack iSelect Adjustable Dumbbells one-up the competition with Amazon Alexa support, so you can adjust them from 5 to 50 pounds, in 5-pound increments, using just your voice. They'll help your loved one level up their fitness without cluttering up the house.

NordicTrack iSelect Voice-Controlled Dumbbells Review

An Incognito Air Purifier

The Best Smart Home Gifts for Living in the Future (16)

Ikea Starkvind Table With Air Purifier

4.0

$219.99 at IKEASee It

An air purifier is a gift that gives better breathing, but most models are an eyesore. Ikea shows this doesn't have to be the case with the Starkvind, a side table with a hidden air purifier that captures dust, pollen, and fine, inhaleable particles in rooms up to 215 square feet. Pair it with an Ikea Tradfri Gateway smart hub (sold separately), so your loved one can turn the air purifier on and off, monitor air quality, and set up a cleaning schedule from their phone.

Ikea Starkvind Table With Air Purifier Review

A Self-Emptying Robot Vac

The Best Smart Home Gifts for Living in the Future (17)

Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty XL RV1001AE

4.5

$373.83 at AmazonSee It

Show someone you care with a robot that can clean their floors, then clean itself. The Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty XL RV1001AE can store up to 30 days' worth of dust and debris in its bagless base, so it needs manual bin-emptying only about once a month. It also boasts a number of useful smart features, including home mapping for targeted room cleaning and virtual no-go zones.

Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty XL RV1001AE Review

A Robot That Mops Floors, and Walls

The Best Smart Home Gifts for Living in the Future (18)

Samsung Jetbot Mop

4.0

$299.00 at Lowe'sSee It

Any clean freak will go wild over the innovative Samsung Jetbot Mop, which does double duty as a floor and wall scrubber. This little robot quickly zips around your home using two spinning pads to scrub your hard floors until they shine, and it features a handle so you can use it to clean walls.

Samsung Jetbot Mop Review

A Smart Camera for Pet Owners

The Best Smart Home Gifts for Living in the Future (19)

Furbo 360 Dog Camera

4.0

$210.00 at AmazonSee It

The perfect gift for any dog parent, the Furbo 360 lets you see your pet—and toss them treats—from your phone, wherever you are. The latest model improves on the original with color night vision and the ability to pan from side to side for 360-degree views.

Furbo 360 Dog Camera Review

The Best Smart Home Gifts for Living in the Future (2024)

FAQs

The Best Smart Home Gifts for Living in the Future? ›

The future of the smart home will see a proliferation of IoT devices all connected to a single central network. With rising user expectations for what these devices can do, a consistent, high-speed network connection will go from a luxury to a necessity.

What devices are needed for a smart home? ›

Here are some smart devices that you can consider adding to your home:
  • Lights and light switches.
  • Outlets and electrical plugs.
  • Smart thermostats.
  • Speakers and sound systems.
  • Media streaming devices.
  • Door locks.
  • Video doorbells.
  • Security cameras.

What is the future looking like for a smart home? ›

The future of the smart home will see a proliferation of IoT devices all connected to a single central network. With rising user expectations for what these devices can do, a consistent, high-speed network connection will go from a luxury to a necessity.

What is a good new home present? ›

Great gifts for all new homeowners

If you're buying a present for a couple, find something they'll both enjoy. It could be a set of wine glasses or coffee mugs, or perhaps a letter tray to help them organise their mail.

What is the difference between a smart device and a smart home? ›

A smart device is an individual, internet-connected piece of hardware that can be remotely controlled, programed and automated to provide a service or convenience. Smart homes are the future and, if set up correctly, can be extremely beneficial for your family's security, energy efficiency and health and safety.

Are smart home devices worth it? ›

Is a Smart Home Worth It? It can be. You must do the research to determine whether the potential convenience, added security, and cost savings over time outweigh the cost to install a full home system. Consider using individual smart home products first to learn how well they fit your lifestyle and budget.

What is a great house gift? ›

A personalized welcome mat, a monogrammed picture frame, or a set of embroidered linen co*cktail napkins are practical and thoughtful choices. A cozy throw blanket or a succulent plant can add a touch of comfort to any living space.”

How much should you spend on a new home gift? ›

According to Shadow Breeze, about 44% of all housewarming gifts purchased the past year have been in the $25 to $49 range. 26% of people spent between $50 and $99, 16% spent less than $25 and 14% spend more than $100. While great housewarming gifts come in all price ranges, you should plan to spend between $25 and $75.

What can I gift my friend for her new house? ›

A nice bouquet of flowers to liven up a new space will always be appreciated. These delicate white orchids will inspire new beginnings, and the accompanying sea salt grapefruit candle will bring some freshness to their home.

What will a smart home look like 10 years from now? ›

AI will play an important role during the next ten years. AI will help your smart home do more tasks that humans used to do. For example, instead of having to set up smart home routines, AI may set them up for you.

What are the trends in smart homes? ›

What are the key trends driving the growth of the Smart Home Market? The Smart Home Market is being driven by various statistics, including increased consumer adoption, advancements in IoT and AI technologies, growing focus on energy efficiency and sustainability, and the rise of voice assistants.

Does smart home increase property value? ›

Does a Smart Home Increase a Home's Value? Smart home technology can definitely add to market value. Appraisers make what they call “adjustments” when they compare tech-enabled homes with similar but tech-deficient houses. Smart homes command higher prices and may be easier to sell as a result.

What is lucky for a new home? ›

Salt is supposed to have the ability to repel bad spirits and keep a home secure from black magic. Scattering coins or rice grains on the floor. Scatter coins or rice grains about your home to ensure wealth and good fortune throughout your stay.

What is a new home gift called? ›

Around the world, people give housewarming gifts to wish new homeowners well in their new homes. Some believe the tradition began in France. While others believe Russia to be the origin of the housewarming tradition. The word itself, housewarming, dates back to the 16th century.

What are two requirements to connect a smart device to a home? ›

Explanation: To connect a smart device to a home wireless network, you need two requirements: an IP address and an SSID. The IP address, also known as Internet Protocol address, is a unique identifier assigned to each device on a network.

What qualifies a home as a smart home? ›

The Basics. A smart home allows homeowners to control appliances, thermostats, lights, and other devices remotely using a smartphone or tablet through an internet connection. Smart homes can be set up through wireless or hardwired systems. Smart home technology provides homeowners with convenience and cost savings.

How to choose smart home devices? ›

When you're ready to choose a specific device, here are a few things to keep in mind.
  1. Remember: Focus on the Function. ...
  2. Do Your Research. ...
  3. Start Small and Build. ...
  4. Consider Accessibility. ...
  5. Explore Automations and Routines. ...
  6. Keep in Mind Device Compatibility. ...
  7. Read the Specifications.

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