We’ve all noticed a steady shift towards home automation. Automating can control items around the house—from doorbells, locks to smart smoke alarms. A simple push of a button or a voice command can do anything. Basically, you can make your home safer, convenient, and more luxurious with smart home devices. They also happen to make excellent gifts! Try buying them as a housewarming present or to make your parents’ lives easier.

In this blog, you’ll find a list of smart home devices that are easy to install. Let’s dive right in!

1. Smart devices for home safety: Smart doorbell

When paired with your smartphone, a smart doorbell offers saved video, live stream video, and motion sensors. They are smart devices that are all accessible from your phone. However, they require a little DIY installation. Some models like the Vivint doorbell camera do not need you to drill through your door.

2. Smart devices for home safety (2): Smart locks

These smart devices are great for convenience and safety, especially when your apartment does not offer controlled access. Some smart locks allow you to keep tabs on who is going in or out of the home. Additionally, they even have exclusive access that you can give to your friends and family. If you prefer geofencing as well as voice activation, the August Smart Lock Pro + Connect is a good option.

3. Smart devices that save you money: Smart plugs

Smart plugs are cheap and require zero installation. They are smart devices that plug into existing outlets to control the devices or appliances you connect. Simultaneously, you can use remote control and turn off your coffee maker, toaster, or straightener. This way, you save on your bill and don’t use the energy you don’t need. There are some smart plugs, like the Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini, that also comes with voice activation.

4. Smart smoke alarm

Legally speaking, every home should have a smoke alarm. Smart smoke detectors protect your home even if you’re miles away at work or on the other side of the world. If you plan to buy one of these smart devices, we recommend checking out the Google Nest smoke detector. It checks its sensors and batteries almost 400 times per day. This way, you don’t have to worry about checking it once a month.

5. Smart switches

A smart light switch works to control your existing light bulbs without swapping all of them out. All in all, they are compatible with about 80% of all bulbs. They work with cloud-based technology like Alexa, plus your smartphone. Additionally, just like smart bulbs, you can customize and schedule your lights if you want to turn them on or off at specific times.

6. Amazon Echo

This is a Bluetooth speaker powered by Alexa, which is Amazon’s handy voice assistant. Firstly, Alexa works with several smart home devices directly. In addition, imagine cooking dinner with your favorite tunes in the background. Also, use the voice activation feature to find out quick facts without having to Google anything! You can check the weather in the morning, make grocery lists out loud, and more.

7. Smart Gardens

Smart gardens are ‘click and grow’ gardens that are easy to operate and convenient for every home. In effect, these smart devices are perfect for small indoor spaces and let you grow up to eight to nine different plants. Simultaneously, you can easily plant lettuce, tomatoes, and basil to spruce up your daily cooking with fresh herbs from your smart garden! Altogether, it’s a fun hobby that’s a little different. Watch plants grow into something you can eat!

Thanks to smart home devices, you can turn even a small, old apartment into your own smart home.

D’you know what else Roomi does outside of helping its readers find the best smart devices? With our ever-increasing lists of rooms and roommates across the world, we help you find your perfect match! Download the app here and hop on the easiest ride home, ever!