Making your first apartment after college a little smarter doesn’t have to cost a ton of money — and it shouldn’t take a lot of effort, either.If you’re just getting settled in your new place or are ready to give your long-term digs some automated tricks, this list can help.When we test smart home devices for an Engadget guide, we always look for budget options as well as picks that are good for newbies, both of which you’ll find here.Combine a smart speaker with a smart plug and you’ll never have to fumble with a lamp in the dark again.
Set your robo vac to clean up while you’re gone and you’ll come home to sparkling floors.We included our favorite streaming stick for a lifetime supply of free TV content, and of course there’s a mini air fryer pick, because every kitchen needs an air fryer, no matter how small.Quick OverviewKasa Smart Plug Mini 15A$35 at AmazonEcho Show 5 (3rd Gen, 2023 release)More options$65 at Amazon$89 at Macy's$65 at TargetKasa Smart Light Bulbs$25 at AmazonLevoit Core 300S$150 at AmazonSonos Roam 2$179 at SonosBlink Mini 2More options$40 at Amazon$40 at Lowe's$40 at Best BuyRoku Streaming Stick 4K$38 at AmazonInstant Pot Vortex 2QT Mini Air Fryer$60 at AmazoniRobot Roomba Vac Robot VacuumMore options$130 at Amazon$249 at Wayfair$250 at TargetGovee Floor Lamp Pro$220 at AmazonTP-Link AC1200 WiFi Extender$23 at AmazonSee 6 moreKasa SmartKasa Smart Plug Mini 15AI found the tackiest, most amazing lamp in the lobby of one of my first apartment buildings and I still cherish it to this day — but its rotary switch is extremely hard to turn.I’ve since plugged it into one of Kasa’s EP25 Smart Plugs and now it automatically comes on just before sunset and goes off when I say goodnight to Alexa (or ask it to turn off the “ugly lamp”).
Many smart plugs out there will do this, but the EP25 is the top performer from our guide because we found it connects easily, works reliably and is compatible with all four major smart home platforms.$35 at AmazonAmazonEcho Show 5 (3rd Gen, 2023 release)You can think of the Echo Show 5 as the command center for your automated home.Amazon tweaked their smallest display in 2023 to be a little faster and a little bassier than its predecessor, and it’s still a good smart display for a compact space.
It shows footage from your connected cameras and grants voice control over your smart plugs and other devices.Plus, it’ll play your music or podcasts, tell you the weather and even stream your favorite show (just note that the Netflix app isn’t supported).$65 at AmazonExplore More Buying Options$89 at Macy's$65 at TargetTP-Link / KasaKasa Smart Light BulbsConnected bulbs might be the easiest way to turn your analog home into a “smart” one.
A single smart light can ensure you never walk into a dark apartment again.You can set schedules for your daily routines or make it look like you’re home when you’re not.Being able to turn things off with just your voice or via an app can save you from getting out of bed when you’re ready to crash.
Our senior commerce editor, Valentina Palladino tested a number of bulbs for our guide and thinks TP-Link’s Kasa Smart Bulbs give you the best value.Installation will be easy, even for those new to smart devices, thanks to Kasa’s clean and simple app.It’s worth noting that voice control is only available with Alexa or the Google Assistant; Siri is unfortunately incompatible.
$25 at AmazonLEVOITLevoit Core 300SWhether it’s traffic exhaust in the city, pollen in the suburbs or wildfire smoke everywhere, it’s not always ideal to throw open your apartment’s windows to get some fresh air.An air purifier can help keep your indoor air healthier when you’re shut inside, and we like this small-space unit from Levoit.The Core 300S smart air purifier is an app-compatible gadget that can automatically adjust its fan speed depending on how much particulate matter it detects in the air.
We found it to be nearly silent running on low and not too distracting when on high.Plus it’s relatively affordable and the replacement filters only cost around $35.$150 at AmazonPhoto by Nathan Ingraham / EngadgetSonos Roam 2The Sonos Roam 2 is both a smart and portable speaker, packing a decent amount of utility into a $180 package.
While not the cheapest around, it’s relatively low-cost for Sonos, a brand known for quality audio.The Roam will play whichever music service you prefer, delivering clear highs and impressive bass for its size.Alexa is built in and you can access the Google Assistant too, which means you can use the speaker to order around your compatible smart home devices.
And when it’s time to relax, you can ask Roam to play just about any song you can think of.$179 at SonosBlinkBlink Mini 2An indoor security camera can give you eyes on your pets when you’re out, or just some peace of mind when you’re away for the weekend.The updated Blink Mini 2 camera now packs a spotlight, offers better night vision and is rated for both indoor and outdoor use.
The price went up $10 as a result, but it still ranks as one of the more affordable smart security cameras out there.Blink is an Amazon brand, so the camera should sync easily with Echo Show displays, but will also send video feed to your phone or Fire TV.A built-in mic and speaker let you hear and talk to anyone in the room, nice for confusing the cat or freaking out your guests.
$40 at AmazonExplore More Buying Options$40 at Lowe's$40 at Best BuyRokuRoku Streaming Stick 4KRoku’s Streaming Stick 4K turns any screen with an HDMI port into a smart TV for under $50.Our commerce writer, Nicole Lee, likes Roku’s straightforward interface and the fact that it supports universal search so you can find out which service a given show is playing on.Unlike some streaming sticks, Roku works with all the major voice assistants: Siri, Google Assistant and Alexa.
You can even control your TV by saying “hey Roku” to the included remote or through the Roku app.The same app turns your phone into a second remote and enables private listening through your headphones as well.The 4K dongle is made for high-resolution screens, but if you don’t have a 4K TV and want to save more money, Amazon’s Fire TV Stick Lite is our favorite budget option.
$38 at AmazonInstant PotInstant Pot Vortex 2QT Mini Air FryerI didn’t really get the air fryer hype until someone bought me one as a gift last year.Consider me a convert.It cooks up food as fast as the microwave, but instead of soggy and hot, leftovers, potatoes, nachos and tofu come out crisp and sizzling.
The Vortex 2QT Mini from Instant Pot is on our list of the best air fryers as the budget pick.Its smaller size is perfect for one person and the onboard controls are simple to figure out, even for my fellow microwave-only folk.The compact size also means it won’t take up a lot of space on your countertops and its versatility means you can use your oven for other, more important things.
$60 at AmazoniRobotiRobot Roomba Vac Robot VacuumAfter testing dozens of robot vacuums, we decided iRobot’s Roomba Vac is the best budget option for just about anyone, but particularly for those just starting their smart home journey.The app is easy to use, even if you’re completely new to these devices, and there are physical buttons on the bot itself to simplify things even more.Setting it up within the app is straightforward, however, so you can quickly program it to run on a schedule — something we recommend doing so you get the most out of these devices.
It can run for up to two hours on a charge, which should be more than enough time to cover all but the most palatial apartments.And before it runs out of battery, it will return to its base for a recharge automatically.Unlike some of the more expensive models, this one doesn’t automatically empty itself, but even that small bit of maintenance is still a lot less effort than dragging a manual vacuum across your floors every week.
$130 at AmazonExplore More Buying Options$249 at Wayfair$250 at TargetGoveeGovee Floor Lamp ProSome older apartments don’t have built-in lighting, while others sport fluorescent overheads that suck the life out of your eyeballs — the answer to both problems is lamps.You can turn any vintage find into a smart lamp with a smart plug or bulb, but the Govee Floor Lamp Pro has the automation built in.It’s our favorite floor lamp in our smart lights guide because it’s just an all-around cool device.
At $200, it’s one of the pricier items on this list, but you not only get a lamp that can produce millions of colors, the base is also a Bluetooth speaker that, as we noted, gets pretty loud.The lights can sync with your music but can also produce a just-right soft white.It’ll output up to 2,100 lumens and the lighting tube rotates 300 degrees.
Matter compatibility means it’ll work with the smart home ecosystem of your choice, letting you control it with your voice, through a home app or with the included remote.$220 at AmazonTP-LinkTP-Link AC1200 WiFi ExtenderThick walls, weird layouts and other factors can make home WiFi reception spotty.If you’re experiencing dead zones in your apartment, a WiFi extender might help.
TP-Link’s AC1200 RE315 is our favorite budget pick: it covers 1,500 square feet and delivers speeds of up to 1,200Mbps – plenty fast for streaming and working from home.It also has a built-in Ethernet port, which should provide an even more reliable connection to essential tech like your TV or game console.$23 at Amazon
