I transformed my new apartment with these 9 amazing smart home devices starting at $31

Whether you’re just starting to build a smart home or you’re looking for new smart home gadgets that are easy to install – and maybe even tenant-friendly – there’s no shortage of devices on the market. In my own space, I have several strategically selected smart home gadgets that work well in my new apartment.

The most important thing when creating my smart home setup was making sure everything worked smoothly, especially in the areas I use the most. This meant transforming my living room, kitchen and outdoor patio into the most “intelligent” spaces where devices communicate in an automated and convenient way.

From setting the mood with the best smart lights, to securing your home with smart locks, to cleaning your home hands-free, below are some of the best smart home devices that really make a difference for me on a daily basis. Be sure to check out my full YouTube video to see these devices in action, including a gravity-defying window cleaning robot you won’t want to miss.

Essential smart home devices

Cync Smart Indoor Camera: was $39, now $31 on Amazon
I’m not a huge fan of having security cameras in my home, but if they’re for monitoring the entrance and nothing else, I’m fine with that. The GE Cync smart indoor camera allows you to monitor the inside of your home without spending a lot of money. It can detect motion and audio events, lets you choose between local and cloud storage options, and delivers clear 1080p video. See the offer

Govee 3 TV backlight: was $89, now $80 on Amazon
With Govee TV Backlight 3, everything on my TV screen can be transformed into lighting thanks to the camera placed on top. This is the newest addition to my lineup, but I’ve seen so many people raving about this feature online that I had to try it out for myself. Compared to more traditional smart lights, these are on another level because they actually sync with what’s happening on the screen. See the offer

Video doorbell: $99 at Amazon
I travel a lot. It’s great to be able to always keep an eye on the front door in case I need to accept a delivery and make sure my packages are safe. Since I didn’t want to drill through the door for wiring, the built-in, long-lasting battery is a big advantage. Read our full video doorbell review to learn more. See the offer

Yale Assure 2 Lock: was $159, now $126 on Amazon
Unless I’m driving, I hate taking my keys with me, and the Yale Assure Lock 2 is one of the cheapest Bluetooth-only smart locks for securing my apartment. But what I really like the most is the auto-locking feature. After a few minutes, the door will close itself, which is great when my hands are full or I simply forget it’s open.

See the offer

Echo Studio: was $199 on Amazon
You can mix and match Alexa speakers, starting with even a basic one, or get something that fills your entire space with great sound. Amazon Echo Studio offers the best sound of any Amazon speaker. You can pair it with other Alexa speakers for surround sound and even connect it to a turntable like my Montrose turntable thanks to the 3.5mm audio input port. See the offer

Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd generation): : $249 at Amazon
I have an Echo Show 10 set up in my kitchen, and although the panning screen auto-tracking feature has stopped working, it does a decent job of moving around so I can keep watching my favorite show or follow along with a recipe without having to touch the display. I can also ask it to add items to my shopping list when I realize I’m out of ingredients. See the offer

Winbot W2 Omni: was $599, now $539 on Amazon
Is a window cleaning robot something I will ever need, let alone try? No, but now that I have, I’m very excited about the future of home automation. This is a great example of how a smart home device can solve home care problems, such as huge windows that quickly collect dirt. See the offer

Hisense 65” U8K Mini-LED 4K TV: was $1,399, now $997 on Amazon
A smart TV can connect a smart home, and Hisense makes some of the best non-OLED TVs you can buy today. Even though it’s a recent model, it’s still one of the best 65-inch 4K 144Hz TVs you can buy for under $1,000. It gets exceptionally bright, with a peak output of 1,500 nits, with impressive blacks and contrast thanks to the Mini LED panel.

See the offer

ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 Omni vacuuming and mopping robot: was $1,499, now $999 on Amazon
While it may seem strange to get excited about a cleaning robot, it’s been fun to see them getting smarter, not only in terms of cleaning efficiency, but also in terms of appearance. In addition to amazing auto-rising mop pads that let you clean hard floors and carpets in the same cleaning session, as well as accurate 3D mapping of your home, the X2 Omni can clean under low-clearance obstacles. It’s expensive, but a great investment if you want a good cleaning job. See the offer