Amazon and Google might dominate the smart home market, but that doesn’t mean they’re the only companies producing premium products in this category. Companies like Wyze, Arlo and even Apple have proven time and time again that they can compete with the two well-known companies – and they have plenty of highly rated products to prove it.
If you don’t want to buy smart home products from Amazon or Google (or their affiliates), here are the best smart home products to buy.
John Velasco / Digital Trends
Apple HomePod Mini
Table of Contents
Small smart speaker
Advantages
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Computational audio optimizes the experience
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Clean highs and mids
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Compact size makes it discreet
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It’s the most affordable HomeKit home hub
The inconvenients
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Siri lacks the advanced intelligence of its peers
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Short power cord
No smart home is complete without a smart speaker, and few offer the performance and price of the Apple HomePod Mini. Not only does it look stylish and come in a variety of colors, HomePod Mini clocks cost under $100. If you’re an Apple fan (or love how intuitive your iPhone is), the Apple HomePod Mini makes a great central pillar of a connected smart home.
Apple HomePod Mini
Small smart speaker
Sonos One
Impressive speaker that integrates with Alexa and Google Assistant
Advantages
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Superb sound quality
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Extremely simple setup
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Super easy to use
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Excellent Alexa integration
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Good price
The inconvenients
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No threaded insert for mounting
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No Bluetooth streaming
The Sonos is a bit more expensive than the HomePod Mini, but the Sonos One produces some of the best sound of any smart speaker on the market. You’ll also get support for Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa which makes it easy to integrate with any other smart home product in your home. Sonos completes the set with a sleek design available in black or white.
Sonos One
Impressive speaker that integrates with Alexa and Google Assistant
John Velasco / Digital Trends
Wyze bulb color
Affordable smart lighting
Advantages
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Really bright output
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The colors are very saturated
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Does not require a bridge
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Ridiculously low price
Wyze has long been hailed as a smart home company for buyers on a budget, but that doesn’t mean its products are cheap. In fact, the Wyze Bulb Color is just as capable as any other smart light on the market, capable of producing millions of different colors and powered by an intuitive smartphone app that makes it easy to manage your schedule and remote control of the action.
Wyze bulb color
Affordable smart lighting
John Velasco / Digital Trends
Arlo Pro 4
Easy to install security camera
Advantages
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Sharp images
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Additional details with color night vision
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Does not require a hub to be configured
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Smart Security with Arlo Smart Service
The inconvenients
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Specifications are similar to the predecessor
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Headlamp required for color night vision
Tough enough to withstand large spaces but small enough to fit on a shelf indoors, the Arlo Pro 4 is a versatile home security solution. You’ll be able to capture 2K video, communicate via two-way audio, and scan much of your home with an impressive 160-degree viewing angle. There’s even an outdoor floodlight to scare off intruders or illuminate dark sections of your garden. It’s a bit pricey, but you probably get what you pay for.
Arlo Pro 4
Easy to install security camera
Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell
A smart way to see visitors
Advantages
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Great software with lots of options
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Good quality video, day or night
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Easy installation
The inconvenients
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cheap material
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Prominent fish-eye effect
The Essential Wireless Video Doorbell is another high-end smart home gadget from Arlo. It looks a bit cheaper than products developed by Ring or Nest, but offers much of the same functionality. You’ll get HD video capture, built-in night vision, two-way audio, and an easy setup process that requires no wiring. There’s also a smartphone app that lets you watch old clips and manage all your settings.
Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell
A smart way to see visitors
Terry Walsh/Digital Trends
SimpliSafe 12 Piece Wireless Home Security System
All-in-one smart security system
Advantages
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Beautifully designed base station blends seamlessly into the home
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Set and forget installation means you’re only interrupted when something goes wrong
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Low-Cost Home Monitoring Service Provides Comprehensive Coverage
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No contract
The inconvenients
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Limited out-of-the-box smartphone integration
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Subscription to the remote monitoring service required
It doesn’t get more complete than that. The SimpliSafe 12-Piece Wireless Home Security System includes an impressive array of gadgets, such as an indoor camera, motion sensors, panic button, and more. You might spend a few minutes setting it all up, but there’s a lot of value in this impressive bundle from SimpliSafe.
SimpliSafe 12 Piece Wireless Home Security System
All-in-one smart security system
August
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock
The lock works with all major smart home hubs
Advantages
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Doesn’t need a bridge
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Easy to install
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Automatic unlocking and locking function
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Robust construction
The inconvenients
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Batteries are not rechargeable
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Come out the door
The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock tops our list of the best smart locks for 2022. With a sleek design, durable build quality, and easy installation process, few products can compete with this premium model. August range. You’ll also get support for Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa and Siri, plus a smartphone app that lets you lock and unlock the door when you’re away from home.
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock
The lock works with all major smart home hubs
Terry Walsh/Digital Trends
ecobee smart thermostat
A smart way to monitor indoor temperatures
Advantages
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Simplified installation
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Excellent performance and feature set
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Easy to set up and use every day
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Extensive voice control and communication functions
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great speaker
The inconvenients
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Hardware design remains a bit lackluster
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No on-screen integration for Alexa
Although it is one of the most expensive smart thermostats on the market, few others can compete with the ecobee smart thermostat. Not only does it give you remote control of the thermostat (through a versatile smartphone app), it can help you save money on your energy bills by detecting when you’re away from home and changing its parameters to reduce costs. It also helps that the unit comes with a host of additional features, such as a variety of voice control commands and compatibility with most smart home ecosystems.
ecobee smart thermostat
A smart way to monitor indoor temperatures
Editors’ Recommendations