The pace of smart home innovation hasn’t slowed a whit in 2024, with new products such as the Amazon Echo Show 21 being unveiled just this week. The better news is that the smart home is no longer a niche market appealing only to enthusiasts willing to tolerate steep learning curves. In other words, the water’s fine! Come on in!
We are, however, still living in a world of smart home silos; namely, Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Home. The increasingly important Matter standard will unify those ecosystems one day, but that won’t happen until Matter incorporates every smart home category. Today, for example, it doesn’t account for security cameras or video doorbells. Considering that, we’ve picked more than one product in several categories, based primarily on which silo your smart home is in.
As in years past, the products we’re awarding best-of-the-year status weren’t necessarily introduced in 2024, they are the best products in their category regardless of when they were first brought to market. As for what’s on the horizon, artificial intelligence is poised to radically change what it means to live in a smart home, but it’s much to early to pick winners on that front.
Ring invented the video doorbell business, and Amazon snapped the company up in a $1 billion deal in 2018. The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus isn’t Ring’s absolute best doorbell, but it is the one most Alexa users should buy. It’s reasonably priced–especially when it’s on sale–and it’s loaded with features, including a 150-degree field of view (horizontal and vertical), package detection, and a 1:1 aspect ratio that shows your visitors from head to toe in 1536 x 1536-pixel resolution with high dynamic range (HDR). The camera can discern between the movement of people and other things, such as animals and bushes, ignoring the latter. The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus is very easy to install and set up, and it can operate on either battery or low-voltage power if you’re replacing an old-school doorbell. Stay tuned for our hands-on review of the cheaper Ring Battery Doorbell. which retains that 1:1 aspect ratio, albeit at a slightly lower resolution of 1440 x 1440 pixels, but has a fixed battery that requires the entire assembly to be dismounted for charging.
If you’ve used other video doorbells, you might find the Aqara Smart Video Doorbell G4 a little quirky. It runs on battery power, but not a rechargeable battery–it comes with half-a-dozen disposable AA cells. Alternatively, you can connect it to a low-voltage power supply. While its camera’s video resolution is a pedestrian 1920 x 1080 pixels and it lacks high dynamic range (HDR), it can be trained to recognize familiar faces. It also comes with plug-in chime with a microSD card slot that can host cards with up to 512GB of memory. But for Apple users, the Aqara Smart Video Doorbell G4’s most attractive feature will be its support for Apple’s HomeKit Secure Video. You’ll need Video privacy is one of the chief benefits of Apple’s Secure Home Video service. You’ll need an Apple HomePod, HomePod mini, or Apple TV on your home network, as well as an iCloud+ subscription, but you’ll be able to store the camera’s recordings in Apple’s cloud with end-to-end encryption. We’re also working on a review of the wired Ecobee Smart Doorbell Camera, so we’ll update this space when that’s finished.
Like the Nest Cam, the Nest Doorbell (Battery) came to market way back in 2021. And like that product, this one remains best in its class—provided you define that class as doorbells in Google’s smart home ecosystem. Don’t let its name fool you. Like the Ring product discussed above, the Nest Doorbell (Battery) can run on either its internal battery or the wiring your existing doorbell uses. And like the Nest security cam that came out the same year, Google’s doorbell performs its image processing on the device itself, instead of compromising your privacy by uploading video to the cloud. It can recognize familiar faces, discern between people, animals, and vehicles, and it can alert you to the presence of packages on your doorstep.
The third-generation Echo Show 8 was introduced in late 2023, but it remains our top pick in this category by virtue of its ability to perform as a Matter-compatible smart home hub. Equipped with a Zigbee radio and a Thread border router, it can control a wide range of smart home devices and stream video feeds from many brands of home security cameras and video doorbells (remember, Matter has yet to take security cameras into account). It can also make video calls with its integrated camera, and like all Echo Show devices, it can act like a Fire TV device to stream video entertainment, including live TV.
Also worthy of mention: The 3rd-gen Echo Show 10, with its pivoting display, and the wall-mountable Echo Show 15. And for those looking for a smaller wall-mountable screen, don’t overlook the Amazon Echo Hub, especially if you’re using a Ring Alarm system. Amazon has also announced a 2nd-generation Echo Show 15 and the gargantuan Echo Show 21.
Five years is an eternity as far as the smart home goes, yet 2019’s Nest Hub Max still ranks as the best smart display for Google Home users. Despite its age, the Nest Hub Max still boasts cutting-edge features, including the ability to identify nearby faces as well as answer queries without the wake word when you’re looking at the screen. It’s also kept up with the times, acting as a Thread boarder router for Matter devices, and it will eventually host a more “fluid,” Gemini AI-aided version of Google Assistant.
The second-generation Echo Spot is a fantastic smart speaker with almost the perfect combination of features (it supports Matter over Wi-Fi, but it doesn’t have a Thread radio). It’s a great clock—and an even better alarm clock—and it can also report current weather conditions as well as the day and date on its 2.83-inch touchscreen. You can of course control any Alexa-compatible device with a voice command, but the speaker’s ultrasonic motion detection can trigger an Alexa routine, so you don’t need to utter a word.
When we think of smart speakers, we typically value their smart home features much more than their audio performance. Putting both in the same box necessarily increases the price tag. If you want both smart home control and high-fidelity audio, consider something like the JBL Authentics 300 or the Sonos Era 100 instead.
The Apple Home ecosystem feels like it’s on the edge of something big, with word that Apple may be close to unveiling a touchscreen home hub that can be wall-mounted or docked in a speaker stand. At the same time, Apple’s existing HomePods—the full-size, second-generation HomePod, and the more affordable HomePod mini—have been left behind in terms of Apple Intelligence support. Given the uncertainty, those who want to invest in Apple’s smart home hardware now should hedge their bets with the HomePod mini, which offers the same smart home connectivity as the pricier second-gen HomePod—including Thread and Matter support—for a fraction of the price.
Only a year younger than the aging Nest Hub Max, the Nest Audio remains a swell-sounding smart speaker, complete with great low-frequency response, detailed highs, and an overall smooth, rich sound. You can pair two Nest Audios for stereo sound, and if you’ve grown weary of stilted Google Assistant conversations, don’t worry–a more “fluid” conversational style is coming to the assistant, courtesy of Google’s Gemini. If you want a higher-fidelity smart speaker, consider the exceptional JBL Authentic 300.
With its robust ecosystem, which now extends into security cameras, as well as a terrific app, Philips Hue remains the undisputed leader when it comes to smart lighting. Yes, you’ll need to pay a premium for Hue lights, lamps, and other Hue accessories, but the extra cost is worth it—just ask anyone who’s sunk cash into a cheaper smart light only to watch it drop its connectivity for no apparent reason. Best of all, Hue lights work with all the big smart home platforms, including Matter (if you use the optional but highly recommended $60 Hue Bridge). The simple White Ambiance bulb is the natural entry point, but the White and Color Ambiance model adds the fun of color.
Smart bulbs are the smart-home entry point for many people, but enthusiasts will tell you that having smart switches and dimmers in your walls is even more convenient. And having one doesn’t preclude having the other. Despite being a member of the consortium behind Matter, Lutron apparently has no plans to make its awesome Caséta smart lighting ecosystem compatible with it. And that’s just fine with us. Devices like the Lutron Diva Smart Dimmer shown here are already so broadly compatible with other smart home products—from the likes of Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home, Ring Alarm systems and security cameras, to even Sonos multi-room audio systems—that Matter compatibility just doesn’t, uh, matter.
If you don’t buy any other smart home product, an investment in a smart thermostat will pay dividends in energy savings, convenience, and sheer comfort when you’re home. The Ecobee Premium is not only the best product in its class, but it can also function as the hub of an entire home security system. Ecobee also has its own excellent indoor camera and a wired video doorbell we’ve been meaning to review for months (both are also Apple Home compatible). But you don’t need to be an Apple user to like this thermostat, it’s compatible with Google Home, Alexa, and Apple Home, too (its onboard smart speaker can answer to either the Alexa or Siri wake words).
The headline above is probably sells the Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) a bit short. Because it’s a Matter-certified device, you can integrate this absolutely beautiful smart thermostat into any smart home ecosystem. Matter compatibility is the biggest advantage it has over Ecobee’s best thermostat, although some would say Nest’s offering is also prettier. Nest has a long tradition of building smart home devices that are supremely easy to install and use on a daily basis, and that’s certainly the case here. Nest’s Dynamic Foresight technology that changes the information displayed on the thermostat based on how close to the thermostat you are is pretty cool, too. And if you’re a dyed-in-the-wool Google Home aficionado, there’s nothing wrong with looking for purity in your smart home life.
If you’ve held off on installing a smart lock on your door because you’re put off by the image of hulking slabs on both sides of your entry door, you need to consider a Level Lock+. We called it “the closest thing to a perfect smart lock” in our review, and it’s only gotten better since then with the activation of its previously dormant Thread radio. In addition to looking no different than an ordinary deadbolt—on either side of your door—it can be opened with a touch, a smartphone app, an iPhone Home Key, or an NFC card—including one you can put on a keychain. Level also offers a numeric keypad accessory you can mount next to your door, so you don’t need to carry anything with you when you go out for a run.
If you’d prefer to retrofit the deadbolt you already have, take a look at the Level Bolt, which has all the same features (That lock’s Thread radio will be activated soon.)
No security camera beats the Arlo Pro 5S 2K in terms of performance, quality, and with a 2024 firmware update, its compatibility extends to Apple Home (note that you’ll also need an Arlo Base Station or Arlo SmartHub for that). This camera also works in the Amazon Alexa and Google Home ecosystems, so you can stream its feed to those companies’ smart displays as well as to an Apple TV. This camera captures video in 2K resolution with HDR, and it has an onboard spotlight to capture nighttime scenes in full color. It has a 160-degree field of view, an integrated siren, and it operates on batteries (or solar or AC power, with accessories), so you can install it anywhere within range of your Wi-Fi network.
Speaking of networking, where most of its competitors can only join crowded 2.4GHz Wi-Fi networks, the Arlo Pro 5S 2K can also operate on the less crowded 5GHz frequency band. If you want all your security cameras to be in one family, there’s a complete range of other Arlo cameras, including battery- and AC-powered floodlight models. The Arlo Home Security system is pretty great, too.
If your smart home revolves around Alexa, the Ring Stick Up Cam Pro remains the best security camera to keep an eye on your property, indoors or out. Available in battery, solar-powered, or plug-in configurations, it can be deployed almost anywhere, but radar motion detection is its biggest selling point. It will trace the path an intruder took as they approached the camera, but the pre-roll feature that captures them even before the camera alerts you to their presence is even better. You’ll also get color night vision, an onboard siren, and dual-band Wi-Fi support.
If you also have a Ring Alarm Pro system, you can store video recordings locally on a microSD card. Ring has shipped other security cameras since this one came out–including the Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam–but nothing as excellent as this.
Google’s Nest Cam (battery) hails from the department of Oldies but Goodies. Yes, this indoor/outdoor camera still rocks despite its coming to market way back in 2021. Everything about the hardware feels designed to make things easy for the homeowner, including the magnetic mounting system makes placement, aiming, and removal a breeze. This was one of first security cameras to be capable of not only distinguishing between people, animals, and vehicles but to recognize familiar faces. And while its 1080p resolution might seem pedestrian now, its support for high dynamic range (HDR) helps it capture clear images even in bright sunlight.
The Eufy Floodlight Camera E340 is tops in its class, with dual cameras capturing both high-res wide-angle and telephoto views simultaneously. The cameras are mounted to a motion-tracking pan/tilt motor, so they can track a person’s path through your property. The floodlight element, meanwhile, consists of a pair of dimmable LED light panels that can produce up to 2,000 lumens of white light. Those panels can be programmed to turn on at sunset and off at sunrise. Up to 128GB of video recordings can be stored on an onboard microSD card slot. You can also opt for one of Eufy’s network-attached storage solutions, such as the HomeBase 3, or store video in the cloud with a subscription.
Yeah, Samsung has integrated its SmartThings into many of its home appliances and smart TVs, but anyone serious about building out a smart home will want a purpose-built device; namely, the Samsung SmartThings Station. And yeah, it doesn’t look like much, but this little box packs everything you need to build out a modern and Matter-compatible smart home, including a Zigbee radio and a Thread border router. And if you don’t know what those things are, it doesn’t matter. Just buy Matter-certified devices when you go shopping and they’re guaranteed to work. When you’re ready to install them, just tap the “add device” button and scan the device’s Matter QR code. The app takes care of the rest, and the device is immediately available for control via SmartThings.
We reviewed the Ring Alarm Pro way back in November 2021, and it remains our favorite DIY home security system. It incorporates an Eero Wi-Fi 6 mesh router, with battery and cellular back-up in case of power and internet outages. It’s equipped with a Z-Wave radio to support motion, door/window, water-leak, and other types of sensors, as well as certified third-party Z-Wave smart home products participating in the Works with Ring program. That list includes smart deadbolts, garage door openers, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and more. You can add Ring home security cameras and Ring doorbells, of course, with local processing and storage of those cameras’ video recordings on a microSD card. Alternatively, a new feature enables 24/7 camera recording to the cloud for certain wired Ring cameras. Finally, the Ring Alarm Pro also serves as a Wi-Fi bridge for Ring’s smart lighting products.
While you can self-monitor a Ring Alarm Pro system, many of its most important features require a subscription. And most people will want professional monitoring that can dispatch first responders to their home in the event of an emergency. Ring recently renamed, restructured, and increased the prices of its subscription services, ultimately resulting in a $10-per-month increase for those who want everything. There are other good home security systems, including the Arlo Home Security System we reviewed earlier this November, but if we had to pick a runner-up in this category, it would be Ring’s simpler Ring Alarm (2nd gen).
Tired of porch pirates absconding with the goods that were just delivered to your house? A smart delivery box will solve that problem, and the Loxx Boxx Classic is the best one we’ve found yet. Fabricated from steel, the box connects to your home Wi-Fi network and logs every delivery when the driver enters the last four digits of the package’s tracking code. Cloud-to-cloud connections to Amazon, DHL, FedEx, UPS, and USPS help you track, trace, and log every delivery. The box runs on battery power–you can buy a solar panel to keep it topped off–so you don’t need to worry about having an outdoor outlet, and there’s an LTE option if you can’t connect it to your Wi-Fi network.
