Cheap ways to make your home smarter

Including some really great deals [Got $15? You can have a smart home.]( Not so very long ago, the notion of owning a smart home was reserved for shmancy folks with big homes and even bigger pockets. No more! Today’s smart devices have evolved, and they’re simple to set up and vastly more affordable—[you can meaningfully smarten up your home for as little as $15](. And rather than invest in an entire system all at once, you can start with one device that solves whatever problem you have, and add on as you need. [Affordable and smart problem-solvers→]( We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. [Learn more ›]( [Control outlets from anywhere]( [A photo of a smart plug.]( Michael Murtaugh [Smart plugs]( are cheap and make it easy to automate any electrical device. Just plug one into a electrical socket, sync it with a smartphone app, and you can remotely control your lights from anywhere. Never again reach into a dusty corner behind a couch to turn a light off with the [TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini (EP10)](. It works reliably, is easy to use, and affordable. [Did you leave the lights on?]( [A photo of a Wyze smart bulb]( Michael Hession [Smart bulbs]( make it possible to remotely power, dim, or tweak the brightness and color of your home’s lights. They’re as simple to install as screwing in a light bulb—no wiring involved. And you can control smart bulbs using voice commands to a smart speaker or your smartphone—an especially helpful feature for anyone with mobility or accessibility concerns. The [Wyze Bulb Color]( is perfect for everyday task lighting, but also has an excellent dimming range and bold colors to create mood lighting for holidays, dinners, parties, relaxing, and even sleeping. [Have the smartest garage door on the block]( [A photo of a smart garage door opener.]( Chamberlain A [smart garage door opener]( like the [Chamberlain MyQ Smart Garage Hub and Controller]( connects to your existing garage-door opener, allowing you to check whether it’s open or closed, and then trigger it if you need, using a smartphone app. That means you can check whether your garage is open when you’re at the office, on vacation, or sitting on the couch. Perfect for the problem family member who always leaves the garage door open. You know who you are. [Say something and … have it happen]( [A photo of a smart speaker on an orange background.]( Michael Hession [Smart speakers]( are great for streaming audio and answering trivia. But they also make it easy to control smart devices by using simple voice commands. Whether you have smart plugs, smart lighting, [thermostats]( or even [robot vacuum cleaners]( you can trigger them or check up on what they’re doing, using mostly regular language. The [Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen)]( is one of the least expensive, easiest smart speakers we’ve tested. (And if you don’t plan to use it for music, you can save a few dollars and get the puck-shaped [3rd-Gen Echo Dot]( for $20.) [Explore more Wirecutter-approved smart home devices→]( [Smarten up your home with these deals]( [A photo of the Wyze Light Strip Pro.]( [Jazz up your space with smart strip lighting]( [Deal price: $35]( | Street price: $40 The Wyze Light Strip Pro is the most affordable option for adding accent lighting in your living space, whether it’s to sparkle up a dank basement, add character to a dull dorm room, or give your kitchen space a stylish dash. [Buy now from Amazon]( [A photo of the Fibaro Motion Sensor.]( [No one move ...]( [Deal price: $36]( | Street price: $47 The Fibaro Motion Sensor can detect when a person enters a room and then trigger other devices or actions accordingly. Its thoughtful design and excellent mounting options make it the easiest sensor to discreetly tuck into any corner of your house. [Buy now from Amazon]( [A photo of the Lutron Caséta Wireless In-Wall Smart Dimmer Switch.]( [Turn the lights way down low]( [Deal price: $136]( | Street price: $170 We’ve loved the Lutron Caséta Wireless In-Wall Smart Dimmer Switch for years, and we will continue to sing this dimmer’s praises. It’s pretty easy to install and works reliably with many smart-home devices. [Buy now from Amazon]( [A photo of the Google Nest Thermostat.]( [Get the temperature just right]( [Deal price: $90]( | Street price: $130 The Google Nest Thermostat is an inexpensive, simple programmable smart thermostat. It’s good for smaller homes and apartments and reliably detects when you leave or arrive home to automatically adjust the HVAC. [Buy now from Best Buy]( [View email in browser]( You are receiving this email because you signed up for Wirecutter’s Newsletter. Getting too many emails from us? To stop receiving Top Picks, [unsubscribe](. 
To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, [manage your email preferences](. Wirecutter, Inc. 620 Eighth Avenue. New York, NY 10018

 [Privacy Policy]( | [California Notices]( | [Terms of Service]( [Contact Us]( [Privacy Policy]( [California Notices]( [Terms of Service]( [Contact Us](