20 Cool Smart Home Devices That Are Actually Worth It
As someone who’s tested mountains of smart home tech over the years, I’m not easily impressed. But every so often, I come across devices that are so useful, reliable, or just plain clever that they earn a permanent spot in my setup. With the holidays and Black Friday around the corner, now’s the perfect time to treat yourself or find the perfect gift for the tech enthusiast in your life. Here are 20 gadgets, from the practical to the playful, that I genuinely recommend.
1. Droplet Smart Water Meter
This might be the easiest smart home installation I’ve ever done. The Droplet clamps onto the outside of your water pipe, no plumbing required. Plug it in, and it starts measuring water flow with shocking accuracy. It instantly detects leaks or if someone left a faucet running. Integrated with Home Assistant, it sends alerts and displays real-time usage on my dashboard. For peace of mind and water conservation, this feels like magic.
2. Apollo M1 LED Matrix Display
When my phone is on silent, messages from my wife now light up our living room. The Apollo M1 LED Matrix runs on open-source WLED (like many smart light strips) but is configured as a square board. It shows custom text, GIFs, and animations. I’ve automated it to display alerts from my smart home. It’s a fun, functional piece that always gets questions from guests.
3. Third Reality Vibration Sensor
Some of my favorite automations come from this little sensor. Tucked into a recliner, it turns off ceiling lights and switches on a lamp when I sit down a cozy surprise I often forget I set up. The Third Reality Vibration Sensor is accurate, runs on AAA batteries (I use rechargeable ones), and can automate almost anything. It’s a simple, creative way to make your home react to you.
4. Marauder Mini 2 Flashlight
When my cameras detect something outside at night, my wife is usually the one to investigate. Now, she grabs the Marauder Mini 2, a 10,000-lumen beast with a spotlight mode that can light up our entire backyard. It has a red-light mode to preserve night vision and even a table lamp mode for camping. Yes, camping. It’s premium, but the quality is unmatched.
5. Budget Magnetic Flashlight
If you don’t need a portable sun, this $14 magnetic flashlight is a fantastic alternative. It charges via a USB base and turns on automatically when detached. It’s small, always handy, and oddly satisfying to fidget with. For everyday carry, it’s hard to beat.
6. Zooz 800 Series Z-Wave Dimmer
My pick for the best all-around smart light switch. The Zooz 800 Series is reliable, works in 3- and 4-way setups without extra switches, and has a “smart bulb mode” that keeps power flowing to smart bulbs (something Lutron can’t do). At about half the price of high-end competitors, it’s a steal for anyone building a Z-Wave network.
7. Tempest Personal Weather Station
Your phone’s weather app is probably wrong for your exact location. The Tempest Weather Station gives hyper local data rain, wind, temperature with stunning accuracy. I get rain alerts when Apple’s app says it’s clear. Plus, all that data fuels my smart home: if it’s too windy, the patio shades retract automatically.
8. Rechargeable Dust Blower
Cleaning robot vacuum sensors used to involve awkward blowing or dusty rags. This rechargeable dust blower (recommended by Project Farm) is powerful, affordable, and perfect for electronics, keyboards, or camera gear. A simple tool that feels essential once you have it.
9. Edifier Bookshelf Speakers + Voice Assistant
Disappointed by smart speaker sound quality? I plugged these Edifier bookshelf speakers into a Home Assistant Voice Preview device (an old Echo Dot works too). The audio is rich and full perfect for music or ambient sound. Paired with Music Assistant in Home Assistant, it’s a game-changer for whole-home audio.
10. Home Assistant Voice + Local AI
While big tech harvests data to train their AI, I run my own local large language model (LLM) using Ollama on my laptop. The Home Assistant Voice Preview device queries it offline. It’s a nerdy setup now, but private, local AI is the future and it’s already working today.
11. Third Reality Smart Plug
Not every automation needs to be expensive. This $10 Zigbee smart plug monitors our dishwasher’s power draw. When it finishes, a notification pops up on our dashboard. Press a button to clear it once the dishes are put away. Spouse approval factor: 100%. Plus, it acts as a Zigbee repeater to strengthen your network.
12. Apollo Smart Water Pump
Take plant care to the next level. Apollo’s smart water pump works with their plant sensors to automate watering based on soil moisture. It can also top off fish tanks or fountains. Integrated with Home Assistant, the possibilities are endless for gardeners or aquarium lovers.
13. Aluminum Channel Covers for LED Strips
My early smart lighting mistake: not using channel covers. They secure strips, diffuse light (hiding individual LEDs), and act as a heat sink to prolong lifespan. Don’t skip this step it makes DIY lighting look professional.
14. BTF Lighting LED Strips + Controller
For DIY lighting, BTF Lighting strips are my go to. After three years, they’re still flawless. You buy the strips, controller (Zigbee or Wi-Fi), and power supply separately no soldering needed. The colors are vibrant, and the whites are pure, not blue or yellow.
15. Apollo Radar Occupancy Sensor (RO1)
The most accurate presence sensor I’ve used. The Apollo RO1 uses millimeter-wave radar to detect motion through walls and even direction of travel. It picked me up from around a corner and 15 feet away. Recent updates make zone configuration easier. This is a game-changer for room-aware automations.
16. Onyx Boox Tab Mini C (Color E-Ink Tablet)
To curb doom scrolling before bed, I switched to this color e-ink tablet. It runs full Android, so I read Kindle books, check my smart home dashboard, or browse in color all on a screen that’s easy on the eyes. It’s light, versatile, and helps me sleep better. Worth every penny.
17. Philips Dimmable LED Ceiling Lights
Not “smart” by themselves, but paired with smart switches, these Philips LED panels provide consistent, adjustable light (from warm to cool white) throughout the house. I standardized every room with them during a sale a simple upgrade with a massive visual impact.
18. Third Reality Water Leak Sensor
A must have for any home. This $18 Zigbee sensor detects water via metal contacts or screws. It alerts your smart home and sounds a loud onboard siren. After a past dishwasher leak caused major damage, I now place these everywhere water could wreak havoc.
19. Reolink Wi-Fi Video Doorbell
An affordable doorbell that doesn’t compromise. The Reolink doorbell records to an SD card or a Reolink NVR no subscriptions. Video quality is solid, with HDR to handle bright sunlight. Setup can be tricky, but for $120 with no monthly fees, it’s a standout.
20. Leatherman Free T4 Multi-Tool
The perfect pocket companion. The Leatherman Free T4 has a package opener, screwdriver, and excellent scissors all deployable with one hand. It’s pricey but ultra-durable. For a budget pick, the Roxon multi-tool also offers great scissors and value.
Final Thoughts
Building a smart home doesn’t mean buying everything at once. Start with what solves a problem or brings you joy. Whether it’s preventing a leak with a $18 sensor or lighting up your backyard with a 10,000-lumen flashlight, the right tech should feel like a natural, helpful part of your life.
👉 Try our Free Smart Home Automation Tools to plan your setup.
