Buying a gift for someone with a smart home isn’t like picking out a coffee mug or a candle. You can’t just grab the first gadget you see on Amazon and call it a day. Too many smart home gifts end up collecting dust because they’re flashy but useless. The key isn’t buying the most expensive device-it’s finding something that solves a real problem they already have.
Start with what they already use
Before you shop, ask yourself: what smart devices do they already own? If they’ve got a Google Nest or an Amazon Echo, they’re likely already in one ecosystem. A smart plug won’t help if they don’t have a voice assistant to control it. A Philips Hue bulb set only makes sense if they’ve got a hub or app they use regularly. The best gifts fit into their existing setup, not force them to build a new one.
Take my neighbor, for example. She had three smart lights, a thermostat, and a doorbell camera-all controlled through the Google Home app. I gave her a Google Nest Thermostat E. It wasn’t the fanciest model, but it replaced her old manual thermostat and synced perfectly with her existing system. She uses it daily. The gift didn’t just sit on a shelf-it made her life easier.
Smart lighting that actually changes the vibe
Smart bulbs are one of the most popular smart home gifts, and for good reason. They’re affordable, easy to install, and they make a visible difference. But not all bulbs are created equal. Stick with brands that work with major platforms: Philips Hue, LIFX, or TP-Link Kasa.
Here’s what works: a starter pack with two or three bulbs and a hub (if needed). Put them in the living room or bedroom. Set them to turn on slowly at sunrise, dim at bedtime, or change color for movie nights. People don’t just want lights they can turn on with their voice-they want lights that make their space feel alive.
Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance starter kit (3 bulbs + hub) costs around $130. It’s not cheap, but it’s the kind of gift that gets noticed and used every single day.
Smart plugs: the silent hero
Smart plugs are underrated. They’re simple, cheap, and turn any ordinary device into a smart one. Want to make that old lamp smart? Plug it in. Want to control your coffee maker from bed? Plug it in. Want to make sure your space heater turns off automatically after two hours? Plug it in and set a timer.
Look for plugs with energy monitoring. The Kasa Smart Plug HS110 tracks how much power your devices use and shows you real-time data in the app. That’s useful if someone’s trying to cut down on their electricity bill. And since it works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit, it’s compatible with almost every system.
For under $25, you can give someone the power to automate their whole room without rewiring anything.
Smart doorbells and cameras for peace of mind
People don’t always say it out loud, but they worry about their home’s security. A smart doorbell isn’t just a camera-it’s a reassurance. Ring Video Doorbell (2023 model) or Google Nest Doorbell (wired) both offer 1080p video, two-way talk, and motion alerts that actually work (no more false alarms from passing cars).
Pair it with a subscription to cloud storage. Even if they don’t have one yet, a gift card for Ring Protect or Google One can cover a year of video history. That’s the kind of gift that keeps giving.
And here’s a tip: if they live in a cold climate like Burlington, make sure the doorbell is rated for sub-zero temperatures. Not all models are.
Smart thermostats: the gift that saves money
Everyone complains about their heating bill. A smart thermostat is the gift that pays for itself. The Nest Thermostat (2023) learns their schedule, adjusts when they’re away, and even suggests energy-saving tips. It shows daily usage graphs so they can see exactly how much they’re saving.
It’s not just about comfort-it’s about money. A study by Energy Star found that smart thermostats can save users up to 20% on heating and cooling bills. That’s $150-$200 a year for most homes.
And installation? Most people can do it themselves in 30 minutes. No electrician needed.
Smart speakers: the hub of the whole system
If they don’t have a smart speaker yet, this is the single best gift you can give. A Google Nest Audio or Amazon Echo (4th Gen) becomes the brain of their smart home. Voice control for lights, music, weather, timers, even grocery lists-it all flows from here.
But don’t just pick the cheapest one. Go for the model with the best sound quality. A $100 speaker that sounds good will get used more than a $50 one that mumbles. And make sure it supports their preferred assistant (Google, Alexa, or Siri).
One thing to watch: if they already have a smart speaker, don’t buy another unless it’s for a different room. Redundancy doesn’t impress-it just clutters.
Smart locks: convenience over security
Smart locks are tempting. Who doesn’t want to unlock their door with a tap on their phone? But they’re not for everyone. If the person is tech-savvy and hates carrying keys, a Yale Assure Lock 2 or August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is perfect.
But if they’re not comfortable with tech, or live in an apartment with a complex lock system, skip it. A smart lock that doesn’t work reliably is worse than no lock at all. Look for models with physical key backup and battery alerts. And always check compatibility with their existing door.
What NOT to gift
Here’s what most people get wrong:
- Smart mirrors - They’re expensive, gimmicky, and rarely used after the first week.
- Smart planters - They need constant calibration and often die anyway.
- Smart curtains - Unless their windows are already motorized, these are messy to install and finicky to control.
- Overpriced gadgets - Anything marketed as “AI-powered” or “revolutionary” with no real reviews? Skip it.
Stick to devices that solve problems people already have. Don’t buy tech for the sake of tech.
Final checklist: How to pick the right gift
Before you hit buy, ask yourself these five questions:
- Does this fit into their current smart home ecosystem? (Google, Apple, Alexa?)
- Will it solve a real, daily problem? (Cold house? Forgetting to turn off lights? Worrying about package theft?)
- Is it easy to install without professional help?
- Does it have reliable reviews (4.5 stars or higher from 500+ users)?
- Will it still be useful in six months-or just a novelty?
If you answer yes to all five, you’ve got a winner.
Top 3 smart home gifts under $100
- TP-Link Kasa Smart Plug HS103 ($20) - Turns anything into a smart device. Works with Alexa and Google Assistant.
- Philips Hue White Single Bulb ($15) - Simple, reliable, and great for beginners. Add more later.
- Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen, 2023) ($50) - Small, powerful, and the best voice assistant for the price.
These aren’t flashy. But they’re useful. And that’s what makes a smart home gift truly special.
Tyler Springall
January 5, 2026 AT 21:02Let’s be real-most of these ‘practical’ gifts are just Amazon’s algorithm pushing trash to people who don’t know the difference between Zigbee and Z-Wave. If you’re giving someone a smart plug because they ‘might’ want to control their lamp, you’re not helping-you’re enabling their delusion that tech fixes laziness.
Colby Havard
January 7, 2026 AT 13:56It is, indeed, a profoundly misguided assumption-that the acquisition of smart devices equates to an improvement in human well-being. The very notion that a thermostat, however ‘intelligent,’ can substitute for mindful energy consumption is a symptom of our civilization’s pathological obsession with automation as a panacea. One must ask: are we optimizing comfort-or surrendering agency?
Amy P
January 7, 2026 AT 16:59OMG YES. I got my mom a Hue starter kit last Christmas and she now has a ‘sunrise mode’ for her morning coffee and a ‘movie night’ purple glow. She’s literally told me it’s the best gift she’s ever gotten. Like, she cries when she turns it on. I didn’t even know she cared about lighting vibes until I saw her sitting there in dim lavender light with her tea. It’s not about tech-it’s about mood. And that’s magic.
Ashley Kuehnel
January 9, 2026 AT 02:12Just a quick heads-up-some of the plugs listed don’t work with Apple HomeKit unless you get the HS110 model. The HS103 is Alexa/Google only. Also, if you’re in an older house with no neutral wire, skip the smart switches and go with plugs. I learned that the hard way when my ‘smart light’ setup died because the electrician didn’t know what a neutral was. And yes, the Echo Dot 5th gen is still the best $50 you’ll spend. Sound is way better than people think.
Denise Young
January 10, 2026 AT 13:36Okay, let’s talk about the ‘smart lock’ section. You say ‘convenience over security’-but that’s not even the half of it. Most smart locks are a single point of failure. If the battery dies, the Wi-Fi goes down, or the app glitches? You’re locked out. Or worse-someone hacks the API and unlocks your door remotely. I’ve seen it happen. The Yale Assure Lock? Great. But only if you keep a physical key hidden in a secure spot, and disable remote access unless you’re home. And no, ‘app alerts’ don’t replace a deadbolt you can feel with your hand. Tech is a tool, not a replacement for basic mechanical reliability.
Sam Rittenhouse
January 11, 2026 AT 06:09I used to think smart home gadgets were just for show. Then my grandma moved in. She has early-stage dementia. We put in a Nest Thermostat E and set it to remind her to turn off the heat if she leaves the house. It doesn’t control her-but it gently nudges. She checks the app every morning now. Says it makes her feel ‘in charge.’ That’s the real win. Not the tech. The dignity.
Peter Reynolds
January 13, 2026 AT 02:30Smart plugs are underrated. I have one for my space heater. It turns off after 2 hours. I used to forget and leave it on all night. Now I don’t. Simple. No drama. No app. Just works. Also, if you’re gonna buy a smart speaker, get the one that matches your phone. Don’t mix Google and Siri. It’s chaos.
Fred Edwords
January 13, 2026 AT 05:27Regarding the Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance starter kit: while the product is indeed well-regarded, the price point of $130 is not merely ‘not cheap’-it is, in fact, exorbitant for three bulbs, especially when compared to the TP-Link Kasa RGB bulbs, which offer comparable functionality at approximately 40% of the cost. Furthermore, the inclusion of a hub is unnecessary for most users who operate within the same Wi-Fi ecosystem. The marketing of ‘vibe’ as a premium feature is a classic case of perceived value inflation.
Sarah McWhirter
January 13, 2026 AT 12:42Have you ever considered that smart homes are just a gateway for corporations to spy on you? Your thermostat learns your schedule. Your lights track when you’re home. Your speaker records everything. And then-BOOM-your insurance company uses that data to raise your rates because you ‘leave the heater on too long.’ Or your employer finds out you’re home during work hours. This isn’t convenience. It’s surveillance with a smiley face. And the ‘gift card’ for cloud storage? That’s your monthly ransom payment.
Ananya Sharma
January 13, 2026 AT 22:36You call this ‘practical’? You’re recommending a $50 Echo Dot as a ‘best gift’? That’s like giving someone a hammer because they have a nail problem-but ignoring that the entire house is made of jelly. The entire smart home industry is a capitalist fantasy built on planned obsolescence, data harvesting, and artificial scarcity. You think a smart plug solves a problem? No. It creates three: dependency, complexity, and vendor lock-in. And the ‘5-star reviews’? Most are bots or incentivized by Amazon. Real people who’ve used these devices for 2+ years? They’re all complaining about firmware updates that brick their devices. This article is not advice-it’s an advertisement disguised as wisdom.
kelvin kind
January 15, 2026 AT 09:35Smart plug + Echo Dot = best combo under $100. Done.