Amazon has unveiled its latest fantastical gizmo, a "helpful, capable robot for your home" named Astro that costs a cool $1,000. If you think that sounds steep for what seems to amount to Alexa on wheels, we agree — but there are plenty of other smart-home gadgets that are actually are worth the splurge. We've rounded up 29 tried-and-true smart-home products that earn reviewers' raves for making their lives easier.
Prices and availability are subject to change.
$50 for 3 from Amazon
Want to turn on lights or appliances from your phone? It's as simple as plugging them into this sleek Wemo plug. You can schedule them remotely or even randomize lights to make it look like you're home when you're actually sipping margaritas on the beach. With Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, you can control Wemo with your voice, too.
Related: Going-Out-of-Town Checklist to Keep Your Home Secure
$119 from Amazon
The Nest Protect does double duty as a smoke detector and carbon monoxide alarm. Spoken alerts and push notifications leave no doubt about whether something's wrong, and in case of a false alarm, you can easily hush it with your phone. It even automatically tests itself every month.
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$180 from Amazon
You'll never have to deal with annoying solicitors again with the Ring Video Doorbell. Use your phone to see, hear, and speak to anyone who's at your door. Motion-detection alerts will tell you whether someone's there even if they don't ring the bell.
Related: Ways to Upgrade Your Home That Will Save Money
$149 from Amazon
Whether you have a second-floor washer, a flood-prone basement, or an aging water heater, this leak detector can immediately alert your phone if it detects even a tiny bit of moisture. It also tells you exactly how much water you’re using, as well as where and when you’re using it, so you can find ways to cut back and save on your utility bills.
$30 from Amazon
You know that sinking feeling when you can't remember whether you closed the garage door? Banish it forever with the Chamberlain MyQ Smart Garage Hub. Control access remotely with your smartphone, know when someone comes or goes, or get alerts if your garage door is left open for a certain amount of time.
$550 from Amazon
Kick your feet up and enjoy with this robotic vacuum and mop, featuring 3D technology that helps keep it from getting stuck or crashing into furniture. Schedule cleanings anywhere using your phone, or control it with your voice using Alexa or Google Assistant.
$35 from Amazon
The old saying is true: Good things come in small packages. The Alexa-compatible Blink Mini is a compact way for anyone to keep tabs on things, but it still has the most important features, including high-definition video, motion detection, two-way audio, and smartphone alerts.
Related: Hidden Dangers Lurking in Your Home — and What to Do About Them
$1,889 from Home Depot
Scan a frozen-food barcode and your oven will know exactly what to do — what a world. You can also control the oven from your phone, using a remote-start feature to preheat even if you aren’t home.
$68 from Amazon
If you rely on a window air conditioner, ductless mini-split, or other remote-based A/C to stay cool, the Cielo Breeze will let you control it from anywhere with your phone. It can even note your location and turn on the A/C on before you arrive — no more coming home to a stuffy apartment or bedroom.
$199 from Amazon
Sous vide cooking isn't just for professional chefs anymore. Attach the Anova to any water-filled pot, put your food inside in a sealed bag, then set the cooker time and temperature, either on the Anova or with your phone. You'll get an alert when it's time to eat.
$358 from Walmart for 2
These compact plug-and-play speakers use your Wi-Fi to stream music in any room of your home. Different units can be paired for bigger sound, too. But the One's biggest claim to fame is that it has Alexa built right in, letting you control the speaker and any Alexa-enabled smart-home devices with simple voice commands.
$180 from Amazon
A big storm is coming, but does your irrigation system know that? Save water and money with this forecast-connected controller, which is smart enough to adjust sprinkler operation based on the weather. Build schedules, set up custom zones, and control everything from your phone or with your voice using Alexa or Google Assistant.
Related: Little Home Improvement Projects That Make a Big Impact
$249 from Amazon
A smart thermostat not only saves energy; it saves money on your monthly power bill, so consider this an investment that will pay for itself even more quickly when bought at a discount. The included room sensor measures occupancy and room temperature in an especially important spot, and you can control the thermostat from anywhere using your phone or Alexa.
Related: Things to Make Life Better and Save Money While Staying at Home
$60 from Amazon (4 ct.)
There's nothing more frustrating than frantic, last-minute searches for keys, wallets, or phones. Tile Stickers are an easy way to eliminate the problem. Attach them to important items, then launch the Tile app to ring your things. Tile Stickers can even ring your phone when it's set on silent mode.
$170 from Amazon
If you're an avid weather watcher, this personal weather station will let you monitor conditions in your own yard and receive phone alerts about wind speed, rainfall, temperature, and humidity. Ask Alexa for the weather, and she can tell you what your station has detected.
$400 from Amazon
The Arlo Pro cuts the cord on your outdoor security cameras, giving you the freedom to monitor any nook and cranny. The weather-resistant cameras include rechargeable batteries, two-way audio, and wide-angle viewing. They're also compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant.
$50 from Amazon
With the Amazon Echo Dot, Alexa listens for your commands to play music, read the news, control connected smart-home gadgets, call a friend, or even order a pizza. Built-in microphones can listen for commands even in noisy rooms.
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Starting at $104 from Amazon
If your dog or cat is an escape artist, the Whistle will be your best friend's new best friend. It uses GPS to pinpoint their location, and sends notifications to your phone if your pet leaves a designated area. The waterproof unit even monitors their health and fitness.
Related: The Coolest Pet Tech Devices You Didn’t Know You Needed
$76 from Amazon
Tired of relying on your cell phone, but don't want to pay a big monthly bill for a landline? Connect the Ooma Telo to the Internet and you'll get free nationwide calling. You'll also get caller ID, call waiting, voicemail, and smart-home integration with Alexa.
$2,430 from Best Buy
Why not make your next fridge smart, too? The Samsung Family Hub can show you inside your fridge so you can see what you already have while you're at the grocery, and the integrated smart screen can show photos, calendars, or memos, and even stream music or TV shows.
$190 from Amazon
Long-lived LED light bulbs are among the most efficient lights you can buy, and these smart bulbs take the savings one step further by giving you the ability to control them and create schedules with your smartphone. Got Alexa? Turn them on or off with your voice.
$399 from Amazon
Baby monitors have come a long, long way. Owlet’s camera and wearable monitor let parents track everything from their baby’s heart rate to oxygen levels, while also streaming high-definition video. A background audio feature means you can use your smartphone for other tasks while keeping an ear out for the baby.
$99 from Amazon
Make any remote-operated ceiling fan smart with this internet-connected hub. Use your phone to control speed, direction, and light. Better yet, connect it to Alexa or Google Assistant and turn your fans off and on with your voice.
$250 from Amazon
Looking for a smartphone-friendly security system that won't break the bank? The Ring system doesn't require professional installation or monitoring (though it's available for $10 a month). Control the alarm, sensors, and motion detector from your phone. Got a Ring doorbell or an Alexa device? It will integrate with those, too.
$39 from Amazon
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Don't have a smart TV? You can still ditch cable with the Roku. As long as your TV has an HDMI port, it offers easy access to streaming channels and hands-free control using a voice remote feature. Better yet, it’s compatible with your new 4K display as well as Alexa and Google Assistant.
$229 from Amazon
Stop worrying about whether you locked the front door. With August, you can check in from anywhere, lock or unlock remotely, and monitor who comes and goes. It’s compatible with your existing deadbolt, and you’ll get to keep and continue using your existing keys.
$500 from Best Buy
This all-in-one heater, fan, and air purifier will be useful year round, and its sleek, blade-free design means it can keep a place of honor in your living room even if you have small kids or pets. Control it with your smartphone or voice commands.
$80 from Amazon
If you’ve got an older dryer, here’s a cheap way to save some money. This wireless sensor will alert your phone when clothes are ready, which means you can save time and energy by turning the dryer off sooner rather than later. It’s compatible with both gas and electric dryers, and it integrates with Alexa, too.
$200 from Amazon
Multifunctional appliances are all the rage, but this smart oven takes the trend one step further by letting you control many of its features with your phone or Alexa. Cooking functions including roasting, air frying, baking, broiling, dehydrating, and much more.
