7 Smart Home Devices That Will Make Your Life Easier | Mikes Pro Handyman Blog | Fix it with Mike

7 Must-Have Smart Home Devices for New Homeowners

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An illustration of various smart home devices on a tabletop

Home automation is no longer just a luxury — it’s a smart investment that makes life easier, more secure, and energy-efficient. Whether you're a new homeowner or just looking to modernize, these seven smart devices are practical, fun, and worth every penny.


🧠 Smart Thermostat

A smart thermostat is the cornerstone of a modern, energy-efficient home. Unlike a traditional thermostat, it learns your daily routines and adjusts your home's temperature accordingly. This not only keeps you comfortable but can also significantly lower your energy bills by not heating or cooling an empty house. With a smart thermostat, you can control your home's climate from your phone, giving you complete control no matter where you are.

Recommended & Highlights:

  • Recommended: Google Nest Learning Thermostat
  • Energy Savings: Creates an efficient schedule based on your habits, saving you money on heating and cooling costs.
  • Remote Control: Adjust the temperature from anywhere using your smartphone.
  • Smart Home Integration: Works seamlessly with other smart devices and voice assistants like Google Assistant and Alexa.

🔔 Smart Video Doorbell

For security and convenience, a smart video doorbell is a game-changer. It allows you to see, hear, and speak to anyone at your door from your phone, whether you’re in the living room or on vacation. This is a powerful deterrent against package theft and provides peace of mind knowing you can always monitor your front door.

Recommended & Highlights:

  • Recommended: Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2
  • HD Video: Offers crystal-clear 1080p HD video with a wide, head-to-toe view.
  • Motion Alerts: Get instant notifications on your phone when someone is at your door.
  • Two-Way Talk: Speak to visitors through the app, even if you’re not home.

💡 Smart Light Bulbs

Smart lighting can completely transform the atmosphere of your home. You can control lights with your voice, set them on a schedule, or choose from millions of colors to set the perfect mood for any occasion. It's an easy and affordable way to start your smart home journey, adding both convenience and style.

Recommended & Highlights:

  • Recommended: Philips Hue Smart Bulbs Starter Kit
  • Customizable Lighting: Choose from 16 million colors and various shades of white to match any mood or activity.
  • Schedules and Scenes: Automate your lighting to turn on/off at specific times or create custom scenes for reading, relaxing, or parties.
  • Voice Control: Integrate with your smart assistant for hands-free control.

🔌 Smart Plugs

Smart plugs are one of the simplest and most effective ways to make your home smarter without replacing all your devices. Just plug any appliance into it, and you can control it with your phone or voice. It's a great way to automate lamps, coffee makers, fans, or even holiday decorations.

Recommended & Highlights:

  • Recommended: Kasa Smart WiFi Plug Mini
  • Remote Access: Turn devices on or off from your phone, no matter where you are.
  • Scheduling: Create schedules to automate your devices, like turning on a lamp at sunset.
  • Voice Control: Use voice commands with Alexa or Google Assistant to control your plugged-in devices.

📷 Indoor Security Camera

An indoor security camera provides peace of mind, allowing you to monitor your home when you're away. Whether you're checking on pets, kids, or just want to make sure everything is okay, a camera with clear video and motion alerts is an affordable and effective solution for any new homeowner.

Recommended & Highlights:

  • Recommended: Wyze Cam v3
  • Clear Video: Provides 1080p HD video day and night, with excellent color night vision.
  • Motion and Sound Detection: Get alerts on your phone for any activity inside your home.
  • Free Cloud Storage: Offers free cloud storage for short clips and supports a MicroSD card for continuous recording.

🛡️ Smart Door Lock

A smart door lock eliminates the need for physical keys and gives you the ability to control your door from anywhere. You can lock and unlock it remotely, grant temporary access to guests or service providers, and get a log of who is coming and going. It's a modern way to manage access to your home with unmatched flexibility and security.

Recommended & Highlights:

  • Recommended: August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen)
  • Keyless Entry: Lock and unlock your door with your phone or a digital keypad.
  • Activity Log: Keeps a log of who enters and exits your home, providing peace of mind.
  • Virtual Keys: Grant temporary access to friends, family, or service providers.

🚪 Smart Garage Door Opener

With a smart garage door opener, you'll never have to worry about whether you left the garage door open again. You can check the status and control it remotely from your smartphone. This is not only a convenience but also an important security feature, as you can close the garage from anywhere in the world.

Recommended & Highlights:

  • Recommended: myQ Smart Garage Hub
  • Remote Operation: Open and close your garage door from anywhere using the myQ app.
  • Real-Time Alerts: Receive notifications when your garage door opens, closes, or has been left open for a certain amount of time.
  • Universal Compatibility: Works with most major garage door opener brands.

🛠️ Tools You’ll Need to Install These Smart Devices

While many smart home devices are simple to install, some may require a few basic tools. This is a list of a few tools that you'll most likely need when installing a new smart device. We've updated these links to match the tools from our other post to keep things consistent.


📥 Download the Smart Home Toolkit Checklist

Want to keep all of this in one place? Grab the full list of smart devices and tools in a downloadable PDF!

👉 Click here to download the free checklist

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