In recent times, household products have increasingly become “smarter.” As per Statista, the penetration of smart homes is set to hit 89.5 percent by 2025 and 99 percent by 2029, suggesting that almost every U.S. home will employ some kind of smart home device. We have certainly advanced since the days of The Clapper.
Smart home devices can improve daily convenience, as long as they are correctly installed and provide seamless integration with a user-friendly interface.
This prompts the inquiry: Which home devices genuinely merit the title of “smart”?
Rather than addressing this ourselves, we sought your input, our readership. In our first Readers’ Choice Awards, we asked which smart home brands you utilize and appreciate across various categories.
Best home security cameras in 2025
Let’s begin with security cameras. A study by U.S. News & World Report indicated that 62 percent of participants utilize outdoor security cameras, while 36 percent employ indoor versions. Home security cameras can offer reassurance and safety, or assist in watching for package thieves. However, privacy remains a vital consideration for devices that continually capture footage of you, your residence, and your vicinity.
Blink came out on top in overall satisfaction with a rating of 7.8 out of 10, narrowly edging out Ring and Wyze, both earning a score of 7.7. A note from us: We do not endorse Ring in our product recommendations due to various privacy concerns.
The three brands were relatively balanced, but each had its strengths. Users of Blink appreciated its simple installation, affordability, and complimentary cloud storage.
Wyze was recognized as the best in terms of price, but rated lowest in audio quality and motion detection, which might be a trade-off. Price was a key factor for survey participants, with remarks like, “Great products. Fairly priced,” “The cameras function well and were budget-friendly,” and “Wyze security cameras offer good value for the price.”
Our readers commended Ring for its straightforward setup, with two respondents noting, “I’ve owned various generations of cameras over 20 years, and Ring are the easiest to set up and utilize,” and “I’ve had security cameras before. None were as simple to set up and operate as Ring.”
A recurring criticism across all three brands was that the cameras do not record sufficient time before detecting motion.
Best smart home assistants in 2025
Smart assistants act as the central command of a smart home, functioning as a hub to manage other devices through voice commands, schedules, or other triggers. These devices range from compact speakers to large screens that can sit on your countertop or be mounted on the wall. Apple’s Siri is arguably the most renowned among smartphones, while Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa are recognized leaders in smart home devices.
Google was our overall winner, although Amazon Alexa came in a close second. One survey participant remarked, “I prefer Alexa for daily tasks and integrations, but Google Assistant excels at providing answers to questions.”
Some survey respondents shared similar sentiments, enjoying the ease that their smart assistant brought while also encountering some frustrating interactions.
One stated: “I’ve had a largely positive experience with Amazon Alexa. A highlight was setting up my smart home with Alexa and linking everything from lighting to thermostats to smart plugs. It was incredibly simple to manage everything with just my voice. For instance, I could instruct Alexa to turn off the lights or adjust the temperature, which greatly enhanced convenience, particularly when my hands were occupied. However, I did encounter a few challenges. There were instances when Alexa misinterpreted my commands, especially with background noise or if I wasn’t clear. It was somewhat aggravating when it didn’t respond accurately. Occasionally, Alexa also had syncing issues with specific smart devices, necessitating some troubleshooting. Overall, I’ve found Alexa to be valuable and a fantastic addition to my home automation.”
A Google user commented: “Our entire house features Google displays, speakers, TVs integrated with Google TV, alongside third-party plugs, bulbs, and similar devices. I recently upgraded to a Google Mesh router. The third-party devices can sometimes be a bit challenging to set up, but once everything is operational, it’s wonderful to control everything directly from the Google Home app.”
Best smart lights in 2025
Smart bulbs and smart plugs are among the easiest smart home devices to access in terms of cost and user-friendliness. Philips Hue, Govee, and TP-Link (Kasa) are notable names in smart lighting. Each offers a variety of products ranging from basic dimmable white light bulbs to programmable outdoor string lights or TV backlights.
Philips Hue is known as a premium brand with a higher price range, which was reflected in our survey findings. Just a reminder: TP-Link has been the subject of scrutiny due to security vulnerabilities in its routers and issues with pricing tactics.
TP-Link led in most of our survey categories, although both TP-Link and Philips Hue were