Updated
Updated · ZDNet · Aug 11
ZDNET Recommends 7 Smart Home Gadgets Under $100 as Premium Devices Top $1,000
Updated
Updated · ZDNet · Aug 11

ZDNET Recommends 7 Smart Home Gadgets Under $100 as Premium Devices Top $1,000

3 articles · Updated · ZDNet · Aug 11

Summary

  • $100 or less buys seven ZDNET-picked smart home gadgets, including SwitchBot curtain openers, Kasa smart plugs, Aqara vibration sensors, GE Cync bulbs, Govee leak detectors and the Ting electrical-fire sensor.
  • More expensive smart-home gear often runs into the hundreds or above $1,000, with robot vacuum mops, pool cleaners, lawn mowers, cameras and thermostats cited as pricier alternatives.
  • Several picks focus on low-friction upgrades: Kasa plugs automate lamps and appliances, GE Cync bulbs use a remote instead of Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, and SwitchBot works with existing curtains.
  • Others emphasize monitoring and safety, with Aqara sensors tracking movement on objects, Govee sending water alerts by text and email, and Ting plugging into an outlet to flag electrical hazards.

Insights

Could outfitting your home with sub-$100 smart gadgets secretly compromise your network security and personal privacy?
How might the rapid adoption of cheap smart home automation silently fuel a massive electronic waste crisis?
Do budget-friendly leak and hazard sensors actually prevent disasters, or merely offer a false sense of security?