Best Smart Home Devices To Invest In (What I'm Using)

In this video I’m going to talk about the best smart home devices and brands to invest in.
PRODUCTS:
Mesh Wi-Fi System
► Amazon eero 6 - amzn.to/3K9LtNT
► Amazon eero Pro 6E - amzn.to/3T69yJq
► TP-Link Deco X20 - amzn.to/3cbIB6v
► Google Nest Wifi - amzn.to/3QF4uu1
Smart Switches
► Aqara Smart Switch - amzn.to/3pvjj6n
► Lutron Caseta Smart Switch - amzn.to/3KbtUgC
► TP-Link Kasa Smart Switch - amzn.to/3CkpIJp
Smart Bulbs
► Philips Hue Bulb - amzn.to/3whCGno
► Sengled Smart Bulb - amzn.to/3T1Yhdk
► LifX Bulb - amzn.to/3AyfkMH
Smart Plug
► Wyze Indoor - amzn.to/3AzvTrJ
► Wyze Outdoor - amzn.to/3AzfXWi
► TP-Link Kasa - amzn.to/3CkRK7A
► WeMo - amzn.to/3c7lkCV
Motion Sensors
► Aqara Motion Sensor P1 - amzn.to/3AzOQdT
► Philips Hue Motion Sensor - No Longer Reliable!
Door/Window Contact Sensor
► Aqara Contact Sensor - amzn.to/3Cj1fEh
► Ring Alarm Contact Sensor - amzn.to/3TeKf8m
Garage Door Openers
► MyQ Smart Garage Control - amzn.to/3SX9ax3
► Genie Aladdin Connect - amzn.to/3AwrGFg
Robot Vacuum
► ECOVACS Deebot N8 Pro+ - amzn.to/3pQ5mQZ
► RoboRock - amzn.to/3pzrZce
► iRobot - amzn.to/3QEweyP
► WYZE Robot Vacuum - amzn.to/3dCUyTb
Sprinkler System
► Orbit B-hyve XR - amzn.to/3QNpD50
► Orbit B-hyve Smart 6-Zone - amzn.to/3QTiNLe
► Rachio 3 - amzn.to/3K94OPt
Video Doorbell
► Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 - amzn.to/3K5OFu3
► Eufy 2K Battery - amzn.to/3AbS3yK
► Google Nest Doorbell (Wired) - amzn.to/3Cnr5aa
Security Cameras Outdoor
► Arlo Ultra 2 (4K) - amzn.to/3PDXJrd
► Arlo Pro 4 (2K) - amzn.to/3PxwU7P
► Ring Stick Up Cam (1080p) - amzn.to/3weLACg
► eufyCam 2C Pro (2K) - amzn.to/3T0w5rc
Security Cameras Indoor
► Wyze Cam v3 - amzn.to/3AJqS01
► Google Nest Cam (Wired) - amzn.to/3dDtcfL
Favorite Home Tech:
► Smart Display - bit.ly/3fbEDsr
► Video Doorbell - amzn.to/3rmht9d
► Security Camera - amzn.to/3LXJ48A
► Robot Vacuum - amzn.to/37HYTS9
► Security System - amzn.to/3vk933s
► Smart Lock - amzn.to/3JLqejv
► Smart Thermostat - amzn.to/3jA2J2f
Favorite Google Tech:
► Google Nest Hub 7" - bit.ly/3K2s5BZ
► Google Chromecast with Google TV - bit.ly/3Fck3mB
► Google Nest Cam Battery - bit.ly/3fe5NyZ
► Thermostat - bit.ly/3r6evVD
► Smart Lock - amzn.to/3EeXe2s
Top Tech Deals:
► amzn.to/3KCcDwi
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► The Music I use - bit.ly/SD_Epidemic_Sound
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► EPIC SECURITY CAMERA REVIEWS: bit.ly/SD-security-cam-review
MY CAMERA GEAR:
► My MAIN Camera - geni.us/mlf3h (Amazon
► Secondary/Live Stream Camera - geni.us/elJ24 (Amazon)
► My Video Lens - geni.us/fFpf5 (Amazon)
► My Photo Lens - geni.us/DdXO Amazon
► Audio Recorder - geni.us/yBcEWKR (Amazon)
► My MAIN Mic - geni.us/DlVA (Amazon)
► Wireless Mic - geni.us/jShz (Amazon)
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[@SteveDOES]

What are some of your favorite devices that i didn't mention in this video?

[@WayneCarrigan]

I like the Wyze Cams and Wyze sprinkler control. I use Kasa for switching and smart plugs. I use Ikea smart buttons. What smart button do you use?

[@big_prev]

I recently installed the Meross garage door opener and I’m loving it. It’s very inexpensive and easy to install/use.

[@vimalramachandran]

SwitchBot Bot & Curtain, YoLink Flex Fob & Vibration Sensor

[@bivs_setup]

A new subscriber and appreciate this device update. Genuinely informative. Many thanks 🙏🏼

[@jhk88rph]

Great video, Steve! When I started years ago, there were few options with few to no inexpensive options. You nailed your selections in each category! What is your suggestion to work older devices and newer devices together? Something like HOOBS?

[@mrgrimms]

Thanks for the video! This is great for someone looking to get into smart home setup and gave me some ideas on changing some of my devices to lol

[@SteveDOES]

Glad it was helpful!

[@curtispazarjr4985]

great review!!!!!

[@kaylahui6902]

This is so nice ❤

[@titopr64]

Excellent video thank you for taking the time. I wanna add couple of other smart home devices (I am a Homekit user): Nanoleaf bulbs (you need a thread border router), Meross smart plugs and light strips (cheap and reliable) and Logitech Door Bell (it can send the video feed to your Apple device). Also, you can integrate many non Homekit certified devices using Homebridge, Hoobs or Home Assistant.

[@SteveDOES]

Thanks for the comment Norber To. I wish HomeKit had more doorbell options.

[@obijuan-]

My favor brand and its devices are the Sonoff. Very affordable. And they have a line that are RF enabled as well as app, voice and manually controlled. These are cloud base controlled, but with the RF side, you are using a 1, 4 or 8 button standard 433MHz remote. There RM433 8 button remote works beyond just Sonoff too. I love their glass faced light wall switches. Use them to control my ceiling fans. Great products.

[@SteveDOES]

Great feedback, thanks for sharing! I'll have to check them out.

[@davidbell7094]

Hey Steve great video,I really want too start a Smart Home,mostly for Security reasons I just don't know where too start, on a budget also,it's difficult what too go with. I've made a start I've installed a ring video doorbell, on a budget which way would you recommend. Thank you.

[@artstech]

When it comes to surveillance I have multiple 4K Amcrest PoE turret cameras with a Synology NAS. No subscription and I can view on any PC or mobile phone with their Surveillance Station package and DS Cam app.

[@itsthomasYT]

Thanks for the video. What smart door lock would you recommend? It would be good if you could unlock it with Apple Watch.

[@purplesabbath]

GREAT VIDEO STEVE!

[@SteveDOES]

Thank you!

[@michaelgagner2399]

Steve - Can you do a review on how the Google system (and Alexa) can be set up for home safety such as "Help-I've fallen but cannot get up" please.

[@GeniusatWork104]

What are your thoughts on the Linkind Hub and Motion sensor

[@andrewbagnall5430]

I have stopped buying smart home gadgets and started removing existing, the energy prices are going crazy here in the UK. From October the average energy bill will be over £4K per year ($4731.80 per year). If you want to build a smart home on a budget, then limit your smart plugs to extension leads for the TV, etc in the living room, this will stop the TV, cable box, Firestick, blurayvplayer, games console from being on standby. Smart bulbs to the rooms you use the most, the other rooms standard LED bulbs, plus look at the cost of the devices. With everything that’s going on energy, fuel, and groceries regarding prices going up you need to count the pennies, make sure you have the spare money and you can afford to buy them. So Amazon would be my speaker of choice (Most compatible devices, when on offer snap them up), Apple Home Pod Mini is ok but Siri is as bright as candle on the moon, TP-Link Tapo Smart plugs and Yeelight Led RGB Bulbs are my go to. I am not convinced with smart heat and systems like hive. I have hive installed and tbh I can’t really see the benefit of it. But definitely Amazon Echo devices are the one to go for.

[@SteveDOES]

Great feedback Andrew. Thanks for sharing.

[@andrewbagnall5430]

@@SteveDOES one does try. 👍🏻😂🤣😂 Thanks for the reply. Much appreciated. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@Crusader1984]

dose eufy work with the amazon echos?

[@CharlesMTF]

What are those smart buttons you're using to run a routine?

[@reo72726]

Great video as usual. I do have 3 blink cameras and I don't pay for subscription. I use a flash drive the sync module for local storage.

[@SteveDOES]

I forgot that they now have the sync module for local storage. How long have your batteries lasted in those cameras? I couldn't get close to that 2yr mark.

[@reo72726]

I got close to a year on my backyard camera. The driveway made it 8 months with high sensitivity.

[@shanew7361]

I also have 3 Blink outdoor cams for the money they're not bad and batteries last a long time I also use the sync module.

[@myutube6422]

Will the new stuff on the 15" be a firmware update, or do you have to buy a new one?

[@BigMu2003]

Nice Video! Surprised you recommended the Wemo plug though. I don’t know anyone who has been happy with those.

[@SteveDOES]

Thank you! You do bring up a good point about WeMo and i realized that i linked the wrong plug of theirs. I wanted the WeMo v4 with Thread for our Apple HomeKit users. :)

[@chrismoore6070]

i currently have a smart home that i own and i decided on bluetooth and zigbee als6 i own a vizio 40 inch smartcast TV

[@ittaikidron9239]

Have you looked into the Home Assistant app? Is this a good way to consolidate the input from all smart devices into one dashboard? Is there a better way to do that? Great video!

[@MikeHeath]

Home Assistant is incredibly powerful and has a huge community of contributors. That being said, it's not for the faint of heart. There's a learning curve and to get full value out of it, you can't be afraid to get a little technical. I use Home Assistant and I love it. It's managing 100+ smart devices in my home and I'm able to do things that I couldn't do in any other platform. I'm also a software engineer so I love getting technical and digging into the depths of Home Assistant and its capabilities.

[@softballnutrition4865]

Have you exprerienced any issues with Arlo long term vs right out of the box. We've had to send back 3 arlo pro 4 cameras for various issues from the camera just showing offline, the sound no longer recording, and one showing firmware updating, then timing out and needing to be reset and repeats the process. All have occured 6-8 months after purchasing. Also had to return the originial 3 pack purchase due to issues (should've been a red flag then).

[@MironPrekopa]

There is automation in the Google Home app. Was it not available yet when this video came out?

[@yvonne6488]

Is there a reason you don’t mention SimpliSafe in your videos when discussing doorbells and security cameras?

[@xander-mk4ck]

Don’t the wyze smart plugs have constant connectivity issues ? I keep reading reports that they disconnect from Networks all the time . Wyze still hasn’t fixed it

[@Lysander-Spooner]

What about Thread?

[@Mr.West602]

Hey Steve quick question, I have Vivint for security system what route do you recommend me going with to set up my smart home. I also use smartthings alot and use samsung products.

[@SteveDOES]

As far as voice assistant? You can't really go wrong with any of them, if you have a favorite. But since you already have Smartthings, i'd recommend Google Assistant. Nest Hub is my favorite display and Chromecast is better than FireTV in my opinion.

[@jesteraero]

I really like eufy stuff, but its infuriating that the solo and outdoors cams can't connect to the homebase. That means I have to arm and disarm them individually. Also solocams don't have geofencing like older products

[@SteveDOES]

I've also heard a flaw with the Eufy Solo line is that if someone holds the Sync button it wipes the stored footage. I haven't tested this yet, but i'm planning to.

[@xander-mk4ck]

Roborocks are the best . Lidar and front camera AI

[@Vaporingtugboat]

I'm pretty sure you've always been able to do routines on Google's I've had them for 3 years now and I can't think of a time that I haven't been able too

[@shobes99]

I think he meant automations. Google hasn't integrated automations for the Home app, only through IFTTT. Any advantages between ecosystems will change once Matter launches at the end of Fall and integrates all devices into one standard.

[@aprildonahoo8650]

I recently bought the Ring alarm system but have an Apple HomePod with two smart switches and three lightbulbs. I also have the Logitech doorbell that I will probably switch out for the Ring. I will probably buy Ring cameras, so I’m wondering if I should switch to Amazon Alexa. I love the automations to turn lights off and on with my HomePod when I go to sleep and wake up. I have no experience with Alexa. Any thoughts?

[@SteveDOES]

With the Ring system, you'll really notice a benefit if you get one of the Echo Show smart displays to view your cameras or a video doorbell. You can experiment with Alexa by picking up a cheap Echo Dot or Echo Flex on sale and recreate your automations there. Keep in mind you can link your smart devices to both ecosystems at the same time. Personally i think HomeKit has an easier interface to navigate through.

[@aprildonahoo8650]

@@SteveDOES thanks Steve. I only have a few devices and I’m very comfortable with the HomeKit interface. I might experiment like you said with Alexa.

[@Rezn8d0utlaw]

Meross smart plug 👍 Level Bolt lock 👍 hidden and easy to use and set up August Dead bolt 👎 hated it Big bulky and ugly. Sounded like it was straining to work.

[@SteveDOES]

I have been wanting to test out the Level Bolt. August lock worked good for me, but i missed the touchpad on the outside of the door. I wasn't a fan of their little add-on touchpad either.

[@Pablo-zu3qj]

Could you use Home assistant and google assistant?

[@SteveDOES]

Are you referring to using Google Assistant to control Home Assistant automations? I don't believe you can. But, i haven't used HA, so i don't know for sure.

[@MikeHeath]

You certainly can use Google Assistant to run Home Assistant automations. My family and I depend on this daily and it works remarkably well.

[@SteveDOES]

@@MikeHeath Thank you Mike for helping out with this question. I wasn't aware of that. I assume you could use Alexa too, right?

[@MikeHeath]

@@SteveDOES I assume so. I can't verify though since I don't use Alexa.

[@RjBass3]

Umm I use Google Home and contrary to what the video says, you in fact can setup routines and automation.

[@jacoblandon8025]

Same here. Google Home does have "Routines" that you can set up.

[@RjBass3]

@@jacoblandon8025yup and the automation works through the routines. My patio lights plugged into an outdoor GE smart plug auto turn on every night at 7pm and turn off at 10pm. I set that up in the nightly routine. I have other routines setup as well as to what my lights and displays do when either I or my girlfriend arrive home from work. Really seems like the guy who made this video really doesn't truly know the products he is taking about, or only slightly know a couple things he read in the user manuals.

[@thomasc.1283]

Out of all of the options, the worse is going to be Phillips Hue. Don’t believe me? Try to connect it to Alexa and see how many times it fails!

[@HenryKim21]

you lost me at wemo