Dim The Lights When Starting A Movie On TV Or Projector ($35 – $50)

IR hub

• Broadlink RM Pro4 is best IR blaster to use. It is simple to install and easy to operate

Comms Sticks - give Zwave/Zigbee connectivity to your hub

• Aeotec Z-Stick Gen5, Z-Wave Plus a Z-wave stick that we have but not deserve. reliable, easy and practical 
• dresden elektronik ConBee II  even if it combines RF and IR. Sonoff RF bridge is easier to use (see below)

Home Assistant Server - a smart hub to run your automations

• If you are new to Home Assistant, start with Raspberry Pi 4 4G . It will cover your basic needs and easily expand. 
• Intel NUC 10 Performance Kit once you understand how cool Home Assistant is, go for NUC. There are dedicated images for NUC which makes it great to use and simple to set up. 

RF hub

• No products found. () is our favourite RF bridge. The first thing you need to do is to flash it with Tasmota. This will allow you to connect to your bridge but also just control the bridge better.

Shut off valve

• Dome Automatic Main Water Shut-Off Valve Controller (Price not available) is the most affordable option. Easy to install (you do not need a plumber) and operate. Requires Smart Hub

• leakSMART Water Leak Detection Kit (Price not available) is a more expensive option. It has all you need to set you up shut off valve. There are some negative comments on the hub but it works well in general.

• Grohe 22503LN0 ($575.00) is even more expensive. For the additional price, you have flow sensors capable to detect the pipe bursts without the sensors and better overall build quality. At the same, it has fewer options for integrating with your smart hub.

Door/Window Sensor

• Zigbee:  Linkind Door Window Sensor ($23.99) is the best sensor by BeSense. Reliable, good battery life, and looks amazing
• Z-wave:  Z-Wave Door & Window Sensor ($29.38) is the sensor we recommend by Ecolink. It is easy to install, has up to 3 years of battery life and great customer feedback

Motion Sensor 

• Z-wave Motion Sensor: Our favouritez-wave sensor is Aeotec TriSensor ($64.99) for a good battery life, responsiveness and price. It also has luminance sensor built in. For a multisensor we recommend Zoos 4 in 1 multisensor ($44.95) or Aeon 6 in 1 (Price not available).

• Zigbee Motion Sensor: AGSHOME ZIGBEE Motion Sensor (Price not available) is the best for its price and stability.

Multisensor 

• Z-wave: Our favourite z-wave sensor is Aeon 6 in 1 (Price not available) for its reliability and flexibility in use. It detects motion, humidity, temperature, light lux, UV, vibration sensor and has 2-year battery life

Water leak detector

• HomeSeer HS-LS100+ Leak sensor ($39.00) is the most affordable and simple solution. At this price, you should cover all the areas in your house. Requires A Smart Hub

• FIBARO Flood Sensor ($46.99) is a very good Z-wave leak detector. It has great battery life, easy to pair and very accurate at alarms. Requires A Smart Hub

Outlet 

• Wifi outlet: Kasa Smart WiFi Plug (price for 2 - $39.98) is the best for price and local connectivity.

• Zigbee outlet: Sylvania Smart Plug ($19.77) is also a good option for ZigBee outlet

• Z-wave outlet: GE Enbrighten Z-Wave Plus Smart Plug ($39.98) is good practical device that do not take a lot of space and work perfectly

Plug with Energy Monitoring

• Wifi outlet: BN-LINK WiFi Heavy Duty Smart Plug Outlet, No Hub Required with Timer Function, White, Compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, 2.4 Ghz Network Only (4 Pack) ( ) is the best for price and local connectivity.

• Z-wave outlet: Aeotec Smart Plug (Price not available) is a good practical device that does not take a lot of space and work perfectly

Smart Color Bulb

A colour bulb you can remotely control 

• Wifi: Kasa Smart Light Bulb, Multicolor (Price not available) is best wifi colour LED bulb. We recommend TP-link devices for a great value, easy integration with almost any smart hubs and excellent quality.
• Zigbee: Sengled E11-N1EA Smart LED Multicolor Bulb ($19.99) is the most practical RGB smart bulb around

White Bulb

• Wifi: Kasa Smart WiFi Light Bulb ($38.99)
• Zigbee: Sengled Smart LED Soft White A19 Bulb ($9.99))

Switch US

• Zigbee: Innr Zigbee Smart Plug ($44.99) is a great device. It does not require neutral wire so will be really easy to install. 
• Z-wave: Honeywell Z-Wave Plus On/Off Switch ($31.99) is a switch that easy to install and operate. Works with all the major hubs and looks great.
• Z-wave Dimmer: GE Enbrighten Z-Wave Plus Smart Dimmer Switch ($82.49) in addition to being a great dimmer can also act as extender.  
• Wifi: Wemo Light Switch ($94.00) is really good if you do not have Z-wave of ZigBee and not planning to buy. 

Voice assistant:

There is no right answer which Voice Assistant to choose, but we have the following recommendations:

• The most comprehensive: Amazon Alexa (Price not available) has a lot to offer. Zigbee radio means potentially one hub less (although we still recommend getting a dedicated hub). It also has the biggest ecosystem to tap into (including Ring, Phillips Hue, TP-link)
• The most intelligent: Google Home is using the brains behind the biggest search engine in the world to deliver the best answers for your questions. It is definitely more capable compared to Alexa

Smart Blinds

• Best DIY Blinds: Rechargeable Wireless by RollerHouse ($95.89)
• Best Horizontal Blinds: MySmartBlinds Automation Kit Bundle (Price not available)
• Best Vertical Blinds: Somfy Sonesse ST30 (Price not available)

Read more: Best Motorized Blinds

Smart Buttons

• Zigbee: Sylvania 8 Functions 4 Buttons ($39.99)
• Z-wave: Aeotec NanoMote Quad, 8 scenes, (Price not available)

Irrigation System

• Best for most users: RainMachine Pro-8, Cloud Independent (Price not available) is our top irrigation system pick due to complete independence from cloud, good integrations and great quality
• Alternative: Rachio 8ZULW-C Sprinkler Controller ($199.99) is another good option for irrigation system

Outdoor Lights

• Zigbee: SSengled Flood Light with Motion Sensor Light Outdoor ($20.55) is a very convenient way to bring smart lights to your garden. Easy to install and integrate. GLEDOPTO Smart ZigBee LED Strip Controller RGB ($24.98) is also a good option and has more brigness and metal chasis. 
• Z-wave: Z-wave is not great with lights, but GE Enbrighten Z-Wave Plus Outdoor Smart Plug Switch ($42.50) would work great to control existing lightning solutions. 

Smart TRV

• US: tado Smart Radiator Thermostat (Price not available) is part of Tado which is great heating system with local controls
• UK: Popp POPE010101 Z-Wave Radiator Thermostat (Price not available) is a decent solution with good installations options.

Outdoor Outlets

• Wifi: Kasa Smart WiFi 2 Outlet Outdoor Plug by TP-Link ($17.99) is a great outdoor plug and wifi connection would work great for the majority of users
• Z-wave: GE Enbrighten Z-Wave Plus Outdoor Smart Plug Switch ($42.50) is a well functioning outdoor plug with good range.

Outdoor Cameras

• Best Overall Outdoor Camera: Amcrest 5MP UltraHD Outdoor Security IP ($57.99) is a great quality outdoor camera. It has 5k resolution making it perfect for large outdoor areas. It is ONVIF protocol compliant making it easy to connect to almost any NVR

More: Detailed Review of 4 Best Outdoor Cameras

Outdoor Sensors

Moisture Sensor

• Best for most users: OLLIVAN Plant Monitor, Smart Plant Tracker Soil Moisture (Price not available) is a Bluetooth device that can monitor moisture as well as Sunlight, Temperature, and Soil Fertility

Security Alarm System

• The best for the majority users: SimpliSafe 8 Piece Wireless Home Security System ($183.99) has all the main things for a good security system. Great customer service, main sensors included for the most users and good quality hardware.
• More affordable security system: WiFi Alarm System Kit Smart Security System DIY (Price not available) is a cheaper no-monthly-fee system. It will be more difficult to integrate with your hub but can be done with Sonoff Bridge. 
• More capable security system: No products found. () is a great option for more sophisticated needs. The system has great good integration with hubs, an optional monthly-fee system, and a well-designed mobile application. 

Robot Vacuum

• Best Overall: iRobot Roomba 690 ($539.99) for great value, good quality and connectivity to all major smart hubs