What Is a Smart Home and What Should I Automate First?

A smart home is one where devices connect to your network and to each other, so you can control them from your phone or with automation. Smart lighting, thermostats, locks, cameras, doorbells, and speakers fall into the category. The common thread is control: you can adjust, monitor, or schedule devices remotely, and set them to act on their own.

You do not need a fully wired smart home with a hundred devices. Most homeowners start with a handful of useful devices and expand from there.

The best first purchase for most homes is a smart thermostat, because it saves energy and money immediately. A smart thermostat learns your schedule, adjusts temperatures when you are away, and lets you control the heat or air from your phone. The savings often pay for the device.

Smart lighting with motion sensors or schedules cuts wasted electricity and adds convenience, turning off lights you forgot and brightening your path at night.

After the energy savers, add the security devices that give you peace of mind. A video doorbell shows you who is at the door from anywhere, and it records activity when you are away. Smart locks let you lock or unlock your door remotely and give visitors temporary codes instead of copying keys.

Smart cameras, indoor or outdoor, add visibility and deterrence. Start with the entry points that matter most, and build outward.

As you add devices, think about how they will work together. Most smart devices connect over your home's Wi-Fi or through a hub, and many can be grouped in a single app. Choosing devices that support a common standard or platform keeps things simple as your system grows.

Automation is where the magic lives: a routine that locks the doors and dims the lights at night, or turns down the heat when you leave. Start with one or two routines and build from there.